UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR 12(G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-38309
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
British Virgin Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
c/o Creative Consultants (Hong Kong) Limited
Room 1502-3 15/F., Connaught Commercial Building, 185 Wanchai Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
(Address of principal executive offices)
Bo Zhu, Chief Executive Officer
+86-010-65020507
b.zhu@agmprime.com
c/o Creative Consultants (Hong Kong) Limited
Room 1502-3 15/F., Connaught Commercial Building, 185 Wanchai Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per
share
Trading Symbol(s)
AGMH
Name of each exchange on which registered
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq Capital
Market)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report: 24,254,842 shares of Class A ordinary shares and 2,100,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
☐ Yes ☒ No
☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to
be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See
definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not
to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards † provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the
Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control
over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b) by the registered public accounting fi rm that prepared or issued
its audit report. ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the fi
ling reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive based compensation received by
any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ☒
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
by the International Accounting Standards Board ☐
Other ☐
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934).
☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
☐ Yes ☒ No
☐ Yes ☐ No
Table of Contents
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
KEY INFORMATION
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE OFFER AND LISTING
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
[RESERVED]
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
CODE OF ETHICS
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
INSIDER TRADING POLICIES
CYBERSECURITY
PART I
ITEM 1.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4A.
ITEM 5.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 10.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 12.
PART II
ITEM 13.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 15.
ITEM 16.
ITEM 16A.
ITEM 16B.
ITEM 16C.
ITEM 16D.
ITEM 16E.
ITEM 16F.
ITEM 16G.
ITEM 16H.
ITEM 16I.
ITEM 16J.
ITEM 16K.
PART III
ITEM 17.
ITEM 18.
ITEM 19.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
EXHIBITS
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Conventions Used in this Annual Report
Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report on Form 20-F only, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “Company,” “our” and
“AGM Holdings” refer to:
● AGM Group Holdings Inc., a British Virgin Islands company limited by shares (“AGM Holdings” when individually referenced);
● AGM Defi Tech Limited., a Hong Kong SAR limited company (“AGM Defi Tech” when individually referenced) and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of AGM Holdings;;
● AGM Defi Lab Pte Limited, a Singapore company (“AGM Defi Lab” when individually referenced) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM
Holdings;
● AGM Technology Limited, a Hong Kong SAR limited company (“AGM HK” when individually referenced) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AGM Holdings;
● AGM Software Service LTD, a British Virgin Islands company limited by shares (“AGM Software” when individually referenced) and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings;
● Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co., Ltd., a company formed under the law of People’s Republic of China and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of AGM Defi Tech;
● AGM Tianjin Construction Development Co., Ltd. (“AGM Tianjin”) (also referred to as 天津安⾼盟建设发展有限公司 in China), formerly
known as AGM Tianjin Construction Development Co., Ltd. (or 深圳安⾼盟⾦融科技服务有限公司 in China), a wholly foreign-owned
enterprise (“WFOE”) formed under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM HK;
● Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co., Ltd. (“AGM Beijing”) (also referred to as 北京安⾼盟科技服务有限公司 in China), a PRC
company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Tianjin;
● Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (“Nanjing Lucun”), a PRC company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM HK; and
● Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Beijing Branch (“Nanjing Lucun Beijing Branch”), a branch office of Nanjing Lucun established
pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
This annual report contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollar amounts at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. The
Consolidated Balance Sheets balances, with the exception of equity at December 31, 2022 and 2021, were translated at RMB6.9646 and RMB6.3757 to
$1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to the Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were
RMB6.7261, RMB6.4515, and RMB6.9003 to $1.00, respectively.
We obtained the industry and market data used in this annual report or any document incorporated by reference from industry publications, research, surveys
and studies conducted by third parties and our own internal estimates based on our management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which we
operate. We did not, directly or indirectly, sponsor or participate in the publication of such materials, and these materials are not incorporated in this annual
report other than to the extent specifically cited in this annual report. We have sought to provide current information in this annual report and believe that the
statistics provided in this annual report remain up-to-date and reliable, and these materials are not incorporated in this annual report other than to the extent
specifically cited in this annual report.
ii
SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, those discussed under “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on
the Company,” “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” and elsewhere in this report, as well as factors which may be identified from time to
time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or in the documents where such forward-looking statements appear. All
written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this report reflect our views and assumptions only as of the date this report is signed. Except as required by law,
we assume no responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements.
iii
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
PART I
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
Overview
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Please carefully consider the risks discussed under “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors” in
this annual report beginning on page 12. We provide the following disclosure to help investors better understand our operations in China and the associated
risks.
AGM Group Holdings Inc., or AGM, is a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, or the BVI. As a holding company with no material
operations, AGM conducts a substantial majority of its operations through its subsidiaries established in the People’s Republic of China, or the PRC or China.
However, neither the holding company nor any of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries conduct any operations through contractual arrangements with a
variable interest entity based in China. Investors in our Class A ordinary shares should be aware that they may never directly hold equity interests in the PRC
operating entities, but rather purchasing equity solely in AGM Group Holdings Inc., our BVI holding company. Furthermore, shareholders may face
difficulties enforcing their legal rights under United States securities laws against our directors and officers who are located outside of the United States. See
“Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing Business in China – Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us” on page 32 of this
annual report.
Our equity structure is a direct holding structure. Below is a chart illustrating our corporate structure:
1
Within our direct holding structure, the cross-border transfer of funds within our corporate entities is legal and compliant with the laws and regulations of the
PRC. After the foreign investors’ funds enter AGM, the funds can be directly transferred to the PRC operating companies through its subsidiaries.
Specifically, AGM is permitted under the BVI laws to provide funding to our subsidiaries in the PRC, Hong Kong and Singapore through loans or capital
contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration, approval and filing requirements.
Each of our subsidiaries in the Hong Kong and Singapore is also permitted under the laws of Hong Kong and Singapore to provide funding to AGM through
dividend distribution without restrictions on the amount of the funds. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company
only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. As of the date hereof, there have
not been any transfers, dividends or distributions made between the holding company, its subsidiaries, and to investors. Furthermore, as of the date hereof, no
cash generated from one subsidiary is used to fund another subsidiary’s operations and we do not anticipate any difficulties or limitations on our ability to
transfer cash between subsidiaries. We have also not installed any cash management policies that dictate the amount of such funds and how such funds are
transferred. For the foreseeable future, we intend to use the earnings for our business operations and as a result, we do not intend to distribute earnings or pay
any cash dividends. See “Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries” on page 5 of this annual report.
Because our operations are primarily located in the PRC and Hong Kong through our subsidiaries, we are subject to certain legal and operational risks
associated with our operations in China, including changes in the legal, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the relations between
China and the United States, or Chinese or United States regulations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations. PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and therefore, these risks may result in a
material change in our operations and the value of our Class A ordinary shares, or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or
continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Recently, the PRC government
initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal
activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using a variable interest entity structure, adopting new
measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. We do not believe that our subsidiaries are
directly subject to these regulatory actions or statements, as we have not implemented any monopolistic behavior and our business does not involve the
collection of user data or implicate cybersecurity. As of the date hereof, no relevant laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require us to seek approval from
the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, or any other PRC governmental authorities for future offerings, nor has our BVI holding
company or any of our subsidiaries received any inquiry, notice, warning or sanctions regarding previous offerings from the CSRC or any other PRC
governmental authorities. However, since these statements and regulatory actions by the PRC government are newly published and official guidance and
related implementation rules have not been issued, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and
what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact
such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on an U.S. or other
foreign exchange. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, or other PRC regulatory authorities may in the future
promulgate laws, regulations or implementing rules that requires our company or any of our subsidiaries to obtain regulatory approval from Chinese
authorities before future offerings in the U.S. In other words, although the Company is currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC
federal or local government to obtain such permission and has not received any denial to list on the U.S. exchange, our operations could be adversely
affected, directly or indirectly; our ability to offer, or continue to offer, securities to investors would be potentially hindered and the value of our securities
might significantly decline or be worthless, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry or by intervene or interruption by
PRC governmental authorities, if we or our subsidiaries (i) do not receive or maintain such permissions or approvals, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such
permissions or approvals are not required, (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we are required to obtain such permissions or
approvals in the future, or (iv) any intervention or interruption by PRC governmental with little advance notice.
2
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in our Class A ordinary shares involves significant risks. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under relevant
headings. These risks are discussed more fully under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this annual report.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
● Our business could be materially harmed by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our
Business and Industry – The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted, and poses risks to, our business, the nature and extent of which are
highly uncertain and unpredictable” on page 18 of this annual report);
● We might require additional capital to support business growth (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Business and Industry – We might
require additional capital to support business growth, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all” on page 17 of this
annual report);
● Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential customer information or our failure or the perception by our customers that we failed to
comply with privacy laws or properly address privacy concerns could harm our business and standing with our customers (see “Risk Factors –
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry – Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential customer information or our failure or the
perception by our customers that we failed to comply with privacy laws or properly address privacy concerns could harm our business and
standing with our customers” on page 19 of this annual report);
● Our bitcoin mining machine business faces a number of uncertainties in technology, regulations and operations (see “Risk Factors – Risks
Related to Our Business and Industry – Significant contributors to the bitcoin network could propose amendments to its protocols and software
which, if accepted and authorized, could negatively impact our business and operations” on page 12 of this annual report).
Risks Related to Doing Business in China (for a more detailed discussion, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business
in China” on page 23 of this annual report)
● We may rely on dividends paid by our subsidiaries for our cash needs. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend
payments to us, or any tax implications of making dividend payments to us, could limit our ability to pay our parent company expenses or pay
dividends to holders of our Class A ordinary shares (see “Risk Factors – We are a holding company, and will rely on dividends paid by our
subsidiaries for our cash needs. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us, or any tax implications of
making dividend payments to us, could limit our ability to pay our parent company expenses or pay dividends to holders of our Class A
ordinary shares” on page 23 of this annual report);
● The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. We are currently not
required to obtain approval from Chinese authorities to list on U.S exchanges, however, if our holding company or subsidiaries were required to
obtain approval or filing in the future and were denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges, we will not be able to
continue listing on U.S. exchange, which would materially affect the interest of the investors (see “Risk Factors –The Chinese government
exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. We are currently not required to obtain approval
from Chinese authorities to list on U.S exchanges, however, if our holding company or subsidiaries were required to obtain approval or filing in
the future and were denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges, we will not be able to continue listing on U.S.
exchange, which would materially affect the interest of the investors” on page 24 of this annual report);
● The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign
investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China (see “Risk Factors – The M&A Rules and
certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could
make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China” on page 27 of this annual report);
● China’s legal system is evolving and has inherent uncertainties that could limit the legal protection available to you (see “Risk Factors – Risks
Related to Doing Business in China – Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us” on page 32 of this annual
report);
● We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to
Doing Business in China – We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law” on page
35 of this annual report);
3
● The regulation of Internet website operators in China is subject to interpretation, and our operation of online trading platform and education
programs could be harmed if we are deemed to have violated applicable laws and regulations (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing
Business in China – The regulation of Internet website operators in China is subject to interpretation, and our operation of online trading
platform and education programs could be harmed if we are deemed to have violated applicable laws and regulations” on page 36 of this
annual report);
● The recent joint statement by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the “PCAOB,” proposed
rule changes submitted by Nasdaq and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be
applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected
by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our Class A ordinary shares (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to
Doing Business in China – The recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and the Holding
Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon
assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could
add uncertainties to the trading of our Class A ordinary shares” on page 37 of this annual report);
● The filing, approval or other administration requirements of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection
with our future offshore offering under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to complete the
filing procedure with the CSRC and obtain such approval or complete such filing, as applicable (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing
Business in China – The filing, approval or other administration requirements of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be
required in connection with our future offshore offering under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be
able to complete the filing procedure with the CSRC and obtain such approval or complete such filing, as applicable” on page 29 of this annual
report);
Risks Related to Our Capital Structure and Class A Ordinary Shares China (for a more detailed discussion, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—
Risks Related to Doing Business in China” on page 23 of this annual report)
● The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares has the effect of concentrating voting control with certain shareholders, including our executive
officers, employees and directors and their affiliates, which will limit your ability to influence the outcome of important transactions, including
a change in control (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Capital Structure and Class A Ordinary Shares – The dual-class structure of our
ordinary shares has the effect of concentrating voting control with certain shareholders, including our executive officers, employees and
directors and their affiliates, which will limit your ability to influence the outcome of important transactions, including a change in control” on
page 40 of this annual report);
● The laws of the British Virgin Islands provide little protection for minority shareholders, so minority shareholders will have little or no recourse
if they are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Capital Structure and Class A Ordinary Shares
– The laws of the British Virgin Islands provide little protection for minority shareholders, so minority shareholders will have little or no
recourse if they are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs” on page 40 of this annual report);
● The market price of our Class A ordinary shares may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance (see “Risk Factors –
Risks Related to Our Capital Structure and Class A Ordinary Shares – The trading price of our Class A Ordinary Shares has been, and is likely
to continue to be, volatile; you might not be able to sell your shares at or above the price that you paid for them and we may not be able to stop
the decline of our stock price” on page 41 of this annual report);
● The exercise of the warrants issued on December 14, 2021 may further dilute the Class A ordinary shares and adversely impact the price of our
Class A ordinary shares (see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Capital Structure and Class A Ordinary Shares – The exercise of the
warrants issued on December 14, 2021 may further dilute the ordinary shares and adversely impact the price of our Class A ordinary shares”
on page 43 of this annual report).
4
Legal and Operational Risks of Operating in the PRC
Because our operations are primarily located in the PRC and Hong Kong through our subsidiaries, we are subject to certain legal and operational risks
associated with our operations in China, including changes in the legal, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the relations between
China and the United States, or Chinese or United States regulations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations. PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and therefore, these risks may result in a
material change in our operations and the value of our Class A ordinary shares, or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or
continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Recently, the PRC government
initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal
activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using a variable interest entity structure, adopting new
measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. We do not believe that our subsidiaries are
directly subject to these regulatory actions or statements, as we have not implemented any monopolistic behavior and our business does not involve the
collection of user data or implicate cybersecurity. As of the date of this annual report, no relevant laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require us to seek
approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, or any other PRC governmental authorities for future offerings, nor has our BVI
holding company or any of our subsidiaries received any inquiry, notice, warning or sanctions regarding previous offerings from the CSRC or any other PRC
governmental authorities. However, since these statements and regulatory actions by the PRC government are newly published and official guidance and
related implementation rules have not been issued, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and
what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact
such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on an U.S. or other
foreign exchange. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, or other PRC regulatory authorities may in the future
promulgate laws, regulations or implementing rules that requires our company or any of our subsidiaries to obtain regulatory approval from Chinese
authorities before future offerings in the U.S.
For a more detailed discussion, see “- Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries”, “- Implications of Holding Foreign Company Accountable Act”, “-
PRC Regulatory Permissions” and “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 23 of this annual report.
Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries
AGM Group Holdings Inc. is a holding company with no operations of its own. We conduct our operations in China and Hong Kong primarily through our
subsidiaries in China, Hong Kong SAR and Singapore. We may rely on dividends to be paid by our subsidiaries in Singapore, China and Hong Kong SAR to
fund our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, to service any debt
we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. If our subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may
restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
Our equity structure is a direct holding structure. Within our direct holding structure, the cross-border transfer of funds within our corporate entities is legal
and compliant with the laws and regulations of the PRC. After the foreign investors’ funds enter AGM, the funds can be directly transferred to the PRC
operating companies through its subsidiaries. Specifically, AGM Group Holdings Inc. is permitted under the BVI laws to provide funding to our subsidiaries
in Singapore, China and Hong Kong SAR through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds, subject to satisfaction of
applicable government registration, approval and filing requirements. AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited are also permitted under the
laws of Hong Kong to provide funding to AGM Group Holdings Inc. through dividend distribution without restrictions on the amount of the funds. As of the
date hereof, there have not been any transfers, dividends or distributions made between the holding company, its subsidiaries, and to investors.
5
We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or
paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of
Directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and other factors
the Board of Directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.
Subject to the BVI Business Companies Act and our bylaws, our Board of Directors may authorize and declare a dividend to shareholders at such time and of
such an amount as they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately following the dividend the value of our assets will exceed our
liabilities and we will be able to pay our debts as they become due.
Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us. The laws
and regulations of the PRC do not currently have any material impact on transfer of cash from AGM Group Holdings Inc. to AGM Defi Tech Limited and
AGM Technology Limited, or from AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited to AGM Group Holdings Inc. There are no restrictions or
limitation under the laws of Hong Kong imposed on the conversion of HK dollar into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of Hong Kong
or across borders and to U.S investors.
Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited only out of their
accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is
required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital.
Each of such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be
set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the
registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash
dividends except in the event of liquidation.
To address persistent capital outflows and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the
State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter
vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. The
PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened
scrutiny in the future. The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of
the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the
payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the
debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our
operations, we may be unable to pay dividends on our Class A ordinary shares.
Cash dividends, if any, on our Class A ordinary shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any
dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of
up to 10.0%.
6
In order for us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from our PRC subsidiaries, i.e., Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service
Co., Ltd. to AGM Defi Tech Limited, AGM Tianjing Construction Development Co., Ltd. and Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co., Ltd. to AGM Technology
Limited, and from AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited to AGM Group Holdings Inc. Certain payments from our PRC subsidiaries in
Hong Kong are subject to PRC taxes, including business taxes and VAT.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, our PRC subsidiaries have not made any transfers or distributions. During the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, no cash or asset transfers have occurred among the Company and its subsidiaries. We do not expect to pay any
cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, no cash generated from one
subsidiary is used to fund another subsidiary’s operations and we do not anticipate any difficulties or limitations on our ability to transfer cash between
subsidiaries. We do not have any cash management policies that dictate the amount of such funds and how such funds are transferred.
Implications of Holding Foreign Company Accountable Act
On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the HFCAA.
An identified issuer will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies it as having a “non-inspection” year under a process to be subsequently
established by the SEC. On June 22, 2021, United States Senate has passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and on December
29, 2022, legislation entitled “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” (the “Consolidated Appropriations Act”) was signed into law by President Biden,
which contained, among other things, an identical provision to the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and amended the HFCA Act by
requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two
consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period for triggering the prohibition on trading. On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a
final rule implementing the HFCAA, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCAA, whether the
PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one
or more authorities in that jurisdiction. On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure
requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a
registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position
taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it is unable to inspect or
investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC
authorities in those jurisdictions. On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC (the “MOF”), and the PCAOB signed a Statement of
Protocol (the “Protocol”), governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward
opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to
the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the PCAOB shall have independent
discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. On December 15, 2022,
the PCAOB Board determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms
headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct
or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination.
7
Each of JLKZ CPA LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 included
elsewhere in this annual report, TPS Thayer LLC, the independent registered public account firm that issued the audit report for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021 included elsewhere in this annual report, and KCCW Accountancy Corp., the independent registered public account firm that issued the
audit report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the
United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to
assess such auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards. JLKZ CPA LLP is headquartered in Flushing, New York, and is subject to
inspection by the PCAOB on a regular basis. TPS Thayer LLC is headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, and is subject to inspection by the PCAOB on a
regular basis. KCCW Accountancy Corp. is headquartered in Los Angeles, California , and is subject to inspection by the PCAOB on a regular basis. None of
JLKZ CPA LLP, TPS Thayer LLC or KCCW Accountancy Corp. is subject to the determinations as to the inability to inspect or investigate registered firms
completely announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. However, as more stringent criteria have been imposed by the SEC and the PCAOB, recently,
which would add uncertainties to future offerings, and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more
stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and
training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as it relates to the audit of our financial statements. See “The recent joint statement by
the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more
stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not
inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our Class A ordinary shares” on page 37 of this annual report.
PRC Regulatory Permissions
As of the date of this annual report, we and our operating subsidiaries have received all material permissions and approvals required for our operations in
compliance with the relevant PRC laws and regulations in the PRC, including the business licenses of our operating subsidiaries. The following table
provides details on the licenses and permissions held by our PRC subsidiaries.
Approval
Business License
Recipient
Issuing body
Validity
Beijing Keen Sense Technology
Beijing Municipal Administration for
October 20, 2051
Business License
AGM Tianjing Construction
Tianjing Municipal Administration for
October 12, 2065
Service Co., Ltd.
Market Regulation
Development Co., Ltd.
Market Regulation
Business License
Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co.,
Nanjing Municipal Administration for
Indefinite
Ltd.
Market Regulation
Business License
Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology
Beijing Municipal Administration for
November 12, 2035
Service Co., Ltd.
Market Regulation
The business license is a permit issued by Administration for Market Regulation that allows the company to conduct specific business within the
government’s geographical jurisdiction. Each of our PRC subsidiaries has received its business license. As of the date hereof, except for the business licenses
mentioned here, AGM Group Holdings Inc. and our PRC subsidiaries are not required to obtain any other permissions or approvals from any Chinese
authorities to operate the business. However, applicable laws and regulations may be tightened, and new laws or regulations may be introduced to impose
additional government approval, license, and permit requirements. If we or our subsidiaries fail to obtain and maintain such approvals, licenses, or permits
required for our business, inadvertently conclude that such approval is not required, or respond to changes in the regulatory environment, we or our
subsidiaries could be subject to liabilities, penalties, and operational disruption, which may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results,
financial condition and the value of our Class A ordinary shares, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to
investors, or cause such securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.
8
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in
2006 and amended in 2009, include, among other things, provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle, formed for the purpose of
an overseas listing of securities through acquisitions of domestic enterprises in China or assets and controlled by enterprises or individuals in China, to obtain
the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006,
pursuant to the M&A Rules and other PRC laws, the CSRC published on its official website relevant guidance regarding its approval of the listing and
trading of special purpose vehicles’ securities on overseas stock exchanges, including a list of application materials. However, substantial uncertainty remains
regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules to offshore special purpose vehicles.
On July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in accordance with the
Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-
based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and
incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. These opinions and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional
compliance requirement in the future. As of the date hereof, no official guidance or related implementation rules have been issued. As a result, the Opinions
on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities remain unclear on how they will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC
governmental authorities. We cannot assure that we will remain fully compliant with all new regulatory requirements of these opinions or any future
implementation rules on a timely basis, or at all.
Pursuant to Cybersecurity Review Measures which were issued on December 28, 2021 and became effective on February 15, 2022, network platform
operators holding over one million users’ personal information must apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before any public
offering at a foreign stock exchange. However, given the Cybersecurity Review Measures were relatively new, there are substantial uncertainties as to the
interpretation, application and enforcement of the Cybersecurity Review Measures. It remains uncertain whether we should apply for cybersecurity review
prior to any offshore offering and that we would be able to complete the applicable cybersecurity review procedures in a timely manner, or at all, if we are
required to do so. In addition, on November 14, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China (the “CAC”) published the Administration Regulations on
Network Data Security (Draft for Comments), or the Draft Measures for Network Data Security, which provides that data processors conducting the
following activities shall apply for cybersecurity review: (i) merger, reorganization or separation of Internet platform operators that have acquired a large
number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests affects or may affect national security; (ii) overseas listing of
data processors processing over one million users’ personal information; (iii) listing in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security; (iv) other
data processing activities that affect or may affect national security. In addition, the Draft Measures for Network Data Security also require Internet platform
operators to establish platform rules, privacy policies and algorithm strategies related to data, and solicit public comments on their official websites and
personal information protection related sections for no less than 30 working days when they formulate platform rules or privacy policies or makes any
amendments that may have significant impacts on users’ rights and interests. The CAC solicited comments on this draft, but there is no timetable as to when
it will be enacted.
We believe that we will not be subject to the Cybersecurity Review Measures that became effective on February 15, 2022 under the CAC, because we
currently do not have over one million users’ personal information and do not anticipate that we will be collecting over one million users’ personal
information in the foreseeable future, which we understand might otherwise subject us to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. We are also not subject to
network data security review by the CAC if the Draft Measures for Network Data Security are enacted as proposed, since we currently do not have over one
million users’ personal information and do not collect data that affects or may affect national security and we do not anticipate that we will be collecting over
one million users’ personal information or data that affects or may affect national security in the foreseeable future, which we understand might otherwise
subject us to the Draft Measures for Network Data Security.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the
“Overseas Listing Trial Measures”) and five relevant guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial
Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the
filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures provides that an overseas listing or offering is
explicitly prohibited, if any of the following: (1) such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations
and relevant state rules; (2) the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities
under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling
shareholder(s) and the actual controller, have committed relevant crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or
undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (4) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and
listing is currently under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations, and no conclusion has yet been made
thereof; or (5) there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder(s) or by other shareholder(s) that are
controlled by the controlling shareholder(s) and/or actual controller.
9
The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also provides that if the issuer meets both the following criteria, the overseas securities offering and listing conducted
by such issuer will be deemed as indirect overseas offering by PRC domestic companies: (1) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total
profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year is accounted for by domestic
companies; and (2) the issuer’s main business activities are conducted in China, or its main place(s) of business are located in China, or the majority of senior
management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in China. Where an
issuer submits an application for initial public offering to competent overseas regulators, such issuer must file with the CSRC within three business days after
such application is submitted. In addition, the Overseas Listing Trial Measures provide that the direct or indirect overseas listings of the assets of domestic
companies through one or more acquisitions, share swaps, transfers or other transaction arrangements shall be subject to filing procedures in accordance with
the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also requires subsequent reports to be filed with the CSRC on material events,
such as change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer(s) who have completed overseas offerings and listings.
At a press conference held for these new regulations (“Press Conference”), officials from the CSRC clarified that the domestic companies that have already
been listed overseas on or before March 31, 2023 shall be deemed as existing issuers (the “Existing Issuers”). Existing Issuers are not required to complete
the filling procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC upon occurrences of certain subsequent matters such as follow-on
offerings of securities. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and the Press Conference, the existing domestic companies that have completed
overseas offering and listing before March 31, 2023, such as us, shall not be required to perform filing procedures for the completed overseas securities
issuance and listing. However, from the effective date of the regulation, any of our subsequent securities offering in the same overseas market or subsequent
securities offering and listing in other overseas markets shall be subject to the filing requirement with the CSRC within three working days after the offering
is completed or after the relevant application is submitted to the relevant overseas authorities, respectively. If it is determined that any approval, filing or
other administrative procedures from other PRC governmental authorities is required for any future offering or listing, we cannot assure you that we can
obtain the required approval or accomplish the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to fulfill filing procedure
as stipulated by the Trial Measures or offer and list securities in an overseas market in violation of the Trial Measures, the CSRC may order rectification,
issue warnings to us, and impose a fine of between RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000. Persons-in-charge and other persons that are directly liable for such
failure shall be warned and each imposed a fine from RMB500,000 to RMB5,000,000. Controlling shareholders and actual controlling persons of us that
organize or instruct such violations shall be imposed a fine from RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000.
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC published the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration Related to the Overseas
Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (the “Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration”), which came into effect on March
31, 2023. The Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration requires that, in the process of overseas issuance and listing of securities by
domestic entities, the domestic entities, and securities companies and securities service institutions that provide relevant securities service shall strictly
implement the provisions of relevant laws and regulations and the requirements of these provisions, establish and improve rules on confidentiality and
archives administration. Where the domestic entities provide with or publicly disclose documents, materials or other items related to the state secrets and
government work secrets to the relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory authorities, or other entities or individuals,
the companies shall apply for approval of competent departments with the authority of examination and approval in accordance with law and report the
matter to the secrecy administrative departments at the same level for record filing. Where there is unclear or controversial whether or not the concerned
materials are related to state secrets, the materials shall be reported to the relevant secrecy administrative departments for determination. However, there
remain uncertainties regarding the further interpretation and implementation of the Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration.
10
As of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries are not required to obtain, nor have we or our PRC subsidiaries received any inquiry, notice,
warning, or sanctions regarding obtaining approval or permission from the CSRC or the CAC or any other entity that is required to approve our PRC
subsidiaries’ operations or required for us to offer securities to foreign investors under any currently effective PRC laws, regulations, and regulatory rules. If
it is determined that we are subject to filing requirements imposed by the CSRC under the Overseas Listing Regulations or approvals from other PRC
regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the revised Cybersecurity Review Measures, for our future offshore
offerings, it would be uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to complete such procedures or obtain such approval and any such approval could
be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in completing such procedures or obtaining such approval for our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such
approval if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities for failure to file with the CSRC or failure to seek
approval from other government authorization for our offshore offerings. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in
China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our
offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and
prospects, as well as the trading price of our ordinary shares. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it
advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and delivery of the securities offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or
other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the
CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or
other regulatory procedures for our prior offshore offerings, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are
established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our
business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading price of our ordinary shares.
See “The filing, approval or other administration requirements of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our
future offshore offering under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to complete the filing procedure with the
CSRC and obtain such approval or complete such filing, as applicable.” on page 29 of this annual report.
For more details, see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing Business in China – The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in
which we must conduct our business activities. We are currently not required to obtain approval from Chinese authorities to list on U.S exchanges, however,
if our holding company or subsidiaries were required to obtain approval or filing in the future and were denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on
U.S. exchanges, we will not be able to continue listing on U.S. exchange, which would materially affect the interest of the investors” on page 24 of this annual
report.
3.A. [Reserved]
3.B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
3.C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
11
3.D. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We have a limited operating history in a new and evolving market, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects.
The software industry is developing rapidly. The regulatory framework for this market is also evolving and may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future.
Potential users may have difficulty distinguishing our services from those of our competitors. Convincing potential new users of the value of our services is
critical to the success of our business.
Our company was incorporated on April 27, 2015 and have a limited operating history. As our business develops or in response to competition, we may
continue to introduce new features or make adjustments to our existing services and our business model. Any significant change to our business model may
not achieve expected results and may have a material and adverse impact on our financial conditions and results of operations. It is therefore difficult to
effectively assess our future prospects. You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges we encounter or may encounter in
this developing and rapidly evolving market. These risks and challenges include our ability to, among other things:
● navigate an evolving regulatory environment;
● expand the user base;
● broaden our services;
● increase awareness of our brand and continue to develop customer loyalty;
● enhance our risk management capabilities;
● raise sufficient capital to sustain and expand our business;
● attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel;
● upgrade our technology to support additional research and development of new services;
● improve our operational efficiency;
● cultivate a vibrant online social trading system;
● maintain the security of our platform and the confidentiality of the information provided and utilized across our platform;
● attract, retain and motivate talented employees; and
● defend ourselves against litigation, regulatory, intellectual property, privacy or other claims.
If we fail to educate potential users about the value of our software, if the software market does not develop as we expect, or if we fail to address the needs of
our target market, or other risks and challenges, our business and results of operations will be harmed.
Significant contributors to the bitcoin network could propose amendments to its protocols and software which, if accepted and authorized, could
negatively impact our business and operations.
A small group of individuals contribute to the Bitcoin Core Project on GitHub.com, which is a leading source of quasi-governance that works to ensure that
the bitcoin blockchain remains decentralized and governed by consensus. According to its website, “Bitcoin Core is an open source project which maintains
and releases Bitcoin client software called ‘Bitcoin Core.’ It is a direct descendant of the original Bitcoin software client released by Satoshi Nakamoto after
he published the famous Bitcoin whitepaper.” Bitcoin Core is powered by an open-source development community, but it is maintained by a small group of
maintainers and leading contributors.
12
This group of contributors is currently headed by Wladimir J. van der Laan, the current lead maintainer. These individuals can propose refinements or
improvements to the bitcoin network’s source code through one or more software upgrades that alter the protocols and software that govern the bitcoin
network and the properties of bitcoin, including the irreversibility of transactions and limitations on the mining of new bitcoin. Proposals for upgrades and
discussions relating thereto take place on online forums. For example, there is an ongoing debate regarding altering the blockchain by increasing the size of
blocks to accommodate a larger volume of transactions.
The open-source structure of the bitcoin network protocol may result in inconsistent and perhaps even ineffective changes to the bitcoin protocol. Failed
upgrades or maintenance to the protocol could damage the bitcoin network, which could adversely affect our business and the results of our operations.
The bitcoin network operates based on an open-source protocol maintained by contributors, largely on the Bitcoin Core project on GitHub. As an open source
project, bitcoin is not represented by an official organization or authority. As the bitcoin network protocol is not sold and its use does not generate revenues
for contributors, contributors are generally not compensated for maintaining and updating the bitcoin network protocol. Although the MIT Media Lab’s
Digital Currency Initiative funds the current maintainer Wladimir J. van der Laan, among others, this type of financial incentive is not typical. The lack of
guaranteed financial incentive for contributors to maintain or develop the bitcoin network and the lack of guaranteed resources to adequately address
emerging issues with the bitcoin network may reduce incentives to address the issues adequately or in a timely manner. Changes to a digital asset network
which we sell mining machine on may adversely affect an investment in us.
If demand for bitcoin declines, or if another cryptocurrency replaces bitcoin as the most prominent cryptocurrency, our business and the results of our
operations could suffer materially.
Although bitcoin is presently the most prominent cryptocurrency, it is possible that another cryptocurrency could supplant it as the most prominent
cryptocurrency, which could have a materially negative effect of the demand for bitcoin and, therefore, on its conversion spot price. Alternatively, the
demand for bitcoin may fall for other reasons unknown to the Company.
Our ability to adopt technology in response to changing security needs or trends poses a challenge to the safekeeping of our digital assets.
The history of digital asset exchanges has shown that exchanges and large holders of digital assets must adapt to technological change in order to secure and
safeguard their digital assets. We rely on third party storage solutions and “cold storage” of our digital wallets to safeguard our digital assets from theft, loss,
destruction, or other issues relating to hackers and technological attack; however, malicious actors may be able to intercept our digital assets in the process of
selling them. Further, we may move our digital assets to various exchanges to exchange them for fiat currency, which will require us to rely on the security
protocols of these exchanges to safeguard our digital assets. While these exchanges purport to be secure, and while we believe them to be so, no security
system is perfect and malicious actors may be able to intercept our digital assets while we are in the process of selling them via such exchanges. Given the
growth in their size and their relatively unregulated nature, we believe these exchanges will become a more appealing target for malicious actors. To the
extent we are unable to identify and mitigate or stop new security threats, our machines may be subject to theft, loss, destruction, or other attack, which could
adversely affect an investment in us.
We have an evolving business model which is subject to various uncertainties.
As bitcoin assets may become more widely available, we expect the services and products associated with them to evolve. In order to stay current with the
industry, our business model may need to evolve as well. From time to time, we may modify aspects of our business model relating to our strategy. We
cannot offer any assurance that these or any other modifications will be successful or will not result in harm to our business. We may not be able to manage
growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth and negatively affect our operating results. Further, we cannot provide any
assurance that we will successfully identify all emerging trends and growth opportunities in this business sector, and we may lose out on those opportunities.
Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations.
13
The development and acceptance of cryptographic and algorithmic protocols governing the issuance of and transactions in cryptocurrencies is subject to
a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate.
The use of cryptocurrencies to, among other things, buy and sell goods and services and complete transactions, is part of a new and rapidly evolving industry
that employs bitcoin assets based upon a computer-generated mathematical and/or cryptographic protocol. Large-scale acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a
means of payment has not, and may never, occur. The growth of this industry in general, and the use of bitcoin, in particular, is subject to a high degree of
uncertainty, and the slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of developing protocols may occur unpredictably. The factors include, but are not
limited to:
● continued worldwide growth in the adoption and use of cryptocurrencies as a medium to exchange;
● governmental and quasi-governmental regulation of cryptocurrencies and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of
the network or similar bitcoin systems;
● changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences;
● the maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the network;
● the increased consolidation of contributors to the bitcoin blockchain through mining pools;
● the availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, including new means of using fiat
currencies;
● the use of the networks supporting cryptocurrencies for developing smart contracts and distributed applications;
● general economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to cryptocurrencies; and
● negative consumer sentiment and perception of bitcoin specifically and cryptocurrencies generally.
The outcome of these factors could have negative effects on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our business strategy at all, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations as well as potentially negative effect on the value of any bitcoin or other
cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account, which would harm investors in our securities.
Banks and financial institutions may not provide banking services, or may cut off services, to businesses that engage in bitcoin-related activities or that
accept cryptocurrencies as payment, including financial institutions of investors in our securities.
A number of companies that engage in bitcoin and/or other bitcoin-related activities have been unable to find banks or financial institutions that are willing to
provide them with bank accounts and other services. Similarly, a number of companies and individuals or businesses associated with cryptocurrencies may
have had and may continue to have their existing bank accounts closed or services discontinued with financial institutions in response to government action,
particularly in China, where regulatory response to cryptocurrencies has been to exclude their use for ordinary consumer transactions within its jurisdiction.
Subject to such restrictions, we also may be unable to obtain or maintain these services for our business. The difficulty that many businesses that provide
bitcoin and/or derivatives on other bitcoin-related activities have and may continue to have in finding banks and financial institutions willing to provide them
services may be decreasing the usefulness of cryptocurrencies as a payment system and harming public perception of cryptocurrencies and could decrease
their usefulness and harm their public perception in the future.
