BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS |
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
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| BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS | NOTE 1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Under Delaware laws, the founders incorporated the Company as Forex Development Corporation on January 21, 2016. On February 27, 2018, the Company changed its name to FDCTech, Inc. The name change reflects the Company’s commitment to expanding its products and services in the FX and financial markets for OTC brokers. The Company provides innovative and cost-efficient financial technology (‘fintech’) and business solutions to OTC Online Brokerages (“customers”).
The Company intends to build a diversified global financial services company driven by proprietary Condor trading technologies, complementary regulatory licenses, and a proven executive team. The Company plans to acquire, integrate, transform, and scale legacy financial service companies. The Company believes its proprietary technology and software development capabilities allow legacy financial services companies immediate exposure to –forex, stocks, ETFs, commodities, social/copy trading, and other high-growth fintech markets.
From December 2021 onwards, the Company expects to grow from its acquisition strategy, specializing in buying and integrating small to mid-size legacy financial services companies. The Company intends to build a diversified global software-driven financial services company. The Company plans to acquire, integrate, transform, and scale legacy financial service companies. The Company replaces conventional legacy software infrastructure with its regulatory-grade proprietary Condor trading technologies, intending to improve end-user experience, increase client retention, and realize cost synergies.
Completed Acquisitions
On December 22, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Agreement”) with AD Financial Services Pty Ltd ACN 628 331 117 of Level 38/71 Eagle St, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 4000 (“ADFP” or “Target”). According to the Agreement, the Company acquired % of ADFP’s issued and outstanding shares of capital stock in exchange for (the “Consideration”) newly issued “restricted” common shares. The operating and licensed entity of ADFP is AD Advisory Services Pty Ltd. ADFP owns one hundred percent (%) equity interest in AD Advisory Services Pty Ltd (“ADS”). As a result, the Company is % the owner of ADS. The Company closed the acquisition on December 22, 2021, and combined the financial statements of ADS in its annual report, 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2022.
On December 31, 2022, the Company announced the sales purchase agreement (“Agreement”) under which the Company acquired a 50.10% equity interest in New Star Capital Trading Ltd., a British Virgin Island company (“New Star”) and its operating subsidiary Alchemy Markets Ltd. (“AML”), formerly known as NSFX Ltd (“NSFX”). AML is an investment firm regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
The Company will assume a business acquisition loan liability of $350,000 to purchase the controlling interest in AML. To comply with the BVI Companies Act requirement for the change of ownership, the company amended the agreement to June 30, 2023. The Company closed the acquisition as of June 30, 2023, and consolidated the fair value of AML’s assets and liabilities from June 30, 2023.
The Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 49.90% of the issued and outstanding shares of Alchemy Markets Holdings Ltd (Alchemy BVI), formerly known as New Star and its subsidiary AML on November 30, 2023 (“Acquisition Date”), from Alchemy Prime Holdings Ltd. (APHL), through an exchange for Series B preferred convertible stocks (“Series B Preferred Stock”) valued at $1,175,406.
The Company”) completed the acquisition of 100.00% of the issued and outstanding shares of Alchemy Prime Limited (“APL”) on November 30, 2023 (“Acquisition Date”) from APHL, through an exchange for Series B Preferred Stock valued at $1,362,594.
Mr. Gope S. Kundnani (“Kundnani”) as the (sole) natural person holding one hundred percent (100%) shareholding in the APHL. Kundnani (“Control Person”) is also a controlling shareholder in the Company.
Termination of CIM Acquisition
On July 19, 2022, the Company signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire fifty-one percent (51.00%) equity interest in CIM Securities, LLC (“CIM Securities”), a FINRA and SIPC member firm. On September 30, 2022, the Company signed a definitive agreement pending regulatory approval, paid a $20,000 non-refundable deposit, and transferred $180,000 to the escrow account to complete the transaction. The Company filed the CMA form with FINRA in February 2023. Once the Company receives approval from FINRA and pays the balance of $180,000, it will start consolidating income statements and balance sheets as it holds the controlling interest in CIM Securities.
