Registration No. 333-273676
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 3
to
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BAIYU HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 45-4077653 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
139, Xinzhou 11th Street, Futian District,
Shenzhen, Guangdong, PRC 518000
+86 (0755) 82792111
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Vcorp Services, LLC
108 W. 13th Street, Suite 100
Wilmington, De 19810
(888) 528-2677
(Name, address including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With copies to:
Mark Li
MagStone Law, LLP
293 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 135
Livingston, NJ 07039
Tel: (347) 934-9333
Facsimile: (347) 989-6327
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
| Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
| SUBJECT TO COMPLETION | DATED April 8, 2024 |
PROSPECTUS
BAIYU Holdings, Inc.
$100,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
BAIYU Holdings, Inc. (formerly “TD Holdings, Inc.”), a Delaware corporation, may offer to the public from time to time in one or more series or issuances of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, debt securities consisting of debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness, units consisting of a combination of the foregoing securities, or any combination of these securities. Unless the context requires otherwise, reference to “BAIYU” refers to BAIYU Holdings, Inc., our Delaware holding company; reference to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refers to BAIYU Holdings, Inc., together as a group with its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing consolidated financial information, includes the VIE and its subsidiaries; and reference to “VIE” or “Tongdow Internet Technology” refers to Shenzhen Tongdow Internet Technology Co., Ltd., the variable interest entity.
The securities may be sold by BAIYU or through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time. For additional information on the methods of sale, see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” on page 51.
BAIYU’s common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BYU” (formerly “GLG”). On April 5, 2024, the last reported sale price of BAIYU’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.25 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on the Nasdaq Capital Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.
The aggregate market value of BAIYU’s outstanding voting and nonvoting common equity held by non-affiliates is approximately $25 million, based on the last sale price of BAIYU’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 5, 2024. BAIYU has offered a total of $9,800,000 securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the prior 12-month calendar period that ends on, and includes, the date of this prospectus.
If any underwriters are involved in the sale of the securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable discounts or commissions and over-allotment options will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
BAIYU is not a Chinese operating company, rather, BAIYU is a holding company incorporated in Delaware. Investors are purchasing securities of a Delaware holding company rather than securities of BAIYU’s subsidiaries that have substantive business operations in China. BAIYU is a Delaware holding company that conducts its operations and operates its business in China through (i) its subsidiaries incorporated in mainland China, and (ii) contractual arrangements, commonly known as the VIE structure, with a variable interest entity, namely, Shenzhen Tongdow Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tongdow Internet Technology” or “VIE”) based in China. The VIE structure is used to provide investors with exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where the PRC law restricts direct foreign investment in certain operating companies. BAIYU does not own any equity interest in the VIE. Our contractual arrangements with the VIE are not equivalent of an investment in the equity interest of the VIE, and investors of BAIYU may never hold equity interests in the Chinese operating companies, including the VIE. Instead, we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of the VIE, for accounting purposes, based upon the VIE Agreements. Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, the results of the VIE will be consolidated in our financial statements. Investors are purchasing the equity securities of BAIYU, the Delaware holding company, rather than the equity securities of the VIE. However, neither the investors in BAIYU nor BAIYU itself have an equity ownership in, direct foreign investment in, or control of, through such ownership or investment, the VIE. For further information, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder may be less effective than direct ownership in providing operational control” and “— We face uncertainty with respect to the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder, and any failure by the VIE or its shareholder to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.”
The VIE structure involves unique risks to investors of BAIYU. It may not provide effective operational control over the VIE and also faces risks and uncertainties associated with, among others, the interpretation and the application of the current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules to such contractual arrangements. As of the date of this prospectus, the agreements under the contractual arrangements with respect to the VIE have not been tested in a court of law. If the PRC regulatory authorities find these contractual arrangements non-compliant with the restrictions on direct foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if the relevant PRC laws, regulations and rules or their interpretation change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in the VIE or forfeit our rights under the contractual arrangements. The PRC regulatory authorities could disallow the VIE structure at any time in the future, which would cause a material adverse change in our operations and cause the value of our securities you invested in this offering to significantly decline or become worthless. For further information, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder may be less effective than direct ownership in providing operational control” and “— We face uncertainty with respect to the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder, and any failure by the VIE or its shareholder to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.”
The Chinese government may disallow the Company’s current holding structure, which could result in a material change in our operations and materially and adversely affect the value of shares of our common stock (including shares registered under this registration statement) or our other securities and could cause the value of our shares or other securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Furthermore, the Chinese regulatory authorities may intervene in or influence the operation of PRC subsidiaries and exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of their business or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas by, and/or foreign investment in, China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our common stock. Further, rules and regulations in China may be changed from time to time, and any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and supervision over offerings that are conducted overseas by, and/or foreign investment in, China-based issuers 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. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — We are a Delaware holding company that conducts its operations and operates its business in China through its PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entity. The Chinese regulatory authorities may disallow our holding structure or exert further control over our activities” and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to the VIE do not comply with PRC regulations on foreign investment, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to penalties, or be forced to relinquish our interests in the operations of the VIE, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial results, trading prices of our common stock”.
There are significant legal and operational risks associated with being based in or having the substantial all of our operations in China, including those changes in the legal, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the relations between China and the United States, or Chinese or U.S. regulations, all of which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any such changes could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors, and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. The PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a company with substantive operations in China, such as us, to conduct its business, accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. or other foreign exchanges. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals of offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. As of the date of this prospectus, we have relied on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries are subject to (a) the cybersecurity review with the Cyberspace Administration of China, or CAC, as we do not qualify as a critical information infrastructure operator or possess a large amount of personal information in our business operations, and our business does not involve data possessing that affects or may affect national security, implicates cybersecurity, or involves any type of restricted industry; or (b) merger control review by China’s anti-monopoly enforcement agency due to the fact that we do not engage in monopolistic behaviors that are subject to these statements or regulatory actions. However, our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, has advised us that 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, and, if any, the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business operation, ability to accept foreign investments and listing of our securities. As of the date hereof, regulatory actions related to data security or anti-monopoly concerns in Hong Kong do not have a material impact on our ability to conduct business, accept foreign investment in the future, continue to list on a United States stock exchange. However, new regulatory actions related to data security or anti-monopoly concerns in Hong Kong may be taken in the future, and such regulatory actions may have a material impact on our ability to conduct business, accept foreign investment, continue to list on a United States stock exchange. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Regulatory uncertainties relating to, or failure to comply with, anti-monopoly and competition laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results.” In particular, as we are a holding company with substantive business operations in China, you should pay special attention to disclosures included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 incorporated by reference in this prospectus and risk factors included herein, including but not limited to risk factors such as “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China”. See also “Our Company — Government Regulations”.
The PRC government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene with or influence our operations as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals. The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding the industry where we operate, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities and foreign investment in China-based companies like us. These risks could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our common stock, or 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. For more information on various risks related to doing business in China, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” in this prospectus and the “Risk Factors” sections of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, is unable to inspect an issuer’s auditors for two consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a U.S. stock exchange. The PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 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. Furthermore, the PCAOB’s report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate 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 HFCAA 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 August 26, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it had signed a Statement of Protocol (the “SOP”) with the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”), and the Ministry of Finance of China. The SOP, together with two protocol agreements governing inspections and investigations (together, the “SOP Agreement”), establishes a specific, accountable framework to make possible complete inspections and investigations by the PCAOB of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, as required under U.S. law. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong completely in 2022. The PCAOB Board vacated its previous 2021 determinations that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. However, whether the PCAOB will continue to be able to satisfactorily conduct inspections of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainties and depends on a number of factors out of our and our auditor’s control. The PCAOB continues to demand complete access in mainland China and Hong Kong moving forward and is making plans to resume regular inspections in early 2023 and beyond, as well as to continue pursuing ongoing investigations and initiate new investigations as needed. The PCAOB has also indicated that it will act immediately to consider the need to issue new determinations with the HFCAA if needed.
As of the date of this prospectus, neither Audit Alliance LLP, our previous auditor, nor Enrome LLP, our current auditor, is subject to the determinations as to inability to inspect or investigate completely as announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. Each of Audit Alliance LLP and Enrome LLP is based in Singapore and is registered with PCAOB and subject to PCAOB inspection. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, recent regulatory actions taken by the SEC and PCAOB, and proposed rule changes submitted by U.S. stock exchanges calling for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to China-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital raising activities and compliance costs.”
BAIYU Holdings, Inc., our holding company, or the Parent, may transfer cash to our offshore intermediary holding entities in the British Virgin Island and Hong Kong and their respective subsidiaries, through capital injections and intra-group loans. Our offshore intermediary holding entities, in turn, may transfer cash to our PRC subsidiaries through capital injections and intra-group loans. Similarly, our PRC subsidiaries may in turn transfer cash to their respective subsidiaries in the PRC through capital injections and intra-group loans. Cash may also be transferred through our organization by way of intra-group transactions. If our wholly owned subsidiaries in the PRC realize accumulated after-tax profits, they may, upon satisfaction of relevant statutory conditions and procedures, pay dividends or distribute earnings to our offshore intermediary holding entities, which, in turn, may transfer cash to the Parent through dividends or other distributions. With necessary funds, the Parent may pay dividends or make other distributions to U.S. investors and service any debt it may have incurred outside of the PRC. No assets other than cash were transferred between the Parent and a subsidiary, no subsidiaries paid dividends or made other distributions to the Parent, and no dividends or distributions were paid or made to U.S. investors. The Company and its subsidiaries currently do not have a cash management policy in place. In 2022 and 2023, the Parent transferred cash in the amount of US$2.3 million and nil, respectively, to our PRC subsidiaries through our offshore intermediary holding entities by way of capital contribution to the PRC subsidiaries. See “Item 1. Description of Business — Cash Transfer and Dividend Payment” and “ — Intracompany Cash Transfer” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on March 22, 2024. In 2022, the Company owed TD E-Commerce an unpaid amount of approximately $38 million, which remained outstanding in 2023. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence — Balances with related parties” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on March 22, 2024. See also “Our Company – Intracompany Cash Transfer” and “Our Company – Cash Transfer and Dividend Payment”.
To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations to transfer cash. Under PRC laws and regulations, we are subject to restrictions on foreign exchange and cross-border cash transfers, including to U.S. investors. Our ability to distribute earnings to the holding company and U.S. investors is also limited. We are a Delaware holding company and we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. When any of our PRC subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. Under PRC laws and regulations, each of our PRC subsidiaries may pay dividends only out of its respective accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a PRC enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its 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. At its discretion, a PRC enterprise may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a staff welfare and bonus fund. These reserve fund and staff welfare and bonus fund cannot be distributed to us as dividends. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries generate their revenue primarily in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See “Our Company – Cash Transfer and Dividend Payment”, “Risk Factor — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business”, “Risk Factor— Risks Related to Doing Business in China — PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries in China, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business”, and “Risk Factor — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations under the PRC laws and regulations.”
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully review the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22 of this prospectus, and under similar headings in the documents which are incorporated by reference herein before you invest in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 8, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or the Commission, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer to sell any of the securities, or any combination of the securities, described in this prospectus, in each case in one or more offerings, up to a total amount of $100,000,000. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the related exhibits, any prospectus supplement or amendment thereto and the documents incorporated by reference, or to which we have referred you, before making your investment decision. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus, any prospectus supplement or amendments thereto do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the common stock offered by this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or amendments thereto in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or amendments thereto, as well as information we have previously filed with the SEC, is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of the applicable document.
If necessary, the specific manner in which the securities may be offered and sold will be described in a supplement to this prospectus, which supplement may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement, provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date-for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement-the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any distribution of common stock pursuant to this prospectus shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such date.
When used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, reference to “BAIYU” refers to BAIYU Holdings, Inc., our Delaware holding company; reference to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refers to BAIYU Holdings, Inc., together as a group with its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing consolidated financial information, includes the VIE and its subsidiaries; references to “VIE” or “Tongdow Internet Technology” refers to Shenzhen Tongdow Internet Technology Co., Ltd., the variable interest entity.
“PRC” or “China” herein refers to the People’s Republic of China, and only in the context of describing PRC laws, regulations, rules, regulatory authority and other legal or tax matters in this prospectus, excludes Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau; the legal and operational risks associated with operating in the PRC also apply to our operations in Hong Kong.
“RMB” or “Renminbi” refers to the legal currency of China and “$,” “US$” or “U.S. Dollars” refers to the legal currency of the United States.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or amendment and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and/or which include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “may,” “will” or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance, ongoing strategies or prospects, and possible future actions, which may be provided by our management, are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about our Company, economic and market factors, and the industry in which we do business, among other things. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. Factors that could cause our actual performance, future results and actions to differ materially from any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in any of our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or any amendments thereto and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus represent our views as of the date such statements are made. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date such statements are made.
1
We are not a Chinese operating company but a Delaware holding company with operations conducted by our subsidiaries established in mainland China. See “Corporate Structure” below for further information regarding our subsidiaries’ names, places of incorporation, and equity ownership. Investors are cautioned that you are not buying shares of a China-based operating company but instead are buying shares of a Delaware holding company with operations conducted by its subsidiaries. We are subject to legal and operational risks associated with being based in the PRC and having all of our operations in the PRC, discussed in greater detail below.
The Chinese government may influence the operation of our PRC subsidiaries and exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of their business or may exert more supervision over offerings conducted overseas by and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our common shares or other securities. Further, rules and regulations in China may be changed from time to time, and any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas by and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers 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. To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations to transfer cash.
This summary highlights information contained in the documents incorporated herein by reference. Before making an investment decision, you should read the entire prospectus, and our other filings with the SEC, including those filings incorporated herein by reference, carefully, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
BAIYU Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as TD Holdings, Inc.), has become a business engaging in commodities trading business (the “Commodities Trading Business”) and supply chain service business (the “Supply Chain Service Business”) in China since the disposition of its direct loans, loan guarantees and financial leasing services to small-to-medium sized businesses, farmers and individuals in July 2018 and its used luxurious car leasing business in August 2020.
The Commodities Trading Business primarily involves purchasing non-ferrous metal products from upstream metal and mineral suppliers and then selling to downstream customers. The Supply Chain Service Business primarily has served as a one-stop commodity supply chain service and digital intelligence supply chain platform integrating upstream and downstream enterprises, warehouses, logistics, information, and futures trading.
2
Corporate Structure
BAIYU Holdings, Inc. is not an operating company based in the PRC, but a holding company incorporated in Delaware. Our operations are primarily conducted through (i) our subsidiaries incorporated in mainland China, and (ii) contractual agreements with a variable interest entity, namely, Shenzhen Tongdow Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (the “VIE” or “Tongdow Internet Technology”) based in mainland China. The VIE structure was established through a series of contractual agreements, comprising (i) that certain exclusive business cooperation agreement, entered into by and between the VIE and Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng Data Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng”) dated as of October 17, 2022, (ii) that certain share pledge agreement, entered into by and among Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, Shanghai Zhuotaitong Industry Co., Ltd (“VIE Sole Original Shareholder”), and the VIE, dated as of October 17, 2022, (iii) that certain Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, VIE Sole Original Shareholder, and the VIE, dated as of October 17, 2022, (iv) that certain Power of Attorney entered in to by VIE Sole Original Shareholder, dated as of October 17, 2022, and (v) that certain Timely Reporting Agreement entered into by and between the VIE and Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, dated as of October 17, 2022. See “Our Company — Our business — VIE Agreements” for details.
The contractual arrangements allow us to (1) be considered as the primary beneficiary of the VIE for accounting purposes and consolidate the financial results of the VIE, (2) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of the VIE, (3) have the pledge right over the equity interests in the VIE as the pledgee, and (4) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in the VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
However, these contractual agreements may be less effective than direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIE, and we may incur significant costs to enforce the terms of these agreements. For instance, the VIE and its shareholder could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct the operations of the VIE in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of the VIE in China, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of the VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by the VIE and its shareholder of their obligations under the contracts to direct the VIE’s activities. The shareholder of the VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform its obligations under these contracts. If any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder may be less effective than direct ownership in providing operational control.”
The VIE structure is not equivalent to an investment in the equity interest of such entities. BAIYU does not own any equity interests in the VIE. Our contractual arrangements with the VIE and its nominee shareholder are not equivalent to an investment in the equity interest of the VIE. Investors are purchasing securities in BAIYU, the Delaware holding company, and are not purchasing, and may never hold, equity interest in the VIE. Such corporate structure involves unique risks associated with our contractual arrangements with the VIE. As of the date of this prospectus, the agreements under the contractual arrangements with respect to the VIE have not been tested in a court of law. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. Our Delaware holding company, our subsidiaries incorporated in mainland China and the VIE, and investors in securities of BAIYU face uncertainty with respect to potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of our company as a whole and the VIE. In addition, all the agreements under our contractual arrangements with the VIE are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a consolidated variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective contractual control over the VIE, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — We face uncertainty with respect to the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder, and any failure by the VIE or its shareholder to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.”