14
If any person, institution or a pool of them acting in concert obtains control of more than 50% of the processing power active on the Bitcoin network,
such person, institution or a pool of them could prevent new transactions from gaining confirmations, halt payments between users, and reverse
previously completed transactions, which would erode user confidence in Bitcoin.
If the award of Bitcoins for solving blocks and transaction fees for recording transactions are not sufficiently high to incentivize miners, miners may cease
expending processing power to solve blocks. Miners ceasing operations would reduce the collective processing power on the Bitcoin network, which would
adversely affect the confirmation process for transactions and make the Bitcoin network more vulnerable to any person, institution or a pool of them which
has obtained over 50% control over the computing power on the Bitcoin network. In such event, such person, institution or a pool of them could prevent new
transactions from gaining confirmation, halt payments between users, and reverse previously completed transactions. Such changes or any reduction in
confidence in the confirmation process or processing power of the Bitcoin network may erode user confidence in Bitcoin, which would decrease the demand
for our mining machines.
The administrators of the Bitcoin network’s source code could propose amendments to the Bitcoin network’s protocols and software that, if accepted and
authorized by the Bitcoin network’s community, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Bitcoin network is based on a cryptographic, algorithmic protocol that governs the end-user-to-end-user interactions between computers connected to the
Bitcoin network. A loosely organized group can propose amendments to the Bitcoin network’s source code through one or more software upgrades that alter
the protocols and software that govern the Bitcoin network and the properties of Bitcoins, including the irreversibility of transactions and limitations on the
mining of new Bitcoins. To the extent that a significant majority of the users and miners on the Bitcoin network install such software upgrade(s), the Bitcoin
network would be subject to new protocols and software that may render our products less desirable, which in turn may adversely affect our business, results
of operations and financial condition. If less than a significant majority of the users and miners on the Bitcoin network install such software upgrade(s), the
Bitcoin network could “fork.”
The acceptance of Bitcoin network software patches or upgrades by a significant, but not overwhelming, percentage of the users and miners in the
Bitcoin network could result in a “fork” in the blockchain, resulting in the operation of two separate networks that cannot be merged. The existence of
forked blockchains could erode user confidence in Bitcoin and could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Bitcoin is based on open-source software and has no official developer or group of developers that formally controls the Bitcoin network. Any individual can
download the Bitcoin network software and make any desired modifications, which are proposed to users and miners on the Bitcoin network through
software downloads and upgrades. However, miners and users must consent to those software modifications by downloading the altered software or upgrade
implementing the changes; otherwise, the changes do not become part of the Bitcoin network. Since the Bitcoin network’s inception, changes to the Bitcoin
network have been accepted by the vast majority of users and miners, ensuring that the Bitcoin network remains a coherent economic system. However, a
developer or group of developers could potentially propose a modification to the Bitcoin network that is not accepted by a vast majority of miners and users,
but that is nonetheless accepted by a substantial population of participants in the Bitcoin network. In such a case, a fork in the blockchain could develop and
two separate Bitcoin networks could result, one running the pre-modification software program and the other running the modified version. An example is
the introduction of a cryptocurrency known as “Bitcoin cash” in mid-2017. This kind of split in the Bitcoin network could erode user confidence in the
stability of the Bitcoin network, which could negatively affect the demand for our products. Our marketing efforts to help grow our business may not be
effective.
If our marketing efforts are not successful in promoting awareness of our clients, or if we are not able to cost-effectively manage our marketing expenses, our
results of operations could be adversely affected. If our marketing efforts are successful in increasing awareness of our business, this could also lead to
increased public scrutiny of our business and increase the likelihood of third parties bringing legal proceedings against us. Any of the foregoing risks could
harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
15
Acceptance and/or widespread use of bitcoin is uncertain.
Currently, there is a relatively limited use of any bitcoin in the retail and commercial marketplace, thus contributing to price volatility that could adversely
affect an investment in our securities. Banks and other established financial institutions may refuse to process funds for bitcoin transactions, process wire
transfers to or from bitcoin exchanges, bitcoin-related companies or service providers, or maintain accounts for persons or entities transacting in bitcoin.
Conversely, a significant portion of bitcoin demand is generated by investors seeking a long-term store of value or speculators seeking to profit from the
short- or long-term holding of the asset. Price volatility undermines any bitcoin’s role as a medium of exchange, as retailers are much less likely to accept it
as a form of payment. Market capitalization for a bitcoin as a medium of exchange and payment method may always be low.
The relative lack of acceptance of bitcoins in the retail and commercial marketplace, or a reduction of such use, limits the ability of end users to use them to
pay for goods and services. Such lack of acceptance or decline in acceptances could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going
concern or to pursue our business strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations.
The development and acceptance of competing blockchain platforms or technologies may cause consumers to use alternative distributed ledgers or other
alternatives.
The development and acceptance of competing blockchain platforms or technologies may cause consumers to use alternative distributed ledgers or an
alternative to distributed ledgers altogether. Our business utilizes presently existent digital ledgers and blockchains and we could face difficulty adapting to
emergent digital ledgers, blockchains, or alternatives thereto. This may adversely affect us and our exposure to various blockchain technologies and prevent
us from realizing the anticipated profits from our investments. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going
concern or to pursue our business strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations.
We may not adequately respond to price fluctuations and rapidly changing technology, which may negatively affect our business.
Competitive conditions within the bitcoin industry require that we use sophisticated technology in the operation of our business. The industry for blockchain
technology is characterized by rapid technological changes, new product introductions, enhancements and evolving industry standards. New technologies,
techniques or products could emerge that might offer better performance than the software and other technologies we currently utilize, and we may have to
manage transitions to these new technologies to remain competitive. We may not be successful, generally or relative to our competitors in the bitcoin
industry, in timely implementing new technology into our systems, or doing so in a cost-effective manner. During the course of implementing any such new
technology into our operations, we may experience system interruptions and failures during such implementation. Furthermore, there can be no assurances
that we will recognize, in a timely manner or at all, the benefits that we may expect as a result of our implementing new technology into our operations. As a
result, our business and operations may suffer, and there may be adverse effects on the price of our common stock.
We are dependent on our major customers for the majority of our revenues. The loss of one or more significant customers could adversely affect our
financial condition, prospects and results of operations.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, five customers accounted for 20%, 19%, 14%, 13% and 12% of the Company’s revenues, respectively. For the
year ended December 31, 2021, we had seven major customers, which accounted for an aggregate of 88.98% of total revenue. If we were to lose any key
alliances over a relatively short period of time or if one of our largest customers fails to pay or delays in paying a significant amount of our outstanding
receivables, we could experience an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. Additionally,
changes in ownership of our customers may result in the loss of, or reduction in, business from those customers, which could materially and adversely affect
our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
16
We are dependent on a limited number of suppliers, and delays in deliveries or increases in the cost could harm our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Our ability to meet our customers’ demand for our service depends upon obtaining adequate supplies on a timely basis. We have established relationships
with a limited number of suppliers. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, two suppliers accounted for 75% and 11% of the Company’s total cost of
revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had three major suppliers, which accounted for an aggregate of 98.49% of total cost of revenue. Should
any of our current suppliers be unable to deliver their service or otherwise fail to deliver in a timely manner and at acceptable prices and quality, we would
have to identify and quality replacements from alternative sources of supply. However, the process of qualifying new suppliers for complex components is
also lengthy and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, increase in costs may
adversely impact demand for our services or the results of our business operations.
Any failure to offer high-quality product support may adversely affect our relationships with our customers and our financial results.
In deploying and using our solutions, our customers depend on our support services team to resolve complex technical and operational issues. We may be
unable to respond quickly enough to accommodate short-term increases in customer demand for product support. We also may be unable to modify the
nature, scope and delivery of our product support to compete with changes in product support services provided by our competitors. Increased customer
demand for product support, without corresponding revenue, could increase costs and adversely affect our operating results. Our sales are highly dependent
on our business reputation and on positive recommendations from our existing customers. Any failure to maintain high-quality product support, or a market
perception that we do not maintain high-quality product support, could adversely affect our reputation, our ability to sell our solutions to existing and
prospective customers, our business, operating results, and financial position.
We might require additional capital to support business growth, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
We intend to continue to make investments to support our business growth and may require additional funds to respond to business challenges, including the
need to develop new features or enhance our existing solutions, improve our operating infrastructure or acquire complementary businesses and technologies.
Accordingly, we may need to engage in equity or debt financings to secure additional funds. If we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity
or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights,
preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of our Class A ordinary shares. Any debt financing secured by us in the future could involve restrictive
covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional
capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. In addition, we may not be able to obtain additional financing on terms
favorable to us, or at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, when we require it, our ability to continue to
support our business growth and to respond to business challenges could be significantly impaired.
Our financial and operating performance may be adversely affected by epidemics, natural disasters and other catastrophes.
Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics including but not limited to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), swine
influenza, avian influenza, middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV). Our financial and operating
performance may be adversely affected by epidemics such as the on-going COVID-19, natural disasters and other catastrophes. Our business could be
materially and adversely affected in the event that the slowdown or suspension carries for a long period of time. The restrictive measures against the COVID-
19 pandemic adversely affected and slowed down the national economic development. Any prolonged restrictive measures in order to control the contagious
disease or other adverse public health developments in China or our targeted markets may have a material and adverse effect on our business operations.
Similarly, natural disasters, wars (including the potential of war), terrorist activity (including threats of terrorist activity), social unrest and heightened travel
security measures instituted in response, and travel-related accidents, as well as geopolitical uncertainty and international conflict, will affect travel volume
and may in turn have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, we may not be adequately prepared in contingency
planning or recovery capability in relation to a major incident or crisis, and as a result, our operational continuity may be adversely and materially affected,
which in turn may harm our reputation.
17
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted, and poses risks to, our business, the nature and extent of which are highly uncertain and
unpredictable.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which has increased the cost of, and adversely impacted access to,
capital (including the commercial paper markets) and increased economic uncertainty. It is likely that the pandemic will cause an economic slowdown of
potentially extended duration, and it is possible that it could cause a global recession.
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected certain elements of our business, including as a result of impacts associated with preventive and
precautionary measures that we, other businesses, our communities and governments are taking. Due to these impacts and measures, we have experienced
delays in our internal product development and unpredictable reductions in demand for certain of our products and services. Our employees were required to
work from home or not go into their offices from time to time. Such restrictions are slowly being lifted. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, we
experienced delay in delivery of our products as a result of disruption in the supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. If the pandemic continues and
conditions worsen, we expect to experience additional adverse impacts on our operational and commercial activities and customer orders, which adverse
impacts may be material, and it remains uncertain what impact these adverse impacts would have on future sales and customer orders even if conditions
begin to improve. Jurisdictions may close borders, impose prolonged quarantines and further restrict travel and business activity, which could significantly
impact our ability to support our operations and customers. Further, such travel restrictions and slowed-down business activities may affect the operation of
our customer and result in decrease of our products and services, which could adversely affect our financial results. Due to the speed with which the COVID-
19 situation is developing, the global breadth of its spread and the range of governmental and community reactions thereto, there is uncertainty around its
duration and ultimate impact; therefore, any negative impact on our overall financial and operating results (including without limitation our liquidity) cannot
be reasonably estimated at this time, but the pandemic could lead to extended disruption of economic activity and the impact on our financial and operating
results could be material.
If we are not able to continue to innovate or if we fail to adapt to changes in our industry, our business, financial condition and results of operations
would be materially and adversely affected.
The software industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, new service introductions and changing customer
demands. Furthermore, our competitors are constantly developing innovations in online marketing, communications, social networking and other services to
enhance users’ online experience. We continue to invest significant resources in our infrastructure, research and development and other areas in order to
introduce more content and enhance our existing services that will attract more users to our software. The changes and developments taking place in our
industry may also require us to re-evaluate our business model and adopt significant changes to our long-term strategies and business plan. Our failure to
innovate and adapt to these changes would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to maintain existing clients, attract new clients or broaden our market, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
We intend to continue to dedicate significant resources to our user acquisition efforts, including establishing new acquisition channels, particularly as we
continue to grow and introduce new services. The overall number of users may be affected by several factors, including our brand recognition and reputation,
the effectiveness of our risk control, the efficiency of our platform, the macroeconomic environment and other factors. Currently, we promote our brand
through direct communications with schools and learning centers. However, we do we have sufficient human resource to market our services, which will
result in an increase in operation cost. If we are unable to broaden our market or attract new users, or if the existing users do not continue to use our software,
we might be unable to increase our revenues as we expect, and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
18
If we do not compete effectively, our results of operations could be harmed.
The market of software is in rapid growth due to rapid growth of actual and predicted demand. The market, thus, has become more competitive. For our
commodity trading platform, we compete with traditional financial institutions and other online trading platforms. For our education software, we compete
with schools and learning centers and online education programs. Our competitors operate with different business models, have different cost structures or
participate selectively in different market segments. They may ultimately prove more successful or more adaptable to new regulatory, technological and other
developments. Some of our current and potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do and may
be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their platforms. Our competitors may also have longer operating
histories, more extensive customer bases, greater brand recognition and brand loyalty and broader partner relationships than us. Additionally, a current or
potential competitor may acquire one or more of our existing competitors or form a strategic alliance with one or more of our competitors. Our competitors
may be better at developing new services, offering more attractive investment returns or lower fees, responding faster to new technologies and undertaking
more extensive and effective marketing campaigns. In response to competition and in order to grow or maintain the client base, we may have to offer more
content and features in the software or charge lower fees, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. If we are unable
to compete with such companies and meet the need for innovation in our industry, the demand for our service could stagnate or substantially decline, we
could experience reduced revenues or our services could fail to achieve or maintain more widespread market acceptance, any of which could harm our
business and results of operations.
If we fail to promote and maintain our brand in an effective and cost-efficient way, our business and results of operations may be harmed.
We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of our brand effectively is critical to attracting new and retaining existing clients. Successful
promotion of our brand and our ability to attract clients depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and the success of the channels we use to
promote our services. It is likely that our future marketing efforts will require us to incur significant additional expenses. These efforts may not result in
increased revenues in the immediate future or at all and, even if they do, any increases in revenues may not offset the expenses incurred. If we fail to
successfully promote and maintain our brand while incurring substantial expenses, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely
affected, which may impair our ability to grow our business.
Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential customer information or our failure or the perception by our customers that we failed to comply with
privacy laws or properly address privacy concerns could harm our business and standing with our customers.
We collect, store, process, and use certain personal information and other user data in our business. A significant risk associated with our business is the
secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. The perception of privacy concerns, whether or not valid, may adversely affect our
business and results of operations. We must ensure that any processing, collection, use, storage, dissemination, transfer and disposal of data for which we are
responsible complies with relevant data protection and privacy laws. The protection of our customer, employee and company data is critical to us. We rely on
commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide secure processing, transmission and storage of confidential customer information.
Despite the security measures we have in place, our facilities and systems, and those of our third-party service providers, may be vulnerable to security
breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming or human errors, or other similar events. Any security breach, or any
perceived failure involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, as well as any failure or perceived failure
to comply with laws, policies, legal obligations or industry standards regarding data privacy and protection, whether by us or our vendors, could damage our
reputation, expose us to litigation risk and liability, subject us to negative publicity, disrupt our operations and harm our business. We cannot assure you that
our security measures will prevent security breaches or that failure to prevent them will not have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, we do not
carry cybersecurity insurance to compensate for any losses that may result from any breach of security. Therefore, our results of operations or financial
condition may be materially adversely affected if our existing general liability policies did not cover a security breach.
19
New lines of business or new services may subject us to additional risks.
From time to time, we may implement new lines of business or offer new services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and
uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of
business and/or new services, we may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business
and/or new services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations,
competitive alternatives and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new service.
Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. Failure to
successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new services could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We regard our trademarks, copyrights, domain names, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we
rely on a combination of intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements, including confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete
agreements with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. We have purchased and registered with the National Copyright Administration of
PRC certain copyrights. See “Item 4. Information on the Company – Intellectual Property.” Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights
could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated, or such intellectual property may not be sufficient to provide us with competitive
advantages. In addition, because of the rapid pace of technological change in our industry, parts of our business rely on technologies developed or licensed by
third parties, and we may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses and technologies from these third parties on reasonable terms, or at all.
It is often difficult to register, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. Statutory laws and regulations are subject to judicial interpretation
and enforcement and may not be applied consistently due to the lack of clear guidance on statutory interpretation. Confidentiality, invention assignment and
non-compete agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we
may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights in China. Preventing any unauthorized use of our
intellectual property is difficult and costly and the steps we take may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event
that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and
financial resources. We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become
available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. To the extent that our employees or consultants use intellectual property owned by others in
their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related know-how and inventions. Any failure in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property
rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.
We cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademarks, patents, copyrights,
know-how or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be from time to time in the future subject to legal proceedings and claims
relating to the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, there may be third-party trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual
property rights that are infringed by our services or other aspects of our business without our awareness. Holders of such intellectual property rights may seek
to enforce such intellectual property rights against us in China, the United States or other jurisdictions. If any third-party infringement claims are brought
against us, we may be forced to divert management’s time and other resources from our business and operations to defend against these claims, regardless of
their merits.
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Additionally, the application and interpretation of China’s intellectual property right laws and the procedures and standards for granting trademarks, patents,
copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights in China are still evolving and are uncertain, and we cannot assure you that PRC courts or
regulatory authorities would agree with our analysis. If we were found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be subject to
liability for our infringement activities or may be prohibited from using such intellectual property, and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop
alternatives of our own. As a result, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
From time to time, we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management
attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.
We may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to further increase the value of our services and better serve our
clients. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we are able to identify an appropriate
business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction and, even if we do consummate such a transaction, we may be unable
to obtain the benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such transaction.
Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
● difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, products and services of the acquired business;
● inability of the acquired technologies, products or businesses to achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, productivity or other benefits;
● difficulties in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key personnel;
● diversion of management’s time and resources from our normal daily operations;
● difficulties in successfully incorporating licensed or acquired technology and rights into our services;
● difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies within the combined organizations;
● difficulties in retaining relationships with clients, employees and suppliers of the acquired business;
● risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience;
● regulatory risks, including remaining in good standing with existing regulatory bodies or receiving any necessary pre-closing or post-closing
approvals, as well as being subject to new regulators with oversight over an acquired business;
● assumption of contractual obligations that contain terms that are not beneficial to us, require us to license or waive intellectual property rights or
increase our risk for liability;
● failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology;
● liability for activities of the acquired business before the acquisition, including intellectual property infringement claims, violations of laws,
commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities;
● potential disruptions to our ongoing businesses; and
● unexpected costs and unknown risks and liabilities associated with strategic investments or acquisitions.
21
We may not make any investments or acquisitions, or any future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business strategy,
may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits. In addition, we cannot
assure you that any future investment in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the successful development of new or enhanced services
or that any new or enhanced services, if developed, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
Our business depends on the continued efforts of our senior management. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue in
their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.
Our business operations depend on the continued services of our senior management, particularly the executive officers named in this annual report. While
we have provided different incentives to our management, we cannot assure you that we can continue to retain their services. If one or more of our key
executives were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, our future growth may be
constrained, our business may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we
may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel. In addition, although we have entered into confidentiality and non-competition
agreements with our management, there is no assurance that any member of our management team will not join our competitors or form a competing
business. If any dispute arises between our current or former officers and us, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such
agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce them at all.
Competition for employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the qualified and skilled employees needed to support our business.
We believe our success depends on the efforts and talent of our employees, including software engineering, financial and marketing personnel. Our future
success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain qualified and skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled technical,
and financial personnel is extremely intense. We may not be able to hire and retain these personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing
compensation and salary structure. Some of the companies with which we compete for experienced employees have greater resources than we have and may
be able to offer more attractive terms of employment.
A lack of insurance could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.
We have not yet purchased insurance to cover our assets and property of our business, which could leave our business inadequately protected from loss. If we
were to incur substantial losses or liabilities due to fire, explosions, floods, other natural disasters or accidents or business interruption, our results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, Insurance companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance
products as insurance companies in more developed economies. Currently, we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance to cover our
operations. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially
reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurring substantial costs.
We have identified material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system
of internal control, we may be unable to accurately report our operating results, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.
As required by Form 20-F, our management is required to assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and include a report in our
annual report on Form 20-F. In preparing our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, our management identified
material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board of the United States, and other significant deficiencies. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over
financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be
prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness identified is the lack of personnel with appropriate levels of accounting knowledge and
experience to address complex U.S. GAAP accounting issues and to prepare and review financial statements and related disclosures under U.S. GAAP. This
material weakness remained as of December 31, 2022. As a result of inherent limitations, our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or
detect misstatements, errors or omissions.
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In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act,
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules promulgated by the SEC, we will be subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, pursuant to which our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that
our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may
issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or
reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our
management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any
required remediation.
During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, we may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of
our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on
an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Generally, if we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements, errors or omissions in our
financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information.
This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, and harm our results of operations. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting
could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list,
regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
We are a holding company, and will rely on dividends paid by our subsidiaries for our cash needs. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to
make dividend payments to us, or any tax implications of making dividend payments to us, could limit our ability to pay our parent company expenses or
pay dividends to holders of our Class A ordinary shares.
We are a BVI holding company and conduct substantially all of our business through our subsidiaries in China. Although neither the holding company nor
any of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries conduct any operations through contractual arrangements with a variable interest entity based in China, we may
rely on dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other
cash distributions to our shareholders, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own
behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC
accounting standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned enterprises are required to set aside at least 10% of their accumulated after-tax
profits each year, if any, to fund a certain statutory reserve fund, until the aggregate amount of such fund reaches 50% of its registered capital.
Our PRC subsidiaries generate primarily all of their revenue in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on
currency exchange may limit the ability of any one of our PRC subsidiaries to use its Renminbi revenues to pay dividends to us. The PRC government may
continue to strengthen its capital controls, and more restrictions and substantial vetting process may be put forward by SAFE for cross-border transactions
falling under both the current account and the capital account. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends or make other kinds of
payments to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay
dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
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In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law, or EIT, and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to
dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements
between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are incorporated. Any limitation
on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make
investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax
Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise
owns no less than 25% of a PRC entity. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied,
including, without limitation, that (a) the Hong Kong entity must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong entity must
directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in the PRC entity during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends. In current practice,
a Hong Kong entity must obtain a tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC withholding tax rate. As the Hong
Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the tax resident
certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with
respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to their immediate holding companies, AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited. As of
the date hereof, Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co., Ltd., AGM Tianjing Construction Development Co., Ltd. and Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor
Co. Ltd. currently do not have plans to declare and pay dividends to AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited and we have not applied for the
tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority. AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited intend to apply for the tax
resident certificate when Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co., Ltd., AGM Tianjing Construction Development Co., Ltd. and Nanjing Lucun
Semiconductor Co. Ltd. plan to declare and pay dividends to them. When Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co., Ltd., AGM Tianjing Construction
Development Co., Ltd. and Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co. Ltd. plan to declare and pay dividends to AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology
Limited and when we intend to apply for the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority, we plan to inform the investors through SEC
filings, such as a current report on Form 6-K, prior to such actions.
The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. We are currently not required to
obtain approval from Chinese authorities to list on U.S exchanges, however, if our holding company or subsidiaries were required to obtain approval or
filing in the future and were denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges, we will not be able to continue listing on U.S.
exchange, which would materially affect the interest of the investors.
The Chinese government has exercised and can continue to exercise substantial control to intervene on virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through
regulation and state ownership, and as a result, it can influence the manner in which we must conduct our business activities and effect material changes in
our operations or the value of the Class A ordinary shares we are registering in this resale. Under the current government leadership, the government of the
PRC has been pursuing reform policies which have adversely affected China-based operating companies whose securities are listed in the United States, with
significant policies changes being made from time to time without notice. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of
PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our
contractual arrangements with borrowers in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy or criminal proceedings. Our ability to operate in
China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and
other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that
would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. Accordingly, government
actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or
regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions
thereof, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties.
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Given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or
foreign investment in China-based issuers, any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to
investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the
Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law, or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6,
2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over
overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, will be taken to deal with the
risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies. As of the date hereof, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions from
PRC government authorities in connection with the Opinions.
On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, or the SCNPC, promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took
effect in September 2021. The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities,
and introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree
of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with,
destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may
affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data an information.
In early July 2021, regulatory authorities in China launched cybersecurity investigations with regard to several China-based companies that are listed in the
United States. The Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on July 2 that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days
later ordered that the company’s app be removed from smartphone app stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same
investigation on two other Internet platforms, China’s Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN
LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ). On July 24, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State
Council jointly released the Guidelines for Further Easing the Burden of Excessive Homework and Off-campus Tutoring for Students at the Stage of
Compulsory Education, pursuant to which foreign investment in such firms via mergers and acquisitions, franchise development, and variable interest entities
are banned from this sector.
On August 17, 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure, or the
Regulations, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Regulations supplement and specify the provisions on the security of critical information
infrastructure as stated in the Cybersecurity Review Measures. The Regulations provide, among others, that protection department of certain industry or
sector shall notify the operator of the critical information infrastructure in time after the identification of certain critical information infrastructure.
On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, or the Personal Information Protection Law, which took
effect in November 2021. As the first systematic and comprehensive law specifically for the protection of personal information in the PRC, the Personal
Information Protection Law provides, among others, that (i) an individual’s consent shall be obtained to use sensitive personal information, such as biometric
characteristics and individual location tracking, (ii) personal information operators using sensitive personal information shall notify individuals of the
necessity of such use and impact on the individual’s rights, and (iii) where personal information operators reject an individual’s request to exercise his or her
rights, the individual may file a lawsuit with a People’s Court.
As such, the Company’s business segments may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces in which they operate. The
Company could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-
divisions. The Company may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to
comply. Additionally, the governmental and regulatory interference could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer
securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Furthermore, it is uncertain when and whether the Company will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the
future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded. Although the Company is currently not required to obtain
permission from any of the PRC federal or local government to obtain such permission and has not received any denial to list on the U.S. exchange, our
operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry.
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On December 28, 2021, the CAC, the National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”), and several other administrations jointly issued the
revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review, or the Revised Review Measures, which became effective and has replaced the existing Measures for
Cybersecurity Review on February 15, 2022. According to the Revised Review Measures, if an “online platform operator” that is in possession of personal
data of more than one million users intends to list in a foreign country, it must apply for a cybersecurity review. Based on a set of Q&A published on the
official website of the State Cipher Code Administration in connection with the issuance of the Revised Review Measures, an official of the said
administration indicated that an online platform operator should apply for a cybersecurity review prior to the submission of its listing application with non-
PRC securities regulators. Given the recency of the issuance of the Revised Review Measures and their pending effectiveness, there is a general lack of
guidance and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to their interpretation and implementation. For example, it is unclear whether the requirement of
cybersecurity review applies to follow-on offerings by an “online platform operator” that is in possession of personal data of more than one million users
where the offshore holding company of such operator is already listed overseas. Furthermore, the CAC released the Administration Regulations on Network
Data Security (Draft for Comments), or the Draft Measures for Network Data Security in November 2021 for public consultation, which among other things,
stipulates that a data processor listed overseas must conduct an annual data security review by itself or by engaging a data security service provider and
submit the annual data security review report for a given year to the municipal cybersecurity department before January 31 of the following year. If the
Draft Measures for Network Data Security are enacted in the current form, we, as an overseas listed company, will be required to carry out an annual data
security review and comply with the relevant reporting obligations.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the
“Overseas Listing Trial Measures”) and five relevant guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial
Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the
filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures provides that an overseas listing or offering is
explicitly prohibited, if any of the following: (1) such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations
and relevant state rules; (2) the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities
under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling
shareholder(s) and the actual controller, have committed relevant crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or
undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (4) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and
listing is currently under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations, and no conclusion has yet been made
thereof; or (5) there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder(s) or by other shareholder(s) that are
controlled by the controlling shareholder(s) and/or actual controller.
The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also provides that if the issuer meets both the following criteria, the overseas securities offering and listing conducted
by such issuer will be deemed as indirect overseas offering by PRC domestic companies: (1) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total
profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year is accounted for by domestic
companies; and (2) the issuer’s main business activities are conducted in China, or its main place(s) of business are located in China, or the majority of senior
management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in China. Where an
issuer submits an application for initial public offering to competent overseas regulators, such issuer must file with the CSRC within three business days after
such application is submitted. In addition, the Overseas Listing Trial Measures provide that the direct or indirect overseas listings of the assets of domestic
companies through one or more acquisitions, share swaps, transfers or other transaction arrangements shall be subject to filing procedures in accordance with
the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also requires subsequent reports to be filed with the CSRC on material events,
such as change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer(s) who have completed overseas offerings and listings.
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At a press conference held for these new regulations (“Press Conference”), officials from the CSRC clarified that the domestic companies that have already
been listed overseas on or before March 31, 2023 shall be deemed as existing issuers (the “Existing Issuers”). Existing Issuers are not required to complete
the filling procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC upon occurrences of certain subsequent matters such as follow-on
offerings of securities. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and the Press Conference, the existing domestic companies that have completed
overseas offering and listing before March 31, 2023, such as us, shall not be required to perform filing procedures for the completed overseas securities
issuance and listing. However, from the effective date of the regulation, any of our subsequent securities offering in the same overseas market or subsequent
securities offering and listing in other overseas markets shall be subject to the filing requirement with the CSRC within three working days after the offering
is completed or after the relevant application is submitted to the relevant overseas authorities, respectively. If it is determined that any approval, filing or
other administrative procedures from other PRC governmental authorities is required for any future offering or listing, we cannot assure you that we can
obtain the required approval or accomplish the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to fulfill filing procedure
as stipulated by the Trial Measures or offer and list securities in an overseas market in violation of the Trial Measures, the CSRC may order rectification,
issue warnings to us, and impose a fine of between RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000. Persons-in-charge and other persons that are directly liable for such
failure shall be warned and each imposed a fine from RMB500,000 to RMB5,000,000. Controlling shareholders and actual controlling persons of us that
organize or instruct such violations shall be imposed a fine from RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000.
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC published the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration Related to the Overseas
Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (the “Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration”), which came into effect on March
31, 2023. The Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration requires that, in the process of overseas issuance and listing of securities by
domestic entities, the domestic entities, and securities companies and securities service institutions that provide relevant securities service shall strictly
implement the provisions of relevant laws and regulations and the requirements of these provisions, establish and improve rules on confidentiality and
archives administration. Where the domestic entities provide with or publicly disclose documents, materials or other items related to the state secrets and
government work secrets to the relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory authorities, or other entities or individuals,
the companies shall apply for approval of competent departments with the authority of examination and approval in accordance with law and report the
matter to the secrecy administrative departments at the same level for record filing. Where there is unclear or controversial whether or not the concerned
materials are related to state secrets, the materials shall be reported to the relevant secrecy administrative departments for determination. However, there
remain uncertainties regarding the further interpretation and implementation of the Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration.
We have been closely monitoring the development in the regulatory landscape in China, particularly regarding the requirement of filings or approvals,
including on a retrospective basis, from the CSRC, the CAC or other PRC authorities with respect to this offering. If any filings, approval, review, or other
procedure is in fact required, we are not able to guarantee that we will obtain such filings, approval or complete such review or other procedure timely or at
all. For any approval that we may be able to obtain, it could nevertheless be revoked and the terms of its issuance may impose restrictions on our operations
and offerings relating to our securities. Currently, we are not required to seek approval from or make filings to the CSRC, or any other PRC governmental
authorities for our overseas listing plan, nor have we received any inquiry, notice, warning or sanctions regarding our planned overseas listing from the
CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities as of the date of this annual report. See also “- The filing, approval or other administration requirements of
the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore offering under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot
predict whether or for how long we will be able to complete the filing procedure with the CSRC and obtain such approval or complete such filing, as
applicable.”
The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors,
which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in
2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements
that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the
anti-monopoly law enforcement agency be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC
domestic enterprise.
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For example, the M&A Rules require that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of
a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that impact or may impact national economic
security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand.
Moreover, the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress effective 2008 requires that transactions
which are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover thresholds (i.e., during the previous fiscal year, (i) the total global turnover of
all operators participating in the transaction exceeds RMB10 billion and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million
within China, or (ii) the total turnover within China of all the operators participating in the concentration exceeded RMB2 billion, and at least two of these
operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China) must be cleared by the anti-monopoly enforcement authority before they can be
completed. In addition, in 2011, the General Office of the State Council promulgated a Notice on Establishing the Security Review System for Mergers and
Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, also known as Circular 6, which officially established a security review system for mergers and
acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors. Further, MOFCOM promulgated the Regulations on Implementation of Security Review System for
the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, effective 2011, to implement Circular 6. Under Circular 6, a security review is
required for mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors having “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions by which foreign
investors may acquire the “de facto control” of domestic enterprises with “national security” concerns. Under the foregoing MOFCOM regulations,
MOFCOM will focus on the substance and actual impact of the transaction when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition is subject to security
review. If MOFCOM decides that a specific merger or acquisition is subject to a security review, it will submit it to the Inter-Ministerial Panel, an authority
established under Circular 6 led by the National Development and Reform Commission, and MOFCOM under the leadership of the State Council, to carry
out security review. The regulations prohibit foreign investors from bypassing the security review by structuring transactions through trusts, indirect
investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. There is no explicit provision or official interpretation stating
that the merging or acquisition of a company engaged in the internet content business requires security review, and there is no requirement that acquisitions
completed prior to the promulgation of the Security Review Circular are subject to MOFCOM review.
In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and
other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from
MOFCOM or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. We believe that it is unlikely that our business would be
deemed to be in an industry that raises “national defense and security” or “national security” concerns. However, MOFCOM or other government agencies
may publish explanations in the future determining that our business is in an industry subject to the security review, in which case our future acquisitions in
China, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited.
You may have difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against us.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United
States. Virtually all of our assets and a substantial portion of our current business operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, almost all of our directors
and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons is located outside the
United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to bring an action against these individuals within the United States. It may also be difficult for you to
enforce the U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts, including judgments based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws
against us and our officers and directors, many of whom are not residents in the United States, and whose significant part of assets are located outside of the
United States.
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In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the British Virgin Islands or the PRC, respectively, would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S.
courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state. In addition, it is
uncertain whether such British Virgin Islands or PRC courts would entertain original actions brought in the courts of the British Virgin Islands or the PRC
against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.
The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the Chinese Civil Procedure Law. Chinese courts may recognize and enforce
foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the Chinese Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the
judgment is made or in reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other agreements with the British Virgin Islands or the United
States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. As a result, it is uncertain whether a Chinese court would enforce a
judgment rendered by a court in either of these two jurisdictions.
The United States and the British Virgin Islands do not have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts of the
United States in civil and commercial matters and that a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any general or state court in the United States
based on civil liability, whether or not predicated solely upon the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be enforceable in the British Virgin Islands. A final
and conclusive judgment obtained in U.S. federal or state courts under which a sum of money is payable as compensatory damages (i.e., not being a sum
claimed by a revenue authority for taxes or other charges of a similar nature by a governmental authority, or in respect of a fine or penalty or multiple or
punitive damages) may be the subject of an action on a debt in the court of the British Virgin Islands.
The filing, approval or other administration requirements of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our
future offshore offering under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to complete the filing procedure with
the CSRC and obtain such approval or complete such filing, as applicable.
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in
2006 and amended in 2009, include, among other things, provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle, formed for the purpose of
an overseas listing of securities through acquisitions of domestic enterprises in China or assets and controlled by enterprises or individuals in China, to obtain
the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006,
pursuant to the M&A Rules and other PRC laws, the CSRC published on its official website relevant guidance regarding its approval of the listing and
trading of special purpose vehicles’ securities on overseas stock exchanges, including a list of application materials. However, substantial uncertainty remains
regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules to offshore special purpose vehicles.
We believe that the CSRC’s approval is not required for the trading of our Class A ordinary shares on Nasdaq in the context of future offerings, given that:
(i) our PRC subsidiary was incorporated as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise by means of direct investment rather than by merger or acquisition of equity
interest or assets of a PRC domestic company owned by PRC companies or individuals as defined under the M&A Rules that are our beneficial owners;
(ii) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings like ours under our past offerings are subject to the
M&A Rules; and (iii) no provision in the M&A Rules clearly classifies contractual arrangements as a type of transaction subject to the M&A Rules.
However, there remain some uncertainties as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering and its
opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the
M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as we do. If it is
determined that CSRC approval is required for future offerings, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek
CSRC approval for future offerings. These sanctions may include fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limitations on our operating privileges in
the PRC, delays in or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from future offerings into the PRC, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or
remittance of dividends by our PRC subsidiary, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares. Furthermore, the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies
may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt future offerings before the settlement and delivery of the Class A ordinary shares that
we may offer in the future.
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On July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in accordance with the
Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-
based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and
incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. These opinions and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional
compliance requirement in the future. As of the date hereof, no official guidance or related implementation rules have been issued. As a result, the Opinions
on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities remain unclear on how they will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC
governmental authorities. We cannot assure that we will remain fully compliant with all new regulatory requirements of these opinions or any future
implementation rules on a timely basis, or at all.