At July 31, 2023, the Company sent the notice of termination of the purchase agreement to CIM Securities as future events may result in a change of ownership in the CMA application. The Company believes that this would cause further delays in the approval process. Our board has mandated the management team to concentrate on expanding and developing our core non-US forex business to maximize shareholder value.
NOTE 1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Termination of GFNL Acquisition
On August 24, 2021, the Company terminated the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated June 2, 2021, with the Shareholders of Genesis Financial, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (“Genesis” or “GFNL” or “Seller”). As of the termination date, the Company did not issue any Securities to the Seller. The Company could not complete nor qualify the Agreement as Genesis could not comply with several non-exhaustive material provisions, covenants, or conditions.
On June 9, 2021, and in connection with the previous description of the Genesis Agreement, dated June 2, 2021, the Company appointed Warwick Kerridge as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Effective August 24, 2021, the Company terminated the appointment of Warwick Kerridge as the Board of Directors. The Company approved the termination upon the consent of the majority of the stockholders representing at least 68.73% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. The Company authorized the action according to Section 222 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Upon termination of Mr. Kerridge, the Company currently has four Board of Directors. Mitchell M. Eaglstein shall be the acting Chairman of the Company.
Currently, we have three primary business segments: (1) Technology and Software Development, (2) Wealth Management, and (3) Investment and Margin Brokerage Business.
Technology & Software Development – Condor Trading Technology
The Company has three sources of revenue.
The Company has completed the Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform, previously known as the Condor FX Trading Platform. The Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform is a regulatory-grade trading platform targeted at day traders and retail investors. The industry characterized such platforms by their ease of use and helpful features, such as the simplified front-end (user interface/user experience), back-end (reporting system), news feeds, and charting system. The Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform includes risk management (dealing desk, alert system, margin calls, etc.), a pricing engine (best bid/ask), and connectivity to multiple liquidity providers or market makers. We have tailored the Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform to markets such as forex, stocks, commodities, digital assets, and other financial products.
The Company released, marketed, and distributed its Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform in the second quarter of the fiscal year, December 31, 2019. The Company has developed the Condor Back Office API to integrate third-party CRM and banking systems into Condor Back Office.
The Company has seventeen (17) licensing agreements for its Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform. The Company continuously negotiates additional licensing agreements with several retail online brokers to use the Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform. Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform is available in desktop, web, and mobile versions.
The Company’s upgraded Condor Back Office (Risk Management) meets various jurisdictions’ regulatory requirements. Condor Back Office meets the directives under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II/MiFIR), legislation by European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA) implemented across the European Union on January 3, 2018.
NOTE 1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS (continued)
The Company is developing the Condor Investing & Trading App, a simplified trading platform for traders with varied experiences in trading stocks, ETFs, and other financial markets from their mobile phones. The Company expects to commercialize the Condor Investing & Trading App by the end of the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
The Company had developed NFT Marketplace, a decentralized NFT marketplace, a multichain platform with a lazy minting option to reduce and limit unnecessary blockchain usage fees, also known as gas fees. The Company did not commercialize the NFT Marketplace in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, as the market for NFT has slowed considerably.
The Company and its subsidiary, ADS, intend to develop a digital wealth management company, initially including a Robo Advice Platform catering to Australia’s wealth management industry. The Company does not expect to commercialize the Robo Advice Platform.
The consolidated revenues for Technology and Software Development for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, and 2022, were $1,811,423, and $626,000, respectively.
Wealth Management – AD Advisory Services Pty Ltd.
AD Advisory Services Pty Ltd. (ADS) is an Australian-regulated wealth management company with 28 financial advisors and $530+ million in funds under advice. ADS provides licensing solutions for financial advisers and accountants in Australia and offers financial planners different licensing, compliance, and education solutions to meet their practice’s specific needs.
ADS’ consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, and 2022 were $5,927,424 and $5,827,731, respectively.