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The Chinese government may disallow the Company’s current holding structure, or determine that the contractual arrangements constituting part of the VIE are not compliant with PRC regulations, or that regulations could be changed or interpreted differently in the future, each of which could result in a material change in our operations and materially and adversely affect the value of shares of our common stock (including shares registered under this registration statement) or our other securities and could cause the value of our shares or other securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Furthermore, the Chinese regulatory authorities may intervene in or influence the operation of PRC subsidiaries and exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of their business or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas by, and/or foreign investment in, China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our common stock. Further, rules and regulations in China may be changed from time to time, and any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and supervision over offerings that are conducted overseas by, and/or foreign investment in, China-based issuers 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. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — We are a Delaware holding company that conducts its operations and operates its business in China through its PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entity. The Chinese regulatory authorities may disallow our holding structure or exert further control over our activities” and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to the VIE do not comply with PRC regulations on foreign investment, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to penalties, or be forced to relinquish our interests in the operations of the VIE, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial results, trading prices of our common stock”
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date hereof:
(1) a variable interest entity.
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Summary Consolidated Financial Data
The following are historical statements of operations and statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023, and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023 which have been derived from our audited financial statements for those periods. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. You should read this data together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
Solely for the purposes of this summary, (i) “Parent” refers to BAIYU Holdings, Inc.; (ii) “WFOE and its subsidiary” refers to Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng Data Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary Shenzhen Qianhai Baiyu Supply Chain Co., Ltd.; (iii) “VIE” refers to Shenzhen Tongdow Internet Technology Co., Ltd.; and (iv) “Other Subsidiaries” refers to all subsidiaries of BAIYU (other than WFOE and its subsidiary and VIE).
Selected Condensed Consolidation Balance Sheets
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | WFOE and its subsidiary | VIE | Other Subsidiaries | Elimination Entries and Reclassification Entries | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 391,660 | $ | 392,627 | $ | 777 | $ | 107,993 | $ | - | $ | 893,057 | ||||||||||||
| Intercompany receivable | 291,834,086 | 72,031,748 | - | 72,054,524 | (435,920,358 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Current Assets | 292,299,062 | 218,976,607 | 1,806 | 73,205,406 | (435,916,556 | ) | 148,566,325 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Non-current Assets | 410,000 | 189,712,925 | 38,408,523 | 18,179,851 | (32,179,826 | ) | 214,531,473 | |||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany payable | - | 361,819,711 | 3,249,921 | 70,850,726 | (435,920,358 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities | 4,238,152 | 376,465,664 | 42,024,382 | 73,481,743 | (431,086,312 | ) | 65,123,629 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Shareholders’ Equity | 288,470,910 | 32,223,868 | (3,614,053 | ) | 17,903,514 | (37,010,070 | ) | 297,974,169 | ||||||||||||||||
Selected Condensed Consolidation Balance Sheets
| As of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | WFOE and its subsidiary | VIE | Other Subsidiaries | Elimination Entries and Reclassification Entries | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 1,080,145 | $ | 145,105 | $ | 2,396 | $ | 288,712 | $ | - | $ | 1,516,358 | ||||||||||||
| Intercompany receivable | 375,855,716 | 96,510,811 | 25,415 | 32,842,956 | (505,234,898 | ) | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Current Assets | 377,977,860 | 343,920,024 | 28,124 | 35,646,943 | (505,231,093 | ) | 252,341,858 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Non-current Assets | 410,000 | 186,484,801 | 33,532,410 | 18,298,729 | (35,782,777 | ) | 202,943,163 | |||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany payable | 0 | 469,738,028 | 3,393,550 | 32,004,086 | (505,135,664 | ) | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities | 4,292,512 | 491,057,639 | 41,510,542 | 36,383,900 | (501,104,877 | ) | 72,139,716 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Shareholders’ Equity | 374,095,348 | 39,347,186 | (7,950,008 | ) | 17,561,772 | (39,908,993 | ) | 383,145,305 | ||||||||||||||||
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Selected Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
| For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent Only | WFOE and its subsidiary | VIE | Other Subsidiaries | Eliminating adjustments | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | - | $ | 32,171,691 | $ | - | $ | 124,663,610 | $ | - | $ | 156,835,301 | ||||||||||||
| Intercompany revenue | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue and related tax | - | 31,336,404 | - | 124,460,640 | - | 155,797,044 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost from intercompany | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit | - | 835,287 | - | 202,970 | - | 1,038,257 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 1,654,555 | 1,407,523 | 776,138 | 1,305,773 | 3,744,750 | 8,888,739 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income (expense) | (1,654,555 | ) | (572,236 | ) | (776,138 | ) | (1,102,803 | ) | (3,744,750 | ) | (7,850,482 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net Income(expense) | (3,332,404 | ) | 8,271,574 | (775,970 | ) | (2,862,299 | ) | 2,952,636 | 4,253,537 | |||||||||||||||
Selected Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent Only | WFOE and its subsidiary | VIE | Other Subsidiaries | Elimination adjustments | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | - | $ | 19,159,124 | $ | 1,351 | $ | 115,465,592 | $ | - | $ | 134,626,067 | ||||||||||||
| Intercompany revenue | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue and related tax | - | 19,294,710 | - | 115,520,831 | - | 134,815,541 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost from intercompany | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit | - | (135,586 | ) | 1,351 | (55,239 | ) | - | (189,474 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 7,478,472 | 793,101 | 4,420,038 | 875,775 | 3,024,302 | 16,591,688 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income (expense) | (7,478,472 | ) | (928,687 | ) | (4,418,687 | ) | (931,014 | ) | (3,024,302 | ) | (16,781,162 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net Income(expense) | (8,972,849 | ) | 14,310,543 | (4,418,675 | ) | (917,117 | ) | (2,268,227 | ) | (2,266,325 | ) | |||||||||||||
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Selected Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | WFOE and its subsidiary | VIE | Other Subsidiaries | Eliminating adjustments | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (Loss) | $ | (3,332,404 | ) | $ | 8,271,574 | $ | (775,970 | ) | $ | (2,862,299 | ) | $ | 2,952,636 | $ | 4,253,537 | |||||||||
| Intercompany receive | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany payment | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (117,310,991 | ) | 144,785,800 | 94 | (22,548,042 | ) | (591,502 | ) | 4,335,359 | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | - | (147,366,777 | ) | - | 21,829,031 | - | (125,537,746 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided (used in) financing activities | 117,420,000 | (29,735 | ) | - | - | - | 117,390,265 | |||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany receive | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany payment | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash | 394,111 | - | - | - | - | 394,111 | ||||||||||||||||||
Selected Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | WFOE and
its subsidiary | VIE | Other Subsidiaries | Eliminating adjustments | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||
| Net income (Loss) | $ | (8,972,849 | ) | $ | 14,310,543 | $ | (4,418,675 | ) | $ | (917,117 | ) | $ | (2,268,227 | ) | $ | (2,266,325 | ) | |||||||
| Intercompany receive | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany payment | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (92,058,589 | ) | 99,875,335 | 1,640 | 87,614 | 1,641,516 | 9,547,516 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 0 | (100,187,219 | ) | 0 | 94,170 | 6,350 | (100,086,699 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided (used in) financing activities | 92,747,073 | 69,678 | 0 | 0 | 92,816,751 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany receive | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany payment | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash | (1,654,267 | ) | - | 0 | - | - | (1,654,267 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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Cash Transfer and Dividend Payment
BAIYU Holdings, Inc., our holding company, or the Parent, may transfer cash to our offshore intermediary holding entities in the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong and their respective subsidiaries, through capital injections and intra-group loans. Our offshore intermediary holding entities, in turn, may transfer cash to our PRC subsidiaries through capital injections and intra-group loans. Similarly, our PRC subsidiaries may in turn transfer cash to their respective subsidiaries in the PRC through capital injections and intra-group loans. Cash may also be transferred through our organization by way of intra-group transactions. If our wholly owned subsidiaries in the PRC realize accumulated after-tax profits, they may, upon satisfaction of relevant statutory conditions and procedures, pay dividends or distribute earnings to our offshore intermediary holding entities, which, in turn, may transfer cash to the Parent through dividends or other distributions. With necessary funds, the Parent may pay dividends or make other distributions to U.S. investors and service any debt it may have incurred outside of the PRC. No assets other than cash were transferred between the Parent and a subsidiary, no subsidiaries paid dividends or made other distributions to the Parent, and no dividends or distributions were paid or made to U.S. investors. The Company and its subsidiaries currently do not have a cash management policy in place. In 2022 and 2023, the Parent transferred cash in the amount of US$2.3 million and nil, respectively, to our PRC subsidiaries through our offshore intermediary holding entities by way of capital contribution to the PRC subsidiaries. See “Item 1. Description of Business — Cash Transfer and Dividend Payment” and “ — Intracompany Cash Transfer” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on March 22, 2024. In 2022, the Company owed TD E-Commerce an unpaid amount of approximately $38 million, which remained outstanding in 2023. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence — Balances with related parties” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on March 22, 2024.
To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations to transfer cash.
Under PRC laws and regulations, we are subject to restrictions on foreign exchange and cross-border cash transfers, including to U.S. investors. Our ability to distribute earnings to the holding company and U.S. investors is also limited. We are a Delaware holding company and we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. When any of our PRC subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. Under PRC laws and regulations, each of our PRC subsidiaries may pay dividends only out of its respective accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a PRC enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its 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. At its discretion, a PRC enterprise may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a staff welfare and bonus fund. These reserve fund and staff welfare and bonus fund cannot be distributed to us as dividends. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries generate their revenue primarily in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See “Risk Factor — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business”, “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries in China, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business”, “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations under the PRC laws and regulations.”
8
Our Business
Commodities Trading Business
The Commodities Trading Business primarily involves purchasing non-ferrous metal products, such as aluminum ingots, copper, silver, and gold, from upstream metal and mineral suppliers and then selling to downstream customers. In connection with the Company’s commodity sales, in order to help customers to obtain sufficient funds to purchase various metal products and also help upstream metal and mineral suppliers to sell their metal products, the Company launched its Supply Chain Service Business in December 2019. The Company primarily generates revenues from bulk non-ferrous commodity products, and from providing related supply chain management services in the PRC.
In order to diversify the Company’s business, the Company has operated the Commodities Trading Business through Shenzhen Huamucheng Trading Co., Ltd. since November 2019, which was renamed Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng Data Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng”) in 2021. We initially acquired control over Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng via certain agreements with the previous shareholders of Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng. On June 25, 2020, such agreements were terminated and Shanghai Jianchi Supply Chain Co., Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in China, acquired 100% equity interest of Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng from the previous shareholders of Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng for nominal consideration.
Through Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng’s business, we source bulk commodity products from non-ferrous metals and mines or its designated distributors and then sell to manufacturers who need these metals in large quantities. We also work with upstream suppliers in the sourcing of commodities.
Through Shenzhen Qianhai Baiyu Supply Chain Co., Ltd. (“Qianhai Baiyu”), our wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in China, we also provide supply chain management services to our customers. On October 26, 2020, Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng entered into certain share purchase agreements to acquire 100% shares of Qianhai Baiyu. Qianhai Baiyu is engaged in the supply chain service business and covers a full range of commodities, including non-ferrous metals, ferrous metals, coal, metallurgical raw materials, soybean oils, oils, rubber, wood and various other types of commodities. It also has a supply chain infrastructure, which includes processing, logistics, warehousing and terminals. Utilizing its customer base, industry experience, and expertise in the commodity trading industry, Qianhai Baiyu serves as a one-stop commodity supply chain service and digital intelligence supply chain platform integrating upstream and downstream enterprises, warehouses, logistics, information, and futures trading.
The acquisition of Qianhai Baiyu has laid a solid foundation for the Company to further expand its operations in the commodity supply chain field. The Company plans to strengthen and upgrade its supply chain services platform by introducing a systematic quantitative risk control system, which will be based on Qianhai Baiyu’s massive historical market data and complex data analysis models. The platform is expected to establish a quantitative risk management system utilizing ETL data integration (Extract, Transform, Load) as its core, and then optimize trading portfolios by incorporating various factors and strategies in order to effectively control risks and sustain business development.
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VIE Agreements
We have operated the Commodities Trading Business through Shenzhen Huamucheng Trading Co., Ltd. since November 2019, which was renamed Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng Data Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng”) in 2021. On November 22, 2019, Hao Limo Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (“Hao Limo”), our previously indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a series of agreements with Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng and the shareholders of Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng pursuant to which we obtained control of Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng (the “Baiyu VIE Agreements”). On June 25, 2020, Hao Limo and Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng entered into certain VIE termination agreements to terminate the Baiyu VIE Agreements. As a result of the termination of the Baiyu VIE Agreements, Hao Limo no longer has the control rights and rights to the assets, property and revenue of Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng. At the same time, Shanghai Jianchi Supply Chain Co., Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in China, acquired 100% equity interest of Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng from the shareholders of Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng for nominal consideration.
On October 17, 2022, Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng entered into a set of variable interest entity agreements (collectively, the “Tongdow VIE Agreements”), comprising (i) that certain exclusive business cooperation agreement, entered into by and between the VIE and Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng dated as of October 17, 2022 (the “Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement”), (ii) that certain share pledge agreement, entered into by and among Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, Shanghai Zhuotaitong Industry Co., Ltd (“VIE Sole Original Shareholder”), and the VIE, dated as of October 17, 2022 (the “Share Pledge Agreement”), (iii) that certain Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, VIE Sole Original Shareholder, and the VIE, dated as of October 17, 2022 (the “Exclusive Option Agreement”), (iv) that certain Power of Attorney entered in to by VIE Sole Original Shareholder, dated as of October 17, 2022 (the “POA”), and (v) that certain Timely Reporting Agreement entered into by and between the VIE and Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, dated as of October 17, 2022 (the “Reporting Agreement”).
The Tongdow VIE Agreements allow us to (1) be considered as the primary beneficiary of the VIE for accounting purposes and consolidate the financial results of the VIE, (2) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of the VIE, (3) have the pledge right over the equity interests in the VIE as the pledgee, and (4) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in the VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
As a result of our direct ownership in Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng and the contractual arrangements with the VIE, we have become the primary beneficiary of the VIE for accounting purposes, and, therefore, have consolidated the financial results of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The following is a summary of the Tongdow VIE Agreements:
Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Pursuant to the terms thereof, Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng agrees to provide the VIE with customer support, business support and related supply chain management services during the term of the agreement and the VIE agrees not to engage any other party for the same or similar consultation and/or management services without Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng’s prior consent. The VIE agrees to pay Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng service fees substantially equal to all of its net income, subject to any requirement by PRC law and its articles of association.
Share Pledge Agreement. Pursuant to the terms thereof, VIE Sole Original Shareholder pledged all of its equity interest in the VIE to Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng in order to guarantee the performance of the VIE’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. The agreement will be terminated upon full payment of consulting and service fees and termination of the VIE’s contractual obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement.
Exclusive Option Agreement. Pursuant to the terms thereof, VIE Sole Original Shareholder has irrevocably granted Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng an exclusive option to purchase at any time, in part or in whole, its equity interests in the VIE for a purchase price equal to the capital paid by VIE Sole Original Shareholder, adjusted pro rata for purchase of less than all of the equity interests.
Powers of Attorney. Pursuant to the terms thereof, VIE Sole Original Shareholder has irrevocably authorized Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng to act on its behalf as the exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all rights as a shareholder, including but not limited to, (1) convening, attending and presiding over shareholders’ meetings, (2) exercising all the shareholder’s rights, including voting, that shareholders are entitled to under PRC law and the Articles of Association of the VIE, including but not limited to the sale, transfer, pledge or disposition of the equity interests of the VIE owned by such shareholder in part or in whole, (3) designating and appointing on behalf of the shareholders the legal representative, executive director, supervisor, chief executive officer and other senior management members of the VIE, (4) signing and executing all legal documents related to the shareholder’s rights, and (5) receiving the dividends paid by the VIE to its shareholder.
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Reporting Agreement. Pursuant to the terms thereof, the VIE agrees to promptly provide all information required by Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng so that it can make necessary SEC and other regulatory reports in a timely fashion.
In the opinion of our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, (i) the ownership structures of the VIE and Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng are not in any violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect; and (ii) the contractual arrangements between Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, the VIE and its shareholder governed by PRC laws and regulations are currently valid, binding and enforceable and will not result in any violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect.
However, we have been advised by our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government may ultimately take a view contrary to or otherwise different from the opinion of our PRC counsel. As of the date of this prospectus, the agreements under the contractual arrangements among Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, the VIE, and its shareholder have not been tested in a court of law. Investors in our securities are not purchasing equity interest in the VIE in China but, instead, are purchasing equity interest in a holding company incorporated in the laws of State of Delaware. The contractual arrangements may be less effective from direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIE and we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. Our corporate structure is subject to risks associated with our contractual arrangements with the VIE. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or the VIE is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. We could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our Delaware holding company, Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng, and the VIE, and investors in securities in BAIYU face uncertainty with respect to potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of our company as a whole and the VIE. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder may be less effective than direct ownership in providing operational control” and “— We face uncertainty with respect to the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder, and any failure by the VIE or its shareholder to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.”