Pursuant to Cybersecurity Review Measures which were issued on December 28, 2021 and became effective on February 15, 2022, network platform
operators holding over one million users’ personal information must apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before any public
offering at a foreign stock exchange. However, given the Cybersecurity Review Measures were relatively new, there are substantial uncertainties as to the
interpretation, application and enforcement of the Cybersecurity Review Measures. It remains uncertain whether we should apply for cybersecurity review
prior to any offshore offering and that we would be able to complete the applicable cybersecurity review procedures in a timely manner, or at all, if we are
required to do so. In addition, on November 14, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China (the “CAC”) published the Administration Regulations on
Network Data Security (Draft for Comments), or the Draft Measures for Network Data Security, which provides that data processors conducting the
following activities shall apply for cybersecurity review: (i) merger, reorganization or separation of Internet platform operators that have acquired a large
number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests affects or may affect national security; (ii) overseas listing of
data processors processing over one million users’ personal information; (iii) listing in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security; (iv) other
data processing activities that affect or may affect national security. In addition, the Draft Measures for Network Data Security also require Internet platform
operators to establish platform rules, privacy policies and algorithm strategies related to data, and solicit public comments on their official websites and
personal information protection related sections for no less than 30 working days when they formulate platform rules or privacy policies or makes any
amendments that may have significant impacts on users’ rights and interests. The CAC solicited comments on this draft, but there is no timetable as to when
it will be enacted.
We believe that we will not be subject to the Cybersecurity Review Measures that became effective on February 15, 2022 under the CAC, because we
currently do not have over one million users’ personal information and do not anticipate that we will be collecting over one million users’ personal
information in the foreseeable future, which we understand might otherwise subject us to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. We are also not subject to
network data security review by the CAC if the Draft Measures for Network Data Security are enacted as proposed, since we currently do not have over one
million users’ personal information and do not collect data that affects or may affect national security and we do not anticipate that we will be collecting over
one million users’ personal information or data that affects or may affect national security in the foreseeable future, which we understand might otherwise
subject us to the Draft Measures for Network Data Security.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the
“Overseas Listing Trial Measures”) and five relevant guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial
Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the
filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures provides that an overseas listing or offering is
explicitly prohibited, if any of the following: (1) such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations
and relevant state rules; (2) the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities
under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling
shareholder(s) and the actual controller, have committed relevant crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or
undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (4) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and
listing is currently under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations, and no conclusion has yet been made
thereof; or (5) there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder(s) or by other shareholder(s) that are
controlled by the controlling shareholder(s) and/or actual controller.
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The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also provides that if the issuer meets both the following criteria, the overseas securities offering and listing conducted
by such issuer will be deemed as indirect overseas offering by PRC domestic companies: (1) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total
profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year is accounted for by domestic
companies; and (2) the issuer’s main business activities are conducted in China, or its main place(s) of business are located in China, or the majority of senior
management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in China. Where an
issuer submits an application for initial public offering to competent overseas regulators, such issuer must file with the CSRC within three business days after
such application is submitted. In addition, the Overseas Listing Trial Measures provide that the direct or indirect overseas listings of the assets of domestic
companies through one or more acquisitions, share swaps, transfers or other transaction arrangements shall be subject to filing procedures in accordance with
the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also requires subsequent reports to be filed with the CSRC on material events,
such as change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer(s) who have completed overseas offerings and listings.
At a press conference held for these new regulations (“Press Conference”), officials from the CSRC clarified that the domestic companies that have already
been listed overseas on or before March 31, 2023 shall be deemed as existing issuers (the “Existing Issuers”). Existing Issuers are not required to complete
the filling procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC upon occurrences of certain subsequent matters such as follow-on
offerings of securities. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and the Press Conference, the existing domestic companies that have completed
overseas offering and listing before March 31, 2023, such as us, shall not be required to perform filing procedures for the completed overseas securities
issuance and listing. However, from the effective date of the regulation, any of our subsequent securities offering in the same overseas market or subsequent
securities offering and listing in other overseas markets shall be subject to the filing requirement with the CSRC within three working days after the offering
is completed or after the relevant application is submitted to the relevant overseas authorities, respectively. If it is determined that any approval, filing or
other administrative procedures from other PRC governmental authorities is required for any future offering or listing, we cannot assure you that we can
obtain the required approval or accomplish the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to fulfill filing procedure
as stipulated by the Trial Measures or offer and list securities in an overseas market in violation of the Trial Measures, the CSRC may order rectification,
issue warnings to us, and impose a fine of between RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000. Persons-in-charge and other persons that are directly liable for such
failure shall be warned and each imposed a fine from RMB500,000 to RMB5,000,000. Controlling shareholders and actual controlling persons of us that
organize or instruct such violations shall be imposed a fine from RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000.
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC published the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration Related to the Overseas
Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (the “Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration”), which came into effect on March
31, 2023. The Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration requires that, in the process of overseas issuance and listing of securities by
domestic entities, the domestic entities, and securities companies and securities service institutions that provide relevant securities service shall strictly
implement the provisions of relevant laws and regulations and the requirements of these provisions, establish and improve rules on confidentiality and
archives administration. Where the domestic entities provide with or publicly disclose documents, materials or other items related to the state secrets and
government work secrets to the relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory authorities, or other entities or individuals,
the companies shall apply for approval of competent departments with the authority of examination and approval in accordance with law and report the
matter to the secrecy administrative departments at the same level for record filing. Where there is unclear or controversial whether or not the concerned
materials are related to state secrets, the materials shall be reported to the relevant secrecy administrative departments for determination. However, there
remain uncertainties regarding the further interpretation and implementation of the Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration.
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As of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have obtain the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are
material for the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, as of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries are not required to
obtain, nor have we or our PRC subsidiaries received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions regarding obtaining approval or permission from the CSRC
or the CAC or any other entity that is required to approve our PRC subsidiaries’ operations or required for us to offer securities to foreign investors under any
currently effective PRC laws, regulations, and regulatory rules. If it is determined that we are subject to filing requirements imposed by the CSRC under the
Overseas Listing Regulations or approvals from other PRC regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the revised
Cybersecurity Review Measures, for our future offshore offerings, it would be uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to complete such
procedures or obtain such approval and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in completing such procedures or obtaining such
approval for our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such approval if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC
regulatory authorities for failure to file with the CSRC or failure to seek approval from other government authorization for our offshore offerings. These
regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating
privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and
adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares. The CSRC
or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and
delivery of the securities offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery,
they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules or
explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or other regulatory procedures for our prior offshore offerings, we may
be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative
publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading
price of our Class A ordinary shares.
The PRC laws and regulations governing the Company’s business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain. Any changes in such PRC laws and
regulations as well as in the PRC economic, political, and social conditions may have a material and adverse effect on the PRC economy, and in turn the
Company’s business.
There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to the laws and
regulations governing the Company’s business, or the enforcement and performance of the Company’s arrangements with customers in the event of the
imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy, and criminal proceedings. The Company and any future subsidiaries are considered foreign persons or
foreign funded enterprises under the PRC laws, and as a result, the Company is required to comply with the PRC laws and regulations. These laws and
regulations are sometimes vague and may be subject to future changes, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may
be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.
In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall
effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China.
However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of
economic activities in China. In particular, the PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since
these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules
may not be uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the
relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited
through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part
on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may
not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in
China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
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In particular, PRC laws and regulations concerning the businesses that we are involved in are developing and evolving. Although we have taken measures to
comply with the laws and regulations that are applicable to our business operations and avoid conducting any non-compliant activities under the applicable
laws and regulations, the PRC governmental authorities may promulgate new laws and regulations regulating the industry in the future. We cannot assure you
that our practice would not be deemed to violate any new PRC laws or regulations relating to the industry. Moreover, developments in the industry may lead
to changes in PRC laws, regulations and policies or in the interpretation and application of existing laws, regulations and policies that may limit or restrict
online reading marketplaces like us, which could materially and adversely affect our business and operations.
Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of
China, which could reduce the demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.
Substantially all of our business operations and R&D are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, results of operations, financial condition and
prospects are subject to economic, political and legal developments in China. Although the Chinese economy is no longer a planned economy, the PRC
government continues to exercise significant control over China’s economic growth through direct allocation of resources, monetary and tax policies, and a
host of other government policies such as those that encourage or restrict investment in certain industries by foreign investors, control the exchange between
RMB and foreign currencies, and regulate the growth of the general or specific market. These government involvements have been instrumental in China’s
significant growth in the past 30 years. In response to the recent global and Chinese economic downturn, the PRC government has adopted policy measures
aimed at stimulating the economic growth in China. We voluntarily ceased our forex trading brokerage business and suspended all activities on AGMTrade, a
trading network platform, to ensure compliance with PRC laws, regulations and policies. While we do not foresee our business will be further restricted or
affected by the PRC laws and regulations, we may need to further revise our business model to remain compliant. If any aspect of the PRC government’s
policies limits the growth of our industry or otherwise negatively affects our business, our growth rate or strategy, our results of operations could be
adversely affected as a result.
A severe or prolonged downturn in the Chinese or global economy could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese or global economy may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In
particular, general economic factors and conditions in China or worldwide, including the general interest rate environment and unemployment rates, may
affect our customer’s participation in forex trading. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions. There is considerable
uncertainty over the long-term effects of the monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s
leading economies, including the United States and China. If present Chinese and global economic uncertainties persist, many of our customers may reduce
the service they require from us. Adverse economic conditions could also reduce the number of customers seeking our service, as well as their ability to make
payments. Should any of these situations occur, our net revenues will decline, and our business and financial conditions will be negatively impacted.
Additionally, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs.
The recent outbreak of war in Ukraine has already affected global economic markets, and the uncertain resolution of this conflict could result in protracted
and/or severe damage to the global economy. Russia’s recent military interventions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied
by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global
energy and financial markets and thus could affect our customers’ business and our business, even though we do not have any direct exposure to Russia or
the adjoining geographic regions. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions, and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but
could be substantial. Any such disruptions caused by Russian military action or resulting sanctions may magnify the impact of other risks described in this
section. We cannot predict the progress or outcome of the situation in Ukraine, as the conflict and governmental reactions are rapidly developing and beyond
their control. Prolonged unrest, intensified military activities, or more extensive sanctions impacting the region could have a material adverse effect on the
global economy, and such effect could in turn have a material adverse effect on the operations, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and
business outlook of our business.
In addition, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access capital markets to meet liquidity needs.
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Labor laws in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
On June 29, 2007, the PRC government promulgated a new labor law, namely, the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which became effective on January 1,
2008, which was further amended on December 28, 2012 (effective July 1, 2013). The Labor Contract Law imposes greater liabilities on employers and
significantly affects the cost of an employer’s decision to reduce its workforce. Further, it requires certain terminations be based upon seniority and not merit.
In the event we decide to significantly change or decrease our workforce, the Labor Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to enact such changes in
a manner that is most advantageous to our business or in a timely and cost-effective manner, thus materially and adversely affecting our financial condition
and results of operations. The Labor Contract Law also mandates that employers provide social welfare packages to all employees, increasing our labor costs.
To the extent competitors from outside China are not affected by such requirements, we could be at a comparative disadvantage.
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “Resident Enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax
consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.
China passed an Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”) and implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT
Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be
treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management
as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.
On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation of China issued the Notice Concerning Relevant Issues Regarding Cognizance of Chinese
Investment Controlled Enterprises Incorporated Offshore as Resident Enterprises pursuant to Criteria of de facto Management Bodies, or the Notice, further
interpreting the application of the EIT Law and its implementation to offshore entities controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group. Pursuant to the Notice, an
enterprise incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction and controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group will be classified as a “non-domestically incorporated
resident enterprise” if (i) its senior management in charge of daily operations reside or perform their duties mainly in China; (ii) its financial or personnel
decisions are made or approved by bodies or persons in China; (iii) its substantial assets and properties, accounting books, corporate stamps, board and
stockholder minutes are kept in China; and (iv) at least half of its directors with voting rights or senior management are often resident in China. A resident
enterprise would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on its worldwide income and must pay a withholding tax at a rate of 10% when paying
dividends to its non-PRC stockholders. However, it remains unclear as to how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax
consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise
income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax
at a rate of 25%. Currently, approximately 82% of our revenue is non-China source income, so could be adversely affected. Second, under the EIT Law and
its implementing rules, dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income.” Finally, it is possible that future guidance
issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay
to our non-PRC stockholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC stockholders from transferring our shares.
PRC regulations relating to investments in offshore companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC-resident beneficial owners or our PRC
subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their
registered capital or distribute profits.
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic
Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014, which
replaced the former circular commonly known as “SAFE Circular 75” promulgated by SAFE on October 21, 2005. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents
to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas
investment and financing. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirement could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of
foreign exchange controls. According to the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Policies for the Foreign Exchange Administration of Direct
Investment (the “2015 Notice”) released on February 13, 2015 by SAFE, local banks will examine and handle foreign exchange registration for overseas
direct investment, including the initial foreign exchange registration and amendment registration, under SAFE Circular 37 from June 1, 2015.
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We have not filed SAFE Circular 37 reports on behalf of our shareholders who are PRC residents before. The failure of our beneficial owners who are PRC
residents to register or amend their SAFE registrations in a timely manner pursuant to SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, or the failure
of future beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent
implementation rules, may subject such beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to fines and legal sanctions. Furthermore, it is unclear how SAFE Circular
37 and the 2015 Notice, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the
relevant PRC government authorities, we cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or future strategy. Failure to register or
comply with relevant requirements may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to
distribute dividends to our company. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A change in trading rules of the trading exchanges could adversely affect our revenue and profitability.
We are under the supervision of various trading exchanges such as the China Financial Futures Exchange, which provide trading platforms and set trading
model and rules for all participants on the exchanges. Those exchanges formulate their trading rules covering various aspects of trading, including but not
limited to, commission and fee rates, leverage ratio, trade settlement procedures, membership qualifications, risk control mechanism, as well as information
management. Those trading exchanges usually adjust their trading rules in response to changing market conditions and changes to these rules may adversely
affect our revenue or business. In addition, futures companies have discretion to set the fee rates and the adjustments of the fee rates will have an impact on
our income and profitability.
We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law.
We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign
governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business.
We are also subject to Chinese anti-corruption laws, which strictly prohibit the payment of bribes to government officials. We have operations, agreements
with third parties, and make sales in China, which may experience corruption. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of
payments by one of the employees, consultants or distributors of our company, because these parties are not always subject to our control. We are in process
of implementing an anticorruption program, which prohibits the offering or giving of anything of value to foreign officials, directly or indirectly, for the
purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The anticorruption program also requires that clauses mandating compliance with our policy be included in all
contracts with foreign sales agents, sales consultants and distributors and that they certify their compliance with our policy annually. It further requires that
all hospitality involving promotion of sales to foreign governments and government-owned or controlled entities be in accordance with specified guidelines.
In the meantime, we believe to date we have complied in all material respects with the provisions of the FCPA and Chinese anti-corruption law.
However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants or distributors of our
Company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption law may result in severe
criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In
addition, the government may seek to hold our Company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that
we acquire.
Since our operations and assets are located in the PRC, shareholders may find it difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against the assets of our company,
our directors and executive officers.
Our operations and assets are located in the PRC. In addition, most of our executive officers and directors are non-residents of the U.S., and substantially all
the assets of such persons are located outside the U.S. As a result, it could be difficult for investors to effect service of process in the U.S., or to enforce a
judgment obtained in the U.S. against us or any of these persons.
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Regulatory bodies of the United States may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China.
From time to time, we may receive requests from certain U.S. agencies to investigate or inspect our operations, or to otherwise provide information. While
we will be compliant with these requests from these regulators, there is no guarantee that such requests will be honored by those entities who provide
services to us or with whom we associate, especially as those entities are located in China. Furthermore, an on-site inspection of our facilities by any of these
regulators may be limited or entirely prohibited. Such inspections, though permitted by us and our affiliates, are subject to the capricious nature of Chinese
enforcers, and may therefore be impossible to facilitate.
The regulation of Internet website operators in China is subject to interpretation, and our operation of online trading platform and education programs
could be harmed if we are deemed to have violated applicable laws and regulations.
The interpretation and application of existing Chinese laws and regulations, the stated positions of the main governing authority, the MIIT, and the possibility
of adopting new laws or regulations have created significant uncertainties regarding the legality of the businesses and activities of Chinese companies with
Internet operations. In particular, according to the Internet Information Services Administrative Measures promulgated by the State Council on September 25,
2000, the activities of Internet content providers are regulated by various Chinese governmental authorities, including, the MOE, the State Administration of
Radio, Film and Television, the General Administration of Press and Publication, or GAPP, and the Ministry of Culture, or MOC, depending on the specific
activities conducted by the Internet content provider. In addition, MIIT promulgated a notice titled “Notice on Strengthening Management of Foreign
Investment in Operating Value-Added Telecom Services” on July 13, 2006, which prohibits PRC Internet content providers from leasing, transferring or
selling their ICP licenses or providing facilities or other resources to foreign investors. The notice states that PRC Internet content providers (or their
shareholders) should directly own the trademarks and domain names for websites operated by them, as well as servers and other infrastructure used to
support these websites and a PRC Internet content provider’s failure to comply with the notice by November 1, 2006 may result in revocation of its ICP
license.
Except for our corporate website (www.agmprime.com), we only have contractual control over our websites, as the domains are held by our subsidiaries.
Among the subsidiaries which holds domain names, AGM Beijing is subject to the PRC laws and regulations. AGM Beijing has submitted ICP filings with
the MIIT for all the domain names it holds. However, AGM Beijing may be deemed to be providing commercial internet information services, which would
require AGM Beijing to obtain an ICP License. An ICP License is a value-added telecommunications business operating license required for provision of
commercial internet information services. Furthermore, as we are providing service through mobile applications to mobile device users, it is uncertain if
AGM Beijing will be required to obtain a separate operating license in addition to the ICP License. Although we believe that not obtaining an ICP License or
such separate license is in line with the current market practice, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to apply for an operating license for
our mobile applications in the future.
Dividends payable to our foreign investors and gains on the sale of our Class A ordinary shares by our foreign investors may become subject to PRC tax
law.
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation regulations issued by the State Council, a 10% PRC withholding tax is applicable to dividends
payable to investors that are non-resident enterprises, which do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or which have such establishment
or place of business but the dividends are not effectively connected with such establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived
from sources within the PRC. Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of our Class A ordinary shares by such investors is also subject to PRC tax at a
current rate of 10%, subject to any reduction or exemption set forth in relevant tax treaties, if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the
PRC. If we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid on our Class A ordinary shares, and any gain realized from the transfer of our Class A
ordinary shares, would be treated as income derived from sources within the PRC and would as a result be subject to PRC taxation. See “Item 4. Information
on the Company – Regulation — Regulations on Tax.” Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends payable to individual investors
who are non-PRC residents and any gain realized on the transfer of our Class A ordinary shares by such investors may be subject to PRC tax at a current rate
of 20%, subject to any reduction or exemption set forth in applicable tax treaties. It is unclear whether if we or any of our subsidiaries established outside
China are considered a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our Class A ordinary shares would be able to claim the benefit of income tax treaties or
agreements entered into between China and other countries or areas. If dividends payable to our non-PRC investors, or gains from the transfer of our Class A
ordinary shares by such investors are subject to PRC tax, the value of your investment in our Class A ordinary shares may decline significantly.
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Restrictions on currency exchange may limit PRC investors’ ability to make investment.
In response to the persistent capital outflow in China and RMB’s depreciation against U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the PBOC and the State
Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures over recent months, including stricter vetting
procedures for Chinese citizens to transfer foreign currency overseas and for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions,
dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, on January 26, 2017, SAFE issued the Notice of State Administration of Foreign
Exchange on Improving the Check of Authenticity and Compliance to Further Promote Foreign Exchange Control, or the SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates
several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle
of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, the original version of tax filing records and audited financial
statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits. The PRC government may continue
to strengthen its capital controls, and more restrictions and substantial vetting process may be put in place by SAFE for cross-border transactions falling
under both the current account and the capital account. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC investors to make capital contribution or make other kinds of
payments to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow.
The recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors,
especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our Class A ordinary
shares.
On April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement
highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China. The joint
statement emphasized the risks associated with lack of access for the PCAOB to inspect auditors and audit work papers in China and higher risks of fraud in
emerging markets.
On May 18, 2020, Nasdaq filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in
“Restrictive Market”, (ii) adopt a new requirement relating to the qualification of management or board of director for Restrictive Market companies, and
(iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditors.
On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act requiring a foreign company to certify it is not owned or
controlled by a foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign auditor not subject to PCAOB
inspection. If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the Company’s auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a U.S.
stock exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On December 18,
2020, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act was signed into law.
On March 24, 2021, the SEC announced that it had adopted interim final amendments to implement congressionally mandated submission and disclosure
requirements of the Act. The interim final amendments will apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report on Forms 10-K, 20-F,
40-F or N-CSR with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB has determined
it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction. The SEC will implement a process for
identifying such a registrant and any such identified registrant will be required to submit documentation to the SEC establishing that it is not owned or
controlled by a governmental entity in that foreign jurisdiction, and will also require disclosure in the registrant’s annual report regarding the audit
arrangements of, and governmental influence on, such a registrant.
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On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill which, if passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, and on December 29, 2022, legislation entitled
“Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” (the “Consolidated Appropriations Act”) was signed into law by President Biden, which contained, among other
things, an identical provision to the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and amended the HFCA Act by requiring the SEC to prohibit
an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three,
thus reducing the time period for triggering the prohibition on trading.
On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCAA, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining,
as contemplated under the HFCAA, whether the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign
jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.
On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules
apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in
a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions.
On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered
public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China of the People’s Republic of China, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in
mainland China; and (2) Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in
Hong Kong.
On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC (the “MOF”), and the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol (the “Protocol”),
governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB
to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the
Protocol disclosed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits
for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB Board determined that
the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong
Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s
access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination.
Each of JLKZ CPA LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 included
elsewhere in this annual report, TPS Thayer LLC, the independent registered public account firm that issued the audit report for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021 included elsewhere in this annual report, and KCCW Accountancy Corp., the independent registered public account firm that issued the
audit report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the
United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to
assess such auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards. JLKZ CPA LLP is headquartered in Flushing, New York, and is subject to
inspection by the PCAOB on a regular basis. TPS Thayer LLC is headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, and is subject to inspection by the PCAOB on a
regular basis. KCCW Accountancy Corp. is headquartered in Los Angeles, California , and is subject to inspection by the PCAOB on a regular basis. None of
JLKZ CPA LLP, TPS Thayer LLC or KCCW Accountancy Corp. is subject to the determinations as to the inability to inspect or investigate registered firms
completely announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021.
However, as more stringent criteria have been imposed by the SEC and the PCAOB, recently, which would add uncertainties to future offerings, and we
cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our
auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as
it relates to the audit of our financial statements. In the event it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely the
Company’s auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction, then such lack of inspection could cause trading in the Company’s
securities to be prohibited under the HFCAA ultimately result in a determination by a securities exchange to delist the Company’s securities. It remains
unclear what the SEC’s implementation process related to the above rules will entail or what further actions the SEC, the PCAOB or Nasdaq will take to
address these issues and what impact those actions will have on U.S. companies that have significant operations in the PRC and have securities listed on a
U.S. stock exchange. In addition, the above amendments and any additional actions, proceedings, or new rules resulting from these efforts to increase U.S.
regulatory access to audit information could create some uncertainty for investors, the market price of our Class A ordinary shares could be adversely
affected, and we could be delisted if we and our auditor are unable to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement or being required to engage a new audit firm,
which would require significant expense and management time.
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Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us.
The PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations are relatively
new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and
that rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice, and the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always
uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.
Therefore, these risks may result in a material change in business operations, significant depreciation of the value of our Class A ordinary shares, or a
complete hinderance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors. Recently, the Chinese government initiated a series of regulatory
actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities
market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using a VIE structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of
cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain
how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and
interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business
operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on an U.S. or other foreign exchange.
Although we have taken measures to comply with the laws and regulations that are applicable to our business operations, including the regulatory principles
raised by the CBRC, and avoiding conducting any activities that may be deemed as illegal fund-raising, forming capital pool or providing guarantee to
investors under the current applicable laws and regulations, the PRC government authority may promulgate new laws and regulations regulating the direct
lending service industry in the future. We cannot assure you that our practices would not be deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations relating to illegal
fund-raising, forming capital pools or the provision of credit enhancement services. Moreover, we cannot rule out the possibility that the PRC government
will institute a license requirement covering our industry at some point in the future. If such a licensing regime were introduced, we cannot assure you that
we would be able to obtain any newly required license in a timely manner, or at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our
ability to continue our operations.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court
authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of
administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy, than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is
based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a
result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the
scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, could materially and adversely affect our business and
impede our ability to continue our operations.
The Opinions recently issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State
Council may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future.
Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the
Opinions, which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities
activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies. These opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the
construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for
cybersecurity and data privacy protection. The aforementioned policies and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional
compliance requirement in the future. As the Opinions were recently issued, official guidance and interpretation of the Opinions remain unclear in several
respects at this time. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we will remain fully compliant with all new regulatory requirements of the Opinions or any future
implementation rules on a timely basis, or at all.
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Risks Related to Our Capital Structure and Class A Ordinary Shares
The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares has the effect of concentrating voting control with certain shareholders, including our executive officers,
employees and directors and their affiliates, which will limit your ability to influence the outcome of important transactions, including a change in
control.
Under our memorandum and articles of association, we are authorized to issue 200,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of $0.001 par value per share and
200,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of $0.001 par value per share. As of the date of this report, there are 24,254,842 Class A ordinary shares and 2,100,000
Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding. Each of our Class B ordinary shares has five (5) votes per share, and each of our Class A ordinary shares has
one (1) vote per share. Because of the five-to-one voting ratio between our Class B ordinary shares and Class A ordinary shares, the holders of our Class B
ordinary shares collectively control a majority of the combined voting power of our ordinary shares and therefore are able to control all matters submitted to
our shareholders for approval even when the shares of Class B ordinary shares represent a minority of all outstanding shares of our Class A ordinary shares
and Class B ordinary shares. These holders of our Class B ordinary shares may also have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which
you disagree and which may be adverse to your interests. The directors and executive officers beneficially own a majority of the outstanding Class A ordinary
shares and all of the outstanding Class B ordinary shares as of the date hereof. As of the date hereof, our directors and executive officers directly and
indirectly hold an aggregate of approximately 74.93% of the combined voting power of Class A and Class B ordinary shares. Our directors and executive
officers have voting and dispositive power of all the outstanding Class B ordinary shares. Mr. Wenjie Tang, our former CEO, holds approximately 68.59% of
the combined voting power of Class A and Class B ordinary shares. This concentrated control may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a
change in control of our company, could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their ordinary shares as part of a sales of our
company and might ultimately affect the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares.
British Virgin Islands companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their
interests.
British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances
in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of
shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly,
shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred. The British Virgin Islands courts are also
unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the United States based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law; and to impose
liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in
nature. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin
Islands will generally recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. This means
that even if shareholders were to sue us successfully, they may not be able to recover anything to make up for the losses suffered.
The laws of the British Virgin Islands provide little protection for minority shareholders, so minority shareholders will have little or no recourse if they
are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs.
Under the law of the British Virgin Islands, there is little statutory law for the protection of minority shareholders other than the provisions of the BVI
Business Companies Act (the “BVI Act”) dealing with shareholder remedies. The principal protection under statutory law is that shareholders may bring an
action to enforce the company’s memorandum and articles of association. Shareholders are entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted in
accordance with the general law and the company’s memorandum and articles of association.
There are common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English company law, since the common law of
the British Virgin Islands for business companies is limited. Under the general rule pursuant to English company law known as the rule in Foss v. Harbottle, a
court will generally refuse to interfere with the management of a company at the insistence of a minority of its shareholders who express dissatisfaction with
the conduct of the company’s affairs by the majority or the board of directors. However, every shareholder is entitled to have the affairs of the company
conducted properly according to law and the constituent documents of the corporation. As such, if those who control the company have persistently
disregarded the requirements of company law or the provisions of the company’s memorandum and articles of association, then the courts will grant relief.
Generally, the areas in which the courts will intervene are the following: (1) an act complained of which is outside the scope of the authorized business or is
illegal or not capable of ratification by the majority; (2) acts that constitute fraud on the minority where the wrongdoers control the company; (3) acts that
infringe on the personal rights of the shareholders, such as the right to vote; and (4) where the company has not complied with provisions requiring approval
of a special or extraordinary majority of shareholders, which are more limited than the rights afforded minority shareholders under the laws of many states in
the United States.
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The trading price of our Class A Ordinary Shares has been, and is likely to continue to be, volatile; you might not be able to sell your shares at or above
the price that you paid for them and we may not be able to stop the decline of our stock price.
The trading price of our Class A ordinary shares has been, and is likely to continue to be, volatile, and may be influenced by numerous factors, some of which
are beyond our control; you might not be able to sell your shares at or above the price that you paid for them. Factors that could cause volatility in the market
price of our common stock include, but are not limited to:
● actual or anticipated fluctuations in our revenue and other operating results;
● the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these projections;
● actions of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our
company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
● announcements by us or our competitors of significant services or features, technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint
ventures, or capital commitments;
● price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the economy as a whole;
● other events or factors, including those resulting from war or incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events
In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity
securities of many companies. Stock prices of many companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of
those companies. In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in
securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business, and adversely affect our
business.
We are a “foreign private issuer,” and our disclosure obligations differ from those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. As a result, we may not provide
you the same information as U.S. domestic reporting companies or we may provide information at different times, which may make it more difficult for
you to evaluate our performance.
We are a foreign private issuer and, as a result, we are not subject to the same requirements as U.S. domestic issuers. Under the Exchange Act, we will be
subject to reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and less frequent than those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. For example, we
will not be required to issue quarterly reports or proxy statements. We will not be required to disclose detailed individual executive compensation
information. Furthermore, our directors and executive officers will not be required to report equity holdings under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and will
not be subject to the insider short-swing profit disclosure and recovery regime.
As a foreign private issuer, we will also be exempt from the requirements of Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) which, generally, are meant to ensure that select
groups of investors are not privy to specific information about an issuer before other investors. However, we will still be subject to the anti-fraud and anti-
manipulation rules of the SEC, such as Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act. Since many of the disclosure obligations imposed on us as a foreign private
issuer differ from those imposed on U.S. domestic reporting companies, you should not expect to receive the same information about us and at the same time
as the information provided by U.S. domestic reporting companies.
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Additionally, as a company listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. However, Nasdaq
rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the
British Virgin Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. We have followed and
intend to follow British Virgin Islands corporate governance practices in lieu of the corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market that
listed companies must obtain its shareholders’ approval of certain transactions other than public offerings (Nasdaq rule 5635(d)). As a result of our reliance
on the “foreign private issuer” exemptions, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under the Nasdaq corporate
governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will
make our Class A Ordinary Shares less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an
emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are
not emerging growth companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act,
reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of
holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We
could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although we could lose that status sooner if our revenues exceed $1 billion, if we issue more than
$1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three-year period, or if the market value of our Class A ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as
of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict if
investors will find our Class A ordinary shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Class A ordinary shares
less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A ordinary shares and our stock price may be more volatile.
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to
private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail our company of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be
subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not expect to declare or pay any
dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment in our Class A ordinary shares if the market price of our
Class A ordinary shares increases.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of the securities exchange on which we list, and other applicable securities rules and regulations.
Despite recent reforms made possible by the JOBS Act, compliance with these rules and regulations will nonetheless increase our legal and financial
compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are
no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to
our business and operating results.
As a result of disclosure of information in this annual report and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become
more visible, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful,
our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time
and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and adversely affect our business, brand and reputation and results of
operations.
We also expect that being a public company and these new rules and regulations will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability
insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more
difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board of Directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee,
and qualified executive officers.
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The obligation to disclose information publicly may put us at a disadvantage to competitors that are private companies.
As a publicly listed company, we are required to file periodic reports with the SEC upon the occurrence of matters that are material to our company and
shareholders. In some cases, we will need to disclose material agreements or results of financial operations that we would not be required to disclose if we
were a private company. Our competitors may have access to this information, which would otherwise be confidential. This may give them advantages in
competing with our company. Similarly, as a U.S.-listed public company, we will be governed by U.S. laws that our competitors, which are mostly private
Chinese companies, are not required to follow. To the extent compliance with U.S. laws increases our expenses or decreases our competitiveness against such
companies, our public listing could affect our results of operations.
The exercise of the Warrants issued on December 14, 2021 may further dilute the Class A ordinary shares and adversely impact the price of our Class A
ordinary shares.
As of the date of this annual report, we had 24,254,842 Class A ordinary shares outstanding. Up to an additional 1,652,175 Class A ordinary shares
(approximately 6.81% of our issued and outstanding shares) may be issued pursuant to the exercise of the warrants issued on December 14, 2021. Such
issuance will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other shareholders. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the holders
of such warrants will be able to sell the Class A ordinary shares at a price per shares that is equal to or greater than the exercise price paid by such holders.
Securities analysts may not cover our Class A ordinary shares and this may have a negative impact on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares.
The trading market for our Class A ordinary shares will depend, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our
business. We do not have any control over independent analysts (provided that we have engaged various non-independent analysts). We do not currently have
and may never obtain research coverage by independent securities and industry analysts. If no independent securities or industry analysts commence
coverage of us, the trading price for our Class A ordinary shares would be negatively impacted. If we obtain independent securities or industry analyst
coverage and if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our Class A ordinary shares, changes their opinion of our Class A ordinary shares or
publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us
or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Class A ordinary shares could decrease and we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which
could cause the price and trading volume of our Class A ordinary shares to decline.
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ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
4.A. History and Development of the Company
AGM Group Holdings Inc. (“AGM Holdings”) was incorporated on April 27, 2015 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”).
AGM Technology Limited (“AGM HK”) was incorporated on May 21, 2015 under the law of Hong Kong. AGM HK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM
Holdings and its principal activity is providing our core service to customers.
AGM Tianjin Construction Development Co., Ltd. (“AGM Tianjin”) was incorporated on October 13, 2015 in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s
Republic of China. AGM Tianjing a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM HK. AGM Tianjin was incorporated for the purpose of being a holding company for
the equity interests in PRC. AGM Tianjin did not conduct any operations or own any material assets or liabilities except for cash, insignificant expense and
the 100% of the equity interests in AGM Beijing.
Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co., Ltd. (“AGM Beijing”) was incorporated on November 13, 2015 in Beijing under the laws of the People’s
Republic of China. AGM Beijing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Tianjin and its principal activities include software design, technology transfer,
technology consulting, technology promotion and data processing AGM Beijing holds an ICP filing for our online trading platform and education programs.
AGM Beijing was incorporated in Beijing because almost all of our employees were and still are located in Beijing. In order to comply with the PRC law
regarding employee’s social benefits, which are regulated separately in each city or province, it is more practical for us to locate our office in Beijing so that
we can pay for the employees’ social benefits with the local government agency.
AGM Software Service LTD (“AGM Software”) was incorporated on June 14, 2017 under the laws of BVI. AGM Software is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AGM Holdings and its principal activity will be assisting AGM HK in providing our core technology services to customers.
On July 26, 2019, AGM Holdings acquired 100% of the equity interest in Anyi Network, Inc. (“Anyi Network”), and in consideration therefor, AGM
Holdings paid $400,000 in cash and issued an aggregate of 475,000 Class A ordinary shares of AGM Holdings to the shareholders of Anyi Network.
On April 16, 2019, AGMTrade UK LTD (“AGM UK”), a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated on July 18, 2017, was dissolved under the law of England
and Wales. On November 20, 2019, AGM Trade Global PTY LTD (“AGM Australia”), a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated on July 25, 2017, was
dissolved under the law of Australia. On October 8, 2019, AGM Holdings transferred its 100% ownership of AGMClub Service Limited (“AGMClub”), a
Hong Kong company incorporated on August 14, 2017. On August 15, 2019, AGM Global Asset Management Limited (“AGM Global”), a wholly owned
subsidiary acquired on May 24, 2018, was dissolved under the law of Cayman Islands. AGM UK, AGM Australia, AGMClub and AGM Global were for
business development purposes. They are holding companies and have not engaged any substantial businesses. As the business strategies developed, AGM
Holdings wound up AGM UK, AGM Australia, AGMClub and AGM Global.
On May 19, 2020, Nanjing XinGaoMeng Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“AGM Nanjing”), an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary incorporated on
September 28, 2016, was dissolved under the law of PRC. AGM Nanjing was a holding company and did not have any substantial assets or liabilities
On December 14, 2020, AGM Holdings sold all the equity interest of Anyi Network by entering into a share purchase agreement with certain buyers,
pursuant to which the Company sold to the buyers 100% equity interest in Anyi Network in exchange for a total consideration of $8,000,000, payable in the
form of canceling 475,000 Class A ordinary shares of AGM Holdings held by the buyers, valued at $16.00 per share, and payment of $400,000 in cash. The
disposition of Anyi Network includes the disposition of the subsidiaries of Anyi Network.