Investment and Margin Brokerage Business (Europe and UK)
AML is authorized to deal with its account (market maker) as a Category 3 licensed entity by the MFSA, receive and transmit orders for retail and professional clients, and hold and control clients’ money and assets. AML trading platform services in the English, French, German, Italian, and Arabic-speaking markets, whereby customers can trade in currency, commodity, equity, and digital assets-linked derivatives in real-time. AML is authorized countries to do business include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
APL is an investment firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) – it provides investment advice, dealing as agent and principal, safeguarding and administrating assets in forex, equity, commodities, spread bets, and other financial assets. APL is authorized countries to do business, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The consolidated revenues from Investment and Margin Brokerage Business for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, and 2022 were $5,016,053 and $, respectively.
Settlement of the FRH Group Note
Between February 22, 2016, and April 24, 2017, the Company borrowed $1,000,000 from FRH Group, a founder and principal shareholder (“FRH”). The Company executed Convertible Promissory Notes, due between February 28, 2018, and April 24, 2019. The Notes were convertible into common stock initially at $0.10 per share but may be discounted under certain circumstances. In no event will the conversion price be less than $0.05 per share with a maximum of shares issued to FRH. On February 22, 2021, the Company entered into an Assignment of Debt Agreement (the “Agreement”) with FRH and FRH Group Corporation. The Company eliminated all four FRH Group convertible notes, including interest, of $1,256,908, in return for the issuance of of unregistered common stock of the Company (the “Shares”) to FRH. Following the Agreement, FRH assigned the Shares to FRH Group Corporation, which Mr. Hong also owned.
NOTE 1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS (continued)
2021-2022 Equity Line of Credit
On October 04, 2021, the Company filed a prospectus that relates to the resale of up to shares of our Common Stock issued or issuable to selling shareholders for up to $2,200,000, including (i) up to shares issued to AD Securities America, LLC, (ii) up to issuable to White Lion Capital, LLC (“White Lion”), according to a “Purchase Notice Right” under an Investment Agreement and (iii) shares issued to White Lion as a commitment fee associated with the Investment Agreement. From October 2021 to February 2022, the Company executed five “Purchase Notice Rights” under an Investment Agreement with White Lion and received a net of $ $38,824 after deducting financing costs associated with the Investment Agreement.
From January 2021 to February 2022, the Company executed five “Purchase Notice Rights” under an Investment Agreement with White Lion and received a net of $33,596 after deducting financing costs associated with the Investment Agreement. From October 2021 to February 2022, the Company received $72,420 from the Investment Agreement.
The Company also received a net amount of $81,000 from the related parties to fund its operations. Our cash balance is $93,546 as of December 31, 2021. The Company did not receive additional funding from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or Cares Act Paycheck Protection Program during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
2022 Promissory Note
On January 27, 2022, the Company signed a promissory note (‘AJB Note’) with AJB Capital Investments, LLC (‘AJB Capital’), a Delaware limited liability company, for the principal amount of $550,000 with a maturity date of July 27, 2022, and a coupon of 10%. As part of the AJB Note, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement, where AJB Capital will receive equity equal to US $155,000 of the Company’s common stock. The Company issued common stock priced at $ per share upon issuance of the Note (the “Shares”) and 1,000,000 3-year cash warrants (‘Warrants’) priced at $0.30. The Warrants and the Shares, collectively known as the ‘Incentive Fee,’ are issued upon execution of the agreement.
Related Party Investments in 2022 to 2023
On September 30, 2022, the Company issued restricted common shares for cash valued at $300,000 to Kundnani, considered a related party.
On January 25, 2023, the Company issued restricted common shares for cash valued at $550,000 to Kundnani, considered a related party.
On March 28, 2023, the Company issued restricted common shares for cash valued at $20,000.
At July 31, 2023, the Company sent the notice of termination of the purchase agreement to CIM Securities as future events may result in a change of ownership in the CMA application. The Company terminated the escrow agreement and released $180,000 to increase cash on hand.