Summary of Risk Factors
The following summary description sets forth an overview of the material risks we are exposed to in the normal course of our business activities. The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full risk factor discussion immediately following this summary description. We encourage you to read the full risk factor discussion carefully. Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by any of the following material risks. For details of each of these bulleted risk factors, please see discussions below under the same subheadings:
Risks Related to Doing Business in China (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 26 of this prospectus)
We face risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China in general, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | We are a Delaware holding company that conducts its operations and operates its business in China through its PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entity. The Chinese regulatory authorities may disallow our holding structure or exert further control over our activities (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 26 of this prospectus). |
| ● | If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to the VIE do not comply with PRC regulations on foreign investment, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to penalties, or be forced to relinquish our interests in the operations of the VIE, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial results, trading prices of our common stock (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 27 of this prospectus). |
| ● | The contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder may be less effective than direct ownership in providing operational control (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 27 of this prospectus). |
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| ● | We face uncertainty with respect to the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder, and any failure by the VIE or its shareholder to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 28 of this prospectus). |
| ● | Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 28 of this prospectus). |
| ● | A severe or prolonged downturn in the global or Chinese economy could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 29 of this prospectus). |
| ● | Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 29 of this prospectus). |
| ● | U.S. regulatory bodies may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 29 of this prospectus). |
| ● | The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common stock (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 30 of this prospectus). |
| ● | The PRC government has the ability to exert substantial supervision over any offering or listing of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and, as a result, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 30 of this prospectus). |
| ● | The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, recent regulatory actions taken by the SEC and PCAOB, and proposed rule changes submitted by U.S. stock exchanges calling for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to China-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital raising activities and compliance costs (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus). |
| ● | We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity and data protection, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including improper use or appropriation of personal information provided directly or indirectly by our customers or end users, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 32 of this prospectus). |
| ● | Regulatory uncertainties relating to, or failure to comply with, anti-monopoly and competition laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 34 of this prospectus). |
| ● | Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 36 of this prospectus). |
| ● | Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system, including uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of laws, and sudden or unexpected changes of PRC laws and regulations with little advance notice could adversely affect us and limit the legal protections available to you and us, and the Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas, which changes could materially hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities, and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 37 of this prospectus). |
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| ● | The failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by offshore Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) may subject us to severe fines or penalties and create other regulatory uncertainties regarding our corporate structure (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 38 of this prospectus). |
| ● | Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 39 of this prospectus). |
| ● | PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries in China, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 40 of this prospectus). |
| ● | To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations under the PRC laws and regulations (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 41 of this prospectus). |
| ● | If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders (for a more detailed discussion, see the risk factor under the same subheading under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 41 of this prospectus). |
Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Industry (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Industry” beginning on page 42 of this prospectus)
Risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | There is no assurance that we will be able to manage the commodities trading business effectively. |
| ● | Investment in our new line of business could disrupt the Company’s ongoing business and present risks not originally contemplated. |
| ● | We may not be able to ensure the successful implementation of our strategy to diversify our businesses. |
| ● | Our success depends substantially upon the continued retention of our senior management. |
| ● | Our business depends on adequate supply and availability of nonferrous metal commodities. |
| ● | A decline in our key business sectors or a reduction in consumer demand generally could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
| ● | We operate in a business that is cyclical and where demand can be volatile, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. |
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Risk Factors Related to Our General Operations (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Related to Our General Operations” beginning on page 44 of this prospectus)
Risks related to our general operations include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | The current geographic concentration where we provide services creates an exposure to local economies, regional downturns or severe weather or catastrophic occurrences that may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. |
| ● | Our failure to maintain a reputation of integrity and to otherwise maintain and enhance our brand could adversely affect our business and results of operations. |
| ● | Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property, technology and confidential information could harm our business and operating results. |
| ● | We may be subject to claims asserting that our employees, consultants or advisors have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their current or former employees or claims asserting ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property. |
| ● | We may in the future be subject to intellectual property disputes, which are costly to defend and could harm our business and operating results. |
| ● | We may be subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. If the outcomes of these proceedings are adverse to us, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. |
| ● | Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences. |
Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock” beginning on page 46 of this prospectus)
Risks related to ownership of our common stock include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | We may not meet certain of Nasdaq Capital Market’s continued listing requirements and other Nasdaq rules. If we are unable to regain compliance, we are likely to be delisted. Delisting could negatively affect the price of our common stock, which could make it more difficult for us to sell securities in a future financing or for you to sell our common stock. |
| ● | We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future. |
| ● | Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock (“Securities”), or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings. |
| ● | Our common stock may be thinly traded and our stockholders may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if they need to sell their shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate their shares. |
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| ● | Volatility in our common stock price may subject us to securities litigation. |
| ● | Provisions in our by-laws and Delaware laws might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our Company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock. |
| ● | We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot provide assurances that these weaknesses will be effectively remediated or that additional material weaknesses will not occur in the future. If our internal control over financial reporting or our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, prevent fraud or file our periodic reports in a timely manner, which may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and which may lead to a decline in our stock price. |
General Risk Factors (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — General Risk Factors” beginning on page 49 of this prospectus)
General risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by global public health epidemics, including the strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19. |
| ● | The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under our certificate of incorporation and the existence of indemnification of our directors, officers and employees under Delaware law may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees. |
| ● | We expect that we will require additional debt and equity capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges and/or unforeseen circumstances. If such capital is not available to us, or is not available on favorable terms, our business, operating results and financial condition may be harmed. |
| ● | Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders, customers, and other market participants with respect to our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies and activities may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks. |
| ● | Our business could be negatively impacted by the inflationary pressures which may decrease our operating margins and increase working capital investments required to operate our business. |
| ● | Our information systems or data, or those of our service providers or customers or users could be subject to cyber-attacks or other security incidents, which could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, claims, litigation, regulatory investigations, significant liability, reputational damage and other adverse consequences. |
Our Services
Operation of Commodities Trading Business
The Company’s commodities trading operations via Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng are focused on non-ferrous metal commodities such as aluminum, copper, silver, and gold. We strive to become an emerging platform in the non-ferrous metal e-commerce industry by offering all participants in the non-ferrous metal e-commerce industry a seamless, one-stop transaction experience.
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We source bulk commodities from non-ferrous metal mines or its designated distributors and sell them to manufacturers who need these metals in large quantities. We work with many suppliers in the sourcing of commodities, including various metal and mineral suppliers such as Kunsteel Group, Baosteel Group, Aluminum Corporate of China Limited, Yunnan Benyuan, Yunnan Tin, and Shanghai Copper. Potential customers include large infrastructure companies such as China National Electricity, Datang Power, China Aluminum Foshan International Trade, Tooke Investment (China), CSSC International Trade Co., Ltd., Shenye Group, and Keliyuan.
Our inventory management procedure involves (1) an Application for Storage, (2) Storage of the Commodities, (3) an Application for Shipment, and (4) Shipment of Commodities, which are further described below.
| 1) | Application for Storage |
| ● | The upstream suppliers apply for storage with the Company’s leased warehouse center upon the sale of commodities to the Company. The application requires information including the commodities’ production company, brand, specifications, weight, quantity, and storage time. |
| 2) | Storage of the Commodities |
| ● | Upon the arrival of the commodities at the warehouse, the warehouse checks and accepts the commodities according to the delivery instructions provided by the transportation company, ensuring that the delivery instructions, storage application, and the delivered commodities are all consistent. |
| ● | Upon acceptance, the warehouse scans and places the commodities into sorted storage. The warehouse then issues a certificate of inspection, which includes information such as the brand name, specifications, weight, quantity, packaging information, arrival time, storage location and other information of the received commodities. The certificate of inspection is then signed and stamped by the delivery driver, the warehouse manager, and the warehouse. Four copies of the certificate of inspection are made, two of which are provided to the transportation company and the supplier. |
| 3) | Application for Shipment |
| ● | The downstream customers apply for shipment with the warehouse upon the purchase of commodities from the Company. The application requires information including the production company, brand, specifications, weight, quantity, delivery time, and storage location number. |
| ● | The downstream customers also fill in a delivery entrustment letter, including the name of the delivery company, the name of the delivery person, his or her ID number, the delivery vehicle’s license plate number, the time, quantity, and information regarding the warehouse for delivery. |
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| 4) | Shipment of Commodities |
| ● | The warehouse prepares the commodities in advance according to the pick-up time and the Application for Shipment. |
| ● | Upon the arrival of the pick-up driver at the warehouse, the Company reviews the identity of the pick-up driver according to the delivery entrustment letter. | |
| ● | Upon completing the loading of the commodities for shipment, the warehouse issues a certificate of sale, which includes information such as the brand name, specifications, weight, quantity, delivery time, and storage location number. The pick-up driver, warehouse manager, and the warehouse sign and stamp the certificate of sale. Four copies of the certificate of sale are made, two of which are provided to the transportation company and the customer. |
We use a prepaid unified purchase and distribution model (the “Prepaid Model”) in our business, which is further detailed below.
Under the Prepaid Model, we make advance prepayments between one to three months in advance when purchasing from the Company’s upstream suppliers. The process involves first obtaining purchase orders from one or more downstream purchasers and entering into sales agreements with such purchasers. After the Company receives the down payment from the downstream purchasers, it aggregates the total amount of commodities required to fulfill the orders and enters into purchase agreements with upstream suppliers to fulfill its purchase orders. Once the upstream suppliers have received the prepayment from the Company, they produce and deliver the commodities to the Company’s designated warehouse on the purchase agreement. Upon receipt of the commodities in the designated warehouse, the Company is notified by the warehouse and obtains the full payment from the downstream purchasers. After the Company pays its remaining balance to the upstream suppliers, it issues delivery instructions to the designated warehouse on the sales agreement and has the commodities delivered to the downstream purchasers.
Through the Prepaid Model, the Company maintains a stable distribution volume and thereby generates profit margins via purchase discounts from upstream suppliers and mark-up pricing to downstream customers.
Warehousing Arrangement
Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng has entered into a certain warehousing agreement with Shanghai Quansheng pursuant to which Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng designated Shanghai Quansheng as its warehouse for the storage of its commodities.
Pursuant to the warehousing agreement with Shanghai Quansheng, Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng and Shanghai Quansheng agreed to various customary representations, warranties and covenants, including, among other things, (1) details regarding the procedures for the storage and retrieval of the commodities, (2) storage and penalty fees, and (3) negotiation and litigation in the event of any breach of contract.
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Commodity Distribution Services
We offer a distribution service to bulk suppliers of precious metals by acting as a sales intermediary, procuring small to medium-sized buyers through our own professional sales team and channels and distributing to them the bulk precious metals of the suppliers. Upon the execution of a purchase order from our sourced buyers, we charge the suppliers with a commission fee ranging from 1% to 2% of the distribution order, depending on the size of the order.
Government Regulations
Licenses and Permits
The following table lists all of the licenses and permits that the Company and its subsidiaries are required to have in order to operate business and maintain its securities program from Chinese authorities:
| Name of Company | License/Permit | Issuing Authority | Validity | ||||
| Tongdow Internet Technology | Internet Content Provider License | Guangdong Communications Administration | October 8, 2026 |
We have relied on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries need any additional permission or approvals to operate our current business and maintain our securities program in China.
There have been no instances where the Company or its subsidiaries have had their applications for such permissions or approvals rejected.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions from Chinese governmental authorities relating to our permissions or approvals for operating our business and maintaining our securities program in China.
If the Company or its subsidiaries fail to obtain or maintain such permissions or approvals, or incorrectly determine that such permissions or approvals are not necessary, our business could suffer. In cases where a company is denied such permissions, such company would either refrain from engaging in that particular business area, or partner with entities that can secure such permissions. The legal system in the PRC is continually evolving, and the applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations are subject to significant uncertainties. If the relevant regulations change abruptly, we may need to secure such permissions or approvals, which could be expensive, and may disrupt our business operations, negatively impacting our revenue and the value of our securities.
CAC Review
On December 28, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) jointly with the relevant authorities formally published Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021) which took effect on February 15, 2022 and replace the former Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2020). Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021) stipulates that operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services, and online platform operator (together with the operators of critical information infrastructure, the “Operators”) carrying out data processing activities that affect or may affect national security, shall conduct a cybersecurity review, any operator who controls more than one million users’ personal information must go through a cybersecurity review by the cybersecurity review office if it seeks to be listed in a foreign country. Since we are not an Operator, nor do we control more than one million users’ personal information, we would not be required to apply for a cybersecurity review under the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021). We have relied on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries currently are subject to the cybersecurity review process with respect to the offering of our securities or the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries, because neither we nor any of our PRC subsidiaries qualifies as a critical information infrastructure operator or has conducted any data processing activities that affect or may affect national security or holds personal information of more than one million users.
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CSRC Filing Requirements
On December 24, 2021, the CSRC, introduced draft regulations concerning the overseas issuance and listing of securities by domestic companies. These draft regulations were superseded by the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedure and report relevant information to the CSRC. Our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, has advised us that since these statements and regulatory actions by the PRC government are newly published, their interpretation, application and enforcement of unclear and there also remains significant uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of other regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities; 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 filings, permissions or approvals required by the PRC government, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such filings, permissions or approvals are not required, (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we are required to obtain such filings, permissions or approvals in the future, or (iv) any intervention or interruption by PRC governmental with little advance notice.
According to the Notice on the Administrative Arrangements for the Filing of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies from the CSRC, or “the CSRC Notice,” the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas before the effective date of the Trial Measures (namely, March 31, 2023) shall be deemed as existing issuers (the “Existing Issuers”). Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filing procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC for any subsequent offerings.
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC, together with the Ministry of Finance, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China, revised the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing, which were issued by the CSRC and National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China in 2009, or the “Provisions.” The revised Provisions were issued under the title the “Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies,” and came into effect on March 31, 2023 together with the Trial Measures. One of the major revisions to the revised Provisions is expanding their application to cover indirect overseas offering and listing, as is consistent with the Trial Measures. The revised Provisions require that, among other things, (a) a domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals or entities, including securities companies, securities service providers, and overseas regulators, any documents and materials that contain state secrets or working secrets of government agencies, shall first obtain approval from competent authorities according to law, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level; and (b) a domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals and entities, including securities companies, securities service providers, and overseas regulators, any other documents and materials that, if leaked, will be detrimental to national security or public interest, shall strictly fulfill relevant procedures stipulated by applicable national regulations. On or after March 31, 2023, any failure or perceived failure by our Company and our subsidiaries, to comply with the above confidentiality and archives administration requirements under the revised Provisions and other PRC laws and regulations may result in the relevant entities being held legally liable by competent authorities, and referred to the judicial organ to be investigated for criminal liability if suspected of committing a crime.
We have relied on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, that neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are required to complete the filing procedure with the CSRC for this registration immediately, and the Company will be required to file a report with the CSRC upon completion of any subsequent take down offering under this registration statement. As of the date of this prospectus, our Company and subsidiaries have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions from the CSRC or any other Chinese governmental authorities relating to securities listings. Nevertheless, we cannot ensure that the CSRC Notice may not subject us to additional compliance requirements in the future. Our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, has advised us that since these statements and regulatory actions, including the Trial Measures, are newly published, it is uncertain what potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our ability to conduct our business, accept investments, or list or maintain a listing on a U.S. or foreign exchange. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The PRC government has the ability to exert substantial supervision over any offering or listing of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and, as a result, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.”
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Cyber Security and Data Protection Laws in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s legal framework concerning cyber security is multifaceted and comprehensive, aiming to protect individuals’ data and penalize illicit activities. The primary laws and regulations include the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (“PDPO”), the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance, the Interception of Communications and Surveillance Ordinance, and the Official Secrets Ordinance. These laws govern the collection, use, and protection of personal data, the sending of unsolicited electronic messages, the interception of communications and use of surveillance devices by public officers, and the unauthorized obtaining or disclosure of official information, respectively. Regulatory actions can have significant implications for businesses, and may result in hefty fines, damage to reputation, and loss of business opportunities.
As holding vehicles, our Hong Kong subsidiaries do not engage in any business operations, nor do they handle any personal data.
PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law
BAIYU operate its business through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE which was incorporated in China. Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”), the standard enterprise income tax rate is 25%.
Under the EIT Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, SAT issued SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although SAT Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in SAT Circular 82 may reflect the general position of SAT on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China only if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (2) 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; (3) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (4) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC. We believe that our Delaware holding company is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. Our Delaware holding company is not controlled by a PRC enterprise or PRC enterprise group, and we do not believe that it meets all of the conditions above. For the same reasons, we believe our other entities outside of China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident 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”. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with ours.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that our Delaware holding company is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders may be subject to a 10% PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of common stock, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. It is unclear whether our non-PRC individual shareholders would be subject to any PRC tax on dividends or gains obtained by such non-PRC individual shareholders in the event we are determined to be a PRC resident enterprise. If any PRC tax were to apply to such dividends or gains, it would generally apply at a rate of 20%. Any PRC tax imposed on dividends or gains may be subject to a reduction if a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. However, it is also unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our Delaware holding company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that our Delaware holding company is treated as a PRC resident enterprise.
Provided that our Delaware holding company is not deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our common stock who are not PRC residents will not be subject to PRC income tax on dividends distributed by us or gains realized from the sale or other disposition of our common stock. However, under SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring taxable assets, including, in particular, equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, or the transferee or the PRC entity which directly owned such taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, 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 indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. We and our non-PRC resident investors may be at risk of being required to file a return and being taxed under SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37, and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37, or to establish that we should not be taxed thereunder. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders”.