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On October 19, 2020, AGM Tianjin International Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. (“AGM Leasing”) was incorporated in the People’s Republic of China under the
laws of the People’s Republic of China. AGM Leasing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM HK and a wholly foreign-owned entity under the PRC laws.
AGM Leasing was incorporated for the purpose of conducting financial leasing services for the Company. AGM Leasing did not conduct any operations or
own any material assets or liabilities. AGM Leasing was dissolved in July 2021.
On June 17, 2021, Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (“Nanjing Lucun”) was incorporated in the People’s Republic of China under the laws of the
People’s Republic of China. Nanjing Lucun is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM HK and a wholly foreign-owned entity under the PRC laws. Nanjing
Lucun was incorporated for the purpose of producing high-performance hardware and computing equipment. On November 24, 2022, Nanjing Lucun
established a branch in Beijing.
On July 30, 2021, AGM Defi Tech Limited (“AGM Defi Tech”) was incorporated under the law of Hong Kong. AGM Defi Tech is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity is to provide software development and consulting services in Asian areas.
On August 8, 2021, AGM Defi Lab Pte Limited (“AGM Defi Lab”) was incorporated under the law of Singapore. AGM Defi Lab is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity is to provide software development and consulting services in Asian areas.
On October 21, 2021, Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Keen Sense”) was incorporated in the People’s Republic of China under
the laws of the People’s Republic of China. Beijing Keen Sense is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Defi Tech and a wholly foreign-owned entity under
the PRC laws. Beijing Keen Sense was incorporated for the purpose of hiring personnel and talents in fintech and blockchain areas and provide related
development and research services.
Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries
AGM Group Holdings Inc. is a holding company with no operations of its own. We conduct our operations in China and Hong Kong primarily through our
subsidiaries in China, Hong Kong SAR and Singapore. We may rely on dividends to be paid by our subsidiaries in Singapore, China and Hong Kong SAR to
fund our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, to service any debt
we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. If our subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may
restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
Our equity structure is a direct holding structure. Within our direct holding structure, the cross-border transfer of funds within our corporate entities is legal
and compliant with the laws and regulations of the PRC. After the foreign investors’ funds enter AGM, the funds can be directly transferred to the PRC
operating companies through its subsidiaries. Specifically, AGM Group Holdings Inc. is permitted under the BVI laws to provide funding to our subsidiaries
in Singapore, China and Hong Kong SAR through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds, subject to satisfaction of
applicable government registration, approval and filing requirements. AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited are also permitted under the
laws of Hong Kong to provide funding to AGM Group Holdings Inc. through dividend distribution without restrictions on the amount of the funds. As of the
date hereof, there have not been any transfers, dividends or distributions made between the holding company, its subsidiaries, and to investors.
We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or
paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of
Directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and other factors
the Board of Directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.
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Subject to the BVI Business Companies Act and our bylaws, our Board of Directors may authorize and declare a dividend to shareholders at such time and of
such an amount as they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately following the dividend the value of our assets will exceed our
liabilities and we will be able to pay our debts as they become due.
Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us. The laws
and regulations of the PRC do not currently have any material impact on transfer of cash from AGM Group Holdings Inc. to AGM Defi Tech Limited and
AGM Technology Limited, or from AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited to AGM Group Holdings Inc. There are no restrictions or
limitation under the laws of Hong Kong imposed on the conversion of HK dollar into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of Hong Kong
or across borders and to U.S investors.
Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited only out of their
accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is
required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital.
Each of such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be
set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the
registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash
dividends except in the event of liquidation.
To address persistent capital outflows and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the
State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter
vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. The
PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened
scrutiny in the future. The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of
the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the
payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the
debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our
operations, we may be unable to pay dividends on our Class A ordinary shares.
Cash dividends, if any, on our Class A ordinary shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any
dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of
up to 10.0%.
In order for us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from our PRC subsidiaries, i.e., Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service
Co., Ltd. to AGM Defi Tech Limited, AGM Tianjing Construction Development Co., Ltd. and Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co., Ltd. to AGM Technology
Limited, and from AGM Defi Tech Limited and AGM Technology Limited to AGM Group Holdings Inc. Certain payments from our PRC subsidiaries in
Hong Kong are subject to PRC taxes, including business taxes and VAT.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, our PRC subsidiaries have not made any transfers or distributions. During the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, no cash or asset transfers have occurred among the Company and its subsidiaries. We do not expect to pay any
cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, no cash generated from one
subsidiary is used to fund another subsidiary’s operations and we do not anticipate any difficulties or limitations on our ability to transfer cash between
subsidiaries. We do not have any cash management policies that dictate the amount of such funds and how such funds are transferred.
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Corporate Information
Our principal executive office is at c/o Creative Consultants (Hong Kong) Limited, Room 1502-3 15/F., Connaught Commercial Building, 185 Wanchai
Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. The telephone number of our principal executive offices is +86-010-65020507. Our registered office and our registered agent’s
office in the British Virgin Islands are both at OMC Chambers, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Our registered agent in the
United States is Vcorp Agent Services, Inc. We maintain a website at www.agmprime.com. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this
prospectus and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus.
4.B. Business Overview
We are a technology company. Our products and services include: 1) technology hardware research and development, manufacture, and sales; 2) a futures
trading solution catering to clients using MetaTrader 5; and 3) a foreign exchange (“Forex”) trading system that provides services to financial institutions
outside of China. Our mission is to become one of the key participants and contributors in the global technology hardware supply chain and fintech
blockchain ecosystem.
Technology hardware research and development, manufacture, and sales
In the third quarter of 2021, we formed the company’s new growth strategy and the decision to enter into the ASIC chip research and development to be
conducted through AGM HK. In August 2021, we announced the launch of our first ASIC crypto Miner - KOI MINER C16 (“C16”). C16 is equipped with
the C3012 chip made by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.’s N+1 process. C16 has a hash rate up to 113 TH/s and a power efficiency ratio of
30 J/T, supporting the mining of Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and other cryptocurrencies.
The competition of cryptocurrencies mining equipment has grown intense in recent years. Our main competitors are Bitmain, a multinational semiconductor
company, Canaan, a supercomputing solutions provider, and MicroBT, a technology company based on block chain and artificial intelligence, all of which
are located in China and have both ASIC research and development capacities and deep supply chain connections in China.
C16’s parameters have surpassed our competitors’ models, including: Antminer S19 pro of Bitmain, which has a power consumption of 3250W and hash rate
of 104TH/S, and AvalonMiner1246 of Canaan, which has an A1246 hash rate of 90TH/S, power consumption of 3420W and power efficiency of 38J/T, and
Whatminer M30S ++ of MicroBT, which has a hash rate of 112TH/S, power consumption of 3472 W and power efficiency of 31 J/T. Since the launch of C16,
we have received orders from buyers in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Futures trading system
In September 2019, we completed our development of a futures trading software which integrates future trading API with MetaTrader 5, a well-known and
advanced trading software. However, during the third quarter of 2020, most futures brokers started to accept a new third-party software API connection
method in order to comply with newly enacted futures regulations and policies in China about the trading terminal API pass-through regulation, which
requires “pass through monitoring”. Brokers will need to know exactly who to use API from what third-party software since, traditionally, brokers did not
need to collect such information. All other software products on the market are required to comply with the new rule. Accordingly, we were obligated to
upgrade and transform the system to enable this new API connection method. We completed the upgrading and transformation of the system at the end of
first quarter of 2021. We plan to conduct new trials and improve the solutions based on feedbacks. This service is currently managed through AGM Defi
Tech.
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Forex trading system
Prior to September 2018, we provided Forex trading services, including computer program technical support and solution services and trading platform
application services, through a combination of in-house developed systems and applications, and the licensed trading platform MetaTrader. In addition, we
were engaged in Forex trading brokerage business and generated revenue from gains and losses from trades and Forex brokerage fees and commissions. At
the time, our clients were retail clients and brokerage firms located in China. We voluntarily discontinued the Forex trading system due to a policy position
by the PRC government that would no longer support the Forex trading related business and would restrain certain accounts holding the deposits payable. In
December 2021, we commenced the sale of our trading system software to our brokerage clients and partners that are not located in PRC region. This service
is currently managed through AGM Defi Tech.
Recent Development
Termination of Equity Transfer Agreement with Yushu Kingo City Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
On January 16, 2020, AGM Tianjin entered into an equity transfer agreement (the “Equity Transfer Agreement”) with all the shareholders of Yushu Kingo
City Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. (“Yushu Kingo”), who collectively owns 100% of the equity interest in Yushu Kingo, pursuant to which agreement,
in exchange for 100% of the equity interest in Yushu Kingo, AGM Tianjin agreed to pay $20,000,000 in cash and cause AGM Holdings to issue 2,000,000
Class A ordinary shares, valued at $15 per share, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement. AGM Tianjin made advance payments in the amount
of $4,937,663.72 (the “Advance Payment”).
On April 6, 2021, AGM Tianjin, Yushu Kingo and its shareholders entered into a supplement agreement (“Supplement Agreement”) to the Equity Transfer
Agreement. Pursuant to the Supplement Agreement, if AGM Tianjin decided not to proceed with the acquisition contemplated by the Equity Transfer
Agreement and terminate such agreement on or before October 31, 2021, Yushu Kingo’s shareholders shall return the Advance Payment and pay an
additional 10% interest to AGM Tianjin. If Yushu Kingo’s shareholders are unable to make such payment, Yushu Kingo’s shareholders agreed to transfer the
titles of real properties of Yushu Kingo to AGM Tianjin, valued with a 20% discount to market price. The parties further agreed to conduct a new evaluation
of Yushu Kingo’s assets and to enter into supplement agreement based on such evaluation.
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Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the quarantine and travel restrictions in China, and the massive economic disruption as a result, Yushu Kingo was not
able to complete its construction projects and the audit and due diligence of Yushu Kingo was not completed on time. On October 4, 2021, AGM Tianjin
terminated the Equity Transfer Agreement and Supplement Agreement with the Yushu Kingo and its shareholders. On October 20, 2021, AGM Tianjin
entered into an agreement on transfer of creditor rights with a non-affiliated third party (the “Buyer”). Pursuant to the Transfer Agreement, AGM Tianjin
agrees to sell to the Buyer all of its rights and obligations under the Equity Transfer Agreement and the Supplement Agreement, namely, the right to receive
the Advance Payment plus interest, for a total purchase price of $5,000,000 (the “Purchase Price”), all of which has been received in November 2021. The
Buyer agrees, in the event it fails to pay the Purchase Price on time, to pay as damages for breach of contract an amount equal to four times China’s loan
prime rate (LPR) of the Purchase Price due.
Private Placement
In July 2020, we consummated a private placement offering whereby the Company entered into private placement subscription agreements with certain
investors. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, in which we issued an aggregate of 40,235 Class A ordinary shares to the investors, at a purchase price of
$16.6 per share, for an aggregate amount of $667,901. All of the Shares were issued to non U.S. persons (as that term is defined in Regulation S of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended) in an offshore transaction relying on Regulation S and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Disposition of Anyi Network, Inc.
On December 14, 2020, we disposed of Anyi Network by entering into a share purchase agreement with Haiyan Huang, Feng Zhi and Yinglu Gao (the
“Buyers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Buyers 100% equity interest in Anyi Network, including its subsidiaries, in exchange for a
total consideration of $8,000,000, payable in the form of canceling 475,000 Class A ordinary shares of AGM Holdings held by the Buyers, valued at $16.00
per share, and payment of $400,000 in cash.
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Change of Board of Directors
On April 30, 2021, Tingfu Xie tendered his resignation as director, the chairman of the Nominating Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee and
the Compensation Committee of the Company, effective April 30, 2021. On the same day, at the recommendation of the Nominating Committee and the
Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors approved and confirmed the appointment of Jing Shi as the succeeding director, the chairwoman of the
Nominating Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Company, effective April 30, 2021.
On May 7, 2021, the Board of Directors appointed Dr. Bo Zhu as the Chief Strategy Officer.
On July 12, 2021, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee of approved and confirmed the appointment of Chenjun Li as the Co-Chief
Executive Officer, effective July 12, 2021. On September 15, 2021, the Board of Directors also approved the appointment of Chenjun Li as the director and
the Chairman of the Board to replace Bin Cao, whose employment agreement with the Company expired on May 19, 2021.
On September 23, 2021, Zhihe Yang tendered his resignation as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective September 23, 2021. On September
24, 2021, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Steven Yuan Ning Sim as the succeeding Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective September 24,
2021.
On October 7, 2023, Wenjie Tang tendered his resignation as a director and the Co-CEO of the Company, effective October 7, 2023. Mr. Tang remains as an
advisor on an as-needed basis. Bo Zhu, the Chief Strategy Officer of the Company, was appointed as the succeeding director and the Co-CEO of the
Company, effective October 7, 2023 until the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until
his earlier death, resignation or removal.
On October 9, 2023, Jing Shi tendered her resignation as a director, the chairwoman of the Nominating Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee
and the Compensation Committee of the Company, effective October 9, 2023.
Jiaqi Zhu was appointed as the succeeding director, the chairman of the Nominating Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation
Committee of the Company, effective October 9, 2023 until the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is duly elected and
qualified, or until is earlier death, resignation or removal.
On October 31, 2023, Mr. Chenjun Li tendered his resignation as the Chairman of the Board, a director and the Co-CEO of the Company, effective October
31, 2023.
Registered Direct Offering and Concurrent Private Placement
On December 14, 2021, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”) dated
December 10, 2021, the Company closed (a) a registered direct offering for the sale of 2,898,552 of its Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per
share, and (b) a concurrent private placement, for the sale of unregistered warrants to purchase up to 1,449,276 Class A ordinary shares (the “Investor
Warrants”), for gross proceeds of approximately US$20 million. The purchase price for each Share and the corresponding half of one Investor Warrant is
US$6.90. The Investor Warrants will be exercisable immediately from the date of issuance and have an exercise price of US$8.30 per share. The Investor
Warrants will expire 3.5 years from the date of issuance. Each Investor Warrant contains anti-dilution provisions to reflect share dividends and splits or other
similar transactions, as described in the Investor Warrants.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Class A ordinary shares were issued to the Purchasers in a registered direct offering and registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company’s currently effective registration statement on
Form F-3 (File No. 333-236897), which was initially filed with the SEC on March 5, 2020 and declared effective by the SEC on May 28, 2020. The
Company filed the prospectus supplement for the Registered Direct Offering on December 13, 2021.
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The Company issued the Investor Warrants to the Purchasers in a concurrent private placement pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act contained in Section 4(a)(2) thereof and/or Regulation D thereunder (the “Private Placement,” and together with the Registered Direct
Offering, the “Offering”).
FT Global Capital, Inc. (the “Placement Agent”) acted as the exclusive placement agent in connection with the Offering under the terms of the Placement
Agency Agreement, dated December 10, 2021 between it and the Company (the “Placement Agency Agreement”) and, at closing of the Offering, received a
cash fee equal to 7.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Offering as well as reimbursement of certain costs and expenses of up to US$80,000.
Additionally, the Company issued to the Placement Agent or its designees warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants,” and together with the Investor
Warrants, the “Warrants”) for the purchase of 202,899 Class A ordinary shares with an exercise price of US$8.30 per share, and with a term expiring 3.5
years from the date of issuance. The Placement Agent Warrants shall have the same registration rights as the Investor Warrants issued to the Purchasers in the
Offering. The Placement Agent is also entitled to additional tail compensation for any financings consummated by the Company within the 12-month period
following the termination of the Placement Agency Agreement, to the extent such financing is provided to the Company by investors that the Placement
Agent had “wall-crossed” on behalf of the Company in connection with the Offering.
The Company has agreed to file and maintain with the SEC a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) to register the Warrants and the Class A
ordinary shares underlying the Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”) within 30 calendar days from the closing of the Offering and to use its best efforts to cause
such registration statement to become effective within 60 calendar days following the closing of the Offering (or, in the event of a review by the SEC, within
120 calendar days).
The Company agreed in the Purchase Agreement that it would not issue any Class A ordinary shares or Class A ordinary share equivalents for sixty (60) days
following the closing of the Offering subject to certain exceptions. The Company agreed in the Placement Agency Agreement that it would not issue any
Class A ordinary shares or Class A ordinary share equivalents for one hundred twenty (120) days following the closing of the Offering without the consent of
the Placement Agent, subject to certain exceptions.
The Company agreed in the Purchase Agreement that it will not issue any Class A ordinary shares or Class A ordinary share equivalents involve in a Variable
Rate Transaction (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) until the earlier of (x) the date the initial Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC
and (y) the date as of which all of the holders of Investor Warrants may sell all of the Investor Warrant Shares without restriction pursuant to Rule 144
(including, without limitation, volume restrictions) and without the need for current public information required by Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if
applicable). The Company further agreed that until the first anniversary of the earlier of (x) or (y) above, it would not issue or enter into any agreement to
issue any Class A ordinary shares or Class A ordinary share equivalents unless the Purchasers are offered a participation right, subject to certain terms and
conditions as set forth in the Purchase Agreement, to subscribe, on a pro rata basis, for up to 50% of the securities offered in such offering.
Concurrently with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the officers and directors of the Company and shareholders of the Company holding 5% or more
of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares entered into lock-up agreements (the “Lock-Up Agreements”) pursuant to which they have agreed, among other
things, not to sell or dispose of any Class A ordinary shares which are or will be beneficially owned by them for one hundred twenty (120) days following the
closing of the Offering, as well as similar lock-up agreements pursuant to the Placement Agency Agreement restricting sales of Class A ordinary shares for
ninety (90) days after the closing of the Offering.
Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
On April 5, 2022, the Company notified its independent registered public accounting firm, JLKZ CPA LLP its decision to dismiss JLKZ CPA LLP as the
Company’s auditor. The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company ratified the appointment of TPS Thayer LLC as its new independent
registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements.
On July 3, 2023, the Company notified its independent registered public accounting firm, TPS Thayer LLC its decision to dismiss TPS Thayer LLC as the
Company’s auditor. The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company ratified the appointment of KCCW Accountancy Corp. as its new
independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements.
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The COVID-19 Pandemic
We are monitoring the global outbreak and spread of the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) and taking steps in an effort to identify and mitigate the
adverse impacts on, and risks to, our business (including but not limited to our employees, customers, other business partners, our manufacturing capabilities
and capacity and our distribution channels) posed by its spread and the governmental and community reactions thereto. We continue to assess and update our
business continuity plans in the context of this pandemic, including taking steps in an effort to help keep our workforces healthy and safe. The spread
of COVID-19 has caused us to modify our business practices (including employee travel, employee work locations in certain cases, and cancellation of
physical participation in certain meetings, events and conferences), and we expect to take further actions as may be required or recommended by government
authorities or as we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers and other business partners. We are also working with our suppliers to
understand the existing and future negative impacts to our supply chain and take actions in an effort to mitigate such impacts. Due to the speed with which
the COVID-19 situation is developing, the global breadth of its spread and the range of governmental and community reactions thereto, there is uncertainty
around its duration and ultimate impact; therefore, any negative impact on our overall financial and operating results (including without limitation our
liquidity) cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, but the pandemic could lead to extended disruption of economic activity and the impact on our
financial and operating results could be material. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business—The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted, and
poses risks to, our business, the nature and extent of which are highly uncertain and unpredictable.”
Sales Channels and Long-Term Opportunities
For fintech software, currently we are marketing our services through direct communication with potential broker or institutional clients. For the ASIC
business, senior sales personnel contact customers directly to promote and introduce product attributes, functions, operation and maintenance. Furthermore,
we plan to use search engine marketing, search engine optimization, inherent virus marketing features developed within our products and social network
marketing to targeted users. We believe the brand value will develop rapidly as our product inherently bring more educational value to retail clients as
comparing to competitors’ product.
Customers and Suppliers
Customers
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, five customers accounted for 20%, 19%, 14%, 13% and 12% of the Company’s revenues, respectively. For the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, two customers accounted for 70% and 30% of the Company’s revenues, respectively. For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020, one customer accounted for 100% of the Company’s total revenue.
Suppliers
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, two suppliers accounted for 75% and 11% of the Company’s total cost of revenues. For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2021, two suppliers accounted for 72% and 12% of the Company’s cost of revenues, respectively. For the fiscal year ended December 31,
2020, one supplier accounted for 100% of the Company’s total cost of revenues.
Legal Proceedings
As of the date hereof, there is no legal proceeding pending or threatened against to which we are a party of. However, from time to time, we may become
involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an
adverse result in these or other matters may arise.
On May 17, 2023, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that,
because the Company had not yet filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Form 20-F”), the Company did
not comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) for continued listing.
Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company had 60 calendar days from the date of the Notice to submit a plan of compliance to Nasdaq. The
Company timely submitted a plan of compliance to Nasdaq and on July 17, 2023, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq notifying it that
Nasdaq granted the Company an exception to enable it to regain compliance with the Rule (the “Exception”). Pursuant to the Exception, the Company must
file its Form 20-F for the period ended December 31, 2022 on or before November 13, 2023.
Regulations
Regulation of Internet Information Services
Internet information services are regulated by the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the ICP Measures, promulgated on
September 25, 2000 by the State Council and amended on January 8, 2011. “Internet information services” are defined as services that provide information to
online users through the internet. Internet information services providers, also called Internet content providers, or ICPs, that provide commercial services are
required to obtain an operating license from the MIIT or its provincial counterpart.
To the extent the internet information services provided relate to certain matters, including news, publication, education or medical and health care (including
pharmaceutical products and medical equipment), approvals must also be obtained from the relevant industry regulators in accordance with the laws, rules
and regulations governing those industries.
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Regulation of Internet Content
The PRC government has promulgated measures relating to Internet content through various ministries and agencies, including the MIIT, the News Office of
the State Council, the Ministry of Culture and the General Administration of Press and Publication. In addition to various approval and license requirements,
these measures specifically prohibit internet activities that result in the dissemination of any content which is found to contain pornography, promote
gambling or violence, instigate crimes, undermine public morality or the cultural traditions of the PRC or compromise State security or secrets. ICPs must
monitor and control the information posted on their websites. If any prohibited content is found, they must remove such content immediately, keep a record
of it and report to the relevant authorities. If an ICP violates these measures, the PRC government may impose fines and revoke any relevant business
operation licenses.
Regulation of Internet Security
The Decision in Relation to Protection of the Internet Security enacted by the SCNPC on December 28, 2000 provides that the following activities conducted
through the Internet are subject to criminal punishment:
● gaining improper entry into a computer or system of strategic importance;
● disseminating politically disruptive information or obscenities;
● leaking State secrets;
● spreading false commercial information; or
● infringing intellectual property rights.
The Administrative Measures on the Security Protection of Computer Information Network with International Connections, issued by the Ministry of Public
Security on December 16, 1997 and amended on January 8, 2011, prohibit the use of the Internet in a manner that would result in the leakage of State secrets
or the spread of socially destabilizing content. If an ICP violates these measures, the Ministry of Public Security and the local security bureaus may revoke its
operating license and shut down its websites.
Regulation Relating to Privacy Protection
Under the ICP Measures, ICPs are prohibited from producing, copying, publishing or distributing information that is humiliating or defamatory to others or
that infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of others. Depending on the nature of the violation, ICPs may face criminal charges or sanctions by PRC
security authorities for such acts, and may be ordered to suspend temporarily their services or have their licenses revoked.
Under the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services, issued by the MIIT on December 29, 2011, ICPs are also
prohibited from collecting any user personal information or providing any such information to third parties without the consent of a user. ICPs must expressly
inform the users of the method, content and purpose of the collection and processing of such user personal information and may only collect such
information necessary for its services. ICPs are also required to properly maintain the user personal information, and in case of any leak or likely leak of the
user personal information, ICPs must take remedial measures immediately and report any material leak to the telecommunications regulatory authority.
In addition, the Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on
December 28, 2012 emphasizes the need to protect electronic information that contains individual identification information and other private data. The
decision requires ICPs to establish and publish policies regarding the collection and use of personal electronic information and to take necessary measures to
ensure the security of the information and to prevent leakage, damage or loss. Furthermore, MIIT’s Rules on Protection of Personal Information of
Telecommunications and Internet Users promulgated on July 16, 2013 contain detailed requirements on the use and collection of personal information as well
as the security measures to be taken by ICPs.
The PRC government retains the power and authority to order ICPs to provide an Internet user’s personal information if such user posts any prohibited
content or engages in any illegal activities through the Internet.
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Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights
Patent. Patents in the PRC are principally protected under the Patent Law of the PRC. The duration of a patent right is either 10 years or 20 years from the
date of application, depending on the type of patent right.
Copyright. Copyright in the PRC, including copyrighted software, is principally protected under the Copyright Law of the PRC and related rules and
regulations. Under the Copyright Law, the term of protection for copyrighted software is 50 years.
Trademark. Registered trademarks are protected under the Trademark Law of the PRC and related rules and regulations. Trademarks are registered with the
Trademark Office of the SAIC. Where registration is sought for a trademark that is identical or similar to another trademark which has already been
registered or given preliminary examination and approval for use in the same or similar category of commodities or services, the application for registration
of such trademark may be rejected. Trademark registrations are effective for a renewable ten-year period, unless otherwise revoked. We are in the process of
having our trademark registered in PRC, and we have registered some trademarks in Hong Kong.
Domain Names. Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies established under the relevant regulations, and applicants
become domain name holders upon successful registration.
Regulations on Dividend Distributions
One of our PRC subsidiaries, AGM Tianjin, is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise under the PRC law. The principal regulations governing the distribution of
dividends paid by wholly foreign-owned enterprises include:
● Corporate Law (1993) as amended in 2005 and 2013;
● The Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended in 2000;
● The Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law Implementation Regulations (1990), as amended in 2001; and
● The Enterprise Income Tax Law (2007) and its Implementation Regulations (2007).
Under these regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, as determined in
accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, an enterprise in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based
on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until its cumulative total reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. Our Company’s
reserve fund has not yet reached this level. The board of directors of a wholly foreign-owned enterprise has the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax
profits to its employee welfare and bonus funds. These reserve funds, however, may not be distributed as cash dividends.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress enacted the Enterprise Income Tax Law, and on December 6, 2007, the State Council issued the
Implementation Regulations on the Enterprise Income Tax Law, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. Under this law and its implementation
regulations, dividends payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC to its foreign investor who is a non-resident enterprise will be subject to a 10%
withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a lower withholding tax rate.
Nevertheless, AGM Tianjin currently do not have assets or operation of business, and we have no present plans to declare dividends and plan to retain our
earnings to continue to grow our business.
54
Regulations on Tax
PRC Enterprise Income Tax
The PRC enterprise income tax, or EIT, is calculated based on the taxable income determined under the applicable EIT Law and its implementation rules,
which became effective on January 1, 2008. The EIT Law imposes a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25% on all resident enterprises in China, including
foreign-invested enterprises.
Uncertainties exist with respect to how the EIT Law applies to our tax residence status and our offshore subsidiaries. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise
established outside of China with a “de facto management body” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” which means that it is treated in a
manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. Although the implementation rules of the EIT Law define “de facto management
body” as a managing body that exercises substantive and overall management and control over the production and business, personnel, accounting books and
assets of an enterprise, the only official guidance for this definition currently available is set forth in Circular 82 issued by the State Administration of
Taxation, which provides guidance on the determination of the tax residence status of a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise, defined as an
enterprise that is incorporated under the laws of a foreign country or territory and that has a PRC enterprise or enterprise group as its primary controlling
shareholder.
According to Circular 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having a “de facto
management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its worldwide income only if all of the following criteria are met:
● the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC;
● decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in
the PRC;
● the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholders meeting minutes are located or
maintained in the PRC; and
● 50% or more of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe that we meet the conditions outlined in the immediately preceding paragraph and should be treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax
purposes if the criteria for “de facto management body” as set forth in Circular 82 were deemed applicable to us. However, as the tax residency status of an
enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management
body” as applicable to our offshore entities, we will continue to monitor our tax status. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China
— Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “Resident Enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax
consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.”
In the event that we or any of our offshore subsidiaries is considered to be a PRC resident enterprise: (1) we or our offshore subsidiaries, as the case may be,
may be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income; (2) dividend income that we or our offshore
subsidiaries, as the case may be, receive from our PRC subsidiaries may be exempt from the PRC withholding tax; and (3) dividends paid to our overseas
shareholders who are non-PRC resident enterprises as well as gains realized by such shareholders from the transfer of our shares may be regarded as PRC-
sourced income and as a result be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%, and similarly, dividends paid to our overseas shareholders who are
non-PRC resident individuals, as well as gains realized by such shareholders from the transfer of our shares, may be regarded as PRC-sourced income and as
a result be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 20%, subject to the provision of any applicable agreement for the avoidance of double taxation.
55
Under SAT Circular 698 and Bulletin 7, if a non-resident enterprise transfers “PRC taxable assets” of a PRC resident enterprise indirectly by disposition of
the equity interests of an overseas non-public holding company without reasonable commercial purpose, the parties involved in the indirect transfer of the
PRC taxable assets and the PRC resident enterprise whose equity is transferred indirectly, may report such equity transfer matter to the PRC competent tax
authority of the PRC resident enterprise. The PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable
commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding, or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such disposition may be
subject to a PRC withholding tax rate of up to 10%. Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a
PRC resident enterprise to its related parties at a price which is not on an arm’s length basis and results in reducing the taxable income, the relevant tax
authority has the power to make a reasonable adjustment as to the taxable income of the transaction. Circular 698 was retroactively effective on January 1,
2008. On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation released SAT Bulletin 7 to amend and clarify several issues related to Circular 698.
According to SAT Bulletin 7, the term “PRC taxable assets” includes assets attributed to an establishment in China, immoveable properties located in China,
and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises; and when determining whether there is a “reasonable commercial purpose” of the transaction
arrangement, factors to be taken into consideration include: whether the main value of the equity interest of the relevant offshore enterprise derives from PRC
taxable assets; whether the assets of the relevant offshore enterprise mainly consists of direct or indirect investment in China or if its income mainly derives
from China; whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding PRC taxable assets have real commercial nature which is
evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure; the duration of existence of the business model and organizational structure; the replicability of the
transaction by direct transfer of PRC taxable assets; and the tax situation of such indirect transfer and applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements. If
Circular 698 and Bulletin 7 were determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to us, our offshore subsidiaries and our non-resident enterprise investors,
we, our offshore subsidiaries and our non-resident enterprise investors might be required to expend valuable resources to comply with this circular, which
may materially and adversely affect us or our non-resident enterprise investors. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — We and
our shareholders face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises or other assets attributed to a PRC
establishment of a non-PRC company, or other assets attributable to a PRC establishment of a non-PRC company.”
Under applicable PRC laws, payers of PRC-sourced income to non-PRC residents are generally obligated to withhold PRC income taxes from the payment.
In the event of a failure to withhold, the non-PRC residents are required to pay such taxes on their own. Failure to comply with the tax payment obligations
by the non-PRC residents will result in penalties, including full payment of taxes owed, fines and default interest on those taxes.
PRC Value-added Tax
Pursuant to the Pilot Measure for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax for Transport and Shipping Industry and Some of the Modern
Service Industries, promulgated by the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on November 16, 2011 (the “PilotMeasure”),any entity
or individual conducting business in some modern service industry, such as the service we are engaging in, is generally required to pay a value-added tax, or
VAT, at the rate of 6% on the revenues generated from providing such services. A taxpayer is allowed to offset the qualified input VAT paid on taxable
purchases against the output VAT chargeable on the modern services provided.
On March 30, 2016, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State
Administration of Taxation on Overall Implementation of the Pilot Program of Replacing Business Tax with Value-added Tax. Pursuant to this notice, from
May 1, 2016, a value-added tax will generally be imposed to replace the business tax in the construction industry, real estate industry, finance industry,
consumer service industry and other industries on a nationwide basis.
SAFE Circular 37
SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and
Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014, which replaced the former circular commonly known as
“SAFE Circular 75” promulgated by SAFE on October 21, 2005. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in
connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC
residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a “special purpose
vehicle.” SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle,
such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a
PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose
vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities,
and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Furthermore, failure to comply with the
various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls.
56
Share Option Rules
Under the Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control issued by the PBOC on December 25, 2006, all foreign exchange matters
involved in employee share ownership plans and share option plans in which PRC citizens participate require approval from SAFE or its authorized branch.
Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies may submit applications to
SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies. In addition, under the Notices on Issues
concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Share Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or
the Share Option Rules, issued by SAFE on February 15, 2012, PRC residents who are granted shares or share options by companies listed on overseas stock
exchanges under share incentive plans are required to (i) register with SAFE or its local branches, (ii) retain a qualified PRC agent, which may be a PRC
subsidiary of the overseas listed company or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other
procedures with respect to the share incentive plans on behalf of the participants, and (iii) retain an overseas institution to handle matters in connection with
their exercise of share options, purchase and sale of shares or interests and funds transfers.
Employment Laws
In accordance with the PRC National Labor Law, which became effective in January 1995, and the PRC Labor Contract Law, which became effective in
January 2008, as amended subsequently in 2012, employers must execute written labor contracts with full-time employees in order to establish an
employment relationship. All employers must compensate their employees equal to at least the local minimum wage standards. All employers are required to
establish a system for labor safety and sanitation, strictly abide by state rules and standards and provide employees with appropriate workplace safety
training. In addition, employers in China are obliged to pay contributions to the social insurance plan and the housing fund plan for employees. We have
contributed to the basic and minimum social insurance plan. Due to a high employee turnover rate in our industry, it is difficult for us to comply fully with
the law. While we believe that we have made adequate provision of such outstanding amounts of contributions to such plans in our financial statements, any
failure to make sufficient payments to such plans would be in violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations and, if we are found to be in violation of such
laws and regulations, we could be required to make up the contributions for such plans as well as to pay late fees and fines.
4.C. Organizational structure.
The following is a list of our subsidiaries as of the date of this annual report.
Subsidiaries
AGM Technology Limited (“AGM HK”)
AGM Tianjin Construction Development Co., Ltd.
(“AGM Tianjin”)
Jurisdiction of Incorporation/Formation
Hong Kong SAR
People’s Republic of China
Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co., Ltd.
People’s Republic of China
(“AGM Beijing”)
AGM Software Service LTD (“AGM Software”)
Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (“Nanjing
British Virgin Islands
People’s Republic of China
Lucun”)
AGM Defi Tech Limited (“AGM Defi Tech”)
AGM Defi Lab Pte Limited (“AGM Defi Lab”)
Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co., Ltd.
Hong Kong SAR
Singapore
People’s Republic of China
Date of Incorporation/
Formation
May 21, 2015
October 13, 2015
November 13, 2015
June 14, 2017
June 17, 2021
July 30, 2021
August 8, 2021
October 21, 2021
(“Beijing Keen Sense”)
Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Beijing
Branch (“Nanjing Lucun Beijing Branch”)
People’s Republic of China
November 24, 2022
57
Below is a chart illustrating our corporate structure:
4.D. Property, Plant and Equipment
Intellectual Property
We regard our intellectual property rights as critical to our operations. We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secret laws to
protect our intellectual property. As of December 31, 2022, we owned three domain names. We also had two registered trademarks in China as of December
31, 2022 but we have retired and cancelled the registration in July 2023.
58
Property and Equipment
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
Electronic equipment
Office equipment
Leasehold improvement
Total property and equipment
Less: accumulated depreciation
Total property and equipment, net
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
$
$
541,931 $
13,777
510,915
1,066,623
(377,262)
689,361 $
168,308
14,391
339,657
522,356
(199,959)
322,397
Depreciation expenses for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, were $52,807, $36,883 and $31,957, respectively. Leasehold
amortization expenses for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were $145,989, nil and nil. There was no disposals and impairment
recorded for these property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Lease commitments
We lease offices and residential properties for employee’s dormitories Rent expenses for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were $114,488,
$51,239 and $91,043, respectively. The Company has future minimum lease obligations as of December 31, 2022 as follows:
Year of 2023
Year of 2024
Year of 2025
Thereafter
Less: lease commitments on terminations
Total
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
59
Commitment
Amount
180,499
142,434
36,128
-
-
359,061
$
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our audited consolidated
financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a
result of various factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.
Overview
We aim to become an integrated technology company with blockchain oriented ASIC chip design, advanced encryption mining machine production, and
financial technology software services. In 2021, we have launched the first internal brand ASIC encryption mining machine - KOI Miner C16 (“C16”), with
technical parameters higher than the industry average level.
We derive revenue from the sales of cryptocurrency mining machine and standardized computing equipment. Revenue is recognized when the promised
goods are transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration allocated to the respective performance obligation. We recognize product
revenues on a gross basis as we are responsible to fulfill the promise to provide specified goods. Revenue is recognized at a point in time upon the transfer of
control of products to customers.