On November 30, 2023, Kundnani, considered a related party, purchased Series A Preferred stock of the Company for $2.5 million. The Company has issued the Series A Preferred stock to Kundnani. On November 30, 2023, Kundnani purchased Common stock of the Company for $5.5 million. The Company has issued the Common stock to Kundnani. The Company expects to receive funds by the end of April 2024.
Governmental Regulation
FDCTech is a publicly traded company subject to SEC and FINRA’s rules and regulations regarding public disclosure, financial reporting, internal controls, and corporate governance.
Our wealth management business, AD Advisory Services (ADS), is subject to enhanced regulatory scrutiny and is regulated by multiple regulators in Australia. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) administers a licensing regime for ‘financial services’ providers where ADS holds an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) and meets various compliance, conduct, and disclosure obligations.
AML is an investment firm regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
APL is an investment firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Board of Directors
Effective January 1, 2021, Naim Abdullah resigned as the Director of the Company.
On July 6, 2021, the Board of Directors of FDCTech, Inc. (the “Company”) increased from four to five directors and appointed Charles R. Provini, age 74, to the vacancy. Mr. Provini is considered independent under NYSE and NASDAQ listing standards. Mr. Provini has been the Chairman, CEO, and President of Natcore Technology Inc. since May 2009, a research and development company protected by 65 patents granted or pending. From November 1997 to October 2000, he was the President of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management and a Director of Ladenburg Thalmann, Inc., one of the oldest New York Stock Exchange members. He served as President of Laidlaw Asset Management and Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Howe & Rusling, Laidlaw’s Portfolio Management Advisory Group, from November 1995 to September 1997. Mr. Provini served as Rodman & Renshaw’s Advisory Services President from February 1994 to August 1995. He was the President of LaSalle Street Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, from January 1983 to April 1985. Mr. Provini has been a leadership instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, Chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Honor Board, and is a former Marine Corp. officer. Mr. Provini holds an undergraduate Engineering degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and a post-graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma.
NOTE 1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS (continued)
On June 9, 2021, and in connection with the previous description of the Genesis Agreement, dated June 2, 2021, the Company appointed Warwick Kerridge as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Effective August 24, 2021, the Company terminated the appointment of Warwick Kerridge as the Board of Directors. The Company terminated Mr. Kerridge’s engagement upon the consent of the majority of the stockholders representing at least 68.73% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. The Company authorized the action according to Section 222 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Upon the termination of Mr. Kerridge, the Company currently had four Board of Directors. Mitchell M. Eaglstein shall be the acting Chairman of the Company.
On November 30, 2021, Charles R. Provini, a member of the Board of Directors of FDCTech, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company of his intention to voluntarily resign from the Company’s Board of Directors effective November 30, 2021. Mr. Provini did not advise the Company of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices. Upon the resignation of Mr. Provini, the Company currently has three Board of Directors.
On September 30, 2022, the Company appointed Gope S. Kundnani as the Director of the Company. Upon the appointment of Mr. Kundnani, the Company currently has four Board of Directors. Mr. Kundnani is a seasoned entrepreneur with several decades of experience building successful businesses in the United States, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom. From May 2018 to the present, Mr. Kundnani was the founder and current Director of Alchemy Prime Markets, a financial brokerage services company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). From December 2018 to the present, Mr. Kundnani founded and is the Director of Blackthorn Finance Limited, an authorized payments financial services company regulated by the FCA. From May 2004 to April 2008, Mr. Kundnani was the Director of Tristar Group, responsible for investing and acquiring small retail businesses in the Texas region. From February 1999 to the present, Mr. Kundnani has been a partner and CEO of Flexo Pack, a polyethylene product manufacturer with a global customer base. Mr. Kundnani holds an undergraduate business degree from Mulund College of Commerce, Mumbai, India.
Upon the termination of Mr. Kerridge and the resignation of Mr. Provini, the Company currently had four Board of Directors. Mitchell M. Eaglstein is the acting Chairman of the Company. Mitchell M. Eaglstein and Imran Firoz are the executive directors and officers of the Company. Gope S. Kundnani is considered an executive director by owning the Company’s stock of at least 10%. Jonathan Baumgart is an independent director under NYSE and NASDAQ listing standards.
Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
On July 2, 2021, the Board of Directors of FDCTech, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the dismissal of Farber Hass Hurley LLP (“FHH”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The reports of FHH on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. It was not qualified or modified for uncertainty audit scope or accounting principles.
On July 2, 2021, the Company appointed BF Borgers CPA PC (“BFB”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately, to perform independent audit services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. BFB has been the Company’s auditor since July 2021. On April 18, 2023, the board of directors of FDCTech, Inc. (the “Company”) terminated its relationship with its independent registered public accounting firm, BF Borgers CPA PC, Lakewood, Colorado (“BF Borgers”), effective as of April 18, 2023. The reports of BF Borgers on the Company’s financial statements for the two years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. They were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, except for providing a qualification for the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. During the year ended December 31, 2022, and in the subsequent period through March 31, 2023, there were no disagreements with BF Borgers on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BF Borgers, would have caused BF Borgers to refer to the matter in its reports on the Company’s financial statements for such periods.
On April 18, 2023, the Company, based on the decision of its board of directors, approved the engagement of Bolko & Company, Boca Raton, Florida (“Bolko”) to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, commencing April 18, 2023. On March 4, 2024, the board of directors of the “Company terminated its relationship with its independent registered public accounting firm, Bolko & Company, Boca Raton, Florida (“Bolko”), effective as of March 4, 2024.
The Company retained Bolko for less than a year, and we did not file any Form 10K reports with the SEC. During the period that Bolko was the Company’s auditor through March 4, 2024, there were no disagreements with Bolko on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Bolko, would have caused Bolko to refer to the matter in its reports on the Company’s financial statements for such periods.
On March 4, 2024, the Company, based on the decision of its board of directors, approved the engagement of Fortune CPA Inc., Orange, California (“FCPA”) to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, commencing March 4, 2024.
On July 2, 2024, the Company, based on the decision of its board of directors, approved the engagement of Olayinka Oyebola & Co (“Olayinka”) to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, commencing July 2, 2024. Olayinka is a member of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in the United States and member of Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) in Canada.
Description of Company’s Securities to be Registered
Effective September 03, 2021, the Company incorporated by reference the description of its common stock, par value $ per share, to be registered hereunder contained under the heading “Description of Securities” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333- 221726), as initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on November 22, 2017, as subsequently amended (the “Registration Statement”). Since the Registration Statement filing, the Company has made all required filings pursuant to Section 15(d) and has continued to file all reports voluntarily.
NOTE 1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Covid-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic throughout the United States. While the initial outbreak concentrated in China, it spread to several other countries, including Russia and Cyprus, and reported infections globally. Many countries worldwide, including the United States, have implemented significant governmental measures to control the spread of the virus, including temporary closure of businesses, severe restrictions on travel and the movement of people, and other material limitations on trade. These measures have resulted in work stoppages, absenteeism in the Company’s labor workforce, and other disruptions. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our operations will depend on future developments. These developments are highly uncertain. We cannot predict them with confidence, including the duration and severity of the outbreak and the actions required to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact. In particular, the spread of the coronavirus globally could adversely impact our operations and workforce, including our marketing and sales activities and ability to raise additional capital, which could harm our business, financial condition, and operation results.
Ukraine-Russia Conflict
The geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe intensified on February 24, 2022, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The war between the two countries continues to evolve as military activity continues. The United States and certain European countries have imposed additional sanctions on Russia and specific individuals. By the end of August 2022, the Company closed its technical support and development office in Russia. We relocated our personnel to Turkey, currently considered a neutral zone. No individual associated with the Company is banned or under Special Designated Nationals and Blocked Person list. If the military activities worsen and expand in Europe, we may relocate our office from Turkey to other neutral zones in Asia. If we cannot relocate our technical and development operations to a safer zone, it may impact our software development capabilities and negatively impact the Company’s business plans.
As of the date of this report, there has been no disruption in our operations.
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