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Intracompany Cash Transfer
BAIYU Holdings, Inc. (formerly “TD Holdings. Inc.”), our holding company, or the Parent, may transfer cash to our offshore intermediary holding entities in the British Virgin Island and Hong Kong and their respective subsidiaries, through capital injections and intra-group loans. Our offshore intermediary holding entities, in turn, may transfer cash to our PRC subsidiaries through capital injections and intra-group loans. Similarly, our PRC subsidiaries may in turn transfer cash to their respective subsidiaries in the PRC through capital injections and intra-group loans. Cash may also be transferred through our organization by way of intra-group transactions. If our wholly owned subsidiaries in the PRC realize accumulated after-tax profits, they may, upon satisfaction of relevant statutory conditions and procedures, pay dividends or distribute earnings to our offshore intermediary holding entities, which, in turn, may transfer cash to the Parent through dividends or other distributions. With necessary funds, the Parent may pay dividends or make other distributions to U.S. investors and service any debt it may have incurred outside of the PRC. No assets other than cash were transferred between the Parent and a subsidiary, no subsidiaries paid dividends or made other distributions to the Parent, and no dividends or distributions were paid or made to U.S. investors. The Company and its subsidiaries currently do not have a cash management policy in place. In 2022 and 2023, the Parent transferred cash in the amount of US$2.3 million and nil, respectively, to our PRC subsidiaries through our offshore intermediary holding entities by way of capital contribution to the PRC subsidiaries. See “Item 1. Description of Business — Cash Transfer and Dividend Payment” and “ — Intracompany Cash Transfer” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on March 22, 2024.
Under PRC laws and regulations, we are subject to restrictions on foreign exchange and cross-border cash transfers, including to U.S. investors. Our ability to distribute earnings to the holding company and U.S. investors is also limited. As such, to the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to restrictions and limitations on the ability of the Company or our subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash. We are a Delaware holding company and we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. When any of our PRC subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. Under PRC laws and regulations, each of our PRC subsidiaries may pay dividends only out of its respective accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a PRC enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its 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. At its discretion, a PRC enterprise may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a staff welfare and bonus fund. These reserve fund and staff welfare and bonus fund cannot be distributed to us as dividends. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries generate their revenue primarily in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See “Risk Factor — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business”, “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries in China, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business”, “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations under the PRC laws and regulations.”
Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive officers and directors:
| Name | Residence | Position | ||
| Renmei Ouyang | PRC | Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairwoman of the Board | ||
| Wenhao Cui | PRC | Chief Financial Officer, Director | ||
| Xiangjun Wang | PRC | Director | ||
| Heung Ming (Henry) Wong | HK | Director | ||
| Donghong Xiong | PRC | Director |
Our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and all of our directors reside within mainland China and/or Hong Kong or spend significant amounts of time in mainland China and/or Hong Kong. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process upon these persons, to obtain information from such persons necessary for investigations or lawsuits, or to bring lawsuits or enforcement actions or enforce judgments against such persons. For more information, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.”
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The following is a summary of certain risks that should be carefully considered along with the other information contained in any prospectus supplement and in our filings with the SEC, as well as all of the information contained in this prospectus and the related exhibits, any prospectus supplement or amendments thereto, and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, before you decide to invest in our common stock. All the operational risks associated with being based in and having operations in mainland China also apply to our operations in Hong Kong.
With respect to the legal risks associated with being based in and having operations in China as discussed in relevant risk factors, the laws, regulations and the discretion of China governmental authorities discussed in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and here are expected to apply to PRC entities and businesses, rather than entities or businesses in Hong Kong which operate under a different set of laws from mainland China. If any of the following events actually occur, our business, operating results, prospects, or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. The risks described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations and could result in a complete loss of your investment. Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you decide to buy our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with the risks described in our most recent filed Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the other information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Please see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” for information on where you can find the documents we have filed with or furnished to the SEC and which are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.
Summary of Risk Factors
The following summary description sets forth an overview of the material risks we are exposed to in the normal course of our business activities. The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full risk factor discussion immediately following this summary description. We encourage you to read the full risk factor discussion carefully. Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by any of the following material risks. For details of each of these bulleted risk factors, please see discussions below under the same subheadings:
Risks Related to Doing Business in China (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 26 of this prospectus)
We face risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China in general, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | We are a Delaware holding company that conducts its operations and operates its business in China through its PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entity. The Chinese regulatory authorities may disallow our holding structure or exert further control over our activities. |
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| ● | If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to the VIE do not comply with PRC regulations on foreign investment, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to penalties, or be forced to relinquish our interests in the operations of the VIE, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial results, trading prices of our common stock. |
| ● | The contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder may be less effective than direct ownership in providing operational control. |
| ● | We face uncertainty with respect to the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder, and any failure by the VIE or its shareholder to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business. | |
| ● | Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. | |
| ● | A severe or prolonged downturn in the global or Chinese economy could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition. | |
| ● | Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment. | |
| ● | U.S. regulatory bodies may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China. | |
| ● | The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common stock. | |
| ● | The PRC government has the ability to exert substantial supervision over any offering or listing of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and, as a result, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. | |
| ● | The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, recent regulatory actions taken by the SEC and PCAOB, and proposed rule changes submitted by U.S. stock exchanges calling for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to China-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital raising activities and compliance costs. | |
| ● | We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity and data protection, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including improper use or appropriation of personal information provided directly or indirectly by our customers or end users, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. | |
| ● | Regulatory uncertainties relating to, or failure to comply with, anti-monopoly and competition laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results. | |
| ● | Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable. | |
| ● | Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system, including uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of laws, and sudden or unexpected changes of PRC laws and regulations with little advance notice could adversely affect us and limit the legal protections available to you and us, and the Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas, which changes could materially hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities, and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. |
| ● | The failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by offshore Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) may subject us to severe fines or penalties and create other regulatory uncertainties regarding our corporate structure. |
| ● | Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business. |
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| ● | PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries in China, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. |
| ● | To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations under the PRC laws and regulations | |
| ● | If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders |
Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Industry (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Industry” beginning on page 42 of this prospectus)
Risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | There is no assurance that we will be able to manage the commodities trading business effectively. |
| ● | Investment in our new line of business could disrupt the Company’s ongoing business and present risks not originally contemplated. |
| ● | We may not be able to ensure the successful implementation of our strategy to diversify our businesses. |
| ● | Our success depends substantially upon the continued retention of our senior management. |
| ● | Our business depends on adequate supply and availability of nonferrous metal commodities. |
| ● | A decline in our key business sectors or a reduction in consumer demand generally could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
| ● | We operate in a business that is cyclical and where demand can be volatile, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. |
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Risk Factors Related to Our General Operations (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Related to Our General Operations” beginning on page 44 of this prospectus)
Risks related to our general operations include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | The current geographic concentration where we provide services creates an exposure to local economies, regional downturns or severe weather or catastrophic occurrences that may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. |
| ● | Our failure to maintain a reputation of integrity and to otherwise maintain and enhance our brand could adversely affect our business and results of operations. |
| ● | Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property, technology and confidential information could harm our business and operating results. |
| ● | We may be subject to claims asserting that our employees, consultants or advisors have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their current or former employees or claims asserting ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property. |
| ● | We may in the future be subject to intellectual property disputes, which are costly to defend and could harm our business and operating results. |
| ● | We may be subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. If the outcomes of these proceedings are adverse to us, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. |
| ● | Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences. |
Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock” beginning on page 46 of this prospectus)
Risks related to ownership of our common stock include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | We may not meet certain of Nasdaq Capital Market’s continued listing requirements and other Nasdaq rules. If we are unable to regain compliance, we are likely to be delisted. Delisting could negatively affect the price of our common stock, which could make it more difficult for us to sell securities in a future financing or for you to sell our common stock. |
| ● | We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future. |
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| ● | Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock (“Securities”), or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings. |
| ● | Our common stock may be thinly traded and our stockholders may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if they need to sell their shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate their shares. |
| ● | Volatility in our common stock price may subject us to securities litigation. |
| ● | Provisions in our by-laws and Delaware laws might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our Company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock. |
| ● | We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot provide assurances that these weaknesses will be effectively remediated or that additional material weaknesses will not occur in the future. If our internal control over financial reporting or our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, prevent fraud or file our periodic reports in a timely manner, which may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and which may lead to a decline in our stock price. |
General Risk Factors (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — General Risk Factors” beginning on page 49 of this prospectus)
General risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by global public health epidemics, including the strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19. |
| ● | The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under our certificate of incorporation and the existence of indemnification of our directors, officers and employees under Delaware law may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees. |
| ● | We expect that we will require additional debt and equity capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges and/or unforeseen circumstances. If such capital is not available to us, or is not available on favorable terms, our business, operating results and financial condition may be harmed. |
| ● | Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders, customers, and other market participants with respect to our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies and activities may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks. |
| ● | Our business could be negatively impacted by the inflationary pressures which may decrease our operating margins and increase working capital investments required to operate our business. |
| ● | Our information systems or data, or those of our service providers or customers or users could be subject to cyber-attacks or other security incidents, which could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, claims, litigation, regulatory investigations, significant liability, reputational damage and other adverse consequences. |
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
We are a Delaware holding company that conducts its operations and operates its business in China through its PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entity. The Chinese regulatory authorities may disallow our holding structure or exert further control over our activities.
We are not a Chinese operating company; instead, we are a Delaware holding company that conducts our operations and operates its business in China through our PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entity. Such structure involves unique risks to our investors. The Chinese government may disallow the Company’s current holding structure or determine that the contractual arrangements constituting part of the VIE are not compliant with PRC regulations, or that regulations could be changed or interpreted differently in the future, each of which could result in a material change in our operations and materially and adversely affect the value of shares of our common stock (including shares registered under this registration statement) or our other securities and could cause the value of our shares or other securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Should the PRC government determine that the VIE structure is inconsistent with the laws and regulations of China, it may result in our inability to assert contractual control over the assets of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIE that conduct all or substantially all our operations.
Furthermore, the Chinese regulatory authorities may intervene in or influence the operation of PRC subsidiaries and exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of their business or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas by, and/or foreign investment in, China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our common stock. Further, rules and regulations in China may be changed from time to time, and any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and supervision over offerings that are conducted overseas by, and/or foreign investment in, China-based issuers 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.
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If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to the VIE do not comply with PRC regulations on foreign investment, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to penalties, or be forced to relinquish our interests in the operations of the VIE, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial results, trading prices of our common stock.
We have entered into certain contractual arrangements with a variable interest entity, Shenzhen Tongdow Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (the “VIE” or “Tongdow Internet Technology”), which contracts consist of (i) the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, (ii) the Share Pledge Agreement, (iii) the Exclusive Option Agreement, (iv) the POA, and (v) the Reporting Agreement. See “Our Company — Our Business — VIE Agreements.”
BAIYU and its shareholders do not own any equity interests in Tongdow Internet Technology. The VIE contractual arrangements with Tongdow Internet Technology and its equity holder enable BAIYU to consolidate the financial statements of the VIE and its subsidiaries under U.S. GAAP and to be regarded as the primary beneficiary of the VIEs for accounting purposes, and enable us to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits arising from Tongdow Internet Technology. Although we believe the structure we have adopted is consistent with longstanding industry practice, the PRC government may not agree that these arrangements comply with PRC licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future.
If we or Tongdow Internet Technology are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws, rules or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, we could be subject to severe penalties. The relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with these violations or failures, including revoking the business and operating licenses of our PRC subsidiary or Tongdow Internet Technology, requiring us to discontinue or restrict our operations, restricting our right to collect revenue, blocking one or more of our websites, requiring us to restructure our operations or taking other regulatory or enforcement actions against us. The imposition of any of these measures could result in a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct all or any portion of our business operations. In addition, it is unclear what impact the PRC government actions would have on us and on our ability to consolidate the financial results of Tongdow Internet Technology in our consolidated financial statements, if the PRC government authorities were to find our legal structure and contractual arrangements to be in violation of PRC laws, rules and regulations. If the imposition of any of these government actions causes us to lose our right to direct the activities of Tongdow Internet Technology or otherwise separate from the entity and if we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a satisfactory manner, we would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of Tongdow Internet Technology in our consolidated financial statements. Any of these events would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder may be less effective than direct ownership in providing operational control.
We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder to conduct our operations in China. These contractual arrangements, however, may be less effective than direct ownership in providing us with operational control over the VIE. For instance, the VIE and its shareholder could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct the operations of the VIE in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests.
If we had direct ownership of the VIE in China, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of the VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by the VIE and its shareholder of their obligations under the contracts to direct the VIE’s activities. The shareholder of the VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform its obligations under these contracts. If any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. See “— We face uncertainty with respect to the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder, and any failure by the VIE or its shareholder to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business.”
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We face uncertainty with respect to the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholder, and any failure by the VIE or its shareholder to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.
If the VIE or its shareholder fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and contractual remedies, which we cannot assure you will be sufficient or effective under PRC law. For instance, if the shareholder of the VIE were to refuse to transfer its equity interests in the VIE to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. In addition, if any third parties claim any interest in such shareholder’s equity interests in the VIE, our ability to exercise shareholder’s rights or foreclose the share pledge according to the contractual arrangements may be impaired. If these or other disputes between the shareholder of the VIE and third parties were to impair our contractual control over the VIE, our ability to consolidate the financial results of the VIE would be affected, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect our business, operations and financial condition.
All the agreements under our contractual arrangements with the VIE are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. As of the date of this prospectus, the agreements under the contractual arrangements with the VIE have not been tested in a court of law. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a consolidated variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective contractual control over the VIE, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See “— Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system, including uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of laws, and sudden or unexpected changes of PRC laws and regulations with little advance notice could adversely affect us and limit the legal protections available to you and us, and the Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas, which changes could materially hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities, and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.”
Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Substantially all of our assets and operations are located in the PRC. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in the PRC generally. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement, development, growth rate, management of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets, and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in the PRC is still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant regulation over the PRC’s economic growth through allocating resources, managing payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
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While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in the PRC, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in the PRC could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of the PRC. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, lead to a reduction in demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government management over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate adjustment, to adjust the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in the PRC, which may adversely affect our business and operating results.
A severe or prolonged downturn in the global or Chinese economy could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition.
Although the Chinese economy has grown steadily in the past decade, there is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the People’s Bank of China and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. There have been concerns over unrest and terrorist threats in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in oil and other markets. There have also been concerns on the relationship among China and other Asian countries, which may result in or intensify potential conflicts in relation to territorial disputes. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any severe or prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions and the foreign exchange policy adopted by the PRC government. It is difficult to predict how long such appreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar may last and when and how the relationship between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar may change again. All of our revenues and substantially all of our costs are denominated in Renminbi. We are a Delaware holding company and we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. Any significant revaluation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial position reported in Renminbi when translated into U.S. dollars, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, the common stock in U.S. dollars. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our common stock or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount.
U.S. regulatory bodies may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China.
Any disclosure of documents or information located in China by foreign agencies may be subject to jurisdiction constraints and must comply with China’s state secrecy laws, which broadly define the scope of “state secrets” to include matters involving economic interests and technologies. There is no guarantee that requests from U.S. federal or state regulators or agencies to investigate or inspect our operations will be honored by us, by entities who provide services to us or with whom we associate, without violating PRC legal requirements, especially as those entities are located in China. Furthermore, under the current PRC laws, an on-site inspection of our facilities by any of these regulators may be limited or prohibited.
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The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common stock.
We conduct our business primarily through our PRC subsidiaries. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business, and it may influence our operations, which could result in a material adverse change in our operation, and our shares of stock may decline in value or become worthless. Also, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and supervision over offerings that are conducted overseas and 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. In addition, implementation of industry-wide regulations directly targeting our industry or our operations could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline. Therefore, investors of our company and our business face PRC regulatory uncertainty that may materially and adversely affect our business and operations and the value of our shares.
The PRC government has the ability to exert substantial supervision over any offering or listing of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and, as a result, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
The PRC government recently initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released the Trial Administrative Measures for Administration of Overseas Securities Offerings and Listings by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”) and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, subsequent securities offerings of an issuer in the same overseas market where it has previously offered and listed securities shall be filed with the CSRC within three (3) working days after the offering is completed, which may subject us to additional compliance requirements in the future, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to get the clearance of filing procedures under the Trial Measures on a timely basis, or at all. If a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedures or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties by the CSRC, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines.
As of the date of this prospectus, none of the Company, our PRC subsidiaries, have received any filing or compliance requirements from CSRC for the listing at Nasdaq and all of its overseas offerings. As the Trial Measures were only enacted recently, there remains uncertainty as to the interpretation and implementation of the Trial Measures and the supporting guidelines, including but not limited to the interpretation of the concept “substance over form”, as well as other PRC regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities; thus, we cannot assure you that the relevant Chinese regulatory authorities, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as us.
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC and other PRC governmental authorities jointly issued the revised Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Revised Confidentiality Provisions”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. According to the Revised Confidentiality Provisions, Chinese companies that directly or indirectly conduct overseas offerings and listings, shall strictly abide by the laws and regulations on confidentiality when providing or publicly disclosing, either directly or through their overseas listed entities, materials to securities services providers. In the event such materials contain state secrets or working secrets of government agencies, the Chinese companies shall first obtain approval from authorities, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level with the approving authority; in the event that such materials, if divulged, will jeopardize national security or public interest, the Chinese companies shall comply with procedures stipulated by national regulations. The Chinese companies shall also provide a written statement of the specific sensitive information provided when providing materials to securities service providers, and such written statements shall be retained for inspection. As the Revised Confidentiality Provisions were recently promulgated, their interpretation and implementation remain substantially uncertain.
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As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions from CSRC or other Chinese governmental authorities. If the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities later promulgate new rules or interpretations requiring that we obtain their approval for future offerings or listings outside of mainland China or for foreign investments in our securities, we may be unable to obtain such approvals in a timely manner, or at all. Any such circumstance could significantly or completely limit our ability to raise capital through securities offerings, hinder our ability to execute strategic plans in a timely manner or at all, and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline.