Costs and Expenses
We primarily incur the following costs and expenses:
Costs of revenues. Cost of revenues primarily consist of cost of product revenue, which includes direct costs of cryptocurrency mining machine, standardized
computing equipment and software products; labor costs and employee benefits for software development, data testing, bug fixes and hacker prevention;
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation expense for our corporate staff
and personnel supporting our corporate staff, marketing costs, office supplies, welfare expenses, training expenses, professional fees (including consulting,
audit and legal fees), travel and business hospitality expenses and bad debt expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include depreciation
and amortization expenses. We record property and equipment at cost and calculate depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives
of our assets, which generally range from three to five years.
60
Research and development expenses. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The costs primarily consist of the wage expenses incurred to
continuously improve and upgrade our services.
5.A. Operating Results.
Revenues
Cost of Revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Selling, general & administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Total operating expenses
Income/(Loss) from operations
Other income/(expenses)
Other income
Other expenses
Total other (expenses)/income
Income/(Loss) from continuing operations before provision of income taxes
Provision for income taxes expenses
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax
Gain from disposal
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax
Net income/(loss)
Revenues
For The Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
2022
242,395,556
(195,807,066)
46,588,490
36,709,931
(30,112,363)
6,597,568
53,305
(38,534)
14,771
30,395,048
-
30,395,048
-
16,193,442
1,607,393
36,317
1,643,710
-
4,953,858
964,470
63,450
1,027,920
-
(1,013,149)
118,265
(491,299)
(373,034)
-
15,820,408
(4,344,769)
-
11,475,639
47,167
(43,171)
3,996
-
4,957,854
(1,406,159)
-
3,551,695
1,687
(9,343)
(7,656)
-
(1,020,805)
(76,343)
-
(1,097,148)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(322,490)
347,990
25,500
11,475,639
3,551,695
(1,071,648)
Our total revenues increased by $205.7 million or 560%, from $36.7 million in fiscal 2021 to $242.4 million in fiscal 2022. All of our total revenues for both
fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 generated from third parties and no revenues incurred from related party. The substantial increase in sales revenue was primarily
attributed to the growth in new customers and existing customers’ sales volume. As price-rising market trends of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin led to
higher mining profits, customers are further motivated to invest in ASIC crypto mining machines. The booming cryptocurrency market has attracted more
people to ASIC crypto mining machines, bringing in numerous new customers for us. Furthermore, the steady rise in sales volume among existing customers
demonstrated a stable customer base and their trust in us.
Our total revenues increased by $36.7 million or 68,768%, from $53,305 in fiscal 2020 to $36.7 million in fiscal 2021. All of our total revenues for both
fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 generated from third parties and no revenues incurred from related party. The increase was primarily due to the surging sales
revenues from cryptocurrency mining machine and standardized computing equipment sales since 2021.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin
Cost of revenues increased by $165.7 million or 550%, from $30.1 million in fiscal 2021 to $195.8 million for the fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily
due to the increase in procurement costs of cryptocurrency mining machines and standardized computing equipment for fiscal 2022, which was in line with
the increase of revenue. Gross margin for fiscal 2022 was 19%, as compared to 18% for fiscal 2021. The gross margin of sales cryptocurrency mining
machine and standardized computing equipment was relatively stable.
Cost of revenues increased by $30.1 million or 78,045%, from $38,534 in fiscal 2020 to $30.1 million for the fiscal 2021. The increase was primarily due to
the increase in procurement costs of cryptocurrency mining machines and standardized computing equipment for fiscal 2021. Gross margin for fiscal 2021
was 18%, as compared to 28% for fiscal 2020. The gross margin of sales cryptocurrency mining machine and standardized computing equipment was a little
bit lower than the business in 2020.
61
Selling, General and Administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative employee-related expenses, professional fees, travel costs, research
and development costs, and other corporate expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $30.4 million for the year of 2022, an increase of
$28.8 million, or 1793% from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to (1) recorded bad debt expenses of accounts
receivable of the year 2022 (2) increased professional service fees including investor relations management, financial consulting for business operation; and
(3) increased salary expenses due to increased headcount of selling, general and administrative personnel from a weighted average number of 16 to 25.
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative employee-related expenses, professional fees, travel costs, research
and development costs, and other corporate expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.6 million for the year of 2021, an increase of
$642,923, or 67% from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to expenses related to an establishment of a new wholly
foreign-owned enterprise in fiscal 2021.
Research and Development Expenses
We incurred nil and $36,317 in research and development in fiscal 2022 and 2021, respectively. Research and development expenses decreased by $36,317,
or 100%, for fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. We have not invested in cryptocurrency mining machine R&D. Research and development expenses
decreased by $27,133, or 43%, for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020.
Income/(Loss) from operations
As a result of the factors described above, operating income was $16.2 million for fiscal 2022, compared to $5.0 million for fiscal 2021, an increase in
operation income of $11.2 million, or 226%. Our operation income in fiscal 2021 was $5.0 million, compared to operating loss was $1.0 million for fiscal
2020, an increase in operation income of $6.0 million, or 589%.
Other income/(expenses)
For fiscal 2022, other expense, net of other income, were $0.4 million, compared to other income, net of other expense, were $3,996 for fiscal 2021, a change
of $0.4 million. The increase of other expenses was primarily attributable to the foreign currency translation loss, partially offset by government subsidies
received for being in informational development industry.
For fiscal 2021, other income, net of other expense, were $3,996, compared to other expenses, net of other income, were $7,656 for fiscal 2020, a change of
$11,652. The decrease of other expenses was primarily attributable to foreign exchange income.
Loss from continuing operations
As a result of the foregoing, our income from continuing operations was $15.8 million, or $0.47 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December
31, 2022, as compared with $3.6 million, or $0.17 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our loss from continuing operating
was $1.1 million for fiscal 2020, or $0.05 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Income Tax
For fiscal 2022, we had provision for income tax of $4.3 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 209%, as compared to expense for income tax of $1.4
million for fiscal 2021. The increase is primarily due to increase income before provision of income taxes.
62
For fiscal 2021, we had provision for income tax of $1,406,159, an increase of $1.3 million, or 1,742%, as compared to expense for income tax of $76,343
for fiscal 2020. The increase is primarily due to increase income before provision of income taxes.
Gain from discontinued operation, net of income taxes
Our gain from discontinued operations was nil, or $0.00 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as the year ended
December 31, 2021. Our income from discontinued operations of $25,500, or $(0.00) per share for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The summarized operating result of discontinued operation included our consolidated statements of operation is as follows:
For The Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
2022
Revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Other income, net
Loss before income taxes
Income tax expense
Loss from discontinued operations
Gain from disposal, net of taxes
Total income from discontinued operations
$
$
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- $
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- $
237,431
160,810
76,621
353,219
(45,125)
(321,723)
767
(322,490)
347,990
25,500
We realized a gain of $347,990 from the disposal of 100% equity of Anyi Network including its subsidiaries and offset by a loss of $322,490 from
discontinued operation of the year ended December 31, 2020. As the result, total gain amounted $25,500 from discontinued operation for the year ended
December 31, 2020.
Net income/(loss)
As a result of the factors described above, our net income for fiscal 2022 was $11.5 million, compared to $3.6 million for fiscal 2021, an increase in net
income of $8.2 million, or 231%. Our net income for fiscal 2021 decreased in net loss of $4.6 million, or 431%, compared to net loss of $1.1 million for
fiscal 2020.
Foreign currency translation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollar (“$”), which is the reporting currency of us. The functional
currency of AGM Group Holdings, Inc., AGM Technology Limited, AGM Defi Tech Ltd., our subsidiaries established pursuant to the laws of Hong Kong,
AGM DEFI LAB PTE. Ltd., our subsidiary established pursuant to the laws of Singapore, and AGM Software Services Ltd, our subsidiary established
pursuant to the laws of the British Virgin Islands are United States dollar. The functional currency of AGM Tianjin Construction Development Co, Ltd.,
Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co., Ltd., Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co. Ltd., and Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co., Ltd., our
indirect subsidiaries established pursuant to the laws of China, are Renminbi (“RMB”). For the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are RMB, results of
operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the
period, and equity is translated at historical exchange rates.
The Consolidated Balance Sheets balances, with the exception of equity at December 31, 2022 and 2021, were translated at RMB6.9646 and RMB6.3757 to
$1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to the Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were
RMB6.7261, RMB6.4514 and RMB6.9003 to $1.00, respectively.
63
Net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange translations are included in the Comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of operations. As
a result of foreign currency translations, which are a non-cash adjustment, we reported a foreign currency translation (loss)/gain of $ (6,578,195), $169,472,
and $(154,768) for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. This non-cash loss had the effect on our reported comprehensive
income or loss.
5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Liquidity
For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support our current and future operations, satisfy our obligations and otherwise operate on an
ongoing basis. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had working capital of $22.3 million and $24.5 million, including cash and cash
equivalents of $4.0 million and $18.4 million, respectively. As a result, we believe that our current cash and cash to be generated from our operations will be
sufficient to meet our working capital needs for at least the next twelve months. We are not dependent upon the access to borrow loans from our related
parties. We plan to expand our business to implement our growth strategies to broaden our service and strengthen our position in the marketplace.
The following table sets forth a summary of changes in our working capital from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022:
Working capital:
Total current assets
Total current liabilities
Working capital
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
Change
Percentage
Change
$ 116,819,369 $
94,520,092
22,299,277 $
$
87,319,271 $
62,819,301
24,499,970 $
29,500,098
31,700,791
(2,200,693)
34%
50%
(9)%
Because the exchange rate conversion is different for the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of cash flows, the changes in assets and
liabilities reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows are not necessarily identical with the comparable changes reflected on the consolidated
balance sheets.
Cash Flow Summary
The following table sets forth certain items in our consolidated statements of cash flows for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Net cash used in operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
Less cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations–end of year
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations–end of year
64
For The Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2022
(17,342,268)
(332,308)
7,005,744
(3,684,350)
(14,353,182)
18,426,622
4,073,440
-
4,073,440 $
(1,854,458)
(339,657)
19,558,681
397,451
17,762,017
664,605
18,426,622
-
18,426,622 $
2020
(1,652,022)
(1,195)
111,878
129,375
(1,411,964)
2,076,569
664,605
-
664,605
We have cash and cash equivalents held in financial institutions in the following countries (regions):
Country (Region)
China (Mainland)
China (Hong Kong)
Singapore
Total cash and cash equivalents
Operating Activities:
December 31, December 31,
2022
154,311 $
3,678,925
240,204
4,073,440 $
2021
16,566,953
1,599,983
259,686
18,426,622
$
$
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations was $17.3 million for fiscal 2022, primarily due to a net income of $11.5 million. The
adjustments for changes in assets and liabilities primarily included an increase of accounts receivable of $119.0 million, and a decrease of advances from
customers of $35.9 million due to the surged increase of revenue; partially offset by an increase of accounts payable of $50.1 million due to the increased
purchase of cryptocurrency mining machines and standardized computing equipment, the allowance for doubtful accounts of $27.5 million, and a decrease of
inventories of $17.2 million as we finished more sales in 2022.
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations was $1.9 million for fiscal 2021, primarily due to a net income of $3.6 million. The adjustments
for changes in assets and liabilities primarily included (i) an increase of advances to suppliers of $40.5 million, (ii) an increase of inventories of $22.4
million, offset by (iii) a decrease of advances from customers of $42.2 million and (iv) a decrease of accounts payable of $14.1 million.
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations was $1.4 million (total of $1.7 million including discontinued operations of $296,692), for
fiscal 2020, primarily due to a net loss of $1.1 million adjusted by a gain on discontinued operations of $25,500, adjusted by non-cash gain from disposal of
subsidiary of $347,990 and working capital primarily included depreciation and amortization expenses of $33,437. The adjustments for changes in assets and
liabilities primarily included (i) prepaid expenses and other current assets of $103,145, (ii) accounts payable of $1,763, and (iii) accrued expenses and other
current liabilities of $48,537.
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations was nil, nil and $296,692 in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations included $282,308 for purchase of property and equipment and leasehold improvement in fiscal
2022; and $50,000 for purchase of intangible asset.
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations was $339,657 for the leasehold improvement in fiscal 2021.
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations was $810 for the purchase of office equipment in fiscal 2020.
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations was $385 for fiscal 2020. There was no net cash provided or used by investing activities of
discontinued operations for fiscal 2021 and 2022.
65
Financing Activities:
Net cash provided by financing activities was of continuing operations $7.0 million for fiscal 2022. It was mainly attributable to proceeds from related parties
of $10.0 million and receipt of financing deposit of $0.5 million; partially offset by repayments to related parties of $2.0 million and repayments of loans and
borrowings of $1.5 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities was of continuing operations $19.6 million for fiscal 2021. It was mainly attributable to proceeds from issuance of
Class A ordinary shares of $17.6 million and proceeds from short-term borrowings of $1.6 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities was of continuing operations $198,226 for fiscal 2020. It was attributable to proceeds from issuance of Class A
ordinary shares of $667,901 and borrowings from related parties of $125,212, offset by repayment of related party loans and advances of $594,887.
Net cash used by financing activities of discontinued operations was $86,348 for fiscal 2020. There was no net cash provided by or used in financing
activities of discontinued operations for fiscal 2021 and 2022.
We expect to incur additional costs associated with becoming a public company in the United States, primarily due to increased expenses related to
accounting and tax services, legal expenses and investor and stockholder-related expenses. These additional long-term expenses may require us to seek other
sources of financing, such as additional borrowings or public or private equity or debt capital. The availability of these other sources of financing will depend
upon our financial condition and results of operations as well as prevailing market conditions and may not be available on terms reasonably acceptable to us
or at all.
Regulatory Restrictions on Capital Injections
If we conduct offerings in the future, we plan to use proceeds from such offerings to fund our business from time to time. In order to do so, we will be
required to comply with the following Chinese regulations regarding capital injections to foreign-invested enterprises.
Chinese regulations relating to investments in offshore companies by Chinese residents. SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning
Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Financing and Round trip Investment through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37,
on July 4, 2014. SAFE Circular 37 requires Chinese residents to register and update certain investments in companies incorporated outside of China with
their local SAFE branch. SAFE also subsequently issued various guidance and rules regarding the implementation of SAFE Circular 37, which imposed
obligations on Chinese subsidiaries of offshore companies to coordinate with and supervise any Chinese-resident beneficial owners of offshore entities in
relation to the SAFE registration process.
We may not be aware of the identities of all of our beneficial owners who are Chinese residents. We do not have control over our beneficial owners and
cannot assure you that all of our Chinese -resident beneficial owners will comply with SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules. The failure of
our beneficial owners who are Chinese residents to register or amend their SAFE registrations in a timely manner pursuant to SAFE Circular 37 and
subsequent implementation rules, or the failure of future beneficial owners of our Company who are Chinese residents to comply with the registration
procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, may subject such beneficial owners or our Chinese subsidiaries to fines and
legal sanctions, which may be substantial. Failure to register may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital to our Chinese subsidiaries and limit
our Chinese subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to our Company. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
China regulates loans to and direct investment in Chinese entities by offshore holding companies and there is governmental control of currency conversion.
We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our wholly owned subsidiaries. As an offshore holding company, we may
make loans and additional contributions to subsidiaries subject to certain government authorities’ registration and/or approvals, including MOFCOM, SAIC
and SAFE, or their local counterparts.
66
Any loan to subsidiaries, which is treated as a foreign-invested enterprise under Chinese law, is subject to Chinese regulations and foreign exchange loan
registrations. In January 2003, the China State Development and Reform Commission, SAFE and Ministry of Finance jointly promulgated the Circular on
The Interim Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts, or the Circular 28, limiting the total amount of foreign debt a foreign-invested enterprise may
incur to the difference between the amount of total investment approved by the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterpart for such enterprise and the
amount of registered capital of such enterprise, and requiring registration of any such loans with SAFE. On January 11, 2017, the People’s Bank of China
(the “PBOC”), promulgated the Circular on Matters concerning the Macro-Prudential Management of Full-Covered Cross-Border Financing, or the PBOC
Circular 9. Pursuant to PBOC Circular 9, the foreign debt upper limit for both foreign-invested companies and domestic-invested companies is calculated as
twice the net asset of such companies. As to net assets, the companies shall take the net assets value stated in their latest audited financial statement. The
PBOC Circular 9 does not supersede the Circular 28. It provides a one-year transitional period from its promulgation date for foreign-invested companies,
during which foreign-invested companies, such as our WFOE, could choose their calculation method of foreign debt upper limit based on either the Foreign
Debts Provisions or the PBOC Circular 9. The transitional period ended on January 11, 2018. Upon its expiry, pursuant to the PBOC Circular 9, the PBOC
and SAFE will determine the cross-border financing administration mechanism for the foreign-invested enterprises after evaluating the overall
implementation of the PBOC Circular 9. As of the date hereof, neither PBOC nor SAFE has promulgated and made public any further rules, regulations,
notices or circulars in this regard. It is uncertain which mechanism will be adopted by PBOC and SAFE in the future and what statutory limits will be
imposed on us when providing loans to our PRC subsidiaries.
We may choose to finance subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be registered with the Ministry of Commerce or its
local counterpart. In March 2015, SAFE issued the Circular Concerning the Reform of the Administration of the Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of
Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular No.19, which became effective in June 2015. SAFE Circular No.19 regulates the conversion by a foreign-
invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. Furthermore, SAFE promulgated a
circular in June 2016, SAFE Circular No.16, which further revises some clauses in the SAFE Circular No.19. SAFE Circular No. 19 and No.16 provide that
the capital-account foreign exchange incomes of a domestic enterprise shall not be used for expenditures that are forbidden by relevant laws and regulations,
for purposes that are not included in the business scope approved by the applicable government authority, shall not be used for direct or indirect equity
investments within China or for any other kind of investment except principal-guaranteed wealth-management products, unless otherwise prescribed by other
laws and regulations, shall not be used for issuing RMB entrusted loans (except included in the business scope approved by the applicable government
authority or issuing RMB entrusted loans to affiliated enterprises), repaying inter-enterprise loans, repaying bank loans which has been refinanced to third
parties, issuing RMB loans to non-affiliated enterprises unless expressly permitted in the business scope and shall not be used to purchase real estate that is
not for personal use except if we are a real estate enterprise. In addition, SAFE supervises the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign
currency registered capital of a foreign-invested company by further focusing on ex post facto supervision and violations. Previously, for FIEs the increase of
capital contribution shall be approved by MOFCOM. In 2016, the approval was changed to registration. Currently, China is holding more open and tolerate
attitude toward FIEs. Even with more and more open policy toward FDI and FIEs, Circulars mentioned above may still have some limit on our ability to use
the net proceeds from future offerings to invest in or acquire any other Chinese companies in China, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability
to fund and expand our business in China.
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” and on March
10, 2020, declared it to be a pandemic. Actions taken around the world to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus include restrictions on travel, and
quarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for certain types of public places and businesses. The coronavirus and actions taken to mitigate it have had
and are expected to continue to have an adverse impact on the economies and financial markets of many countries, including the geographical area in which
we operate. While it is unknown how long these conditions will last and what the complete financial effect will be to us, to date, we are not expecting to
experience any adverse effects other than:
1. Difficulty in communicating with potential acquisition targets.
2. Fund-raising events may be limited.
67
Additionally, it is possible that estimates made in the financial statements have been, or will be, materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result
of these conditions, including the ability to raise additional funding.
Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021
The following table provides certain selected balance sheets comparisons as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Advances to suppliers
Prepayment and other current assets
Due from related parties
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Deferred tax asset
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Short-term borrowings
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other payables
Advance from customers
Due to related parties
Deferred revenue - current
Operating lease liabilities, current
Income tax payable
Total current liabilities
Operating lease liabilities, non-current
Deferred government grant, non-current
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
December 31, December 31,
$
2022
4,073,440 $
92,755,701
3,915,456
13,139,128
2,935,644
-
116,819,369
689,361
55,486
492,984
7,172,814
8,410,645
$ 125,230,014 $
Increase
(Decrease)
2021
18,426,622 $ (14,353,182)
90,147,376
(18,517,684)
(27,346,393)
(390,781)
(39,238)
29,500,098
366,964
46,853
251,430
7,043,780
7,709,027
37,209,125
2,608,325
22,433,140
40,485,521
3,326,425
39,238
87,319,271
322,397
8,633
241,554
129,034
701,618
88,020,889 $
- $
64,500,197
2,874,126
4,572,765
8,087,981
36,529
162,576
14,285,918
94,520,092
167,428
98,784
266,212
94,786,304 $
1,568,455 $
14,116,569
459,682
42,231,914
1,215,573
38,111
51,239
3,137,758
62,819,301
-
147,812
147,812
62,967,113 $
(1,568,455)
50,383,628
2,414,444
(37,659,149)
6,872,408
(1,582)
111,337
11,148,160
31,700,791
167,428
(49,028)
118,400
31,819,191
$
$
68
%
(78)%
>100%
(83)%
(68)%
(12)%
-100%
34%
>100%
>100%
>100%
>100%
>100%
42%
-100%
>100%
>100%
(89)%
>100%
(4)%
>100%
>100%
50%
>100%
(33)%
80%
51%
Cash
As of December 31, 2022, we have a total of $4.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, among which $154,311 was held inside China (Mainland), and $3.9
million was held outside of China (Mainland). As of December 31, 2021, we have a total of $18.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, among which $16.6
million was held inside China (Mainland), and $1.9 million was held outside of China (Mainland). We have not transferred and do not plan to transfer our
cash in RMB outside of China (Mainland) in order to avoid unnecessary currency exchange cost. Our subsidiaries in China (Mainland) incur expenses from
time to time, and we have spent and plan to spend our cash in RMB to cover those expenses.
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net
As of December 31, 2022, balances of prepayment and other current assets were $2.9 million, a decrease of $ 0.4 million, compared to $3.3 million as of
December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to fund decreased prepaid input VAT, partially offset by increase of loan receivable, as shown in the
following table.
Prepaid expenses
Loan receivable
Prepaid input VAT
Deposits and others
Total prepayment and other current assets
Current assets
December 31, December 31,
2022
- $
1,605,000
1,106,489
224,155
2,935,644 $
2021
51,301
400,000
2,848,547
26,577
3,326,425
$
$
Current assets as of December 31, 2022 totaled $116.8 million, an increase of $29.5 million from our December 31, 2021 balance. The increase was
primarily resulted from a $90.1 million increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by a $18.5 million decrease in inventories and a $14.4 million
decrease in cash and cash equivalents.
Accrued liabilities and other payables
Accrued liabilities and other payables mainly included wages payable, VAT payable, deposit payables and other payables. Accrued liabilities and other
payables as of December 31, 2022 were $2.9 million, an increase of $2.4 million, compared to $0.5 million as of December 31, 2021, primarily due to the
increased in wages payable.
Credit Facility
We mainly finance our operations through proceeds borrowed from related parties. As of December 31, 2022, due to related parties were $8.1 million, an
increase of $6.9 million, compared to $1.2 million as of December 31, 2021. Due to related parties as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 include:
Zhentao Jiang (2)
Yufeng Mi
Yang Cao
HongKong Kisen
Total due to related parties
69
December 31, December 31,
2022
- $
1,831
86,150
8,000,000
8,087,981 $
2021
1,119,465
2,000
94,108
-
1,215,573
$
$
Wenjie Tang
Total due from related parties
December 31, December 31,
2022
-
- $
$
2021
39,238
39,238
The balance of due to related parties represents expenses incurred by related parties in the ordinary course of business and expenses related parties paid on
behalf of us. These loans are interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.
From time to time, we borrowed $10.0 million from related parties and repaid $2.0 million to related parties in the year ended December 31, 2022. We
borrowed $907,135 from related parties and repaid $517,670 to related parties in the year ended December 31, 2021. We borrowed $241,822 from related
parties and repaid $594,887 to related parties in the year ended December 31, 2020.
5.C. Research and Development, Patent and Licenses, etc.
Please refer to “Item 4. Information on the Company – D. Property, Plant and Equipment – Intellectual Property.”
5.D. Trend Information.
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably
likely to have a material effect on our net revenues, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause
reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial condition or results of operations.
5.E. Critical Accounting Estimates
Critical Accounting Policies
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our audited consolidated financial statements, which have
been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these audited consolidated financial
statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We evaluate our
estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to revenue recognition and income taxes. We base our estimates on our historical experience and on
various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making the judgments we make
about the carrying values of our assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Because these estimates can vary depending on the
situation, actual results may differ from the estimates.
The critical accounting policies summarized in this section are discussed in further detail in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements
appearing elsewhere in this annual report. Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide useful and
reliable financial information about our operating results and financial condition.
Revenue Recognition
We adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) for all years presented. The core
principle of this new revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the
customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which We expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are
applied to achieve that core principle by us in determination of revenue recognition:
● Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with the customer;
● Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract;
● Step 3: Determine the transaction price;
● Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
● Step 5: Recognize revenue when or as we satisfy a performance obligation.
70
We are a mining machine developer, engaging in research, development and sales of cryptocurrency mining machine and standardized computing equipment.
The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The transaction price allocated to each
performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or over time as appropriate.
We derive revenue from the sale of cryptocurrency mining machine and standardized computing equipment and technical support plans for the years ended
December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. We began the business transformation to became a blockchain hardware machine and software developer in 2021. We
enter into contracts with customers that include promises to transfer various products and services, which are generally capable of being distinct and
accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue is recognized when the promised goods or services are transferred to customers, in an amount
that reflects the consideration allocated to the respective performance obligation. We recorded and recognized revenues from both products and services in
one account, which we present as revenues and revenues from related parties in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive
income.
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions of future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty
and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating
environment changes. Significant estimates and assumptions by management include, among others, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets,
allowance for doubtful accounts, income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions
used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are periodically
reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We follow the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). It clarifies the
definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value
as follows:
Level 1-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.
71
Level 2-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in
markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on what assumptions the market participants would use in
pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.
The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, advance to suppliers,
prepayment and other current assets, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables and due to related parties approximate
their fair value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, as part of its Simplification Initiative to reduce the cost
and complexity in accounting for income taxes. This standard removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intra period tax allocation, the
methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. It also amends other
aspects of the guidance to help simplify and promote consistent application of GAAP. The amendments in these ASUs are effective for the Company’s fiscal
years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning October 1, 2022. We do not expect to early adopt this guidance and is in the process of
evaluating the impact of adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Recently issued ASUs by the FASB, except for the ones mentioned above, are not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated results of
operations or financial position. Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are
not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. We do not discuss recent pronouncements that are not
anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures.
72
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
6.A.Directors and Management
The following table provides information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date hereof:
Name
Bo Zhu
Steven Sim
Yufeng Mi
Jialin Liu
Jiaqi Zhu
Fangjie Wang
Yafang Wang
Age
36
45
46
64
42
33
45
Position(s)
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Independent Director and Chairman of Compensation Committee.
Independent Director and Chairman of Nominating Committee
Independent Director and the Chairwoman of the Audit Committee
Secretary of the Board
The business address of each of the officers and directors is c/o Creative Consultants (Hong Kong) Limited Room 1502-3 15/F., Connaught Commercial
Building, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Bo Zhu. Mr. Zhu possesses an in-depth understanding of the blockchain technology application, as well as a well-known reputation and extensive network
within the industry due to the extended time spent in high-performance computing research in the past years.
Steven Yuan Ning Sim. Mr. Sim has over 15 years of audit and financial management experience. Mr. Sim has served as the Chief Financial Officer of
Pintec Technology Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: PT), an independent financial solutions provider in China, since October 2016. Mr. Sim has also served as an
independent director of Skillful Craftsman Education Technology Limited (Nasdaq: EDTK), a provider of online education and technology services in China,
since March 2021. Previously, Mr. Sim served as vice president of finance at Sohu.com Inc. from 2014 to 2016. From 2011 to 2014, he served as chief
financial officer at Leyou Inc., a leading multi-channel baby and maternity platform in China. Mr. Sim served in various capacities at leading public
accounting firms including Deloitte & Touche in Beijing, KPMG Europe LLP in London, and Ernst & Young and BDO Raffles in Singapore between 2001
and 2010. Mr. Sim obtained his bachelor’s degree in applied accounting from Oxford Brooks University in 2002 and his MBA degree from European
Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) in 2010. Mr. Sim is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
73
Yufeng Mi. Mr. Mi has served as Chief Technology Officer since the beginning. Before co-founding our subsidiary AGM Beijing, he co-founded Beijing
Miteke Technology Co. Ltd. and was the IT department manager in MeiZhi Huangqiu Beijing Technology Co. Ltd. from 2011 to 2015. Mr. Mi earned his
master’s degree in Computer Science from Université Pierre et Marie Currie, his master’s degree in finance from Université Dauphine, and his bachelor’s
degree in communication technology from Shanghai Jiaotong University. He is a Certified Financial Analyst (level 1) in the United States and a Financial
Risk Manager. Mr. Mi is experienced in B2C e-commerce, forex and futures trading system, and trading system design.
Jialin Liu. Mr. Liu has served as our Independent Director and Chairman of Compensation Committee since March 2017. He has been the Chairman of the
Board of Profit Well Gold Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd. since 2006. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Central University of Finance and Economics. He
is very experienced with administrative management and finance.
Jiaqi Zhu. Mr. Zhu has been working in the finance and fintech industry since 2015. Mr. Zhu previously worked as a data scientist at Cubist, Point72. He is
an expert in quantitative trading using machine learning algorithms, and is very familiar with the trend and development of creative crypto and web3
projects. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, and Master's degree in Quantitative Finance from
National University of Singapore.
Fangjie Wang. Ms. Wang has been working as an Audit Manager at Beijing Hua Long Ding Jia Certified Public Accountants Co., Ltd since March 2018.
Prior to that, she worked at Zhongxinghua Certified Public Accountants LLP as an Audit Assistant from August 2017 to February 2018. She worked as the
Lecturer of International Economics and Trade at Hubei Vocational Technical Institute from June 2016 to July 2017. She interned as a teacher of Ecological
Tourism at Adult Education Academy of Guangxi Normal University. She interned as an assistant at Tian Jia Bing Academy of Guangxi Normal University
from June 2014 to March 2016. From August 2013 to May 2014, she worked as an Internal Assistant to Duty Manager at Xiaogan Branch of Agricultural
Bank of China. Ms. Wang graduated from Guangxi Normal University in 2016 and received a master’s degree in Management. Before that, she received a
bachelor’s degree in International Economics and Trade from Hubei University. Ms. Fangjie Wang is an accounting expert and is experienced with
establishing effective internal control system. There are no family relationships between Fangjie Wang and any other employees or members of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
Yafang Wang. Ms. Wang has been the Assistant to the Chairman of the Board at Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co., Ltd. since May 2015, where
she translates financial and legal documents, updates statistical data, and provides administrative support to the Chairman. From April 2012 to May 2015,
Ms. Wang worked as a researcher at Beijing Tongzhou New City Investment & Operation Co., Ltd. where her job responsibilities were mainly consisted of
searching and collecting urban construction data and real estate trend, preparing Real Estate Weekly for the company, and translating and updating the
company’s English website. Prior to that, Ms. Wang was a translator at HVS from June 2011 to December 2011 and an editor at Commercial Express of
Embassies and Overseas Agencies form June 2007 to December 2010, where she edited and translated reports and publications. Ms. Wang obtained her
bachelor’s degree from Beijing Foreign Studies University in English major in 2005, and an associate degree in public relations from Jilin University in
1997. Ms. Huang has extensive experience in business administration and is proficient in English. There are no family relationships between Yafang Wang
and any other employee or member of the board of directors of the Company.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or officers has been convicted in a criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors, nor has any been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final
order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal
or state securities laws, except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement. Except as set forth in our discussion below in “Related Party
Transactions,” our directors and officers have not been involved in any transactions with us or any of our affiliates or associates which are required to be
disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Board Diversity
The Board of Directors does not have a formal policy with respect to Board nominee diversity. In recommending proposed nominees to the Board of
Directors, the Nominating Committee is charged with building and maintaining a board that has an ideal mix of talent and experience to achieve our business
objectives in the current environment. In particular, the Nominating Committee is focused on relevant subject matter expertise, depth of knowledge in key
areas that are important to us, and diversity of thought, background, perspective and experience so as to facilitate robust debate and broad thinking on
strategies and tactics pursued by us.
74
The following table provides certain information regarding the diversity of our Board of Directors as of the date of this annual report.
Board Diversity Matrix (As of the date of this annual report)
Country of Principal Executive Offices:
Foreign Private Issuer
Disclosure Prohibited Under Home Country Law
Total Number of Directors
Part I: Gender Identity
Directors
Part II: Demographic Background
Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction
LGBTQ+
6.B. Compensation
Executive Compensation
Hong Kong
Yes
No
5
Female
Male
Non-Binary
Did Not
Disclose
Gender
2
3
0
0
—
—
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determined the compensation to be paid to our executive officers based on our financial and
operating performance and prospects, and contributions made by the officers to our success. And our compensation committee approved our salary and
benefit plans. Each of the named officers will be measured by a series of performance criteria by the Board of Directors, or the compensation committee on a
yearly basis. Such criteria will be set forth based on certain objective parameters such as job characteristics, required professionalism, management skills,
interpersonal skills, related experience, personal performance and overall corporate performance.
Our employment agreements with our officers generally provide for employment for a specific term and pay annual salary, health insurance, pension
insurance, and paid vacation and family leave time. The agreement may be terminated by either party as permitted by law. In the event of a breach or
termination of the agreement by our company, we may be obligated to pay the employee twice the ordinary statutory rate. In the event of a breach or
termination causing loss to our company by the employee, the employee may be required to indemnify us against loss. We have executed employment
agreements with Mr. Bo Zhu, Mr. Yufeng Mi, Mr. Steven Sim, and Ms. Yafang Wang.
The following table presents summary information regarding the total compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each of the named executive officers
for services rendered to us for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Name and Principal Position
Wenjie Tang
Former Co-Chief Executive Officer(1)
Chenjun Li
Former Co-Chief Executive Officer(2)
Zhihe Yang
Former Chief Financial Officer(3)
Steven Sim
Chief Financial Officer(4)
Yufeng Mi
Chief Technology Officer
Bo Zhu
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy
Officer(5)
Yafang Wang
Secretary of the Board
Fiscal Year
or Period
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
42,000
42,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
42,000
42,000
-
-
-
-
37,644
9,411
30,000
30,000
120,000
80,000
31,013.99
20,706
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
37,6
9,411
30,000
30,000
120,000
80,000
31,013.99
20,706
(1) Wenjie Tang was a director and a Co-Chief Executive Officer since the inception. Mr. Tang resigned as a director and a Co-Chief Executive Officer on
October 7, 2023. Mr. Tang remains as an advisor on an as-needed basis.
(2) Chenjun Li was appointed as Co-Chief Executive Officer, effective July 12, 2021 and as a director and the Chairman of the Board, effective September
15, 2021. Mr. Li resigned as a director, Chairman of the Board and a Co-Chief Executive Officer on October 31, 2023.
(3) Zhihe Yang resigned as Chief Financial Officer on September 23, 2021, effective September 23, 2021.
(4) Steven Sim was appointed by the Board of Directors as the Chief Financial Officer, effective September 24, 2021.
(5) Bo Zhu was appointed as the Chief Strategy Officer, effective May 6, 2021 and as a Co-Chief-Executive Officer and a director on October 9, 2023.
75
Director Compensation
All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders at which they are re-elected and until their successors have been duly elected and
qualified. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Employee directors are entitled receive compensation for their
services. Non-employee directors are entitled to receive a set amount of cash fee for serving as directors. In addition, non-employee directors are entitled to
receive compensation for their actual travel expenses for each Board of Directors meeting attended, and any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in
connection with their services provided in such capacity. We have entered into agreements with our directors Fangjie Wang, Jialin Liu and Jiaqi Zhu. In
addition, our director Wenjie Tang receives compensation for his service as an officer of the Company. He has not received and will not receive compensation
as a director of the Company.
The table below indicates the compensations we paid to our Board of Directors in their capacity as directors for fiscal years 2022 and 2021:
Name
Chenjun Li
Former Chairman of the Board(1)
Bin Cao
Former Chairman of the Board(2)
Wenjie Tang
Former Director(3)
Bo Zhu
Director(4)
Fangjie Wang
Independent Director and Chairman of
Audit Committee
Jialin Liu
Independent Director and Chairman of
Compensation Committee
Tingfu Xie
Former Independent Former Independent
Director and Chairman of Nominating
Committee(5)
Jing Shi
Former Independent Independent Director
and Chairman of Nominating
Committee(6)
Jiaqi Zhu
Director and Chairman of Nominating
Committee(7)
Fiscal Year
or Period
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
-
-
-
40,500
-
-
-
-
11,120.83
11,763
9,643.98
10,201
-
5,882
30,000
20,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
40,500
-
-
-
-
11,120.83
-
11,763
-
9,643.98
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,201
-
5,882
30,000
20,000
-
-
(1) Chenjun Li was appointed as Co-Chief Executive Officer, effective July 12, 2021 and as a director and the Chairman of the Board on September 15,
2021. Mr. Li received an annual salary for his service as the co-CEO. He did not receive any compensation as a director. Mr. Li resigned as a director,
Chairman of the Board and a Co-Chief Executive Officer on October 31, 2023.
(2) The employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Bin Cao, expired on May 19, 2021. Mr. Cao continued to serve on an at-will basis after
expiration through September 10, 2021, when the Board of Directors determined not to extend Mr. Cao’s employment and to remove Mr. Cao from all
position of the Company.
(3) Wenjie Tang was a director and a Co-Chief Executive Officer since the inception. Mr. Tang received an annual salary for his service as the co-CEO. He
did not receive any compensation as a director. Mr. Tang resigned as a director and a Co-Chief Executive Officer on October 7, 2023. Mr. Tang remains
as an advisor on an as-needed basis.
(4) Bo Zhu was appointed as the Chief Strategy Officer, effective May 6, 2021 and as a Co-Chief-Executive Officer and a director on October 9, 2023.
(5) On April 30, 2021, Tingfu Xie tendered his resignation as director, the chairman of the Nominating Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee
and the Compensation Committee of the Company, effective April 30, 2021.
(6) Jing Shi was appointed as a director, the chairman of the Nominating Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation
Committee of the Company, effective April 30, 2021. Ms. Shi resigned as a director, the chairman of the Nominating Committee, and a member of the
Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Company, effective October 9, 2023.
(7) Jiaqi Zhu was appointed as a director, the chairman of the Nominating Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation
Committee of the Company, effective October 9, 2023.
76
6.C. Board practices
Election of Officers
Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our Board of Directors. There is no family relationship among any of our directors or
executive officers.
Board of Directors and Board Committees
Our Board of Directors currently consists of five directors, a majority of whom are independent as such term is defined by the Nasdaq Capital Market.
The directors are re-elected at our general meeting of shareholders every year.
A director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he is interested, provided, however that the nature of the interest of any director in any
such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote on that matter. A general notice or disclosure to the
directors or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of the directors or any committee thereof of the nature of a director’s
interest shall be sufficient disclosure and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. A
director may be counted for a quorum upon a motion in respect of any contract or arrangement which he shall make with our company, or in which he is so
interested and may vote on such motion.
We do not have a lead independent director because of the foregoing reason and also because we believe our independent directors are encouraged to freely
voice their opinions on a relatively small company board. We believe this leadership structure is appropriate because we are a relatively small company in the
process of listing on a public exchange; as such we deem it appropriate to be able to benefit from the guidance of Mr. Jiang as our Chair of the Board and Mr.
Tang as our principal executive officer and director. Our Board of Directors plays a key role in our risk oversight. The Board of Directors makes all relevant
Company decisions. As a smaller company with a small board of directors, we believe it is appropriate to have the involvement and input of all of our
directors in risk oversight matters.
Board Committees
The business and affairs of the company are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. We have conducted Board meetings regularly since
inception. Each of our directors has attended all meetings either in person, via telephone conference, or through written consent for special meetings. In
addition to the contact information in this annual report, the Board of Directors has adopted procedures for communication with the officers and directors on
September 15, 2017. Stockholders will be given specific information on how he/she can direct communications to the officers and directors of the Company
at our annual stockholders’ meetings. All communications from stockholders are relayed to the members of the Board of Directors.
77
Board Committees
We have established and adopted charters for three standing committees under the Board of Directors: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee,
the Nominating Committee. Each Committee consists of only independent directors of the Company.
● Audit Committee: Fangjie Wang (Chair), Jiaqi Zhu, Jialin Liu
● Compensation Committee: Jialin Liu (Chair), Jiaqi Zhu, Fangjie Wang
● Nominating Committee: Jiaqi Zhu (Chair), Fangjie Wang, Jialin Liu
The Board of Directors also adopted an insider trading policy that allows insiders to sell securities of the Company pursuant to pre-arranged trading plans.
Effective October 23, 2000, the SEC adopted rules related to insider trading. One of these rules, Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, provides an exemption to the insider trading rules in the form of an affirmative defense. Rule 10b5-1 recognizes the creation of formal programs
under which executives and other insiders may sell the securities of publicly traded companies on a regular basis pursuant to written plans that are entered
into at a time when the plan participants are not aware of material non-public information and that otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee consisted of Ms. Fangjie Wang, Mr. Jialin Liu and Mr. Jiaqi Zhu. Ms. Fangjie Wang is the chairman of our audit committee. We have
determined that Ms. Fangjie Wang, Mr. Jialin Liu and Mr. Jiaqi Zhu satisfy the “independence” requirements of Nasdaq Rule 5605 and Rule 10A-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Wang qualifies as an audit committee financial expert and has the
accounting or financial management expertise as required under Item 407(d)(5)(ii) and (iii) of Regulation S-K. The audit committee will oversee our
accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among
other things:
● appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent
auditors;
● reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;
● discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;
● reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and
control major financial risk exposures;
● reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;
● meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and
● monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to
ensure proper compliance.
78
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee consists of Mr. Jialin Liu, Ms. Fangjie Wang and Mr. Jiaqi Zhu. Mr. Jialin Liu is the chairman of our compensation committee.
We have determined that Mr. Jialin Liu, Ms. Fangjie Wang and Mr. Jiaqi Zhu satisfy the “independence” requirements under Nasdaq Rule 5605. The
compensation committee will assist the Board of Directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation,
relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is
deliberated. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:
● reviewing and approving, or recommending to the Board of Directors for its approval, the compensation for our chief executive officer and
other executive officers;
● reviewing and recommending to the Board of Directors for determination with respect to the compensation of our non-employee directors;
● reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements; and
● selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s
independence from management.
Nominating Committee
Our nominating committee consists of Mr. Jiaqi Zhu, Ms. Fangjie Wang and Mr. Jialin Liu. Mr. Jiaqi Zhu is the chairperson of our nominating committee.
We have determined that Mr. Jiaqi Zhu, Ms. Fangjie Wang and Mr. Jialin Liu satisfy the “independence” requirements under Nasdaq Rule 5605. The
nominating committee will assist the Board of Directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the
board and its committees. The nominating committee will be responsible for, among other things:
● selecting and recommending to the board nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the Board of Directors;
● reviewing annually with the Board of Directors the current composition of the Board of Directors with regards to characteristics such as
independence, knowledge, skills, experience and diversity;
● making recommendations on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the Board of
Directors; and
● advising the Board of Directors periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as
our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the Board of Directors on all matters of corporate
governance and on any remedial action to be taken.
Copy of our committee charters are also available on our website at www.agmprime.com.
Duties of Directors
Under British Virgin Islands law, our directors have a duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty
to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us,
our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is
breached.
79
The functions and powers of our Board of Directors include, among others:
● appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;
● authorizing the payment of donations to religious, charitable, public or other bodies, clubs, funds or associations as deemed advisable;
● exercising the borrowing powers of the company and mortgaging the property of the company;
● executing checks, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments on behalf of the company; and
● maintaining or registering a register of mortgages, charges or other encumbrances of the company.
Interested Transactions
A director may vote, attend a board meeting or sign a document on our behalf with respect to any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested. A
director must promptly disclose the interest to all other directors after becoming aware of the fact that he or she is interested in a transaction we have entered
into or are to enter into. A general notice or disclosure to the Board of Directors or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of
the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors that a director is a shareholder, director, officer or trustee of any specified firm or company
and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company will be sufficient disclosure, and, after such general notice, it will not be
necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction.
Remuneration and Borrowing
The directors may receive such remuneration as our Board of Directors may determine from time to time. Each director is entitled to be repaid or prepaid all
traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred in attending meetings of our Board of Directors or committees of our
Board of Directors or shareholder meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his or her duties as a director. The compensation committee will
assist the directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors. Our Board of Directors may exercise all the powers of the
company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertakings and property or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other
securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.
Qualification
There are no membership qualifications for directors. Further, there are no share ownership qualifications for directors unless so fixed by us in a general
meeting. There are no other arrangements or understandings pursuant to which our directors are selected or nominated.
Limitation of Director and Officer Liability
Under British Virgin Islands law, each of our directors and officers, in performing his or her functions, is required to act honestly and in good faith with a
view to our best interests and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. British
Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and
directors, except to the extent any indemnification may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy (for example, a provision
for indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime).
Under our memorandum and articles of association, we may indemnify our directors, officers and liquidators against all expenses, including legal fees, and
against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
proceedings to which they are party or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their acting as our director, officer or liquidator. To be entitled to
indemnification, these persons must have acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the company and, in the case of criminal
proceedings, they must have had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. The decision of our Board of Directors as to whether such a
person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company and as to whether the person had no reasonable to cause to believe
that his or her conduct was unlawful is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of the indemnification, unless a question of law is involved. The
termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entry of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that a
director did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to our best interests or that the director had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct
was unlawful. Such limitation of liability does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. These provisions will
not limit the liability of directors under United States federal securities laws.
80
We may indemnify anyone serving at our request as a director of another entity against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings. To be entitled to indemnification,
such a person must have acted honestly and in good faith with the view to our best interests and, in the case of criminal proceedings, must have had no
reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The decision of our Board of Directors as to whether the person acted honestly and in good
faith with a view to our best interests and as to whether the director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful, is in the absence
of fraud sufficient for the purposes of indemnification, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or the entry of no plea does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to
our best interests or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
We may purchase and maintain insurance in relation to any of our directors or officers against any liability asserted against the directors or officers and
incurred by the directors or officers in that capacity, whether or not we have or would have had the power to indemnify the directors or officers against the
liability as provided in our memorandum and articles of association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors, officers or persons controlling our company
under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Insider Trading Policy
The Board of Directors also adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale, and other dispositions of our securities by directors, senior
management, and employees. A copy of the insider trading policies is attached as an exhibit to this annual report.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other Corporate Governance Policies
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees. Our standards are in writing and have been
posted on our website at www.agmprime.com. The following is a summation of the key points of the Code of Ethics we adopted:
● Honest and ethical conduct, including ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional
relationships;
● Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure reports and documents that a small business issuer files with, or submits to, the SEC
and in other public communications made by our Company;
● Full compliance with applicable government laws, rules and regulations;
● The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
● Accountability for adherence to the code.
6.D. Employees
As of December 31, 2022, we had a total of 25 full-time employees. Our employees are not represented by a labor organization or covered by a collective
bargaining agreement. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any significant labor
disputes. We are required under PRC law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain
allowances of our employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time. As required by regulations in China, we
participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by local governments.
6.E. Share ownership
The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares as of the date of
this report by:
● Each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares;
● Each of our director, director nominees and named executive officers; and
● All directors and named executive officers as a group.
81
Our company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of $0.001 par value per share and 200,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of $0.001
par value per share. The number and percentage of ordinary shares beneficially owned are based on 24,254,842 Class A ordinary shares of $0.001 par value
per share and 2,100,000 Class B ordinary shares of $0.001 par value per share issued and outstanding as of the date of this report. Information with respect to
beneficial ownership has been furnished by each director, officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Class A ordinary shares and/or Class B ordinary
shares. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally requires that such person have voting or investment power
with respect to securities. In computing the number of Class A ordinary shares and/or Class B ordinary shares beneficially owned by a person listed below
and the percentage ownership of such person, Class A ordinary shares underlying options, warrants or convertible securities held by each such person that are
exercisable or convertible within 60 days of April 6, 2021 are deemed outstanding, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership
of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, or as required by applicable community property laws, all persons listed have
sole voting and investment power for all Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Unless otherwise
indicated in the footnotes, the address for each principal shareholder is in the care of our Company c/o Creative Consultants (Hong Kong) Limited, Room
1502-3 15/F., Connaught Commercial Building, 185 Wanchai Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. As of the date hereof, we have 195 registered shareholders of
record of Class A ordinary shares and 2 registered shareholders of record of Class B ordinary shares.
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
(Class A)
Percentage
Ownership
(Class A)
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
(Class B)
Percentage
Ownership
(Class B)
Combined
Voting
Power of
Class A
and
Class B
Ordinary
Shares as a
Percentage(3)
Combined
Voting
Power
of Class A
and
Class B
-
-
0%
0%
-
-
0%
0%
-
-
600,000
-
2.47%
0%
600,000
-
28.57% 3,600,000
-
0%
-
-
-
0%
0%
0%
-
-
-
0%
0%
0%
-
-
-
0%
0%
10.36%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Named Executive Officers and Directors
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
Bo Zhu, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy
Officer
Steven Sim, Chief Financial Officer
Yufeng Mi, Chief Technology Officer(1)
Yafang Wang, Secretary of the Board
Jiaqi Zhu, Independent Director and Chairwoman of
Nominating Committee
Fangjie Wang, Independent Director and Chairman of
Audit Committee
Jialin Liu, Independent Director and Chairman of
Compensation Committee
All directors and executive officers as a group
(7 persons)
600,000
2.47%
600,000
28.57% 3,600,000
10.36%
5% Beneficial Owners:
Wenije Tang, Former Chief Executive Officer and
Director(2)
1,500,000
6.18 % 1,500,000
71.42 % 9,000,000
25.90 %
(1) Yufeng Mi holds 600,000 Class B ordinary shares. GMT Tech Holdings Limited, a company formed under the laws of Hong Kong SAR, holds 600,000
Class A ordinary shares. Yufeng Mi is the sole shareholder and director of GMT Tech Holdings Limited and therefore is deemed the beneficial owner of
the 600,000 Class A ordinary shares held by GMT Tech Holdings Limited.
(2) Wenjie Tang holds 1,500,000 Class B ordinary shares. Defi Tech Holdings Ltd., a company formed under the laws of Hong Kong SAR, holds 1,500,000
Class A ordinary shares. Wenjie Tang is the sole shareholder and director of Defi Tech Holdings Ltd. and therefore is deemed the beneficial owner of the
1,500,000 Class A ordinary shares held by Defi Tech Holdings Ltd. In addition,
(3) Each Class B ordinary share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to five (5) votes at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company or
on any resolution of shareholders. Holders of our Class B ordinary share will vote together with holders of our Class A ordinary share as a single class on
all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote approval.
82
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
7.A. Major Shareholders
Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — 6.E. Share Ownership.”
7.B. Related Party Transactions
As of December 31, 2022, related parties of the Company consist of the following:
Name of Related Party
Zhentao Jiang
Wenjie Tang
Yufeng Mi
Yang Cao
HongKong Kisen Co., Limited
Due to related parties
Nature of Relationship
Former Director and principal shareholder
Shareholder and former Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Director
Chief Technical Officer (“CTO”) and shareholder
Director of Nanjing Lucun
Company ultimately controlled by Chief Strategy Officer (“CSO”)
The Company mainly finance its operations through proceeds borrowed from related parties. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, due to
related parties consisted the following:
Zhentao Jiang
Yufeng Mi
Yang Cao
HongKong Kisen
Total due to related parties
December 31, December 31,
2022
- $
1,831
86,150
8,000,000
8,087,981 $
2021
1,119,465
2,000
94,108
-
1,215,573
$
$
The balance of due to related parties represents expenses incurred by related parties in the ordinary course of business. These amounts are interest free,
unsecured and could be settled on demand.
From time to time, the Company borrowed $10,000,000 from related parties and repaid $2,000,000 to related parties in the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company borrowed $907,135 from related parties and repaid $517,670 to related parties in the year ended December 31, 2021.
Due from related parties
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, due from related parties consisted the following:
Wenjie Tang
Total due from related parties
Amounts due from related parties are interest free, unsecured and could be settled on demand.
7.C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
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December 31, December 31,
2022
2021
$
-
- $
39,238
39,238
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Please refer to Item 18.
Legal and Administrative Proceedings
To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or officers has been convicted in a criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors, nor has any been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final
order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal
or state securities laws, except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement. Except as set forth in our discussion below in “Related Party
Transactions,” our directors and officers have not been involved in any transactions with us or any of our affiliates or associates which are required to be
disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Class A ordinary shares. We anticipate that we will retain any earnings to support operations and to
finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination
relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings,
capital requirements, financial conditions and future prospects and other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Under British Virgin Islands law and our memorandum and articles of association, the Board of Directors may only authorize the payment of a dividend or
another distribution if the directors are satisfied on reasonable grounds that, immediately after the dividend or other distribution is paid, the value of the
company’s assets will exceed its liabilities and the company will be able to pay its debts as they fall due. The resolution of directors authorizing the payment
of the dividend or other distribution must contain a statement that, in the directors’ opinion, the company will satisfy these two tests immediately after the
payment of the dividend or other distribution.
If we determine to pay dividends on any of our Class A ordinary shares in the future, as a holding company, we will be dependent on receipt of funds from
our operating subsidiaries. Current Hong Kong regulations permit our HK subsidiary, AGM HK to pay dividends to AGM Holdings only out of profits
available for distribution. Withholding tax regarding dividends is exempted in Hong Kong.
Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to AGM HK only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance
with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits
each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of our subsidiaries in China is also required to
further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion
of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in
excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
In addition, pursuant to the EIT Law and its implementation rules, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and distributed to us by our PRC subsidiaries
are subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10% unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central
government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC-resident enterprises are incorporated.
Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-
related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE,
by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated
from the operations in China may be used to pay dividends to our company.
8.B. Significant Changes
We have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
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ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
9.A. Offer and listing details
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
9.B. Plan of distribution
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
9.C. Markets
Our Class A ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGMH.”
On January 31, 2020, we received a written notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) indicating that we
were not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(3), which requires the Company to have at least 300 public holders for continued listing by
Nasdaq. The notification has no immediate effect on the Company’s Nasdaq listing.
Subsequently, we submitted to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance. On March 26, 2020, we received an extension until July 29, 2020 to regain compliance
with Listing Rules 5550(a)(3). During the compliance period, the Company’s shares of common stock continued to be listed and traded on The Nasdaq
Capital Market. To regain compliance, the Company must have at least 300 public holders during this 180-day grace period.
On July 23, 2020, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq, confirming that the Company has regained
compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(3) and the matter was closed.
9.D. Selling shareholders
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
9.E. Dilution
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
9.F. Expenses of the issue
Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
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ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10.A. Share capital
Private Placement
In July 2020, we consummated a private placement offering whereby the Company entered into private placement subscription agreements with certain
investors. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, in which we issued an aggregate of 40,235 Class A ordinary shares to the investors, at a purchase price of
$16.6 per share, for an aggregate amount of $667,901. All of the Shares were issued to non U.S. persons (as that term is defined in Regulation S of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended) in an offshore transaction relying on Regulation S and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Disposition of Anyi Network, Inc.
On December 14, 2020, we disposed of Anyi Network by entering into a share purchase agreement with Haiyan Huang, Feng Zhi and Yinglu Gao (the
“Buyers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Buyers 100% equity interest in Anyi Network, including its subsidiaries, in exchange for a
total consideration of $8,000,000, payable in the form of canceling 475,000 Class A ordinary shares of AGM Holdings held by the Buyers, valued at $16.00
per share, and payment of $400,000 in cash.
Registered Direct Offering and Concurrent Private Placement
On December 14, 2021, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”) dated
December 10, 2021, the Company closed (a) a registered direct offering for the sale of 2,898,552 of its Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per
share, and (b) a concurrent private placement, for the sale of unregistered warrants to purchase up to 1,449,276 Class A ordinary shares (the “Investor
Warrants”), for gross proceeds of approximately US$20 million. The purchase price for each Share and the corresponding half of one Investor Warrant is
US$6.90. The Investor Warrants will be exercisable immediately from the date of issuance and have an exercise price of US$8.30 per share. The Investor
Warrants will expire 3.5 years from the date of issuance. Each Investor Warrant contains anti-dilution provisions to reflect share dividends and splits or other
similar transactions, as described in the Investor Warrants.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Class A ordinary shares were issued to the Purchasers in a registered direct offering and registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company’s currently effective registration statement on
Form F-3 (File No. 333-236897), which was initially filed with the SEC on March 5, 2020 and declared effective by the SEC on May 28, 2020. The
Company filed the prospectus supplement for the Registered Direct Offering on December 13, 2021.
The Company issued the Investor Warrants to the Purchasers in a concurrent private placement pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act contained in Section 4(a)(2) thereof and/or Regulation D thereunder (the “Private Placement,” and together with the Registered Direct
Offering, the “Offering”).
FT Global Capital, Inc. (the “Placement Agent”) acted as the exclusive placement agent in connection with the Offering under the terms of the Placement
Agency Agreement, dated December 10, 2021 between it and the Company (the “Placement Agency Agreement”) and, at closing of the Offering, received a
cash fee equal to 7.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Offering as well as reimbursement of certain costs and expenses of up to US$80,000.
Additionally, the Company issued to the Placement Agent or its designees warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants,” and together with the Investor
Warrants, the “Warrants”) for the purchase of 202,899 Class A ordinary shares with an exercise price of US$8.30 per share, and with a term expiring 3.5
years from the date of issuance. The Placement Agent Warrants shall have the same registration rights as the Investor Warrants issued to the Purchasers in the
Offering. The Placement Agent is also entitled to additional tail compensation for any financings consummated by the Company within the 12-month period
following the termination of the Placement Agency Agreement, to the extent such financing is provided to the Company by investors that the Placement
Agent had “wall-crossed” on behalf of the Company in connection with the Offering.
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The Company has agreed to file and maintain with the SEC a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) to register the Warrants and the Class A
ordinary shares underlying the Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”) within 30 calendar days from the closing of the Offering and to use its best efforts to cause
such registration statement to become effective within 60 calendar days following the closing of the Offering (or, in the event of a review by the SEC, within
120 calendar days).
The Company agreed in the Purchase Agreement that it would not issue any Class A ordinary shares or Class A ordinary share equivalents for sixty (60) days
following the closing of the Offering subject to certain exceptions. The Company agreed in the Placement Agency Agreement that it would not issue any
Class A ordinary shares or Class A ordinary share equivalents for one hundred twenty (120) days following the closing of the Offering without the consent of
the Placement Agent, subject to certain exceptions.
The Company agreed in the Purchase Agreement that it will not issue any Class A ordinary shares or Class A ordinary share equivalents involve in a Variable
Rate Transaction (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) until the earlier of (x) the date the initial Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC
and (y) the date as of which all of the holders of Investor Warrants may sell all of the Investor Warrant Shares without restriction pursuant to Rule 144
(including, without limitation, volume restrictions) and without the need for current public information required by Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if
applicable). The Company further agreed that until the first anniversary of the earlier of (x) or (y) above, it would not issue or enter into any agreement to
issue any Class A ordinary shares or Class A ordinary share equivalents unless the Purchasers are offered a participation right, subject to certain terms and
conditions as set forth in the Purchase Agreement, to subscribe, on a pro rata basis, for up to 50% of the securities offered in such offering.
Concurrently with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the officers and directors of the Company and shareholders of the Company holding 5% or more
of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares entered into lock-up agreements (the “Lock-Up Agreements”) pursuant to which they have agreed, among other
things, not to sell or dispose of any Class A ordinary shares which are or will be beneficially owned by them for one hundred twenty (120) days following the
closing of the Offering, as well as similar lock-up agreements pursuant to the Placement Agency Agreement restricting sales of Class A ordinary shares for
ninety (90) days after the closing of the Offering.
10.B. Memorandum and articles of association
AGM Holdings was incorporated on April 27, 2015 under the BVI Companies Act, 2004 as a company limited by shares. As of the date of hereof, the
Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of $0.001 par value per share and 200,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of $0.001 par
value per share. As of the date of this report, there are 24,254,842 Class A ordinary shares and 2,100,000 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding.
Our memorandum and articles of association do not permit a director to decide what compensation he or she will receive. All decisions about the
compensation of directors will be recommended by the compensation committee, upon its formation, and approved by the Board of Directors as a whole,
both acting only when a quorum of members is present.
The following are summaries of the material provisions of our memorandum and articles of association and the BVI Act, insofar as they relate to the material
terms of our Class A ordinary shares. As a convenience to potential investors, we provide the below description of BVI law and our memorandum and
articles of association together with a comparison to similar features under Delaware law.
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General
Class A Ordinary Shares
Each Class A ordinary share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to one vote per share at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company or
on any resolution of shareholders. Holders of our Class A Ordinary Share will vote together with holders of our Class B ordinary shares as a single class on
all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote approval.
Each Class A ordinary share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to an equal share in any dividend paid by the Company.
Each Class A ordinary share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company
on its liquidation.
All of our issued Class A ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the Class A ordinary shares are issued in registered form.
Our shareholders who are non-residents of the British Virgin Islands may freely hold and vote their Class A ordinary shares.
General
Class B Ordinary Shares
Each Class B ordinary share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to five votes at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company or on any
resolution of shareholders. Holders of our Class B ordinary share will vote together with holders of our Class A ordinary share as a single class on all matters
presented to our shareholders for their vote approval.
No Class B ordinary share may be sold, assigned, transferred, alienated, commuted, anticipated, or otherwise disposed of (including by will or the laws of
descent and distribution), or pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation, or be otherwise
encumbered, and are not subject to attachment, garnishment, execution or other legal or equitable process, and any attempt to do so shall be null and void.
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Each Class B ordinary share shall only be issued to the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ employees or those entities of which its principal shareholder is an
employee of the Company or its subsidiaries. Shareholder’s termination of employment with the Company or its subsidiaries shall immediately result in the
cancellation of any and all issued and outstanding shares of Class B ordinary shares held by such shareholder on the date of termination.
Sale, assignment, transfer, alienation, or otherwise disposition of any Class A ordinary share by common shareholder of Class B ordinary shares shall
immediately result in the cancellation of equal number of shares of Class B ordinary share on the date of such disposition.
Shareholder(s) of Class B ordinary share in the Company shall not:
● receive the right to any dividend paid by the Company;
● receive the right to any distribution of the surplus assets of the Company on its liquidation.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares is VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Pace, Woodmere, NY
11598.
Distributions
The holders of our Class A ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends or other distributions as may be authorized by our Board of Directors, subject to the
BVI Act and our memorandum and articles of association.
Shareholders’ voting rights
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders must be taken at a duly called meeting of the shareholders entitled to vote on such action. At
each meeting of shareholders, each shareholder who is present in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly
authorized representative) will have one vote for each Class A ordinary share or five votes for each Class B ordinary share. Holders of our Class A ordinary
shares will vote together with holders of our Class B ordinary shares as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote approval. An
action that may be taken by the shareholders at a meeting may also be taken by a resolution of shareholders consented to in writing.
Election of directors
Delaware law permits cumulative voting for the election of directors only if expressly authorized in the certificate of incorporation. The laws of the British
Virgin Islands do not specifically prohibit or restrict the creation of cumulative voting rights for the election of our directors. Cumulative voting is not a
concept that is accepted as a common practice in the British Virgin Islands, and we have made no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association
to allow cumulative voting for elections of directors.
Meetings of shareholders
Any of our directors may convene a meeting of shareholders at any time and in any manner and place the director considers necessary or desirable. The
director convening a meeting must not give less than seven days’ notice of the meeting to those shareholders whose names appear as shareholders in the
register of shareholders on the date of the notice and are entitled to vote at the meeting, and the other directors. Our Board of Directors must convene a
meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to exercise 30% or more of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the
meeting is requested within 28 days of receiving the written request. A meeting of shareholders held in contravention of the requirement to give notice is
valid if shareholders holding at least 90% of the total voting rights on all the matters to be considered at the meeting have waived notice of the meeting and,
for this purpose, the presence of a shareholder at the meeting shall constitute waiver in relation to all the shares which that shareholder holds.
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The quorum for a meeting of shareholders is duly constituted if, at the beginning of the meeting, there are present in person or by proxy not less than 50% of
the votes of the shares (or class or series of shares) entitled to vote on the resolutions to be considered at the meeting. A quorum may comprise a single
shareholder or proxy. If within two hours from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of
the shareholders, will be dissolved. In any other case, it will stand adjourned to the next business day in the jurisdiction in which the meeting was to have
been held at the same time and place or to such other time and place as the directors may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting there are present within
one hour from the time appointed for the meeting in person or by proxy not less than one third of the votes of the shares or each class or series of shares
entitle to vote on the matter to be considered by the meeting, those present will constitute a quorum but otherwise the meeting will be dissolved.
Meetings of directors
Our business and affairs are managed by our Board of Directors, who will make decisions by voting on resolutions of directors. Our directors are free to meet
at such times and in such manner and places within or outside the BVI as the directors determine to be necessary or desirable A director must be given not
less than 3 days’ notice of a meeting of directors. At any meeting of directors, a quorum will be present if not less than one half of the total number of
directors is present, unless there are only 2 directors in which case the quorum is 2. An action that may be taken by the directors at a meeting may also be
taken by a resolution of directors consented to in writing by a majority of the directors. A person other than an individual which is a shareholder may by a
resolution of its directors or other governing body authorize any individual it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of shareholders. The duly
authorized representative shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the person which he represents as that person could exercise if it were an
individual.
Protection of minority shareholders
We would normally expect British Virgin Islands courts to follow English case law precedents, which would permit a minority shareholder to commence a
representative action, or derivative actions in our name, to challenge (1) an act which is ultra vires or illegal, (2) an act which constitutes a fraud against the
minority by parties in control of us, (3) an infringement of individual rights of the minority shareholder (such as the right to vote and pre-emptive rights), and
(4) an irregularity in the passing of a resolution which requires a special or extraordinary majority of the shareholders.
Pre-emptive rights
There are no pre-emptive rights applicable to the issue by us of new Class A ordinary shares under either British Virgin Islands law or our memorandum and
articles of association.
Transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the restrictions in our memorandum and articles of association and applicable securities laws, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his
or her Class A ordinary shares by written instrument of transfer signed by the transferor and containing the name and address of the transferee. Our Board of
Directors may not resolve to refuse or delay the transfer of any Class A ordinary shares or Class B ordinary shares unless the shareholder has failed to pay an
amount due in respect of it.
Liquidation
If we are wound up and the assets available for distribution among our shareholders are more than sufficient to repay all amounts paid to us on account of the
issue of shares immediately prior to the winding up, the excess shall be distributable pari passu among those shareholders in proportion to the amount paid up
immediately prior to the winding up on the shares held by them, respectively. If we are wound up and the assets available for distribution among the
shareholders as such are insufficient to repay the whole of the amounts paid to us on account of the issue of shares, those assets shall be distributed so that, to
the greatest extent possible, the losses shall be borne by the shareholders in proportion to the amounts paid up immediately prior to the winding up on the
shares held by them, respectively. If we are wound up, the liquidator appointed by us may, in accordance with the BVI Act, divide among our shareholders in
specie or kind the whole or any part of our assets (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may, for such purpose, set such value as
the liquidator deems fair upon any property to be divided and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different
classes of shareholders.
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Calls on Class A Ordinary Shares and forfeiture of Class A Ordinary Shares
Our Board of Directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their Class A ordinary shares in a notice served to
such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified date of payment. Where such a notice has been issued its requirements have not been complied with,
the directors may, at any time before the tender of payment, forfeit and cancel the Class A ordinary shares to which the notice relates.
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the provisions of the BVI Act, our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of shares at such times, to such persons, for such consideration
and on such terms as they may determine by a resolution of directors, subject to the BVI Act, our memorandum and articles of association and any applicable
requirements imposed from time to time by the SEC, The Nasdaq Capital Market or any recognized stock exchange on which our securities are listed.
Variation of rights
All or any of the rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of the BVI Act, be varied only with the consent in writing of, or pursuant
to a resolution passed at a meeting by the holders of more than 50% of the issued shares of that class.
Changes in the number of shares we are authorized to issue and those in issue
We may from time to time by resolution of our Board of Directors:
● amend our memorandum of association to increase or decrease the maximum number of shares we are authorized to issue;
● subject to our memorandum of association, divide our authorized and issued shares into a larger number of shares; and
● subject to our memorandum of association, combine our authorized and issued shares into a smaller number of shares.
Inspection of books and records
Under the BVI Act, holders of our Class A ordinary shares are entitled, upon giving written notice to us, to inspect (i) our memorandum and articles of
association, (ii) our register of shareholders, (iii) our register of directors and (iv) minutes of meetings and resolutions of our shareholders, and to make
copies and take extracts from these documents and records. However, our directors can refuse access if they are satisfied that to allow such access would be
contrary to our interests.
Rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise
voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above
which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
10.C. Material contracts
Other than those described in this annual report, we have not entered into any material agreements other than in the ordinary course of business.
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10.D. Exchange controls
Regulations on Foreign Currency Exchange
The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, most recently amended in
August 2008. Under the PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions, interest payments and trade and
service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural
requirements. By contrast, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign
currency and remitted out of China to pay capital account items, such as direct investments, repayment of foreign currency-denominated loans, repatriation of
investments and investments in securities outside of China.
In November 2012, SAFE promulgated the Circular of Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Foreign Direct
Investment, which substantially amends and simplifies the current foreign exchange procedure. Pursuant to this circular, the opening of various special
purpose foreign exchange accounts, such as pre-establishment expenses accounts, foreign exchange capital accounts and guarantee accounts, the
reinvestment of RMB proceeds derived by foreign investors in the PRC, and remittance of foreign exchange profits and dividends by a foreign-invested
enterprise to its foreign shareholders no longer require the approval or verification of SAFE, and multiple capital accounts for the same entity may be opened
in different provinces, which was not possible previously. In addition, SAFE promulgated another circular in May 2013, which specifies that the
administration by SAFE or its local branches over direct investment by foreign investors in the PRC must be conducted by way of registration and banks
must process foreign exchange business relating to the direct investment in the PRC based on the registration information provided by SAFE and its
branches. On February 28, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange
Concerning Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13. After SAFE Notice 13 became effective on June 1, 2015, instead of applying for approvals regarding
foreign exchange registrations of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment from SAFE, entities and individuals may apply for such foreign
exchange registrations from qualified banks. The qualified banks, under the supervision of SAFE, may directly review the applications and conduct the
registration.
On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated Circular 19, which expands a pilot reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of
foreign-invested enterprises nationwide. Circular 19 came into force and replaced both previous Circular 142 and Circular 36 on June 1, 2015. On June 9,
2016, SAFE promulgated Circular 16 to further expand and strengthen such reform. Under Circular 19 and Circular 16, foreign-invested enterprises in the
PRC are allowed to use their foreign exchange funds under capital accounts and RMB funds from exchange settlement for expenditure under current
accounts within its business scope or expenditure under capital accounts permitted by laws and regulations, except that such funds shall not be used for (i)
expenditure beyond the enterprise’s business scope or expenditure prohibited by laws and regulations; (ii) investments in securities or other investments than
banks’ principal-secured products; (iii) granting of loans to non-affiliated enterprises, except where it is expressly permitted in the business license; and (iv)
construction or purchase of real estate for purposes other than self-use (except for real estate enterprises).
In January 2017, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and
Compliance Verification, or SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from
domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit
distribution, the original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall hold income to account for previous
years’ losses before remitting the profits. Further, according to SAFE Circular 3, domestic entities shall make detailed explanations of the sources of capital
and utilization arrangements, and provide board resolutions, contracts and other proof when completing the registration procedures in connection with an
outbound investment.
Regulations on Foreign Exchange Registration of Overseas Investment by PRC Residents
SAFE issued SAFE Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special
Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, that became effective in July 2014, replacing the previous SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 37 regulates foreign
exchange matters in relation to the use of special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, by PRC residents or entities to seek offshore investment and financing or
conduct round trip investment in China. Under SAFE Circular 37, a SPV refers to an offshore entity established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by PRC
residents or entities for the purpose of seeking offshore financing or making offshore investment, using legitimate onshore or offshore assets or interests,
while “round trip investment” refers to direct investment in China by PRC residents or entities through SPVs, namely, establishing foreign-invested
enterprises to obtain the ownership, control rights and management rights. SAFE Circular 37 provides that, before making contribution into an SPV, PRC
residents or entities are required to complete foreign exchange registration with SAFE or its local branch. SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further
Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment in February 2015, which took effect on June 1, 2015.
This notice has amended SAFE Circular 37 requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than SAFE or its local branch in
connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing.
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PRC residents or entities who had contributed legitimate onshore or offshore interests or assets to SPVs but had not obtained registration as required before
the implementation of the SAFE Circular 37 must register their ownership interests or control in the SPVs with qualified banks. An amendment to the
registration is required if there is a material change with respect to the SPV registered, such as any change of basic information (including change of the PRC
residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, and mergers or divisions. Failure to
comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and the subsequent notice, or making misrepresentation on or failure to disclose
controllers of the foreign-invested enterprise that is established through round-trip investment, may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign
exchange activities of the relevant foreign-invested enterprise, including payment of dividends and other distributions, such as proceeds from any reduction
in capital, share transfer or liquidation, to its offshore parent or affiliate, and the capital inflow from the offshore parent, and may also subject relevant PRC
residents or entities to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations.
We are aware that our PRC resident beneficial owners subject to these registration requirements have registered with the Beijing SAFE branch and/or
qualified banks to reflect the recent changes to our corporate structure.
10.E. Taxation
The following brief description of Chinese enterprise laws is designed to highlight the enterprise-level taxation on our earnings, which will affect the amount
of dividends, if any, we are ultimately able to pay to our shareholders.
PRC enterprise income tax is calculated based on taxable income determined under PRC accounting principles. The Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT
Law”), effective as of January 1, 2008, enterprises pay a unified income tax rate of 25% and unified tax deduction standards are applied equally to both
domestic-invested enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management
bodies” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will normally be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income.