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, recent regulatory actions taken by the SEC and PCAOB, and proposed rule changes submitted by U.S. stock exchanges calling for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to China-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital raising activities and compliance costs.
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCAA”), if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”), is unable to inspect an issuer’s auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a U.S. stock exchange. The PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 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. Furthermore, the PCAOB’s report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate 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 HFCAA 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 August 26, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it had signed a SOP with the CSRC and the Ministry of Finance of China. The SOP Agreements establishes a specific, accountable framework to make possible complete inspections and investigations by the PCAOB of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, as required under U.S. law. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong completely in 2022. The PCAOB Board vacated its previous 2021 determinations that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. However, whether the PCAOB will continue to be able to satisfactorily conduct inspections of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainties and depends on a number of factors out of our and our auditor’s control. The PCAOB continues to demand complete access in mainland China and Hong Kong moving forward and is making plans to resume regular inspections in early 2023 and beyond, as well as to continue pursuing ongoing investigations and initiate new investigations as needed. The PCAOB has also indicated that it will act immediately to consider the need to issue new determinations with the HFCAA if needed.
Each of Audit Alliance LLP, our previous auditor, and Enrome LLP, our current auditor, is based in Singapore and is registered with PCAOB and subject to PCAOB inspection. As of the date of this prospectus, neither Audit Alliance LLP, our previous auditor, nor Enrome LLP, our current auditor, is based subject to the determinations as to inability to inspect or investigate completely as announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. However, we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would not 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.
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We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity and data protection, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including improper use or appropriation of personal information provided directly or indirectly by our customers or end users, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In China, regulatory authorities have implemented and may implement further legislative and regulatory proposals concerning cybersecurity, information security, privacy, and data protection. New laws and regulations may be introduced, or existing ones may be interpreted or applied in ways that are uncertain or change over time. Non-compliance with these regulations could result in penalties or significant legal liabilities. On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC issued the Cyber Security Law of the PRC, or Cyber Security Law, which became effective on June 1, 2017. Pursuant to the Cyber Security Law, network operators must not collect users’ personal information without their consent and may only collect users’ personal information necessary to the provision of services. Providers are also obliged to provide security maintenance for their products and services and shall comply with provisions regarding the protection of personal information as stipulated under the relevant laws and regulations. The Civil Code of the PRC (issued by the National People’s Congress of the PRC on May 28, 2020 and effective from January 1, 2021) provides the main legal basis for privacy and personal information infringement claims under PRC civil law.
PRC regulators, including the CAC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Public Security, have been increasingly focused on regulation in areas of data security and data protection. The PRC regulatory requirements regarding cybersecurity are constantly evolving. For instance, various PRC regulatory bodies, including the CAC, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation (the “SAMR”), have enforced data privacy and protection laws and regulations with varying and evolving standards and interpretations. In addition, certain internet platforms in mainland China have reportedly been subject to heightened regulatory scrutiny in relation to cybersecurity matters.
In April 2020, the PRC government promulgated the Cybersecurity Review Measures (the “2020 Cybersecurity Review Measures”), which came into effect on June 1, 2020. In July 2021, the CAC and other related authorities released a draft amendment to the 2020 Cybersecurity Review Measures for public comments. On December 28, 2021, the PRC government promulgated amended Cybersecurity Review Measures (the “2022 Cybersecurity Review Measures”), which came into effect and replaced the 2020 Cybersecurity Review Measures on February 15, 2022. Compared with the 2020 Cybersecurity Review Measures, the 2022 Cybersecurity Review Measures contain the following key changes: (i) internet platform operators who are engaged in data processing are also subject to the regulatory scope; (ii) the CSRC is included as one of the regulatory authorities for purposes of jointly establishing the state cybersecurity review mechanism; (iii) internet platform operators holding personal information of more than one million users and seeking to have their securities list on a stock exchange in a foreign country shall file for cybersecurity review with the Cybersecurity Review Office; (iv) the risks of core data, material data or large amounts of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, damaged, illegally used or illegally transmitted to overseas parties and the risks of critical information infrastructure, core data, material data or large amounts of personal information being influenced, controlled or used maliciously by foreign governments and any cybersecurity risk after a company’s listing on a stock exchange shall be collectively taken into consideration during the cybersecurity review process; and (v) critical information infrastructure operators and internet platform operators covered by the 2022 Cybersecurity Review Measures shall take measures to prevent and mitigate cybersecurity risks in accordance with the requirements therein. According to the 2022 Cybersecurity Review Measures, (i) critical information infrastructure operators that purchase network products and services and internet platform operators that conduct data processing activities shall be subject to cybersecurity review in accordance with the 2022 Cybersecurity Review Measures if such activities affect or may affect national security; and (ii) internet platform operators holding personal information of more than one million users and seeking to have their securities list on a stock exchange in a foreign country shall file for cybersecurity review with the Cybersecurity Review Office. Under the Regulation on Protecting the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure promulgated by the State Council on July 30, 2021, effective September 1, 2021, “critical information infrastructure” is defined as important network facilities and information systems in important industries and fields, such as public telecommunication and information services, energy, transportation, water conservancy, finance, public services, e-government and national defense, science, technology and industry, as well as other important network facilities and information systems that, in case of destruction, loss of function or leak of data, may severely damage national security, the national economy and the people’s livelihood and public interests. And the PRC competent authorities shall be responsible for organizing the determination of critical information infrastructure in the industry and field concerned according to the determination rules, and inform the critical information infrastructure operators of the determination results in a timely manner and notify the public security department under the State Council of the same. As of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor any of our PRC subsidiaries has been informed by any PRC governmental authority that we or any of our PRC subsidiaries is a “critical information infrastructure operator.” Based on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, according to its interpretation of the currently in-effect PRC laws and regulations, neither we nor any of our PRC subsidiaries qualify as a critical information infrastructure operator. As of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor any of our PRC subsidiaries have conducted any data processing activities that affected or may affect national security, or hold personal information of more than one million users.
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On November 14, 2021, the CAC released the draft Administrative Regulation on Network Data Security for public comments through December 13, 2021 (the “Draft Regulation on Network Data Security”). Under the Draft Regulation on Network Data Security, (i) data processors, i.e., individuals and organizations who can decide on the purpose and method of their data processing activities at their own discretion, that process personal information of more than one million individuals shall apply for cybersecurity review before listing in a foreign country; (ii) foreign-listed data processors shall carry out annual data security evaluation and submit the evaluation report to the municipal cyberspace administration authority; and (iii) where the data processor undergoes merger, reorganization and subdivision that involves important data and personal information of more than one million individuals, the recipient of the data shall report the transaction to the in-charge authority at the municipal level.
As of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor any of our PRC subsidiaries has been required by any PRC governmental authority to apply for cybersecurity review, nor have we or any of our PRC subsidiaries received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanction in such respect or been denied permission from any PRC regulatory authority to list on U.S. exchanges. Based on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, according to its interpretation of the currently in-effect PRC laws and regulations, neither we nor any of our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the cybersecurity review, by the CAC under the 2022 Cybersecurity Review Measures with respect to the offering of our securities or the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries, because neither we nor any of our PRC subsidiaries qualifies as a critical information infrastructure operator or has conducted any data processing activities that affect or may affect national security or holds personal information of more than one million users. However, as PRC governmental authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and there remains significant uncertainty in the interpretation and enforcement of relevant PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations if the PRC regulatory authorities take a position contrary to ours, we cannot assure you that we or any of our PRC subsidiaries will not be deemed to be subject to PRC cybersecurity review requirements under the 2022 Cybersecurity Review Measures or the Draft Administrative Regulations (if enacted) as a critical information infrastructure operator or an internet platform operator that is engaged in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security or holds personal information of more than one million users, nor can we assure you that we or our PRC subsidiaries would be able to pass such review. If we or any of our PRC subsidiaries fails to receive any requisite permission or approval from the CAC for the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries, or the waiver for such permission or approval, in a timely manner, or at all, or inadvertently concludes that such permission or approval is not required, or if applicable laws, regulations or interpretations change and obligate us to obtain such permission or approvals in the future, we or our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to fines, suspension of business, website closure, revocation of business licenses or other penalties, as well as reputational damage or legal proceedings or actions against us, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we could become subject to enhanced cybersecurity review or investigations launched by PRC regulators in the future pursuant to new laws, regulations or policies. Any failure or delay in the completion of the cybersecurity review procedures or any other non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations may result in fines, suspension of business, website closure, revocation of business licenses or other penalties, as well as reputational damage or legal proceedings or actions against us, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which became effective 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 the rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked or 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 and information. On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law, effective November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law clarifies the definition of personal information, which excludes information that has been anonymized, and the required procedures for personal information processing, the obligations of personal information processors, and individuals’ personal information rights and interests. The Personal Information Protection Law provides that, among other things, (i) the processing of personal information is only permissible under certain circumstances, such as prior consent from the subject individual, fulfillment of contractual and legal obligations, furtherance of public interests or other circumstances prescribed by laws and regulations; (ii) the collection of personal information should be conducted in a disciplined manner with as little impact on individuals’ rights and interests as possible; and (iii) excessive collection of personal information is prohibited. In particular, the Personal Information Protection Law provides that personal information processors should ensure the transparency and fairness of automated decision-making based on personal information, refrain from offering unreasonably differentiated transaction terms to different individuals and, when sending commercial promotions or information updates to individuals selected through automated decision-making, simultaneously offer such individuals an option not based on such individuals’ specific characteristics or a more convenient way for such individuals to turn off such promotions.
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On July 7, 2022, the CAC promulgated the Measures for the Security Assessment of Outbound Data Transfer, or the Data Transfer Measures, which became effective on September 1, 2022, pursuant to which, to provide data abroad under any of the following circumstances, a data processor shall apply to the national cyberspace administration for the security assessment of the outbound data transfer through the local provincial cyberspace administration: (i) the data processor provides important data abroad; (ii) the critical information infrastructure operator or the data processor that has processed the personal information of over one million people provides personal information abroad; (iii) the data processor that has provided the personal information of over 100,000 people or the sensitive personal information of over 10,000 people cumulatively since January 1 of the previous year provides personal information abroad; and (iv) any other circumstance where an application for the security assessment of outbound data transfer is required by the national cyberspace administration. As of the date of this prospectus, the data collected and generated in our business does not have a bearing on national security, economic operation, social stability, public health and security, among others, and thus may not be classified as important data by the authorities, and, neither we nor any of our PRC subsidiaries have ever provided any personal information collected and generated in the operations within the territory of the PRC to overseas recipients. Given the abovementioned facts and based on the opinion of our PRC legal counsel, Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm, according to its interpretation of the currently in-effect PRC laws and regulations, we or any of our PRC subsidiaries is engaged in any activity that is subject to security assessment as outlined in the Data Transfer Measures. However, as PRC governmental authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and there remains significant uncertainty in the interpretation and enforcement of relevant PRC data security laws and regulations if the PRC regulatory authorities take a position contrary to ours, we cannot assure you that the activities we or any of our PRC subsidiaries engaging in will not be deemed to be subject to PRC security assessment as stipulated in the Data Transfer Measures in the future, nor can we assure you that we or our PRC subsidiaries would be able to pass such assessment. The promulgation of the above-mentioned laws and regulations indicates heightened regulatory scrutiny from PRC regulatory authorities in areas such as data security and personal information protection.
As uncertainties remain regarding the interpretation and implementation of these laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that we or our PRC subsidiaries will be able to comply with such regulations in all respects, and we or our PRC subsidiaries may be ordered to rectify or terminate any actions that are deemed illegal by regulatory authorities. In addition, while our PRC subsidiaries take various measures to comply with all applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, there is no guarantee that our current security measures, operation and those of our third-party service providers may always be adequate for the protection of our users, employee or company data against security breaches, cyberattacks or other unauthorized access, which could result in loss or misuse of such data, interruptions to our service system, diminished user experience, loss of user confidence and trust and impairment of our technology infrastructure and harm our reputation and business, resulting in fines, penalties and potential lawsuits.
Regulatory uncertainties relating to, or failure to comply with, anti-monopoly and competition laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results.
The PRC anti-monopoly enforcement agencies have in recent years strengthened enforcement under the PRC Anti-monopoly Law, including levying significant fines, with respect to concentration of undertakings and cartel activity, mergers and acquisitions, as well as abusive behavior by companies with market dominance. In March 2018, the SAMR was formed as a new governmental agency to take over, among other things, the anti-monopoly enforcement functions from the relevant departments under the Ministry of Commerce of People’s Republic of China (“MOFCOM”), the National Development and Reform Commission of the PRC, and State Administration of Industry and Commerce of the PRC. The SAMR issued a new set of guidelines with respect to merger control review in September 2018, and issued the Notice on Anti-monopoly Enforcement Authorization on December 28, 2018, which grants authorizations to the SAMR’s provincial branches to enforce anti-monopoly laws within their respective jurisdictions. The SAMR has imposed several administrative penalties on various companies for failing to duly make filings as to their transactions subject to merger control review by the SAMR. The scope of the companies that were penalized is broad, and covers a variety of different industries.
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Significant regulatory uncertainty existed as to whether prior filing of notification of concentration is required for business concentration involving variable interest entities prior to 2020. In November 2020, the Anti-monopoly Bureau of SAMR released the draft Guidelines on Anti-monopoly Issues in Platform Economy, or the Platform Economy Anti-monopoly Guidelines, for public comment and in February 2021, adopted the Platform Economy Anti-monopoly Guidelines, which for the first time specified that, any concentration made between the variable interest entities shall be regulated by the Anti-monopoly Law. In addition, the Platform Economy Anti-monopoly Guidelines set out detailed standards and rules in respect of the definition of relevant markets, typical types of cartel activities and abusive behaviors by online platform operators with market dominance, which provide further guidelines for enforcement of anti-monopoly laws against online platform operators. For instance, online platform operators that use technological advantages, such as data and algorithms, to eliminate or restrict competition or impose price restrictions or exclusivity requirements on users may be deemed to be abusing dominant market position.
Prior to the effectiveness of the Platform Economy Anti-monopoly Guidelines, the SAMR has already fined certain companies that acquired businesses using variable interest entities without obtaining merger control approval or without prior filing of notification of concentration, indicating its increased scrutiny over historical cases of concentration of undertakings involving companies using variable interest entities and heightened enforcement efforts over past failure to file prior notification of concentration of undertakings for such transactions. Since 2020, the SAMR has fined companies that acquired or merged with or cooperated with onshore or offshore entities, including those operated through variable interest entities, for failure to file prior notification before conducting the mergers or cooperation transactions.
Although we do not believe we were legally required to make a merger control review filing or obtain merger control approval in relation to the historical merger, there can be no assurance that regulators will agree with us, particularly, in light of the enforcement actions since 2020. In addition, as there were few cases where companies using variable interest entities were investigated for failure to make filings in connection with concentration of undertakings prior to 2020, we did not file prior notification of concentration of undertakings for our historical transactions. There can also be no assurance that regulators will not initiate other anti-monopoly enquiry or investigation into, or take enforcement actions against, the historical merger or require us to submit filings in relation to such historical transactions. We may be subject to penalty in connection with any such enquiry or investigation, if we are determined by the SAMR to have failed to make the requisite filings, including fines up to RMB500,000 per case, and in extreme cases where any such transaction is determined by the SAMR to have constituted concentration of undertakings under the applicable PRC anti-monopoly law, we may be ordered to terminate the contemplated concentration, to dispose of our equity or asset within a prescribed period, or to transfer our business within a prescribed time or to take any other necessary measures to return to the pre-concentration status. We may also be subject to claims from our competitors or users, which could adversely affect our business and operations. Furthermore, any new requirements or restrictions, or proposed requirements or restrictions, could result in adverse publicity or fines against us.
On June 24, 2022, the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to Amend the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC was adopted and became effective on August 1, 2022, which stipulates that the State Council’s anti-monopoly enforcement agency may order business operators to cease illegal concentration, to dispose of shares, assets or businesses within a defined period of time, or to take other necessary measures to restore to the state before the concentration. The enforcement agency may also impose upon a business operator (i) a fine up to ten percent of the business operator’s sales revenue in the past year, if the concentration of undertakings has or may have an effect of excluding or limiting competition, or (ii) a fine up to RMB5 million if the concentration of undertakings does not have the effect of excluding or limiting competition. Stricter anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition enforcement by the PRC regulatory authorities, especially enforcement actions focused on platform economy, may, among other things, prohibit us from future acquisitions, divestitures or combinations our plans to make, impose fines or penalties, require divestiture of certain of our assets, or impose other restrictions that limit or require us to modify its operations, including limitations on our contractual relationships or restrictions on our pricing or revenue models, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.
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Furthermore, as we continue to navigate the evolving legislative environment and varied local implementation practices of anti-monopoly and competition laws and regulations in the PRC, we have attended and may continue to be required to attend administrative guidance meetings or other communications with regulators from time to time. We may continue to receive greater scrutiny and attention from regulators and more frequent and stringent investigations or reviews by regulators, which will increase our compliance costs. It could also be time-consuming to comply with the relevant regulations described above to complete future transactions and carry out our business operations. Heightened regulatory inquiries, investigations and other governmental actions and approval requirements from governmental authorities such as the SAMR may be uncertain and could delay or inhibit our ability to complete these transactions and carry out our business operations, which could affect our ability to expand its business, maintain its market share or otherwise achieve the goals of our acquisition strategy, divert significant management time and attention and our financial resources, bring negative publicity, subject us to liabilities or administrative penalties, and/or materially and adversely affect our financial conditions, operations and business prospects.