If the PRC tax authorities subsequently determine that AGM Holding and its subsidiaries in PRC or any future non-PRC subsidiary should be classified as a
PRC resident enterprise, then such entity’s global income will be subject to PRC income tax at a tax rate of 25%. In addition, under the EIT Law, payments
from the subsidiaries in PRC to us may be subject to a withholding tax. The EIT Law currently provides for a withholding tax rate of 20%. If AGM Holdings
or any of its subsidiaries in PRC is deemed to be a non-resident enterprise, then it will be subject to a withholding tax at the rate of 20% on any dividends
paid by its Chinese subsidiaries to such entity. In practice, the tax authorities typically impose the withholding tax rate of 10% rate, as prescribed in the
implementation regulations; however, there can be no guarantee that this practice will continue as more guidance is provided by relevant government
authorities. We are actively monitoring the proposed withholding tax and are evaluating appropriate organizational changes to minimize the corresponding
tax impact.
According to the Sino-U.S. Tax Treaty which was effective on January 1, 1987 and aimed to avoid double taxation disadvantage, income that is incurred in
one nation should be taxed by that nation and exempted from the other nation, but for the dividend that is generated in China and distributed to foreigner in
other nations, a rate 10% tax will be charged.
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Our company will have to withhold that tax when we are distributing dividends to our foreign investors. If we do not fulfill this duty, we will receive a fine
up to five times of the amount we are supposed to pay as tax or other administrative penalties from government. The worst case could be criminal charge of
tax evasion to responsible persons. The criminal penalty for this offense depends on the tax amount the offender evaded, and the maximum penalty will be 3-
7 years imprisonment plus fine.
PRC Value Added Tax
Pursuant to the Provisional Regulation of China on Value Added Tax and its implementing rules, issued in December 1993, all entities and individuals that
are engaged in the businesses of sales of goods, provision of repair and placement services and importation of goods into China are generally subject to a
VAT at a rate of 17% (with the exception of certain goods which are subject to a rate of 13%) of the gross sales proceeds received, less any VAT already paid
or borne by the taxpayer on the goods or services purchased by it and utilized in the production of goods or provisions of services that have generated the
gross sales proceeds.
PRC Business Tax
Companies in China are generally subject to business tax and related surcharges by various local tax authorities at rates ranging from 3% to 20% on revenue
generated from providing services and revenue generated from the transfer of intangibles. However, since May 1st of 2016, the Business Tax has been
incorporated into Value Added Tax in China, which means there will be no more Business Tax and accordingly some business operations previously taxed in
the name of Business Tax will be taxed in the manner of VAT thereafter. In general, this newly implemented policy is intended to relieve many companies
from heavy taxes under currently slowing down economy. In the case of AGM Holdings’ Chinese subsidiaries, even though the VAT rate is 17%, with the
deductibles the company may get in the business process, it will bear less burden than previous Business Tax.
British Virgin Islands Taxation
Under the BVI Act as currently in effect, a holder of ordinary shares who is not a resident of the British Virgin Islands is exempt from British Virgin Islands
income tax on dividends paid with respect to the Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares and a holder of Class A ordinary shares and/or Class B
ordinary shares is not required to pay any income tax in the British Virgin Islands on gains realized during that year on sale or disposal of such shares. The
laws of the British Virgin Islands do not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act.
There are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the British Virgin Islands government on companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI
Act. In addition, shares of companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act are not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties or similar charges.
There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the British Virgin Islands or between China and the British
Virgin Islands.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following does not address the tax consequences to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:
● banks;
● financial institutions;
● insurance companies;
● regulated investment companies;
● real estate investment trusts;
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● broker-dealers;
● traders that elect to mark-to-market;
● U.S. expatriates;
● tax-exempt entities;
● persons liable for alternative minimum tax;
● persons holding our Class A ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction;
● persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting shares;
● persons who acquired our Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as consideration; or
● persons holding our Class A ordinary shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities.
Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the application of the U.S. Federal tax rules to their particular circumstances as well
as the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Class A ordinary shares.
Tax Treaties
As above mentioned, according to the Sino-U.S. Tax Treaty which was effective on January 1st, 1987 and aimed to avoid double taxation disadvantage,
income that is incurred in one nation should be taxed by that nation and exempted from the other nation, but for the dividend that is generated in China and
distributed to foreigners in other nations, a rate 10% tax will be charged.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Class A ordinary shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of distributions made by us to you with respect to the Class A
ordinary shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will generally be includable in your gross income as dividend income on the date of
receipt by you, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal
income tax principles). The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from
other U.S. corporations.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified
dividend income, provided that (1) the Class A ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or we are eligible
for the benefits of an approved qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program, (2) we are not a
passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) for either our taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year, and
(3) certain holding period requirements are met. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, the Class A ordinary shares are considered for purpose of
clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. You are urged
to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our Class A ordinary shares, including the effects of
any change in law.
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Dividends will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are taxed as qualified dividend income (as
discussed above), the amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation will be limited to the gross
amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate divided by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes
eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to our Class A
ordinary shares will constitute “passive category income” but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute “general category income.”
To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax
principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your Class A ordinary shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution
exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax
principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will be treated as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a
non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.
Taxation of Dispositions of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable
disposition of a share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the Class A
ordinary shares. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the
Class A ordinary shares for more than one year, you will be eligible for reduced tax rates of 0% (for individuals in the 10% or 15% tax brackets), 20% (for
individuals in the 39.6% tax brackets) or 15% for all other individuals. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that
you recognize will generally be treated as United States source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
Based on our current and anticipated operations and the composition of our assets, we do not expect to be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2021. Our actual PFIC status for the current taxable year ending
December 31, 2021 will not be determinable until the close of such taxable year and, accordingly, there is no guarantee that we will not be a PFIC for the
current taxable year. Because PFIC status is a factual determination for each taxable year which cannot be made until the close of the taxable year. A non-
U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either:
● at least 75% of its gross income is passive income, defined as income from interest, dividends, rents, royalties, gains on property producing
foreign personal holding company income and certain other income that does not involve the active conduct of a trade or business; or
● at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets
that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”).
We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we
own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock.
We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. As a result, our PFIC status may change. In particular, because the value of
our assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be determined based on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in
large part on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the Class A ordinary shares may cause us to
become a PFIC. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold Class A ordinary shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding
years during which you hold Class A ordinary shares. However, if we cease to be a PFIC, you may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by
making a “deemed sale” election with respect to the Class A ordinary shares.
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If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold Class A ordinary shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess
distribution” that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the Class A ordinary shares, unless you make a
“mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you
received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the Class A ordinary shares will be treated as an excess
distribution. Under these special tax rules:
● the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the Class A ordinary shares;
● the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as
ordinary income, and
● the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable
to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.
The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such
years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the Class A ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the Class A ordinary shares
as capital assets.
A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock to elect out of the tax treatment
discussed above. If you make a mark-to-market election for the Class A ordinary shares, you will include in income each year an amount equal to the excess,
if any, of the fair market value of the ordinary shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such Class A ordinary shares. You are
allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the Class A ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year.
However, deductions are allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the Class A ordinary shares included in your income for prior
taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the Class A
ordinary shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the Class A
ordinary shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the Class A ordinary shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does
not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such Class A ordinary shares. Your basis in the Class A ordinary shares will be adjusted to
reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not
PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income discussed above under “Taxation
of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Class A ordinary shares” generally would not apply.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock”, which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days
during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations), including The
Nasdaq Capital Market. If the Class A ordinary shares are regularly traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market and if you are a holder of Class A ordinary shares,
the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may make a “qualified electing fund” election with respect to such PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment
discussed above. A U.S. Holder who makes a valid qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC will generally include in gross income for a taxable
year such holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings and profits for the taxable year. However, the qualified electing fund election is available only
if such PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We
do not currently intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election. If you hold Class A ordinary
shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the
Class A ordinary shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the Class A ordinary shares.
You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in our Class A ordinary shares and the elections
discussed above.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our Class A ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our Class A ordinary shares may be
subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding at a current rate of 28%. Backup withholding
will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification on U.S. Internal
Revenue Service Form W-9 or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally
must provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of
the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and
you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.
Under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, certain United States Holders are required to report information relating to Class A ordinary
shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for Class A ordinary shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions), by
attaching a complete Internal Revenue Service Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, with their tax return for each year in which they
hold Class A ordinary shares. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup
withholding rules.
10.F. Dividends and paying agents
Not applicable.
10.G. Statement by experts
Not applicable.
10.H. Documents on display
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these requirements, the Company files reports and other information
with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You
may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site
at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.
10.I. Subsidiary Information
For a listing of our subsidiaries, see “Item 4. Information of the Company - C. Organizational Structure.”
10.J. Annual Report to Security Holders
Not applicable.
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ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As of the latest fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, we had immaterial derivative financial instruments (open FX positions with a total fair value of $0) and
did not have any derivative commodity instruments. Our other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, transaction monetary assets held
for clients, net accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, deposits payable, accrued expenses and other current
liabilities, advance from customers, and income tax payable, are exposed to certain market risk such as foreign currency risk and interest rate risk. Our
overall risk management program focuses on preservation of capital and the unpredictability of financial markets and has sought to minimize potential
adverse effects on our financial performance and position. Our other financial instruments primarily include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable
and accounts payable for whose carrying values approximate to their fair value due to the short term nature of these balances. Therefore, we do not expect
our other financial instruments to be exposed to material impacts from market risk. However, we have still summarized the relevant market risk and its
potential impacts to our other financial instruments as below:
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
While our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar, some of our consolidated financial liability instruments are in the functional currency of RMB. As a result,
we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the
RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the U.S. Dollar, the value of our RMB liabilities as expressed in our U.S. Dollar financial statements will decline.
Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates at the balance sheet dates and revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates and
shareholders’ equity is translated at historical exchange rates. Any resulting translation adjustments are not included in determining net income but are
included in determining other comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to
reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk.
The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions.
Since July 2005, the RMB has not been pegged to the U.S. dollar and, although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange
market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar
or the Euro in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future, PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in RMB exchange rate
and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market.
We estimated that as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, a 10% appreciation in RMB against the U.S. dollar would have resulted in a decrease of $2,585,525
and $3,759,650 to our financial liabilities denominated in RMB and would have resulted in a corresponding decrease in our consolidated comprehensive loss,
respectively. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, our financial assets denominated in RMB were material and therefore may be subject to material market
fluctuation.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
12.A. Debt Securities
Not applicable.
12.B. Warrants and Rights
Not applicable.
12.C. Other Securities
Not applicable.
12.D. American Depositary Shares
Not applicable.
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ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
PART II
We do not have any material defaults in the payment of principal, interest, or any installments under a sinking or purchase fund.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITIES HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
14.A. – 14.D. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders
There have been no material modifications to the rights of our security holders.
14.E. Use of Proceeds
Private Placement
In July 2020, we consummated a private placement offering whereby the Company entered into private placement subscription agreements with certain
investors. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, in which we issued an aggregate of 40,235 Class A ordinary shares to the investors, at a purchase price of
$16.6 per share, for an aggregate amount of $667,901. We used the proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Registered Direct Offering and Concurrent Private Placement
On December 14, 2021, we consummated (a) a registered direct offering for the sale of 2,898,552 of its Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per
share, and (b) a concurrent private placement, for the sale of unregistered warrants to purchase up to 1,449,276 Class A ordinary shares, for gross proceeds of
approximately US$20 million. We used the proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Exchange Act in Rule 13a-15(f ) and
15d-15(f ) defines this as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected
by the Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and
procedures that:
● pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company;
● provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
● provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets
that may have a material effect on the financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management assessed the effectiveness of
our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria, established in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
(b) Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting.
Based on its assessment, our management concluded that as of December 31, 2022, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that
material information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported by our management on a timely basis in order to comply with our disclosure
obligations under the Exchange Act.
In preparing our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, our management identified material weaknesses in
our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States,
and other significant deficiencies. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such
that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on
a timely basis. The material weaknesses identified are as follows: (i) no sufficient personnel with appropriate levels of accounting knowledge and experience
to address complex U.S. GAAP accounting issues and to prepare and review financial statements and related disclosures under U.S. GAAP; (ii) ineffective
oversight of our financial reporting and internal control by those charged with governance; and (iii) inadequate design of internal control over the preparation
of the financial statements being audited. These material weaknesses remained as of December 31, 2022. As a result of inherent limitations, our internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements, errors or omissions.
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To remedy our previously identified material weakness, we have undertaken and will continue to undertake steps to strengthen our internal control over
financial reporting, including: (i) hiring more qualified resources including financial controller, equipped with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting
experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and to set up a financial and system control framework, (ii) implementing regular
and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel, (iii) establishing
effective oversight and clarifying reporting requirements for non-recurring and complex transactions to ensure consolidated financial statements and related
disclosures are accurate, complete and in compliance with SEC reporting requirements, and (iv) enhancing an internal audit function as well as engaging an
external consulting firm to help us assess our compliance readiness under rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act and improve overall internal control. However,
such measures have not been fully implemented and we concluded that the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting had not been
remediated as of December 31, 2022.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm as we qualified as an “emerging
growth company” as defined under the JOBS Act as of December 31, 2022.
(c) Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm.
Not applicable.
(d) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Fangjie Wang qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with applicable
Nasdaq Capital Market standards. The Company’s Board of Directors has also determined that members of the Audit Committee are all “independent” in
accordance with the applicable Nasdaq Capital Market standards.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to the Company’s directors, officers, employees and advisors. The Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics is attached as an exhibit to this annual report. Copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is also available on our website
at www.agmprime.com.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
KCCW Accountancy Corp. was appointed by the Company to serve as its independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal years ended December 31,
2022. TPS Thayer LLC was appointed by the Company to serve as its independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal years ended December 31,
2021. JLKZ CPA LLP was appointed by the Company to serve as its independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal years ended December 31,
2020. Audit services provided by JLKZ CPA LLP for fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 included the examination of the consolidated financial
statements of the Company; and services related to periodic filings made with the SEC.
Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Audit Fees
KCCW Accountancy Corp.'s fee for the annual audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 was $180,000. TPS Thayer
LLC’s fee for the annual audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 was $175,000. JLKZ CPA LLP’s fee for the annual
audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was $90,000.
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Audit-Related Fees
The Company has not paid KCCW Accountancy Corp. for audit-related services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company has not paid TPS Thayer LLC for audit-related services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
The Company has not paid JLKZ CPA LLP for audit-related services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
Tax Fees
The Company has not paid KCCW Accountancy Corp. for tax services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company has not paid TPS Thayer LLC for tax services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
The Company has not paid JLKZ CPA LLP for tax services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
All Other Fees
The Company has not paid KCCW Accountancy Corp. for any other services in fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company has not paid TPS Thayer LLC for any other services in fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
The Company has not paid JLKZ CPA LLP for any other services in fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies
Before KCCW Accountancy Corp., TPS Thayer LLC and JLKZ CPA LLP were engaged by the Company to render audit or non-audit services, the
engagement was approved by the Company’s audit committee. All services rendered by KCCW Accountancy Corp., TPS Thayer LLC and JLKZ CPA LLP
have been so approved.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Neither the Company nor any affiliated purchaser has purchased any shares or other units of any class of the Company’s equity securities registered by the
Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
102
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
On April 5, 2022, the Company notified its independent registered public accounting firm, JLKZ CPA LLP its decision to dismiss JLKZ CPA LLP as the
Company’s auditor. The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company ratified the appointment of TPS Thayer LLC as its new independent
registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements.
On July 3, 2022, the Company notified its independent registered public accounting firm, TPS Thayer LLC its decision to dismiss TPS Thayer LLC as the
Company’s auditor. The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company ratified the appointment of KCCW Accountancy Corp. as its new
independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
As a company listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. However, Nasdaq rules permit a
foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands,
which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.
We currently follow and intend to continue to follow Cayman Islands corporate governance practices in lieu of the corporate governance requirements of the
Nasdaq that listed companies must obtain its shareholders’ approval of certain transactions other than public offerings (Nasdaq rule 5635(d)). To the extent
we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under the Nasdaq
corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Capital
Structure and Class A Ordinary Shares— We are a “foreign private issuer,” and our disclosure obligations differ from those of U.S. domestic reporting
companies. As a result, we may not provide you the same information as U.S. domestic reporting companies or we may provide information at different
times, which may make it more difficult for you to evaluate our performance.”
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 16J. INSIDER TRADING POLICIES
The Board of Directors also adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale, and other dispositions of our securities by directors, senior
management, and employees. A copy of the insider trading policies is attached as an exhibit to this annual report.
ITEM 16K. CYBERSECURITY
Pursuant to applicable SEC transition guidance, the disclosure required by Item 16K will be applicable to the Company from the fiscal year ending June 30,
2024.
103
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See Item 18.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PART III
Our consolidated financial statements are included at the end of this annual report, beginning with page F-1.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
1.1
2.1
2.2
2.3
4.1
4.2
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of AGM Group Holdings Inc., filed as exhibit 3.2 to the Form F-1 filed on
May 15, 2017 and incorporate by reference herein
Form of Warrant, filed as exhibit 4.1 to the Form 6-K filed on December 13, 2021 and incorporate by reference herein
Form of Placement Agent Warrant, filed as exhibit 4.2 to the Form 6-K filed on December 13, 2021 and incorporate by reference herein
Description of Securities
English translation of Employment Agreement with Wenjie Tang, filed as exhibit 4.1 to the Form 20-F filed on April 22, 2022 and incorporate
by reference herein
English translation of Employment Agreement with Zhihe Yang, filed as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 6-K filed on October 16, 2020 and
incorporate by reference herein
4.3*
English translation of Employment Agreement with Yufeng Mi, filed as exhibit 4.3 to the Form 20-F filed on April 22, 2021 and incorporate
by reference herein
4.4*
English translation of Employment Agreement with Bin Cao, filed as exhibit 4.4 to the Form 20-F filed on April 22, 2021 and incorporate by
reference herein
4.5*
English translation of Employment Agreement with Yafang Wang, filed as exhibit 4.5 to the Form 20-F filed on April 22, 2021 and
incorporate by reference herein
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
English translation of Agreement with Jialin Liu, filed as exhibit 10.14 to the Form F-1 filed on September 28, 2017 and incorporate by
reference herein
English translation of Agreement with Tingfu Xie, filed as exhibit 10.15 to the Form F-1 filed on September 28, 2017 and incorporate by
reference herein
English translation of Agreement with Fangjie Wang, filed as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 6-K filed on January 9, 2019 and incorporate by
reference herein
English translation of Equity Transfer Agreement with Yushu Kingo City Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. dated January 16, 2020, filed as
exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on January 22, 2020 and incorporate by reference herein
4.10
Share Purchase Agreement, dated December 14, 2020, filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on December 31, 2020 and incorporate by
reference herein
104
4.11
Promissory Note, dated December 14, 2020, filed as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 6-K filed on December 31, 2020 and incorporate by reference
herein
4.12
English translation of Equity Transfer Agreement with Yushu Kingo City Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. Dated April 6, 2021, filed as
exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on April 9, 2021 and incorporate by reference herein
4.13
4.14
Offer Letter to Jing Shi, dated April 30, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on May 6, 2021 and incorporate by reference herein
Employment Agreement with Bo Zhu, dated May 6, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on May 10, 2021 and incorporate by
reference herein
4.15
Employment Agreement with Chenjun Li, dated July 12, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on July 16, 2021 and incorporate by
reference herein
4.16
Employment Agreement with Steven Sim, dated September 24, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on September 28, 2021 and
incorporate by reference herein
4.17
Transfer Agreement with Yushu Kingo City Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., dated October 20, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K
filed on October 22, 2021 and incorporate by reference herein
4.18
Placement Agency Agreement, dated December 10, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on December 13, 2021 and incorporate
by reference herein
4.19
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 10, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 6-K filed on December 13, 2021 and
incorporate by reference herein
4.20
Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 10, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.3 to the Form 6-K filed on December 13, 2021 and
incorporate by reference herein
4.21
Form of Lock-up Agreement, dated December 10, 2021, filed as exhibit 10.4 to the Form 6-K filed on December 13, 2021 and incorporate by
reference herein
4.22
Employment Agreement with Jiaqi Zhu, dated October 9, 2023, filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 6-K filed on October 10, 2023, and
incorporate by reference herein
List of Subsidiaries
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, filed as exhibit 14.1 to the Form F-1 filed on September 19, 2017 and incorporate by reference herein
Insider Trading Policy
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a)
8.1
11.1
11.2
12.1*
12.2*
13.1**
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code
13.2**
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code
15.1*
Consent of JLKZ CPA LLP
105
15.2*
15.3*
Consent of TPS Thayer LLC
KCCW Accountancy Corp.
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104*
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
*
Filed with this annual report on Form 20-F
** Furnished with this annual report on Form 20-F
106
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign
this annual report on its behalf.
SIGNATURES
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
By:
/s/ Bo Zhu
Name: Bo Zhu
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy
Officer
Date: November 13, 2023
107
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 2851)
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 6706)
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 6519)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
F-9
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of AGM Group Holdings Inc. (“the Company”), as of December 31, 2022 and the related
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended and the related
notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31,
2022, in conformity with U.S generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial
statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB")
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor
were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of
internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatements of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and
performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provided a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required
to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our
especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial
statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on
the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Critical Audit Matter Description
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s revenue is derived from the delivery of its products. The sale of products by
the Company is considered complete when the products are delivered at that time the ownership and risk of loss have been transferred to the customer.
The Company considers the contracts with its customer contain one performance obligation, and the Company is entitled to the consideration when
performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time. The amount of revenue to be recognized is determined by the contracts between the Company and its
customer. The Company recognizes revenue when the product is delivered.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to revenue recognition, specifically the identification and evaluation
of the timing and amount of revenue recognition, is a critical audit matter, involved judgment exercised by management in identifying and evaluating the
performance obligation. Auditor judgement is involved in performing our audit procedures to evaluate whether the timing and amount of revenue recognition
was appropriately stated.
How the Critical Audit Matter Will Be Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures over determining the timing and amount of revenue recognition involved, among others, evaluation of management’s assessment in
regard to the identification of performance obligation of revenue. We selected sales transactions and performed the following procedures:
- Evaluated the terms and conditions of each selected transaction and the appropriateness of the accounting treatment within the context of the five-step
model prescribed by ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and evaluated whether management’s conclusions were appropriate.
- Tested the amount of revenue recognized by agreeing to relevant supporting documents.
/s/ KCCW Accountancy Corp.
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2023
Diamond Bar, California
November 13, 2023
F-2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of AGM Group Holdings Inc.(“the Company”), as of December 31, 2021 and the related
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended and the related
notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31,
2021, in conformity with U.S generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial
statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB")
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor
were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of
internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatements of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and
performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provided a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ TPS Thayer, LLC
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2022
Sugar Land, Texas
May 16, 2022
F-3
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To:
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
AGM Group Holdings, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AGM Group Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years ended
December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph Regarding Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the
financial statements, the Company had incurred substantial losses during the year, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going
concern. Management’s plan in regards to these matters are described in Note 3. These financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result
from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial
statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB)
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor
were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of
internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and
performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The Critical Audit Matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or
required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2)
involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/ JLKZ CPA LLP
JLKZ CPA LLP
Flushing, New York
April 22, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since February 2019.
F-4
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in US$, except for number of shares)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Advances to suppliers
Prepayment and other current assets
Due from related parties
Total current assets
NON - CURRENT ASSETS:
Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Deferred tax assets
Total non - current assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Short-term borrowings
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other payables
Advances from customers
Due to related parties
Deferred government grant, current
Operating lease liabilities, current
Income tax payable
Total current liabilities
NON - CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Operating lease liabilities, non-current
Deferred government grant, non-current
Total non - current liabilities
TOTAL LIABILITIES
December 31, December 31,
2022
2021
$
4,073,440 $
92,755,701
3,915,456
13,139,128
2,935,644
-
116,819,369
689,361
55,486
492,984
7,172,814
8,410,645
$ 125,230,014 $
$
$
- $
64,500,197
2,874,126
4,572,765
8,087,981
36,529
162,576
14,285,918
94,520,092
167,428
98,784
266,212
94,786,304 $
18,426,622
2,608,325
22,433,140
40,485,521
3,326,425
39,238
87,319,271
322,397
8,633
241,554
129,034
701,618
88,020,889
1,568,455
14,116,569
459,682
42,231,914
1,215,573
38,111
51,239
3,137,758
62,819,301
-
147,812
147,812
62,967,113
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Class A Ordinary Shares (200,000,000 shares authorized with par value of $0.001, 24,254,842 and 24,254,842 shares
issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)
$
24,255 $
24,255
Class B Ordinary Shares (200,000,000 shares authorized with par value of $0.001, 2,100,000 and 2,100,000 shares
issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)
Additional paid-in capital
Statutory reserves
Retained earnings/(Accumulated deficit)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income
Total shareholders’ equity
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
2,100
26,502,856
335,696
9,743,823
(6,165,020)
30,443,710
$ 125,230,014 $
2,100
26,010,366
63,659
(1,459,779)
413,175
25,053,776
88,020,889
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-5
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPEATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(Amounts in US$, except for number of shares)
Revenues
Revenues
Total Revenues
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Selling, general & administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Total operating expenses
Income/(Loss) from operations
Other income/(expenses)
Other income
Other expenses
Total other (expenses)/income
For The Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
2022
$ 242,395,556 $
242,395,556
36,709,931 $
36,709,931
53,305
53,305
(195,807,066)
(30,112,363)
(38,534)
46,588,490
6,597,568
14,771
30,395,048
-
30,395,048
1,607,393
36,317
1,643,710
964,470
63,450
1,027,920
16,193,442
4,953,858
(1,013,149)
118,265
(491,299)
(373,034)
47,167
(43,171)
3,996
1,687
(9,343)
(7,656)
Income/(Loss) from continuing operations before provision of income taxes
Provision for income taxes expenses
15,820,408
(4,344,769)
4,957,854
(1,406,159)
(1,020,805)
(76,343)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations
11,475,639
3,551,695
(1,097,148)
Discontinued operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax
Gain from disposal
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax
-
-
-
-
-
-
(322,490)
347,990
25,500
Net income/(loss)
$
11,475,639 $
3,551,695 $
(1,071,648)
Comprehensive income/(loss)
Net income/(loss)
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
Income/(Loss) earnings per common share
Continuing operations - Basic
Continuing operations - Diluted
Discontinued operations - Basic
Discontinued operations - Diluted
Net income/(loss) per common share - basic
Net income/(loss) per common share - diluted
$
11,475,639 $
3,551,695 $
(1,071,648)
(6,578,195)
4,897,444 $
169,472
3,721,167 $
(154,768)
(1,226,416)
0.47 $
0.47
-
-
0.47 $
0.47 $
0.17 $
0.17
-
-
0.17 $
0.17 $
(0.05)
(0.05)
-
-
(0.05)
(0.05)
$
$
$
$
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares outstanding, basic
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares outstanding, diluted
24,254,842
24,254,842
21,491,291
21,511,469
21,787,892
21,787,892
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-6
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in US$)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income/(loss)
Net gain from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net gain/(loss) from continuing operations
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset
Other income
Gain from disposal of subsidiary
Deferred tax
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Advances to suppliers
Prepayment and other current assets
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other payables
Income tax payable
Advances from customers
Deferred government grant
Operating lease liabilities
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment
Purchase of intangible asset
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares
Proceeds from related parties
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
Receipt of financing deposit
Repayments of loans and borrowings
Borrowings to related parties
Repayments to related parties
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations
Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations
Net cash provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
Less cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations–end of year
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations–end of year
Supplemental cash flow information
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Free operating lease due to government grant
Additions of ROU Assets
Cancelled common stocks issued
For The Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
2022
$
11,475,639 $
-
11,475,639
3,551,695 $
-
3,551,695
(1,071,648)
25,500
(1,097,148)
201,944
27,469,288
138,709
(42,431)
-
(7,061,293)
(119,006,660)
17,210,179
23,795,007
198,990
50,070,180
1,713,032
12,509,424
(35,891,398)
-
(122,878)
(17,342,268)
-
(17,342,268)
38,363
-
63,347
(22,119)
-
(129,034)
(2,608,325)
(22,433,140)
(40,485,521)
2,094,491
14,111,595
272,411
1,505,485
42,231,914
3,454
(49,074)
(1,854,458)
-
(1,854,458)
(282,308)
(50,000)
(332,308)
-
(332,308)
(339,657)
-
(339,657)
-
(339,657)
-
10,000,000
-
492,490
(1,486,746)
-
(2,000,000)
7,005,744
-
7,005,744
17,639,999
907,135
1,568,455
-
-
(39,238)
(517,670)
19,558,681
-
19,558,681
33,437
-
-
-
(347,990)
-
-
-
-
103,145
1,763
(76,969)
28,432
-
-
-
(1,355,330)
(296,692)
(1,652,022)
(810)
-
(810)
(385)
(1,195)
667,901
241,822
-
-
-
(116,610)
(594,887)
198,226
(86,348)
111,878
(3,684,350)
(14,353,182)
18,426,622
4,073,440
-
4,073,440 $
397,451
17,762,017
664,605
18,426,622
-
18,426,622 $
129,375
(1,411,964)
2,076,569
664,605
-
664,605
6,938 $
218,121 $
34,721 $
- $
-
-
- $
416,013 $
- $
204,588 $
100,313 $
5,000 $
-
-
7,600,000
$
$
$
$
$
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-7
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Number of
Class A
Ordinary
Share
Number of
Class B
Ordinary
Share
Class A
Ordinary
Share
Class B
Ordinary
Share
Additional
paid-in
capital
Statutory
Reserves
(Accumulated
loss)/
Retained
earnings
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income/(loss)
Total
21,791 $
7,100 $ 15,299,930 $
- $
(3,876,167) $
(1,071,648)
398,471 $ 11,851,125
(1,071,648)
Balance, December 31, 2019 21,791,055 7,100,000 $
Net loss
Issuance of common shares
for acquisition equities of
Anyi
40,235
40
667,861
Cancelled shareholders’
common stocks
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
(475,000)
(475)
(7,599,525)
Balance, December 31, 2020 21,356,290 7,100,000 $
Net income
Issuance of common shares
Appropriation to statutory
2,898,552
21,356 $
7,100 $ 8,368,266 $
- $
(4,947,815) $
3,551,695
2,899
17,637,100
reserve
Cancellation of Class B
ordinary shares
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
(5,000,000)
(5,000)
5,000
63,659
(63,659)
Balance, December 31, 2021 24,254,842 2,100,000 $
Net income
-
Appropriation to statutory
-
24,255 $
-
2,100 $ 26,010,366 $
-
-
63,659 $
-
(1,459,779) $
11,475,639
667,901
(7,600,000)
(154,768)
(154,768)
243,703 $ 3,692,610
3,551,695
17,639,999
-
-
169,472
169,472
413,175 $ 25,053,776
- 11,475,639
reserve
Deposit received on issuance
of common shares
Foreign currency translation
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
272,037
(272,037)
-
-
-
492,490
-
-
-
492,490
adjustment
-
Balance, December 31, 2022 24,254,842 2,100,000 $
-
-
24,255 $
-
-
2,100 $ 26,502,856 $ 335,696 $
-
-
9,743,823 $
(6,578,195) (6,578,195)
(6,165,020) $ 30,443,710
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-8
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Note 1 - ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
AGM Group Holdings Inc. (“AGM Holdings”) was incorporated on April 27, 2015 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. AGM Holdings is a holding
company and do not own any material assets or liabilities other than holding equity interest of multiple entities and certain cash and cash equivalents.
On May 21, 2015, AGM Holdings incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, AGM Technology Limited (“AGM Technology”) in Hong Kong. AGM
Technology provides advanced online trading service for financial institutions in Asian areas.
On October 13, 2015, AGM Technology incorporated a Chinese limited liability subsidiary, AGM Tianjin Construction Development Co., Ltd. (“AGM
Tianjin”) formerly known as Shenzhen AnGaoMeng Financial Technology Service Co., Ltd., for the purpose of being a holding company for the equity
interests in China. On October 19, 2020, AGM Holdings also incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, AGM Tianjin International Financial Leasing Co. Ltd.
(“AGM Leasing”) was in China under the laws of PRC.
On November 13, 2015 and September 28, 2016, AGM Tianjin incorporated two wholly owned Chinese limited liability subsidiaries, Beijing AnGaoMeng
Technology Service Co., Ltd. (“AGM Beijing”), and Nanjing Xingaomeng Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“AGM Nanjing”), respectively. AGM Nanjing
was dissolved under the laws of China on May 19, 2020.
On June 14, 2017, AGM Software Service LTD (“AGM Software”) was incorporated under the laws of BVI. AGM Software is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AGM Holdings and its principal activity will be assisting AGM Technology in providing core technology services to customers.
On July 26, 2019, AGM Holdings acquired 100% of Anyi Network Inc. (“Anyi Network”) and its subsidiaries and paid $400,000 in cash and issued an
aggregate of 475,000 duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable Class A ordinary shares of the Company, valued at $16.00 per share to the shareholders of
Anyi. The total consideration underlying the Share Exchange was $8,000,000. Anyi Network was incorporated on September 29, 2017 under the laws of the
Cayman Islands. Anyi Network and its subsidiaries (“Anyi”) provide information accounting software technology and services for small and medium
enterprises in China.
On May 19, 2020, Nanjing Xingaomeng Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“AGM Nanjing”) was dissolved.
On December 14, 2020, AGM Holdings sold all the equity interest of Anyi Network by entering into a share purchase agreement with certain buyers,
pursuant to which the Company sold to the buyers 100% equity interest in Anyi Network in exchange for a total consideration of $8,000,000, payable in the
form of canceling 475,000 ordinary shares of AGM Holdings held by the buyers, valued at $16.00 per share, and payment of $400,000 in cash. The
disposition of Anyi Network includes the disposition of the subsidiaries of Anyi Network.
On June 17, 2021, AGM Technology incorporated a wholly owned Chinese limited liability subsidiary, Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co. Ltd. (“Nanjing
Lucun”) in China under the laws of PRC. Nanjing Lucun is primarily engaged in the sale of cryptocurrency mining machines and standardized computing
equipment.
On July 30, 2021 AGM Holdings incorporated a wholly owned limited liability subsidiary, AGM Defi Lab Ptd Limited (“AGM Defi Lab”) under the laws of
Singapore. On August 8, 2021 AGM Holdings incorporated a wholly owned limited liability subsidiary, AGM Defi Tech Limited (“AGM Defi Tech”) in
Hong Kong. On October 21, 2021, AGM Defi Tech incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co., Ltd (“Beijing
Keen Sense”) in China under the laws of PRC. These three subsidiaries are mainly engaged in software development.
F-9
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Date of
Incorporation
May 21, 2015
Place of
Incorporation
Hong Kong
October 13, 2015
China
Percentage of
Effective
Ownership
Principal Activities
100%
100%
Sale of cryptocurrency mining machines
and standardized computing equipment
Holding entity
AGM Holdings’ subsidiaries are as follows:
Name
AGM Technology Limited (“AGM
Technology “)
AGM Tianjin Construction Development Co.,
Ltd. (“AGM Tianjin”) formerly Shenzhen
AnGaoMeng Financial Technology Service
Co., Ltd.
Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co.,
November 13, 2015
China
100%
Software development and provider
Ltd.
(“AGM Beijing”)
AGM Software Service LTD (“AGM
June 14, 2017
Software”)
Nanjing Lucun Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
June 17, 2021
(“Nanjing Lucun”)
BVI
China
AGM Defi Lab Ptd Limited (“AGM Defi
July 30, 2021
Singapore
100%
Core technology service provider
100%
100%
Sale of cryptocurrency mining machines
and standardized computing equipment
Software development and provider
Lab”)
AGM Defi Tech Limited (“AGM Defi Tech”)
Beijing Keen Sense Technology Service Co.,
August 8, 2021
October 21, 2021
Hong Kong
China
100% Software development and provider
Software development and provider
100%
Ltd (“Beijing Keen Sense”)
AGM Technology, AGM Tianjin, AGM Beijing, AGM Nanjing, AGM Software, Nanjing Lucun, AGM Defi Lab, AGM Defi Tech, and Beijing Keen Sense,
are referred to as subsidiaries. AGM Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company” unless specific reference
is made to an entity.
F-10
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Note 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.
GAAP”) to reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Group. Significant accounting policies followed by the Group in the
preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are summarized below.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts for AGM Holdings and all its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Currency Translation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollar (“$”), which is the reporting currency of the Company. For the
subsidiaries whose functional currencies are Renminbi (“RMB”), results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the
period, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period, and equity is translated at historical exchange rates. The resulting
translation adjustments are included in determining other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated
statements of income.
The consolidated balance sheet balances, with the exception of equity at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were translated at RMB6.9646 and
RMB6.3757 to $1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to consolidated statements of
income and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were RMB6.7261, RMB6.4515 and RMB6.9003 to $1.00, respectively.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other
assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions of future events and their effects cannot
be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is
obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Significant estimates and assumptions by management include, among others, useful lives
and impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, and income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. While the
Company believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those
estimates. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period they are
determined to be necessary.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are financial assets that are either cash or highly liquid investments with an original maturity term of 90 days or less. At December
31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s cash equivalents primarily consist cash in various financial institutions.
F-11
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Inventories
Inventories, primarily consisting of standardized computing equipment, which are finished goods from manufacturers. Inventories are stated at the lower of
cost or net realizable value, with net realized value represented by estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable
costs of disposal and transportation. Cost of inventory is determined using the first-in first-out cost method. Adjustments are recorded to write down the cost
of inventory to the estimated net realizable value due to slow-moving merchandise and damaged products, which is dependent upon factors such as historical
and forecasted consumer demand. No inventory write-down was recorded for 2022 and 2021.
Advances to suppliers
Advances to suppliers primarily consists of prepayments for purchase of cryptocurrency mining machines and standardized computing equipment. The
Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts to state prepayments at their estimated realizable value based on a variety of factors, including the
possibility of applying the prepayments to products, significant one-time events, and historical experience.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company follows the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). It clarifies
the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair
value as follows:
Level 1-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.
Level 2-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in
markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on what assumptions the market participants would use in
pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.
The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, advance to suppliers,
prepayment and other current assets, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, and other payables, due to related parties and income tax payable approximate
their fair value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable consists principally of amounts due from trade customers. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial
condition and collateral is not generally required.
The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the receivable amount that cannot be collected. The Company reviews
the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In
evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, a customer’s historical
payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. In determining these estimates, the Company examines historical write-offs of its
receivables and reviews each client’s account to identify any specific customer collection issues. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in the period
in which a loss is determined to be probable. Accounts receivable balances are written off after all collection efforts have been exhausted.
F-12
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Factoring Arrangements
The Company used a factoring arrangement with a third party financial institution to manage working capital and cash flows (See Note 5). Under these
programs, the Company transferred receivables to a financial institution. Available capacity under these programs is dependent on the level of the trade
accounts receivable eligible to be sold and the financial institutions’ willingness to purchase such receivables. As such, the factoring arrangement can be
reduced or eliminated at any time due to market conditions and changes in the credit worthiness of our customers, which would negatively impact our
liquidity. There was no factoring arrangement as of December 31, 2022.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the
asset into its existing use. Identifiable significant improvements are capitalized and expenditures for maintenance, repairs, and betterments, including
replacement of minor items, are charged to expense.
Depreciation is computed based on cost, less the estimated residual value, if any, using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life. The residual
value rate and useful life of property and equipment are summarized as follows:
Property and Equipment
Electronic equipment
Office equipment
Leasehold improvement
Intangible Assets
Residual
value
rate
Useful
life
3 years
5 years
Shorter of the lease term or the estimated
useful life of the assets
5%
5%
0%
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Intangible assets mainly represent
the domain name at cost, less accumulated amortization on a straight-line basis over an estimated life of ten years.
Intangible Asset
AGM domain name
Software
Lease Commitments
Residual
value
rate
Useful
life
10 years
5 years
0%
0%
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), as amended, which supersedes
the lease accounting guidance under Topic 840, and generally requires lessees to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-
of-use (ROU) assets on the balance sheet and to provide enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from
leasing arrangements.
The Company determined if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and short
and long-term lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, other current liabilities, and other
long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. There were no finance leases for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
F-13
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Revenue Recognition
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) for all years
presented. The core principle of this new revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is
transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or
services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle by the Company in its determination of revenue recognition:
● Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with the customer;
● Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract;
● Step 3: Determine the transaction price;
● Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
● Step 5: Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
The Company is a server and software developer, engaging in research, development and sale of server and enterprise application software, including ASIC
miner, accounting software and ERP software, and the software-related after sales services.
The Company derives revenue from the sales of (1) cryptocurrency mining machines and standardized computing equipment and (2) technical support plans,
and bundle of products or services that may include a combination of these items. The Company enters into contracts with customers that include promises to
transfer various products and services, which are generally capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. The transaction
price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis.
The Company acts as a principal as it takes control of the merchandises, is primarily obligated for the merchandise sold to the consumers, bears inventory
risks and has the latitude in establishing prices. Revenue is recognized when the promised goods or services are transferred to customers, in an amount that
reflects the consideration allocated to the respective performance obligation. The Company records and recognizes revenues from both products and services
in one account, which is presented as revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
During 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company derives revenue from the sale of the following two items:
(1) Sales of Cryptocurrency Mining Machines and Standardized Computing Equipment
The Company recognizes product revenues on a gross basis as the Company is responsible to fulfill the promise to provide specified goods. Revenue is
recognized at a point in time upon the transfer of control of products to customers.
(2) Technical Support Plans
The Company sells technical support plans either as a package with the sale of software products or separately on its own. Each technical support plan has a
contractual period of one year. Revenue is recognized over a period of time throughout the contract period for the technical support plan, generally is
recognized over twelve months period. However, the Company did not record this revenue stream on total revenue for December 31, 2022 and December 31,
2021 since the Company discontinued business related to these services in 2020.
F-14
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Contract liability
The contract liabilities consist of advances from customers, which relate to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of each reporting period and
consists of cash payments received in advance from customers in sales of server products. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s
advances from customers amounted to $4,572,765 and $42,231,914, respectively.
The Company reports revenues net of applicable sales taxes and related surcharges.
Costs of Revenues
Cost of revenues primarily consist of: (1) cost of product revenue, which includes direct costs of cryptocurrency mining machines, standardized computing
equipment and software products; labor costs and employee benefits for software development, data testing, bug fixes and hacker prevention; research and
development expenses; (2) cost of services and other revenue, which reflects direct costs associated with providing services, including data center and
support costs related to delivering online services.
Operating Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease upon inception. A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of
an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to control the use of an asset includes the right to obtain substantially all of
the economic benefits of the underlying asset and the right to direct how and for what purpose the asset is used. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 and related
standards, operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease
term. The discount rate used to calculate present value is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate or, if available, the rate implicit in the lease. The
Company includes options to renew the lease as part of the right of use lease asset and liability when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the
option. The Company also takes into considerations when certain lease contains fair value purchase and termination options with an associated penalty.
The Company reviews all leases for capital or operating classification at their inception. The Company conducts its operations primarily under operating
leases as of adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2021.
Selling, general & administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative employee-related expenses, bad debt expense, professional fees,
travel costs, and other corporate expenses.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The costs primarily consist of the wage expenses incurred to continuously improve and upgrade
the Company’s services.
Government grants
Government grant is recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attach to it and the grant will be
received. From June 15, 2021, Nanjing Pukou Economic Development Zone Management Committee (the “Committee”) provided an office to the Company
for free for 5 years to attract the enterprise for the development of the integrated circuit industry in Nanjing. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the balance
of deferred government grant was $135,313 and $185,923, respectively. The amount of other income for the government grant recognized during the years
ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $42,431 and $22,119, respectively.
F-15
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Income Taxes
The Company is governed by the Income Tax Law of China, Inland Revenue Ordinance of Hong Kong and the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the revenue generated from AGM Technology belongs to offshore revenue as its
operation is outside Hong Kong. Therefore, the Company considers AGM Technology is not subject to tax at 16.5% on the assessable profits arising in or
derived from Hong Kong or 8.25% if the net profit under $2,000,000 for 2019 and beyond under Inland Revenue Ordinance of Hong Kong.
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset/liability method prescribed by ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under this method,
deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted
tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to offset deferred
tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The
effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Act has caused the Company’s deferred income taxes to be revalued. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
adjusted through income tax expense. Pursuant to the guidance within SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), as of December 31, 2017, the
Company recognized the provisional effects of the enactment of the Act for which measurement could be reasonably estimated. The ultimate impact of the
Act may differ from these estimates due to the Company’s continued analysis or further regulatory guidance that may be issued as a result of the Act.
The Company applied the provisions of ASC 740-10-50, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which provides clarification related to the process
associated with accounting for uncertain tax positions recognized in the Company’s financial statements. Audit periods remain open for review until the
statute of limitations has passed. The completion of review or the expiration of the statute of limitations for a given audit period could result in an adjustment
to the Company’s liability for income taxes. Any such adjustment could be material to the Company’s results of operations for any given quarterly or annual
period based, in part, upon the results of operations for the given period. As of December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the
Company had uncertain tax positions accrued, and will continue to evaluate for uncertain positions in the future.
Value Added Tax
The amount of VAT liability is determined by applying the applicable tax rate to the invoiced amount of software service provided. The Company reports
revenue net of China’s VAT for all the periods presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Comprehensive Income
ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income” established standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income, its components and accumulated balances.
Components of comprehensive income include net income and foreign currency translation adjustments. For the fiscal years ended 2022, 2021 and 2020, the
only component of accumulated other comprehensive income was foreign currency translation adjustments.
F-16
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Related Party Transactions
A related party is generally defined as (i) any person and or their immediate family hold 10% or more of the Company’s securities (ii) the Company’s
management, (iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, or (iv) anyone who can
significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a
transfer of resources or obligations between related parties. The Company conducts business with its related parties in the ordinary course of business.
Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities.
Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s-length basis, as the requisite conditions of competitive, free market
dealings may not exist. Representations about transactions with related parties, if made, shall not imply that the related party transactions were consummated
on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s-length transactions unless such representations can be substantiated. It is not, however, practical to
determine the fair value of amounts due from/to related parties due to their related party nature.
Concentration and risks
a) Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable arising from
its normal business activities. The Company places its cash in what it believes to be credit-worthy financial institutions or trading platforms. The Company
routinely assesses the financial strength of the customer and, based upon factors surrounding the credit risk, establishes an allowance, if required, for
uncollectible accounts and, consequently, believes that its accounts receivable credit risk exposure beyond such allowance is limited.
b) Foreign currency exchange rate risk
The functional currency and the reporting currency of the Company are RMB and U.S. dollars, respectively. The Company’s exposure to foreign currency
exchange rate risk primarily relates to cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Any significant fluctuation of RMB against U.S.
dollars may materially and adversely affect the Company’s cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial positions.
c) Currency convertibility risk
The Company transacts some of its business in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions continue to
take place either through the People’s Bank of China (the “PBOC”) or other banks authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange rates quoted
by the PBOC. Approval of foreign currency payments by the PBOC or other institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with
suppliers’ invoices, shipping documents and signed contracts.
Reclassification
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the net earnings and
financial position. Income tax payable was disclosed as separate line item which presented in accrued expenses and other payables in prior year.
Net Income/(Loss) per Common Share
Basic earnings/(loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net earnings/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted-average number of
ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings/(loss) per share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary
shareholders by the sum of the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding and dilutive potential ordinary shares during the period.
F-17
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Statutory reserves
In accordance with the PRC Company Laws, the Group’s PRC subsidiaries must make appropriations from their after-tax profits as determined under the
generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC (“PRC GAAP”) to non-distributable reserve funds including statutory surplus fund and discretionary
surplus fund. The appropriation to the statutory surplus fund must be 10% of the after-tax profits as determined under PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not
required if the statutory surplus fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the PRC companies. Appropriation to the discretionary surplus fund is
made at the discretion of the PRC companies.
The statutory surplus fund and discretionary surplus fund are restricted for use. They may only be applied to offset losses or increase the registered capital of
the respective companies. These reserves are not allowed to be transferred to the Company by way of cash dividends, loans or advances, nor can they be
distributed except for liquidation.
For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, profit appropriation to statutory surplus fund for the Group’s entities incorporated in the PRC was
$272,037, $63,659 and nil, respectively. No appropriation to other reserve funds was made for any of the periods presented.
Discontinued operation
A discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity, or a business or nonprofit activity. A disposal of a
component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operation if the disposal represents a strategic shift
that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when any of the following occurs:
(1) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale;
(2) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale;
(3) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale (for example, by abandonment or in a distribution to
owners in a spinoff).
The results of operations of discontinued operation for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 have been reflected separately in the
Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) as a single line item for all periods presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Cash flows from discontinued
operation of the three categories for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were separately presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows for all periods presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Segment Reporting
The Company uses the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization
and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining
the Company’s reportable segments. The Company’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief executive officer of the Company who
reviews financial information of separate operating segments based on U.S. GAAP. The chief operating decision maker now reviews results analyzed by
customer. This analysis is only presented at the revenue level with no allocation of direct or indirect costs. Consequently, the Company has determined that it
has only one operating segment.
F-18
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses”, which will require the measurement of all expected credit losses
for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Subsequently, the
FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, to clarify that receivables arising from operating leases are within the scope of
lease accounting standards. Further, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, ASU 2019-05, ASU 2019-10, ASU 2019-11 and ASU 2020-02 to provide additional
guidance on the credit losses standard. The ASU is effective for public company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019. For all other entities including emerging growth companies, the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020,
and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Early application is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those
fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company has adopted ASU 2016-13 since January 1, 2021, the impact of which on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements was immaterial.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, as part of its Simplification Initiative to reduce the cost
and complexity in accounting for income taxes. This standard removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intra period tax allocation, the
methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. It also amends other
aspects of the guidance to help simplify and promote consistent application of GAAP. The amendments in these ASUs are effective for the Company’s fiscal
years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning October 1, 2022. The Company does not expect to early adopt this guidance and is in the
process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Recently issued ASUs by the FASB, except for the ones mentioned above, are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated
results of operations or financial position. Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future
date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent
pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or
disclosures.
Note 3 - GOING CONCERN
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, the Company had net income of $11,475,639 and recorded net cash used in operating activities of
$17,342,268. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has working capital of $22,299,277. Therefore, the management assesses that current working capital
will be sufficient to meet its obligations for the next 12 months from the issuance date of this report. The financial statements are prepared on going concern
basis.
F-19
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Note 4 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DISPOSITION
On December 14, 2020, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) with Haiyan Huang, Feng Zhi and Yinglu Gao (the
“Buyers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Buyers 100% equity interest in Anyi Network including its subsidiaries, in exchange for a
total consideration of $8,000,000, payable in the form of canceling 475,000 ordinary shares of the Company held by the Buyers, valued at $16.00 per share,
and payment of $400,000 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”). The Buyers are former shareholders of Anyi Network. and there is no affiliation between the
Buyers and the Company. The Buyers entered into a promissory note (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Buyers agreed to pay the Cash
Consideration to the Company on or prior to June 30, 2021. The Company received $400,000 in July 2021.
On December 14, 2020, the AGM Shares were duly cancelled pursuant to the Agreement. On December 20, 2020, the Buyers amended the register of
members of Anyi Network Inc. with the Cayman Islands corporate registry.
Pursuant to ASC Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations, the results of operations for the fiscal years ended December
31, 2020 from Anyi Network have been classified to loss from discontinued operations line on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and
comprehensive loss presented herein. No assets and liabilities of discontinued operation as of December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31,
2020.
The summarized operating result of discontinued operations included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations consist of the following:
For The Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
2022
Revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Other income, net
Loss before income taxes
Income tax expense
Loss from discontinued operations
Gain from disposal, net of taxes
Total income from discontinued operations
$
$
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- $
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- $
237,431
160,810
76,621
353,219
(45,125)
(321,723)
767
(322,490)
347,990
25,500
F-20
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Note 5 - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts receivable consisted of the following:
Accounts receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts
December 31,
2022
$ 120,224,989 $
(27,469,288)
92,755,701 $
$
December 31,
2021
2,608,325
-
2,608,325
The Company recorded bad debt expense of $27,469,288 for the year ended 2023. No bad debt allowance was recorded for the years ended 2021 and 2020.
On July 29, 2021, the Company entered into an accounts receivable factoring agreement (the “Factoring Agreement”) with Zhongyuan Bank Co.,Ltd
(“Zhongyuan Bank”). The Factoring Agreement allows for up to RMB10 million in advances, which are collateralized by assigned eligible accounts
receivable and are subject to funds usage, no discount, and other fees, as well as service charges. The Factoring Agreement has a scheduled term of 160 days
and is subject to automatic one year extension unless written notice of intention to terminate is obtained from the Company or unapproved by both parties.
The current Factoring Agreement has a maturity date on January 9, 2022. The annual interest rate of factoring is 5.60%.
At January 19, 2022, the Company repaid $1,435,833 (RMB10,000,000) to Zhongyuan Bank. The total interest of $40,241 (RMB 270,667) accrued and all
interests were paid under the Factoring Agreement as of December 31, 2022.
Note 6 - INVENTORIES
Inventories, primarily consisted of cryptocurrency mining machines and standardized computing equipment, which are finished goods from manufactures. As
of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 inventories consisted of the following:
Finished goods
No inventory write-down was recorded for the years ended 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Note 7 - PREPAYMENT AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepayment and other current assets consist of prepaid expenses, other receivables, and deposits.
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 prepayment and other current assets consisted of the following:
Prepaid expenses
Loan receivable (1)
Prepaid input VAT
Deposits and others
Total prepayment and other current assets
December 31, December 31,
2022
3,915,456 $
2021
22,433,140
$
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
$
$
- $
1,605,000
1,106,489
224,155
2,935,644 $
51,301
400,000
2,848,547
26,577
3,326,425
(1) In 2021, the Company entered into a loan agreement to lend $400,000 loan to AGM Group Ltd., who is the shareholder of the Company holding 20 class
A shares. As AGM Group Ltd. (i) held less than 10% of the Company’s securities shares, (ii) was not the company’s management, (iii) could not directly
or indirectly control the Company, (iv) could not significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company, the Company is not
regarded it as a related party. On April 5, 2022, the Company extended an additional $900,000 loan to AGM Group Ltd. at the interest rate of 1% for one
year as working capital support.
On April 10, 2022 and 31 July, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement with a third party, Muliang Agriculture Limited, to lend $280,000 and
$25,000 at the interest rate of 1% for one year as working capital support.
F-21
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Note 8 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
Electronic equipment
Office equipment
Leasehold improvement
Total property and equipment
Less: accumulated depreciation
Total property and equipment, net
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
$
$
541,931 $
13,777
510,915
1,066,623
(377,262)
689,361 $
168,308
14,391
339,657
522,356
(199,959)
322,397
The Company added leasehold improvement of $207,069 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022. Leasehold amortization expenses for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were $145,989,nil and nil. Depreciation expenses for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020,
were $52,808, $36,883 and $31,957, respectively. There was no disposals and impairment recorded for these property and equipment for the years ended
December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Note 9 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, intangible assets, net consisted of the following:
AGM domain name
Software
Total intangible assets
Less: accumulated amortization
Total intangible assets, net
$
December 31,
2022
14,800 $
50,000
64,800
(9,314)
55,486
December 31,
2021
14,800
-
14,800
(6,167)
8,633
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, amortization expenses amounted to $3,147, $1,480 and $1,480 respectively. The following is
a schedule, by fiscal years, of amortization amount of intangible asset,
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
Total
$
$
11,480
11,480
11,480
11,480
9,566
55,486
F-22
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Note 10 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As of December 31, 2022, related parties of the Company consist of the following:
Name of Related Party
Zhentao Jiang
Wenjie Tang
Yufeng Mi
Yang Cao
HongKong Kisen Co., Limited (“HongKong Kisen”)
Due to related parties
Nature of Relationship
Former Director and principal shareholder
Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Director, and shareholder
Chief Technical Officer (“CTO”) and shareholder
Director of Nanjing Lucun
Company ultimately controlled by Chief Strategy Officer (“CSO”)
The Company mainly finance its operations through proceeds borrowed from related parties. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, due to
related parties consisted the following:
Zhentao Jiang (2)
Yufeng Mi
Yang Cao
HongKong Kisen (1)
Total due to related parties
$
$
- $
1,831
86,150
8,000,000
8,087,981 $
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
1,119,465
2,000
94,108
-
1,215,573
(1) On April 7, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement with HongKong Kisen to borrow $10,000,000 at the interest rate of 0.1% for 10 months as
working capital support. The loan can be extended on both parties’ consensus.
(2) As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not regard Zhentao Jiang as a related party since he held only 2.474% of class A shares and could not
significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company.
Apart from loan from HongKong Kisen, the balance of due to related parties represents expenses incurred by related parties in the ordinary course of
business. These amounts are interest free, unsecured and could be settled on demand.
From time to time, the Company borrowed $10,000,000 from related parties and repaid $2,000,000 to related parties in the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company borrowed $907,135 from related parties and repaid $517,670 to related parties in the year ended December 31, 2021.
Due from related parties
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, due from related parties consisted the following:
Wenjie Tang
Total due from related parties
Amounts due from related parties are interest free, unsecured and could be settled on demand.
F-23
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
-
- $
$
39,238
39,238
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Note 11 – SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the short-term borrowings were for working capital and capital expenditure purposes. Short-term
borrowings include an accounts receivable factoring arrangement with a third-party financial institution of Zhongyuan Bank Co., Ltd consist of the
following:
Short-term borrowings:
ZHONGYUAN BANK CO., LTD (1)
Total
Annual
Interest
Rate
Maturity
(Months)
Principal
US$
December 31,
2022
US$
December 31,
2021
US$
5.60% January, 2022
1,568,455
-
-
1,568,455
1,568,455
The interest expenses were $4,625 and $37,132 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(1) On July 29, 2021, the Company entered into a factoring agreement without recourse right (see Note 5) with Zhongyuan Bank for 160 days and maturity
date is January 9, 2022, $1,568,455 (RMB10,000,000) accounts receivable factoring to the bank and received accordingly amount of cash.
Note 12 - SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company disaggregated its revenues into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected
by economic factors. The Company derives revenue from the sale of the following two items: (1) sales of cryptocurrency mining machine and standardized
computing equipment and (2) technical support plans
All of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in China. The Company and its subsidiaries do not have long-lived assets in the United States for the
reporting periods.
Revenues from products and services, and gross profit are as follows:
For The Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
2022
Segment revenue:
Sales of cryptocurrency mining machine and standardized computing equipment
Technical support plans
Total revenue from continuing operations
Cost of revenue
Sales of cryptocurrency mining machine and standardized computing equipment
Technical support plans
Total cost of revenue from continuing operations
Gross profit
$ 242,395,556 $
-
$ 242,395,556 $
36,709,931 $
-
36,709,931 $
$ (195,807,066) $
-
$ (195,807,066) $
(30,112,363) $
-
(30,112,363) $
-
53,305
53,305
-
(38,534)
(38,534)
$
46,588,490 $
6,597,568 $
14,771
F-24
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Note 13 - OPERATING LEASE
On February 1, 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease an office in Beijing with a term of two years under the lease fee of $4,392 per
month. On December 15, 2022, the Company renewed the lease agreement with extended term of other 2 years till February 2025 under the lease fee of
$4,161 (RMB28,000) per month.
On June 15, 2021, in order to attract enterprises for the development of the integrated circuit industry in Nanjing, Nanjing Pukou Economic Development
Zone Management Committee (the “Committee”) entered into an investment agreement with Nanjing Lucun. Pursuant to the investment agreement, the
Company leased an office from the Commitment with nil rental consideration for 5 years.
On November 1, 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease an office in Nanjing with a term of three years under the lease fee of $46,692
(RMB 314,057) per year.
On September 20, 2022, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease an office in Beijing with a term of two years under the lease fee of $1,933
(RMB13,000) per month.
On October 24, 2022, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease an office in Beijing with a term of three years under the lease fee of $4,041
(RMB27,000) per month.
On November 8, 2022, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease an office in Beijing with a term of two years under the lease fee of $12,489
(RMB 84,000) per year.
As mentioned above, the estimated effect of lease renewal and termination options, as applicable, was included in the consolidated financial statements in
current period.
The balance of right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are as follow:
Right-of-use assets
Operating lease liabilities, current
Operating lease liabilities, non-current
Total operating lease liabilities
Supplemental information related to operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Weighted-average remaining lease term of operating leases
Weighted-average discount rate of operating leases
F-25
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
$
$
$
492,984 $
241,554
162,576 $
167,428
330,004 $
51,239
-
51,239
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2022
2021
2.33 years
3.5 years
4.62%
4.81%
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
The following table summarizes the maturity of the operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022:
Year of 2023
Year of 2024
Year of 2025
Total lease payments
Less: imputed interest
Present value of operating lease liabilities
Less: current obligation
Long-term obligation on December 31, 2022
Note 14 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Operating
Leases
180,499
142,434
36,128
359,061
29,057
330,004
162,576
167,428
$
$
$
On July 26, 2019, the Company entered into Acquisition Agreement with Anyi Network and the shareholders of Anyi. In connection with the Acquisition
Agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the equity of Anyi and pay $400,000 in cash and issue an aggregate of 475,000 duly authorized, fully paid and
nonassessable Class A ordinary shares of the Company, valued at $16.00 per share to the shareholders of Anyi.
On December 14, 2020, the Company cancelled an aggregate of 475,000 ordinary shares of the Company held by Haiyan Huang, Feng Zhi and Yinglu Gao,
who purchased back 100% of the equity of Anyi Network, valued at $16.00 per share.
In July 2020, the Company issued an aggregated of 40,235 Class A ordinary shares of the Company to a total of 106 non- affiliate individual investors,
valued at 16.00 per share, and the Company received proceeds in a total amount of $667,901.
In August 2021, Firebull Holding Limited, holder of 5,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 5,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of the Company sold and
transferred 5,000,000 Class A ordinary shares to Firebull Tech Limited. Pursuant to section 11 of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, the
5,000,000 Class B ordinary shares held by Firebull Holding was cancelled accordingly.
On December 14, 2021, the Company issued 2,898,552 Class A ordinary shares to investors. As of December 31, 2022, 24,254,842 shares of class A ordinary
share and 2,100,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares were issued and outstanding. The Company deposited with the Escrow Agent an aggregate amount of
$500,000 in order to provide a source of funding for certain indemnification obligations of the Company. In December 2022, the Company received the
refund of the deposit of $492,490, deducting the charge fee.
Warrants
For each Class A ordinary share purchased on December 14, 2021, an investor received from the Company one-half unregistered warrant, for an aggregate of
1,449,276 warrants. The 3.5-year warrants are exercisable immediately from the date of issuance and have an exercise price of US$8.3. The purchase price
for one ordinary share and one-half corresponding warrant is US$6.90.
Additionally, the Company has retained FT Global Capital, Inc. (the “Placement Agent”) to act as exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering.
The Company agreed to issue to the Placement Agent or its designees warrants to purchase up to 202,899 Class A ordinary shares (“Placement Agent’s
Warrants”). Such Placement Agent’s Warrants will be exercisable commencing on the date of issuance at a per share price of $8.3, subject to certain
adjustments, and will expire three and a half (3.5) years from the date of issuance.
F-26
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
The Company’s outstanding warrants are classified as equity since they qualify for exception from derivative accounting as they are considered to be indexed
to the Company’s own stock and require net share settlement. The fair value of the warrants of $12.2 million is valued based on the Black-Scholes-Merton
model and is recorded as additional paid-in capital from common stock on the relative fair value of net proceeds received using the following assumptions:
Annual dividend yield
Expected life (years)
Risk-free interest rate
Expected volatility
-
3.5
1.01%
152.16%
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had 1,652,175 warrants outstanding to purchase 1,652,175 class A ordinary shares with weighted average exercise
price of $8.3 per share and remaining contractual lives of 2.45 years.
Following is a summary of the status of warrants outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2022:
Warrants outstanding, as of December 31, 2020
Issued
Exercised
Expired
Warrants outstanding, as of December 31, 2021
Issued
Exercised
Expired
Warrants outstanding, as of December 31, 2022
Warrants exercisable, as of December 31, 2022
Note 15 - RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
Warrants
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
$
1,652,175
-
-
1,652,175 $
-
-
-
1,652,175 $
1,652,175 $
8.3
-
-
8.3
-
-
-
8.3
8.3
Part of the Group’s operations are conducted through its PRC subsidiaries, and the Group’s ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on receiving
distributions of funds from its subsidiaries. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by its subsidiaries only out of their
retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations, and after it has met the PRC requirements for
appropriation to statutory reserves. Paid-in capital and additional paid-in capital of its subsidiaries included in the Group’s consolidated net assets are also
non-distributable for dividend purposes.
In accordance with the Company Law of the PRC and the PRC regulations on enterprises with foreign investment, whether a domestic enterprise or a wholly
owned foreign enterprise (“WFOE”) established in the PRC are both required to provide certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve fund, the
enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund which are appropriated from net profit as reported in the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts.
Both a domestic enterprise and a WFOE are required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the general reserve until such reserve has reached
50% of its registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus
fund are at the discretion of the board of directors. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash
dividends. All of the Company’s PRC consolidated subsidiaries are subject to the above mandated restrictions on distributable profits.
F-27
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the
Group. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, net assets restricted in the aggregate included in the Group’s consolidated net assets were $335,696 and $63,659,
respectively
Note 16 - INCOME TAX
British Virgin Islands (“BVI”)
Under the tax laws of BVI, AGM Holdings and AGM Software are not subject to tax on income or capital gain. In addition, payments of dividends by the
Company to their shareholders are not subject to withholding tax in the BVI.
Hong Kong
Under the tax laws of Hong Kong, AGM Technology and AGM Defi Tech is subject to tax at 16.5% on the assessable profits arising in or derived from Hong
Kong or 8.25% if the net profit under $2,000,000 for 2019 and beyond, and allowed to offset their future tax taxable income with taxable operating losses
with carried forward indefinitely. Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the revenue generated from AGM Technology belongs to
offshore revenue as its operation is in mainland China instead of in Hong Kong, and therefore AGM Technology was considered as a PRC resident enterprise.
Cayman Islands
Under the tax laws of Cayman Islands, Anyi Network are not subject to tax on income or capital gain. In addition, payments of dividends by such entities to
their shareholders are not subject to withholding tax in Cayman Islands.
Singapore
Under the tax laws of Singapore, AGM Defi Lab are subject to tax at 10% on income or capital gain.
China
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress passed the Enterprise Income Tax Law (“the China EIT Law”), which was effective as of January 1,
2008. Companies incorporated in China are allowed to offset future tax taxable income with taxable operating losses carried forward in a 5-year period.
The China EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of foreign countries or regions but whose “de facto management body” is
located in China be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purpose and consequently be subject to China income tax at the rate of 25% for its worldwide
income. The Implementing Rules of the China EIT Law merely defines the location of the “de facto management body” as “the place where the exercising, in
substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties, etc., of a non-PRC company is
located.” On April 22, 2009, China State Administration of Taxation further issued a notice entitled “Notice regarding Recognizing Offshore-Established
Enterprises Controlled by PRC Shareholders as Resident Enterprises Based on Their place of Effective Management.” Under this notice, a foreign company
controlled by a PRC company or a group of PRC companies shall be deemed as a PRC resident enterprise, if (i) the senior management and the core
management departments in charge of its daily operations mainly function in China; (ii) its financial decisions and human resource decisions are subject to
decisions or approvals of persons or institutions in China; (iii) its major assets, accounting books, company sales, minutes and files of board meetings and
shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in China; and (iv) more than half of the directors or senior management personnel with voting rights reside in
China. Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the Company believe that there is an uncertain tax position as to whether its operations
outside of China will be considered a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes due to limited guidance and implementation history of the China EIT Law.
Should the Company be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, the Company will be subject to PRC tax on worldwide income at a uniform tax
rate of 25%. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and 2020, the Company has evaluated this uncertain tax position and recorded a tax liability on
the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In 2021, as the business line of the Company was completely change, the Company adjusted the management and
institutions accordingly. Therefore, companies outside of mainland China were no longer applicable to the identification of PRC resident enterprises, and the
Company did not record tax liability of the uncertain tax position for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
F-28
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
The China EIT Law also imposes a withholding income tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding
company outside of China, if such immediate holding company is considered as a non-resident enterprise without any establishment or place within China or
if the received dividends have no connection with the establishment or place of such immediate holding company within China, unless such immediate
holding company’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. Such withholding income
tax was exempted under the previous income tax regulations. British Virgin
Islands, where the Company is incorporated, did not have such tax treaty with China.
AGM Beijing, AGM Tianjin, Nanjing Lucun, and Beijing Keen Sense are subject to 25% China statutory tax rate.
AGM Beijing, AGM Tianjin, Beijing Keen Sense and AGM Defi Lab incurred net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
Current
Deferred
Less from discontinued operations
Total from continuing operations
$
$
$
(11,406,062) $
7,061,293
- $
(4,344,769) $
2022
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2021
(1,535,193) $
129,034
- $
(1,406,159) $
2020
(77,110)
-
(767)
(76,343)
The reconciliations of the statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective income tax rate are as follows:
Statutory income tax rate
Tax effect of different tax rates in other jurisdictions
Tax effect of non-deductible expenses
Changes in valuation allowance
Effective tax rate
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
2022
25%
2%
1%
-%
28%
25%
3%
-%
-%
28%
25%
3%
-%
(21)%
8%
The summary of cumulative net operating losses carried forward for the Company’s subsidiaries in different regions is as follows:
PRC Region
HK Region
Singapore Region
Total cumulative net operating loss carry-forward from continuing operation
$
$
F-29
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2022
1,262,629 $
-
6,444
1,269,073 $
508,737 $
-
3,385
512,122 $
2020
445,060
45,090
-
490,150
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets are set forth below:
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Net operating loss carry-forwards
Total of deferred tax assets
Less: valuation allowance
Net deferred tax assets
December 31, December 31,
2022
2021
$
$
$
6,867,322 $
305,492
7,172,814 $
-
7,172,814 $
-
129,034
129,034
-
129,034
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, deferred tax assets of the Company were of $7,172,814 and $129,034, respectively, which was consisted of allowance
for doubtful accounts . As of December 31, 2022, the Management believes that the Company’s cumulative losses arising from recurring business of
subsidiaries constituted significant strong evidence that most of the deferred tax assets would be realizable, and therefore, no valuation allowance was
accrued accordingly.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
The Company and certain subsidiaries are established in various foreign countries with significant operations located in China. The Company might not be
subject to PRC income tax and did not pay any income tax to PRC however it is uncertain as to whether China tax authority may take different views about
the Company’s tax positions which may lead to additional tax liabilities.
The tax authority of China Government conducts periodic and ad hoc tax filing reviews on business enterprises operating in China after those enterprises
complete their relevant tax filings. Therefore, the Company’s PRC entities’ tax filings results are subject to change. It is therefore uncertain as to whether
China tax authority may take different views about the Company’s PRC entities’ tax filings, which may lead to additional tax liabilities.
ASC 740 requires recognition and measurement of uncertain income tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” approach. The management evaluated the
company’s tax position and recognized liabilities for uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, and the period from
inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. The Company recognized liabilities for uncertain tax positions, which was included in income tax payable
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The activity of the unrecognized tax positions related to the Company’s uncertain tax positions is summarized as follows:
Gross beginning balance
Gross increase to tax positions in the current period
Gross increase to tax position in the prior period
Gross decrease to tax position in the prior period
Lapse of statute limitations
Less from discontinued operations
Gross ending balance from continuing operations
F-30
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
2,960,155 $
3,606,873
-
-
-
- $
6,567,028 $
For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2021
1,638,673 $
1,321,482
-
-
-
- $
2,960,155 $
For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2020
1,562,330
76,343
-
-
-
-
1,638,673
$
$
$
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
There were no interests and penalties in relation to the Company uncertain tax positions for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022,2021 and 2020.
Note 17 - CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS
Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts receivable. The
Company place cash with high credit quality financial institutions in Singapore, Hongkong and China. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the
Company had $154,311 and $16,566,953 of cash balance held in China banks, respectively. China banks protect consumers against loss if their bank or thrift
institution fails, and each of the Company’s bank accounts are insured up to RMB500,000 (approximately $72,000). As a result, cash held in China financial
institutions of nil and $16,027,953 were not insured as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The Company have not experienced any
losses in such accounts through December 31, 2022. The Company’s cash position by geographic area was as follows:
Country:
Singapore
China (Hongkong)
China (Mainland)
Total cash and cash equivalents
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
$
$
240,204
3,678,925
154,311
4,073,440
6% $
90%
4%
100% $
259,686
1,599,983
16,566,953
18,426,622
1%
9%
90%
100%
Almost all of the Company’s sales are credit sales which are primarily to customers whose ability to pay is dependent upon the industry economics prevailing
in these areas; however, the Company believe that the concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is limited due to generally short
payment terms. The Company also perform ongoing credit evaluations of customers to help further reduce potential credit risk.
Customers
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, five customers accounted for 20%, 19%, 14%, 13% and 12% of the Company’s revenues, respectively. For the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, two customers accounted for 70% and 30% of the Company’s revenues, respectively. For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020, one customer accounted for 100% of the Company’s total revenue.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $92,755,701 accounts receivable balance, and $2,608,325 receivable balance as of December 31, 2021.
Suppliers
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, two suppliers accounted for 75% and 11% of the Company’s total cost of revenues. For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2021, two suppliers accounted for 72% and 12% of the Company’s cost of revenues, respectively. For the fiscal year ended December 31,
2020, one supplier accounted for 100% of the Company’s total cost of revenues.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $99,914,629 accounts payable balance, and $14,116,569 payable balance as of December 31, 2021.
Note 18 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the consolidated financial statements as of November 13, 2023 and noted that there
are no other subsequent events.
F-31