As of the date hereof, regulatory actions related to data security or anti-monopoly concerns in Hong Kong do not have a material impact on our ability to conduct business, accept foreign investment in the future, continue to list on a United States stock exchange. However, new regulatory actions related to data security or anti-monopoly concerns in Hong Kong may be taken in the future, and such regulatory actions may have a material impact on our ability to conduct business, accept foreign investment, continue to list on a United States stock exchange.
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
BAIYU Holdings, Inc. is a Delaware holding company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted through our subsidiaries incorporated in mainland China and the VIE, Tongdow Internet Technology, incorporated in mainland China. In addition of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to enforce in U.S. courts of the judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors as none of them currently resides in the United States or has substantial assets located in the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC 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.
We do have a holding company in Hong Kong. We also have a management member who is Hong Kong residents and reside within Hong Kong for a significant portion of the time. You may incur additional costs and procedural obstacles in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in Hong Kong against us or our management named in the prospectus, as judgments entered in the U.S. can be enforced in Hong Kong only at common law. If you want to enforce a judgment of the U.S. in Hong Kong, it must be a final judgment conclusive upon the merits of the claim, for a liquidated amount in a civil matter and not in respect of taxes, fines, penalties, or similar charges, the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice, and the enforcement of the judgment is not contrary to public policy of Hong Kong. Such a judgment must be for a fixed sum and must also come from a “competent” court as determined by the private international law rules applied by the Hong Kong courts.
Furthermore, foreign judgments of the U.S. courts will not be directly enforced in Hong Kong as there are currently no treaties or other arrangements providing for reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments between Hong Kong and the U.S. However, the common law permits an action to be brought upon a foreign judgment. That is to say, a foreign judgment itself may form the basis of a cause of action since the judgment may be regarded as creating a debt between the parties to it. In a common law action for enforcement of a foreign judgment in Hong Kong, the enforcement is subject to various conditions, including but not limited to, that the foreign judgment is a final judgment conclusive upon the merits of the claim, the judgment is for a liquidated amount in civil matter and not in respect of taxes, fines, penalties, or similar charges, the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice, and the enforcement of the judgment is not contrary to public policy of Hong Kong. Such a judgment must be for a fixed sum and must also come from a “competent” court as determined by the private international law rules applied by the Hong Kong courts. The defenses that are available to a defendant in a common law action brought on the basis of a foreign judgment include lack of jurisdiction, breach of natural justice, fraud, and contrary to public policy. However, a separate legal action for debt must be commenced in Hong Kong in order to recover such debt from the judgment debtor. As a result, subject to the conditions with regard to enforcement of judgments of United States courts being met, including but not limited to the above, a foreign judgment of United States of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any State or territory within the U.S. could be enforceable in Hong Kong.
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Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system, including uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of laws, and sudden or unexpected changes of PRC laws and regulations with little advance notice could adversely affect us and limit the legal protections available to you and us, and the Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas, which changes could materially hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities, and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
Our operating subsidiaries are incorporated under and governed by the laws of the PRC. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions 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, such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade. As a significant part of our business is conducted in China, our operations are principally governed by PRC laws and regulations. However, since the PRC legal system continues to evolve rapidly, rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice. The interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to us. Uncertainties due to evolving laws and regulations could also impede the ability of a China-based company like us, to obtain or maintain permits or licenses required to conduct business in China. In the absence of required permits or licenses, governmental authorities could impose material sanctions or penalties on us. In addition, some regulatory requirements issued by certain PRC government authorities may not be consistently applied by other PRC government authorities (including local government authorities), thus making strict compliance with all regulatory requirements impractical, or in some circumstances impossible. For example, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce the legal protection that we enjoy either by law or contract. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate or predict the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection available to you and us 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 on a timely basis or at all, and which 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. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued an announcement to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws.
Given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over securities offerings and other capital markets activities that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based companies like us. Although we are currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC central or local government and has not received any notice of denial to list on the U.S. exchange, it is uncertain whether or when we might be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even if such permission is obtained, whether it will be later denied or rescinded, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of our shares to significantly decline or be worthless. Any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas could materially and adversely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities, and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
The Chinese government has substantial oversight and influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business and may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which actions could impact our operations materially and adversely, and significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
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The Chinese government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene or influence our operations at any time as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals. For instance, the Chinese government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries. The Chinese government has exercised, and continues to exercise, substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership, which could materially and adversely impact the results of our operations and future prospects.
Our ability to operate in the PRC may be further harmed by changes in its laws and regulations. The central or local governments of the PRC 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 the PRC or particular regions thereof. We cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding our industry that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our shares.
Our business is also subject to various government and regulatory interference. We 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. Our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry, which could result in further material changes in our operations and adversely impact the value of our securities.
Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of our PRC subsidiaries at any time or to exert control over an offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to the operations of our PRC subsidiaries, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and/or may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
The failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by offshore Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) may subject us to severe fines or penalties and create other regulatory uncertainties regarding our corporate structure.
On August 8, 2006, MOFCOM, joined by the CSRC, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Taxation Administration, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of China (“SAFE”), jointly promulgated regulations entitled the Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), which took effect on September 8, 2006, and as amended on June 22, 2009. This regulation, among other things, has certain provisions that require offshore SPV formed for the purpose of acquiring PRC domestic companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC individuals and companies, to obtain the approval of MOFCOM prior to engaging in such acquisitions and to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock market. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website a notice specifying the documents and materials that are required to be submitted for obtaining CSRC approval.
In addition, the Provisions of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, issued by MOFCOM in August 2011, specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors involved in “an industry related to national security” are subject to strict review by MOFCOM, and prohibit any activities attempting to bypass such security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement.
On March 15, 2019, the PRC National People’s Congress enacted the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC (the “Foreign Investment Law”), which became effective on January 1, 2020. The Foreign Investment Law has replaced the previous major laws and regulations governing foreign investment in the PRC, including the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Ventures Enterprises Law of the PRC, the Sino-foreign Co-operative Enterprises Law of the PRC and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law of the PRC. According to the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign-invested enterprises” refers to enterprises that are wholly or partly invested by foreign investors and registered under the PRC laws within China, and “foreign investment” refers to any foreign investor’s direct or indirect investment activities in China, including: (i) establishing foreign-invested enterprises in China either individually or jointly with other investors; (ii) obtaining stock shares, equity shares, shares in properties or other similar interests of Chinese domestic enterprises; (iii) investing in new projects in China either individually or jointly with other investors; and (iv) investing through other methods provided by laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council.
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On December 26, 2019, the State Council issued Implementation Regulations for the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC (the “Implementation Rules”) which came into effect on January 1, 2020, and replaced the Implementing Rules of the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Ventures Enterprises Law of the PRC, the Implementing Rules of the Sino-foreign Co-operative Enterprises Law of the PRC and the Implementing Rules of the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law of the PRC. According to the Implementation Rules, in the event of any discrepancy between the Foreign Investment Law, the Implementation Rules and the relevant provisions on foreign investment promulgated prior to January 1, 2020, the Foreign Investment Law and the Implementation Rules will prevail. The Implementation Rules also set forth that foreign investors that invest in sectors on the “Negative List” in which foreign investment is restricted shall comply with special management measures with respect to, among others, shareholding and senior management personnel qualification in the Negative List. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law and the Implementation Rules, the existing foreign-invested enterprises established prior to the effective date of the Foreign Investment Law are allowed to keep their corporate organization forms for five years from the effectiveness of the Foreign Investment Law before such existing foreign-invested enterprises must change their organization forms and organization structures in accordance with the PRC Company Law, the Partnership Enterprise Law of the PRC and other applicable laws.
After the Foreign Investment Law and the Implementation Rules became effective on January 1, 2020, the provisions of the M&A Rules remained effective to the extent they are not inconsistent with the Foreign Investment Law and the Implementation Rules. We believe that our business is not in an industry related to national security, but we cannot preclude the possibility that the competent PRC government authorities may publish explanations contrary to our understanding or broaden the scope of such security reviews in the future, in which case our future acquisitions and investment in the PRC, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited. Moreover, according to the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC, the SAMR shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain filing thresholds are triggered. We may grow our business in part by directly acquiring complementary businesses in China. Complying with the requirements of the laws and regulations mentioned above and other PRC regulations necessary to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the SAMR, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share
Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business.
In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment by Domestic Residents via SPV, or Circular 37, which replaced Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Corporate Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Offshore SPV, or Circular 75. 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, referred to in Circular 37 as a SPV for the purpose of holding domestic or offshore assets or interests. Circular 37 further requires amendment to a PRC resident’s registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the SPV, such as an increase or decrease in the capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. Under these regulations, PRC residents’ failure to comply with specified registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity, including restrictions on its ability to contribute additional capital to its PRC subsidiaries. Further, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements could result in penalties under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange regulations.
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In addition, different local SAFE branches may have different views and procedures as to the interpretation and implementation of the SAFE regulations, and it may be difficult for our ultimate shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents to provide sufficient supporting documents required by SAFE or to complete the required registration with SAFE in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure by any of our shareholders who is a PRC resident, or is controlled by a PRC resident, to comply with relevant requirements under these regulations could subject us to fines or sanctions imposed by the PRC government.
PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds from our subsequent offerings to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries in China, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
We are a Delaware holding company conducting our operations in China through (i) our subsidiaries incorporated in mainland China and (ii) the VIE incorporated in mainland China. We may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries, or we may acquire offshore entities with business operations in China in an offshore transaction. Most of these ways are subject to PRC regulations and approvals or registration. For example, loans by us to our wholly owned PRC subsidiary to finance its activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE. If we decide to finance our wholly owned PRC subsidiary by means of capital contributions, these capital contributions are subject to registration with the State Administration for Market Regulation or its local branch, reporting of foreign investment information with the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or registration with other governmental authorities in China.
SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or the SAFE Circular 19, effective June 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to SAFE Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although SAFE Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within China, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in China in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in the SAFE Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of the SAFE Circular 19 and the SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. The SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from our subsequent offering, to our PRC subsidiary, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China. On October 23, 2019, SAFE promulgated the Notice for Further Advancing the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the SAFE Circular 28, which, among other things, allows all foreign-invested companies to use Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital for equity investments in China, as long as the equity investment is genuine, does not violate applicable laws, and complies with the negative list on foreign investment. However, since the SAFE Circular 28 is newly promulgated, it is unclear how SAFE and competent banks will carry this out in practice.
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In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, or at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiary or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiary. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiary when needed. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds we expect to receive from our subsequent offerings and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations under the PRC laws and regulations.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. To the extent that our income is received in RMB, shortages in foreign currencies may restrict our ability to pay dividends or other payments, or otherwise satisfy our foreign currency denominated obligations, if any. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE, as long as certain procedural requirements are met. Approval from appropriate government authorities is required if Renminbi is converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may, at its discretion, impose restrictions on access to foreign currencies for current account transactions.
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 SAFE 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, there can be no assurance that the PRC government will not intervene or impose restrictions on our ability to transfer or distribute cash within our organization or to foreign investors, which could result in an inability or prohibition on making transfers or distributions outside of China and adversely affect our business as well as your investment. To the extent cash in the business is in the mainland PRC or Hong Kong or a PRC or Hong Kong entity, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of such restrictions and limitations.
If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” within China is considered a “resident enterprise” and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In 2009, the SAT issued the Circular Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies (the “SAT Circular 82”), which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners like us, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in China; (2) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in China; (3) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in China; and (4) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in China.
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We believe none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident 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.” If the PRC tax authorities determine that our company or any of our subsidiaries outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we could be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide income, which could materially reduce our net income, and we will be required to comply with PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including the common stockholders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of our common stock, if such income is treated as sourced from within China. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends payable to our non-PRC individual shareholders and any gain realized on the transfer of our common stock by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or a rate of 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in our common stock.
In addition to the uncertainty as to the application of the “resident enterprise” classification, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not amend or revise the taxation laws, rules and regulations to impose stricter tax requirements or higher tax rates. Any of such changes could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Industry
There is no assurance that we will be able to manage the commodities trading business effectively.
Operating the commodities trading business is a significant challenge and there is no assurance that we will be able to manage the integration successfully. If we are unable to efficiently integrate these businesses, the attention of our management could be diverted from our existing operations and the ability of the management teams at these business units to meet operational and financial expectations could be adversely impacted, which could impair our ability to execute our business plans. Failure to successfully integrate the new commodities trading business or to realize the expected benefits of entry into the business may have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
Investment in our new line of business could disrupt the Company’s ongoing business and present risks not originally contemplated.
We have deployed a significant amount of proceeds from our financings in our new commodities business line, Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng. New ventures are inherently risky and may not be successful. In evaluating such endeavors, we are required to make difficult judgments regarding the value of business strategies, opportunities, technologies and other assets, and the risks and cost of potential liabilities. Furthermore, these investments involve certain other risks and uncertainties, including the risks involved with entering new competitive categories or regions, the difficulty in integrating the new business, the challenges in achieving strategic objectives and other benefits expected from our investment, the diversion of our attention and resources from our operations and other initiatives, the potential impairment of acquired assets and liabilities and the performance of underlying products, capabilities or technologies.
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We may not be able to ensure the successful implementation of our strategy to diversify our businesses.
We have entered into the commodities trading business. Such initiatives involve various risks including but not limited to the investment costs in establishing a distribution network within the PRC, leasing warehouses, offices and other working capital requirements. There is no assurance that such future plans can be successfully implemented as the successful execution of such future plans will depend on several factors, some of which are not within our control, such as retaining and recruiting qualified and skilled staff, and the continued demand for our products by our customers. Failure to implement any part of our future plans or execute such plan costs effectively, may lead to a material adverse change in our operating environment or affect our ability to respond to market or industry changes, which may, in turn, adversely affect our business and financial results.
Our success depends substantially upon the continued retention of our senior management.
Our future success is substantially dependent on the continued service of certain members of our senior management, including Ms. Renmei Ouyang, our Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Wenhao Cui, our Chief Financial Officer. These officers play an integral role in determining our strategic direction and for executing our growth strategy and are important to our brand and culture. The loss of the services of any of these executives without qualified replacement could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, as we may not be able to find suitable individuals to replace them on a timely basis, if at all. In addition, any such departure could be viewed negatively by investors and analysts, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline.
Our business depends on adequate supply and availability of nonferrous metal commodities.
Our business requires nonferrous metal commodities that are sourced from third party suppliers. We are affected by industry supply conditions, which generally involve risks beyond our control, including costs of these materials, transportation costs and market demand. As a result, we may not be able to obtain an adequate supply of quality nonferrous metal commodities in a timely or cost-effective manner, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A decline in our key business sectors or a reduction in consumer demand generally could have a material adverse effect on our business.
A large portion of our supply chain management services revenue comes from clients in the energy, material and industrial sectors, which is intensely competitive, very volatile, and subject to rapid changes and fluctuations in the overall economic conditions. Declines in the overall performance of the energy, material and industrial sectors have in the past and could in the future, adversely affect the demand for our supply chain management services and reduce our revenue and profitability from these clients. In addition, industry changes, such as the transition of more collateral materials from physical form to digital form and changes in marketing channels, could lessen the demand for certain of our services we currently handle. To the extent recent uncertainty in the economy or other factors result in decreased demand for our clients’ products, we may experience a reduction in volumes of client products that we handle which could have a material adverse effect on our supply chain management services business, financial position and operating results.
We operate in a business that is cyclical and where demand can be volatile, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We operate in a business that is cyclical and where demand can be volatile, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The timing and magnitude of the cycles in the business in which we operate are difficult to predict. Purchase prices for the raw materials we purchase, and selling prices for our products are volatile and beyond our control. While we attempt to respond to changing raw material costs through adjustments to the sales price of our products, our ability to do so is limited by competitive and other market factors. A significant reduction in selling prices for our products may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and adversely impact our ability to recover purchase costs from end customers. A decline in market prices for our products between the date of the sales order and shipment of the product may impact the customer’s ability to obtain letters of credit to cover the full sales amount. A decline in selling prices for our products coupled with customers failing to meet their contractual obligations may also result in a net realizable value adjustment to the average cost of inventory to reflect the lower of cost or fair market value. Additionally, changing prices could potentially impact the volume of raw materials available to us, the volume of ore and processed metal sold by us and inventory levels. The cyclical nature of our businesses tends to reflect and be amplified by changes in general economic conditions, both domestically and internationally.
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Risk Factors Related to Our General Operations
The current geographic concentration where we provide services creates an exposure to local economies, regional downturns or severe weather or catastrophic occurrences that may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We currently conduct our commodities trading business in Shanghai and Shenzhen. We currently hold all our commodities inventory at the warehouses we rent in Shanghai and Shenzhen. While we have insurance to cover certain losses on those commodities, events such as theft, fire, flood, or hail could adversely impact our business.
In addition, our business is currently more susceptible to regional conditions than the operations of more geographically diversified competitors, and we are vulnerable to economic downturns in those regions. Any unforeseen events or circumstances that negatively affect these areas could materially adversely affect our revenues and profitability. These factors include, among other things, changes in demographics and population. In addition, severe weather conditions, acts of God and other catastrophic occurrences in the area in which we operate or from which we obtain inventory may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Such conditions may result in physical damage to our properties and loss of inventory. Any of these factors may disrupt our business and materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully replicate our business model and achieve levels of success as we enter new geographic markets.
Our failure to maintain a reputation of integrity and to otherwise maintain and enhance our brand could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our business model is based on our ability to provide customers with commodities trading that we believe will save them time and money. If we fail to build and maintain a positive reputation, or if an event occurs that damages this reputation, it could adversely affect consumer demand and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Even the perception of a decrease in the quality of our brand could negatively impact results.
Complaints or negative publicity about our business practices, marketing and advertising campaigns, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the integrity of the data that we provide to users, and other aspects of our business, especially on industry-specific blogs and social media websites, and irrespective of their validity, could diminish consumer confidence in our services and adversely affect our brand. The growing use of social media increases the speed with which information and opinions can be shared and, thus, the speed with which reputation can be affected. If we fail to correct or mitigate misinformation or negative information, including information spread through social media or traditional media channels, about us, the vehicles we offer, our customer experience, or any aspect of our brand, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property, technology and confidential information could harm our business and operating results.
Our business depends on our intellectual property, technology and confidential information, the protection of which is crucial to the success of our business. We attempt to protect our intellectual property, technology and confidential information by requiring certain of our employees and consultants to enter into confidentiality agreements and certain third parties to enter into nondisclosure agreements. In addition, these agreements may not effectively prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property, or technology. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our website features, software and functionality or obtain and use information that we consider proprietary. Changes in the law or adverse court rulings may also negatively affect our ability to prevent others from using our technology.
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We may be subject to claims asserting that our employees, consultants or advisors have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their current or former employees or claims asserting ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property.
Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants and advisors do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that these individuals or we have used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any such individual’s current or former employer. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.
In addition, while we intend to require our employees and contractors who may be involved in the conception or development of the intellectual property to execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to us, we may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who, in fact, conceives or develops intellectual property that we regard as our own. The assignment of intellectual property may not be self-executing or the assignment agreement may be breached, and we may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they may bring against us, to determine the ownership of what we regard as our intellectual property.
We may in the future be subject to intellectual property disputes, which are costly to defend and could harm our business and operating results.
We may, from time to time, face allegations that we have infringed the trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties. We may be unaware of the intellectual property rights that others may claim cover some or all of our technology or services. Patent and other intellectual property litigation may be protracted and expensive, the results are difficult to predict and may require us to stop offering some features, purchase licenses or modify our products and features while we develop non-infringing substitutes or may result in significant settlement costs.
Even if these matters do not result in litigation, are resolved in our favor or without significant cash settlements, these matters, and the time and resources necessary to litigate or resolve them, could harm our business, our operating results and our reputation.
We may be subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. If the outcomes of these proceedings are adverse to us, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may be subject to various litigation matters from time to time, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Claims arising out of actual or alleged violations of law could be asserted against us by individuals, either individually or through class actions, by governmental entities in civil or criminal investigations, and proceedings or by other entities. These claims could be asserted under a variety of laws, including but not limited to consumer finance laws, consumer protection laws, intellectual property laws, privacy laws, labor and employment laws, securities laws and employee benefit laws. These actions could expose us to adverse publicity and to substantial monetary damages and legal defense costs, injunctive relief and criminal and civil fines and penalties, including but not limited to suspension or revocation of licenses to conduct business.
Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We are subject to the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), which generally prohibits United States companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We have implemented these policies through our Code of Conduct. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in China. While we make every effort to comply with FCPA and our company Code of Conduct, we can make no assurance that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that will likely have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock
We may not meet certain of Nasdaq Capital Market’s continued listing requirements and other Nasdaq rules. If we are unable to regain compliance, we are likely to be delisted. Delisting could negatively affect the price of our common stock, which could make it more difficult for us to sell securities in a future financing or for you to sell our common stock.
We are required to meet the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, and other Nasdaq rules, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price and certain other corporate governance requirements. If we do not meet these continued listing requirements, our common stock could be delisted.
On May 15, 2023, we received a notification letter from Nasdaq, referred to herein as the Nasdaq Staff Deficiency Letter, indicating that our minimum bid price per share for our common shares has been below $1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive business days and we did not satisfy the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The Nasdaq Staff Deficiency Letter had no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s common stock.
According to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company has a compliance period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Nasdaq Staff Deficiency Letter, or until November 13, 2023, to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. If, at any time during this 180-day period, the closing bid price of the Company’s common shares remains at or above $1 for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, Nasdaq will provide written confirmation of compliance. However, if the Company fails to regain compliance within the 180-day period, it may be granted an additional 180 calendar days, subject to meeting the continued listing requirement for the market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for Nasdaq, except for Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). In such a case, the Company must also provide a written notice of its intention to cure this deficiency during the second compliance period.
To regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share of common stock for continued listing on the Nasdaq market, the Company has implemented a reverse stock split with a Nasdaq market effective date as of October 30, 2023. As a result of the reverse stock split, every fifty (50) shares of the Company’s pre-split common stock has been combined into one (1) share of the Company’s post-split common stock, without any change in par value per share. There is no fractional share issued in connection with the reverse stock split and all such fractional shares have been rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares of common stock.
On November 13, 2023, the Company received a notification letter from Nasdaq informing it that compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement had been regained, and the matter was closed.
Delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market would cause us to pursue eligibility for trading of these securities on other markets or exchanges, or on the “pink sheets.” In such case, our stockholders’ ability to trade, or obtain quotations of the market value of our common stock would be severely limited because of lower trading volumes and transaction delays. These factors could contribute to lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices of these securities. There can be no assurance that our securities, if delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market in the future, would be listed on a national securities exchange, a national quotation service, the over-the-counter markets or the pink sheets. Delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market, or even the issuance of a notice of potential delisting, would also result in negative publicity, make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital, adversely affect the market liquidity of our securities, decrease securities analysts’ coverage of us or diminish investor, supplier and employee confidence.
We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will invest future earnings in the development and growth of our business. Therefore, holders of our Common Stock will not receive any return on their investment unless they sell their securities, and holders may be unable to sell their securities on favorable terms or at all.
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Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock (Securities), or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings.
Future issuances of our Securities, or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances of our Securities, or the future expirations of lock-up agreements, on the price of our common stock. In all events, future issuances of our common stock would result in the dilution of your holdings. In addition, the perception that new issuances of our Securities could occur, or the perception that locked-up parties will sell their securities when the lock-up expire, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In addition to any adverse effects that may arise upon the expiration of these lock-up agreements, the lock-up provisions in these agreements may be waived, at any time and without notice. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, our common stock may become available for resale, subject to applicable law, including without notice, which could reduce the market price for our common stock.
Our common stock may be thinly traded and our stockholders may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if they need to sell their shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate their shares.
Our common stock may be “thinly-traded”, meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our common stock at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company which is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and might be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. Broad or active public trading market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained.
The market price for our common stock may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations due to factors such as:
| ● | the perception of U.S. investors and regulators of U.S. listed Chinese companies; |
| ● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; |
| ● | changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; |
| ● | negative publicity, studies or reports; |
| ● | changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other microcredit companies; |
| ● | announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
| ● | addition or departure of key personnel; |
| ● | fluctuations of exchange rates between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar; and |
| ● | general economic or political conditions in China. |
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In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Volatility in our common stock price may subject us to securities litigation.
The market for our common stock may have, when compared to seasoned issuers, significant price volatility and we expect that our share price may continue to be more volatile than that of a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may, in the future, be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert management’s attention and resources.
Provisions in our by-laws and Delaware laws might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our Company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock.
Provisions of our by-laws and Delaware laws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which you might otherwise receive a premium for your shares of our common stock. These provisions may also prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our management. These provisions include:
| ● | the inability of stockholders to act by written consent or to call special meetings; | |
| ● | the ability of our board of directors to make, alter or repeal our by-laws; and | |
| ● | the ability of our board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. |
In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date on which the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless such transactions are approved by our board of directors. The existence of the foregoing provisions and anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for your common stock in an acquisition.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot provide assurances that these weaknesses will be effectively remediated or that additional material weaknesses will not occur in the future. If our internal control over financial reporting or our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, prevent fraud or file our periodic reports in a timely manner, which may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and which may lead to a decline in our stock price.
Our management has identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which were not remediated as of the date of this prospectus 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 registrant’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. While we are implementing remediation procedures, there can be no assurance that we will be able to fully remediate our existing material weaknesses or that our internal control over financial reporting will not suffer in the future from other material weaknesses, thus making us unable to prevent or detect on a timely basis material misstatement in our periodic reports with the SEC. If we fail to remediate these material weaknesses or otherwise maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, the existence of one or more internal control deficiencies could result in errors in our financial statements, and substantial costs and resources may be required to rectify internal control deficiencies. If we cannot produce reliable financial reports, we may have difficulty in filing timely periodic reports with the SEC, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, the market price of our stock could decline significantly, we may be unable to obtain additional financing to operate and expand our business, and our business and financial condition could be materially harmed. In addition, any failure to remediate the existing material weaknesses or a failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could negatively impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, subject us to potential litigation and regulatory inquiry and cause us to incur additional costs in future periods relating to the implementation of remedial measures.
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Matters relating to or arising from the restatements, Audit Committee investigation and the associated material weaknesses identified in our internal control over financial reporting, including adverse publicity, have caused us to incur significant legal, accounting and other professional fees and other costs, have exposed us to greater risks associated with other civil litigation, regulatory proceedings and government enforcement actions, have diverted resources and attention that would otherwise be directed toward our operations and implementation of our business strategy and may impact our ability to attract and retain customers, employees and vendors, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
General Risk Factors
Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by global public health epidemics, including the strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19.
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of health pandemics or epidemics, the evolution of which continues to be uncertain. We have taken temporary precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk of the virus to our employees, our customers, which could negatively impact our business. As a result of COVID-19, we incurred increased costs for our operations, performed our operations remotely and experienced difficulty in recruiting personnel.
In addition, with the extended Chinese business shutdowns that resulted from the outbreak of COVID-19, we may experience delays or the inability to service our customers on a timely basis in our commodities trading business. The disruptions to our supply chain and business operations, or to our suppliers’ or customers’ supply chains and business operations, could include disruptions from the closure of our interruptions in the supply of commodities, personnel absences, and delivery and storage of commodities, any of which could have adverse ripple effects on our commodities trading business. If we need to close any of our facilities or a critical number of our employees become too ill to work, our ability to provide our products and services to our customers could be materially adversely affected in a rapid manner.
The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under our certificate of incorporation and the existence of indemnification of our directors, officers and employees under Delaware law may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees.
Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions which eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages to us and our stockholders to the maximum extent permitted under the corporate laws of Delaware. We may also provide contractual indemnification obligations under agreements with our directors, officers and employees. These indemnification obligations could result in our incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors, officers and employees, which we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and resultant costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against directors, officers and employees for breach of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our shareholders against our directors, officers and employees even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit the Company and our shareholders.
We expect that we will require additional debt and equity capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges and/or unforeseen circumstances. If such capital is not available to us, or is not available on favorable terms, our business, operating results and financial condition may be harmed.
We expect that we will require additional capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges and/or unforeseen circumstances, including to increase our marketing expenditures in order to improve our brand awareness, build our non-ferrous metal inventory, develop new customers, enhance our operating infrastructure and acquire complementary technologies. Accordingly, we may need to engage in equity, debt or other types of financings to secure additional funds. Additional funds may not be available when we need them on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, any debt financing that we secure in the future could involve restrictive covenants which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities.
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Volatility in the credit markets may also have an adverse effect on our ability to obtain debt financing. 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 our common stock. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, our ability to continue to pursue our business objectives and to respond to business opportunities, challenges or unforeseen circumstances could be significantly limited, and our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders, customers, and other market participants with respect to our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies and activities may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
Companies across all industries and around the globe are facing increasing scrutiny relating to their ESG policies, initiatives and activities by investors, lenders, customers, and other market participants. In the U.S., amongst other regulatory efforts, in March 2021, the SEC announced the creation of a Climate and ESG Task Force in the Division of Enforcement and in March 2022, the SEC proposed rules that would require public companies to disclose certain climate-related information in periodic filings with the SEC. Our disclosures on these matters or a failure to satisfy evolving stakeholder expectations for ESG practices and reporting may potentially harm our reputation and impact employee retention and access to capital. In addition, our failure, or perceived failure, to pursue or fulfill our goals, targets, and objectives or to satisfy various reporting standards within the timelines we announce, or at all, could expose us to government enforcement actions and private litigation.
We expect regulatory requirements related to ESG matters to continue to expand globally and increase our costs of compliance. Our ability to achieve any goal or objective, including with respect to environmental and diversity initiatives and compliance with ESG reporting standards, is subject to numerous risks, many of which are outside of our control. Examples of such risks include the availability and cost of technologies and products that meet sustainability, evolving regulatory requirements affecting ESG standards or disclosures, our ability to recruit, develop, and retain diverse talent in our labor markets, and our ability to develop reporting processes and controls that comply with evolving standards for identifying, measuring and reporting ESG metrics. As ESG best-practices, reporting standards, and disclosure requirements continue to develop, we may incur increasing costs related to maintaining or achieving our ESG goals in addition to ESG monitoring and reporting. We risk damage to our brand and reputation, impacts to our ability to secure government contracts, or limited access to capital markets and loans if we fail to adapt to, or comply with, investor, lender, customer or other stakeholder expectations and standards and potential government regulation with respect to ESG matters, including in areas such as diversity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, support for local communities and corporate governance and transparency.
Our business could be negatively impacted by the inflationary pressures which may decrease our operating margins and increase working capital investments required to operate our business.
The U.S. economy has experienced rising inflation in 2022. A sustained increase in inflation may continue to increase our costs for labor, services, and materials. Further our customers face inflationary pressures and resulting impacts, such as the tight labor market and supply chain disruptions. The rate and scope of these various inflationary factors may increase our operating costs and capital expenditures materially, which may not be readily recoverable in the prices of our services and may have an adverse effect on our costs, operating margins, results of operations and financial condition.
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Our information systems or data, or those of our service providers or customers or users could be subject to cyber-attacks or other security incidents, which could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, claims, litigation, regulatory investigations, significant liability, reputational damage and other adverse consequences.
We have continued to expand our information technology systems as our operations grow. While we maintain information technology measures designed to protect us against intellectual property theft, data breaches, sabotage and other external or internal cyber-attacks or misappropriation, our systems and those of our service providers are potentially vulnerable to malware, ransomware, viruses, denial-of-service attacks, phishing attacks, social engineering, computer hacking, unauthorized access, exploitation of bugs, defects and vulnerabilities, breakdowns, damage, interruptions, system malfunctions, power outages, terrorism, acts of vandalism, security breaches, security incidents, inadvertent or intentional actions by employees or other third parties, and other cyber-attacks. To the extent any security incident results in unauthorized access or damage to or acquisition, use, corruption, loss, destruction, alteration or dissemination of our data, it could disrupt our business, harm our reputation, compel us to comply with applicable data breach notification laws, subject us to time consuming, distracting and expensive litigation, regulatory investigation and oversight, mandatory corrective action, require us to verify the correctness of database contents, or otherwise subject us to liability under laws, regulations and contractual obligations, including those that protect the privacy and security of personal information. This could result in increased costs to us and result in significant legal and financial exposure and/or reputational harm.
We also rely on service providers, and similar incidents relating to their information technology systems could also have a material adverse effect on our business. Our service providers, including our workforce management software provider, may be subject to ransomware and other security incidents, and we cannot guarantee that our or our service providers’ systems have not been breached or that they do not contain exploitable defects, bugs, or vulnerabilities that could result in a security incident, or other disruption to, our or our service providers’ systems. Our ability to monitor our service providers’ security measures is limited, and, in any event, malicious third parties may be able to circumvent those security measures.
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us under this prospectus for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of securities by us under this prospectus may be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.
We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. These may include, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, SEC filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws.
See “Plan of Distribution” elsewhere in this prospectus for more information.
We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus (i) to or through underwriters or dealers, (ii) directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, (iii) through agents, or (iv) through a combination of any these methods. The securities may be distributed at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices, or negotiated prices. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:
| ● | the terms of the offering; | |
| ● | the names of any underwriters or agents; | |
| ● | the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters; | |
| ● | the purchase price of the securities; | |
| ● | any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; | |
| ● | the net proceeds from the sale of the securities; | |
| ● | any delayed delivery arrangements; |
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| ● | any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; | |
| ● | any public offering price; | |
| ● | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; | |
| ● | any commissions paid to agents; and | |
| ● | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with us. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
If dealers are used in the sale of securities offered through this prospectus, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will include the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement any compensation we will pay to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Such securities may also be sold through agents designated from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If the prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
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Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, other than our common stock all securities we offer under this prospectus will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. We may elect to list offered securities on an exchange or in the over-the-counter market. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of offered securities may make a market in such securities, but may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.
Any underwriter may also engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Rule 104 under the Securities Exchange Act. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.
Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
General
The following description of our capital stock (which includes a description of securities we may offer pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus, as the same may be supplemented, forms a part) does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and by the applicable provisions of Delaware law.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 650,000,000 shares, par value $0.001 per share, consisting of 600,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The following description of our capital stock is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which have been filed previously with the SEC, and applicable provisions of Delaware law.
We, directly or through agents, dealers or underwriters designated from time to time, may offer, issue and sell, together or separately, up to $100,000,000 in the aggregate of:
| ● | common stock; | |
| ● | preferred stock; | |
| ● | secured or unsecured debt securities consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness which may be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities, each of which may be convertible into equity securities; | |
| ● | warrants to purchase our securities; | |
| ● | rights to purchase our securities; or | |
| ● | units comprised of, or other combinations of, the foregoing securities. |
We may issue the debt securities as exchangeable for or convertible into shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities. The preferred stock may also be exchangeable for and/or convertible into shares of common stock, another series of preferred stock or other securities. The debt securities, the preferred stock, the common stock and the warrants are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “securities.” When a particular series of securities is offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be delivered with this prospectus, which will set forth the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities.
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Common Stock
As of April 8, 2024, there were 19,785,688 of our common stock issued and outstanding, which includes a total of 15,000,000 shares of common stock issued to certain investors on November 29, 2023, pursuant to that certain securities purchase agreement dated November 16, 2023 by and among the Company and such investors, held of record by approximately 299 stockholders. The outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The common stock has no cumulative voting rights, including with respect to the election of directors.
Subject to preferential rights with respect to any outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefore. Pursuant to Section 281 of Delaware General Corporation Law, in the event of our dissolution, the holders of common stock are entitled to the remaining assets after payment of all liabilities of the company.
Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights.
Preferred Stock
Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, empowers our board of directors, without action by our shareholders, to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, which preferred stock may be offered by this prospectus and supplements thereto. As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of preferred stock were designated or issued and outstanding. Our board may fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of our authorized but undesignated preferred shares, including:
| ● | dividend rights and preferences over dividends on our common stock or any series of preferred stock; | |
| ● | the dividend rate (and whether dividends are cumulative); | |
| ● | conversion rights, if any; | |
| ● | voting rights; | |
| ● | rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions, if any); | |
| ● | redemption price and liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of any preferred stock and the designation thereof of any of them; and | |
| ● | to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series but not below the number of shares then outstanding. |
You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the series of preferred stock being offered for the specific terms of that series, including:
| ● | title of the series and the number of shares in the series; | |
| ● | the price at which the preferred stock will be offered; | |
| ● | the dividend rate or rates or method of calculating the rates, the dates on which the dividends will be payable, whether or not dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends on the preferred stock being offered will cumulate; |
| ● | the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the preferred stock being offered; | |
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| ● | the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, and the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock being offered, including any restrictions on the foregoing as a result of arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments; | |
| ● | the liquidation preference per share; | |
| ● | the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock being offered will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price, or the manner of calculating the conversion price, and the conversion period; | |
| ● | the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock being offered will be exchangeable for debt securities, including the exchange price, or the manner of calculating the exchange price, and the exchange period; | |
| ● | any listing of the preferred stock being offered on any securities exchange; | |
| ● | a discussion of any material federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock being offered; | |
| ● | any preemptive rights; | |
| ● | the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs; | |
| ● | any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior or equal to the series of preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs; and | |
| ● | any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the series. |
Upon issuance, the shares of preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable, which means that its holders will have paid their purchase price in full and we may not require them to pay additional funds.
Any preferred stock terms selected by our board of directors could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of our common stock or adversely affect the rights and power, including voting rights, of the holders of our common stock without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The rights of holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued by us in the future. The issuance of preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult.
Debt Securities
As used in this prospectus, the term “debt securities” means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue from time to time. The debt securities will either be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt or subordinated debt securities. We may also issue convertible debt securities. Debt securities issued under an indenture (which we refer to herein as an Indenture) will be entered into between us and a trustee to be named therein. It is likely that convertible debt securities will not be issued under an Indenture.
The Indenture or forms of Indentures, if any, will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding provisions of the Indentures and debt securities are summaries thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Indentures (and any amendments or supplements we may enter into from time to time which are permitted under each Indenture) and the debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms.
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General
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be direct secured or unsecured obligations of our company. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any of our other unsecured senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness.
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Unless indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable Indenture and will be equal in ranking.
Should an indenture relate to unsecured indebtedness, in the event of a bankruptcy or other liquidation event involving a distribution of assets to satisfy our outstanding indebtedness or an event of default under a loan agreement relating to secured indebtedness of our company or its subsidiaries, the holders of such secured indebtedness, if any, would be entitled to receive payment of principal and interest prior to payments on the senior indebtedness issued under an Indenture.
Prospectus Supplement
Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:
| ● | the title of debt securities and whether they are subordinated, senior subordinated or senior debt securities; | |
| ● | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of such series; | |
| ● | the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities of any series will be issued; | |
| ● | the ability to issue additional debt securities of the same series; | |
| ● | the purchase price for the debt securities and the denominations of the debt securities; |
| ● | the specific designation of the series of debt securities being offered; | |
| ● | the maturity date or dates of the debt securities and the date or dates upon which the debt securities are payable and the rate or rates at which the debt securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, or the method by which such rate shall be determined; |
| ● | the basis for calculating interest if other than 360-day year or twelve 30-day months; | |
| ● | the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be determined; | |
| ● | the duration of any deferral period, including the maximum consecutive period during which interest payment periods may be extended; | |
| ● | whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner of determining the amount of such payments; | |
| ● | the dates on which we will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular record date for determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date; | |
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| ● | the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities will be payable, where any securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, as applicable, and notices and demands may be delivered to or upon us pursuant to the applicable Indenture; | |
| ● | the rate or rates of amortization of the debt securities; | |
| ● | if we possess the option to do so, the periods within which and the prices at which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any such provisions; | |
| ● | our obligation or discretion, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which we will redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and conditions of such obligation; | |
| ● | the terms and conditions, if any, regarding the option or mandatory conversion or exchange of debt securities; | |
| ● | the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part at our option and, if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities shall be evidenced; | |
| ● | any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities of a particular series; | |
| ● | the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of the debt securities which we must pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities in connection with any event of default if other than the full principal amount; |
| ● | the currency or currencies in which the debt securities will be denominated and in which principal, any premium and any interest will or may be payable or a description of any units based on or relating to a currency or currencies in which the debt securities will be denominated; | |
| ● | provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events; | |
| ● | any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or our covenants with respect to the applicable series of debt securities, and whether or not such events of default or covenants are consistent with those contained in the applicable Indenture; |
| ● | any limitation on our ability to incur debt, redeem stock, sell our assets or other restrictions; | |
| ● | the application, if any, of the terms of the applicable Indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance (which terms are described below) to the debt securities; | |
| ● | what subordination provisions will apply to the debt securities; |
| ● | the terms, if any, upon which the holders may convert or exchange the debt securities into or for our common stock, preferred stock or other securities or property; |
| ● | whether we are issuing the debt securities in whole or in part in global form; | |
| ● | any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable because of an event of default; | |
| ● | the depositary for global or certificated debt securities, if any; | |
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| ● | any material federal income tax consequences applicable to the debt securities, including any debt securities denominated and made payable, as described in the prospectus supplements, in foreign currencies, or units based on or related to foreign currencies; | |
| ● | any right we may have to satisfy, discharge and defense our obligations under the debt securities, or terminate or eliminate restrictive covenants or events of default in the Indentures, by depositing money or U.S. government obligations with the trustee of the Indentures; | |
| ● | the names of any trustees, depositories, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or other agents with respect to the debt securities; | |
| ● | to whom any interest on any debt security shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name the security is registered, on the record date for such interest, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global debt security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in the applicable Indenture; | |
| ● | if the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities is to be payable in one or more currencies or currency units other than as stated, the currency, currencies or currency units in which it shall be paid and the periods within and terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amounts payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined); | |
| ● | the portion of the principal amount of any debt securities which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities pursuant to the applicable Indenture if other than the entire principal amount; | |
| ● | if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt security of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which shall be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined); and | |
| ● | any other specific terms of the debt securities, including any modifications to the events of default under the debt securities and any other terms which may be required by or advisable under applicable laws or regulations. |
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Holders of the debt securities may present registered debt securities for exchange or transfer in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as limited by the applicable Indenture, we will provide these services without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the exchange or transfer.
Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a variable rate as specified in the prospectus supplement. In addition, if specified in the prospectus supplement, we may sell debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate, or at a discount below their stated principal amount. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any special federal income tax considerations applicable to these discounted debt securities.
We may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by referring to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such debt securities may receive a principal amount on any principal payment date, or interest payments on any interest payment date, that are greater or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value on such dates of applicable currency, commodity, equity index or other factors. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information as to how we will determine the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, as well as the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on that date relates and certain additional tax considerations.
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Warrants
We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. To the extent warrants that we issue are to be publicly-traded, each series of such warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with such warrants. The warrant agent will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, forms of the warrant and warrant agreement, if any. The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement, if any. These terms may include the following:
| ● | the title of the warrants; | |
| ● | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; | |
| ● | the designation, amount and terms of the securities or other rights for which the warrants are exercisable; | |
| ● | the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security; | |
| ● | the aggregate number of warrants; | |
| ● | any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants; | |
| ● | the price or prices at which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased; |
| ● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable; | |
| ● | a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants; | |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire; | |
| ● | the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time; | |
| ● | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and | |
| ● | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Exercise of Warrants. Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase the amount of securities or other rights, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, if applicable, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the securities or other rights that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.
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Rights
We may issue rights to purchase our securities. The rights may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and one or more banks, trust companies or other financial institutions, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:
| ● | the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution; | |
| ● | the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights; | |
| ● | the exercise price; | |
| ● | the conditions to completion of the rights offering; | |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the rights will expire; and | |
| ● | any applicable federal income tax considerations. |
Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of securities at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.
If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Units
We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we may issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent, if any, may be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent, if any, in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units. Specific unit agreements, if any, will contain additional important terms and provisions. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report that we file with the SEC, the form of unit and the form of each unit agreement, if any, relating to units offered under this prospectus.
If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:
| ● | the title of the series of units; | |
| ● | identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units; | |
| ● | the price or prices at which the units will be issued; | |
| ● | the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable; | |
| ● | a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and | |
| ● | any other material terms of the units and their constituent securities. |
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ENFORCEABILITY
BAIYU Holdings, Inc. is a Delaware holding company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE in China. In addition of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to enforce in U.S. courts of the judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors as none of them currently resides in the United States or has substantial assets located in the United States. See “Risk Factors — Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.”
There is uncertainty as to whether the courts of China would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or (ii) entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the jurisdiction where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against us in the PRC for disputes if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit. The case is within the scope of civil actions accepted by the people’s courts and under the jurisdiction of the people’s court in which the action is instituted. However, it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders to originate actions against us in China in accordance with PRC laws because we are incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware and it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders to establish a connection to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction as required under the PRC Civil Procedures Law.
We do have a holding company in Hong Kong. We also have a management member who is Hong Kong residents and reside within Hong Kong for a significant portion of the time. You may incur additional costs and procedural obstacles in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in Hong Kong against us or our management named in the prospectus, as judgments entered in the U.S. can be enforced in Hong Kong only at common law. If you want to enforce a judgment of the U.S. in Hong Kong, it must be a final judgment conclusive upon the merits of the claim, for a liquidated amount in a civil matter and not in respect of taxes, fines, penalties, or similar charges, the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice, and the enforcement of the judgment is not contrary to public policy of Hong Kong. Such a judgment must be for a fixed sum and must also come from a “competent” court as determined by the private international law rules applied by the Hong Kong courts. Furthermore, foreign judgments of the U.S. courts will not be directly enforced in Hong Kong as there are currently no treaties or other arrangements providing for reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments between Hong Kong and the U.S. However, the common law permits an action to be brought upon a foreign judgment. That is to say, a foreign judgment itself may form the basis of a cause of action since the judgment may be regarded as creating a debt between the parties to it. In a common law action for enforcement of a foreign judgment in Hong Kong, the enforcement is subject to various conditions, including but not limited to, that the foreign judgment is a final judgment conclusive upon the merits of the claim, the judgment is for a liquidated amount in civil matter and not in respect of taxes, fines, penalties, or similar charges, the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice, and the enforcement of the judgment is not contrary to public policy of Hong Kong. Such a judgment must be for a fixed sum and must also come from a “competent” court as determined by the private international law rules applied by the Hong Kong courts. The defenses that are available to a defendant in a common law action brought on the basis of a foreign judgment include lack of jurisdiction, breach of natural justice, fraud, and contrary to public policy. However, a separate legal action for debt must be commenced in Hong Kong in order to recover such debt from the judgment debtor. As a result, subject to the conditions with regard to enforcement of judgments of United States courts being met, including but not limited to the above, a foreign judgment of United States of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any State or territory within the U.S. could be enforceable in Hong Kong. See “Risk Factors — Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.”
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DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION
FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has 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.
The validity of the issuance of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by MagStone Law, LLP. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Tahota (Beijing) Law Firm. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Enrome LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements of BAIYU Holdings, Inc. included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Enrome LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Audit Alliance LLP, our previous independent registered public accounting firm, audited the consolidated financial statements of BAIYU Holdings, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Audit Alliance LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of BAIYU Holdings, Inc. as of December 31, 2023, and for the year then ended, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of Enrome LLP, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The consolidated financial statements of BAIYU Holdings, Inc. as of December 31, 2022 for the year then ended have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of Audit Alliance LLP, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
On November 30, 2023, Enrome LLP was appointed as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed under the Securities Act. As permitted by the SEC’s rules, this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, which form a part of the registration statement, do not contain all the information that is included in the registration statement. You will find additional information about us in the registration statement and its exhibits. Any statements made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement concerning legal documents are not necessarily complete and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC for a more complete understanding of the document or matter.
You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.summitwireless.com, at which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. However, the information contained in or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and investors should not rely on such information in making a decision to purchase our common stock in this offering.
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INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information contained in documents that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We have filed with the SEC and incorporate by reference in this prospectus, except as superseded, supplemented or modified by this prospectus, the documents listed below:
| ● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2024; and | |
| ● | Our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on August 12, 2013, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating the description of our common stock therein. |
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof but before the completion or termination of this offering (excluding any information not deemed “filed” with the SEC). Any statement contained in a previously filed document is deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes the statement, and any statement contained in this prospectus is deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes the statement.
We will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, including any beneficial owner, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference herein, including exhibits. Requests should be directed to:
BAIYU Holdings, Inc.
139, Xinzhou 11th Street, Futian District,
Shenzhen, Guangdong, PRC 518000
+86 (0755) 82792111
Copies of these filings are also available on our website at www.tdglg.com. For other ways to obtain a copy of these filings, please refer to “Where You Can Find More Information” above.
63
BAIYU Holdings, Inc.
$100,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
PROSPECTUS
April 8, 2024
PART II - INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following is an estimate, subject to future contingencies, of the expenses to be incurred by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered:
| SEC registration fee | $ | 11,185.3 | ||
| Legal fees and expenses | (1) | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses | (1) | |||
| Miscellaneous fees and expenses | (1) | |||
| Total | $ | (1) |
| (1) | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
Section 145 of the DGCL (“Section 145”) provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was, is or is threatened to be made, party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who are, were or are a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, provided that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer, director, employee or agent is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which such officer or director has actually and reasonably incurred.
Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 145.
Our bylaws provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and must also pay expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon delivery of an undertaking, by or on behalf of an indemnified person, to repay all amounts so advanced if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be indemnified.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with certain of our executive officers and directors pursuant to which we have agreed to indemnify such persons against all expenses and liabilities incurred or paid by such person in connection with any proceeding arising from the fact that such person is or was an officer or director of our company, and to advance expenses as incurred by or on behalf of such person in connection therewith.
The indemnification rights set forth above shall not be exclusive of any other right which an indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, our bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
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We maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (1) to our directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (2) to us with respect to indemnification payments that we may make to such directors and officers.
See “Item 17. Undertakings” for a description of the SEC’s position regarding such indemnification provisions.
Item 16. Exhibits.
The list of exhibits in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings.
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; | |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and | |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement; |
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.
| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. | |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. | |
| (4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
| (i) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and | |
| (ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
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| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; | |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; | |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and | |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| (b) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| (c) | To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China, on April 8, 2024.
| BAIYU HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Renmei Ouyang | |
| Renmei Ouyang | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Renmei Ouyang and Wenhao Cui, and each of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitution and full power to act without the other, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his or her name, place and stead, and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any and all amendments to this registration statement, any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any or all pre- or post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or any substitute or substitutes for each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated have signed this registration statement below.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Renmei Ouyang | Chief Executive Officer and Chairwoman of the Board | April 8, 2024 | ||
| Renmei Ouyang | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
| /s/ Wenhao Cui | Chief Financial Officer and Director | April 8, 2024 | ||
| Wenhao Cui | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ Xiangjun Wang | Director | April 8, 2024 | ||
| Xiangjun Wang | ||||
| /s/ Heung Ming (Henry) Wong | Director | April 8, 2024 | ||
| Heung Ming (Henry) Wong | ||||
| /s/ Donghong Xiong | Director | April 8, 2024 | ||
| Donghong Xiong |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| * | Filed herewith. |
| ** | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a filing with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of securities to the extent required for any such offering. |
| *** | Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file No. 333-273676) on August 3, 2023. |
| **** | Previously filed with Amendment No.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file No. 333-273676) on January 12, 2024. |
| + | Previously filed. |
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