0001104659-23-124090.txt : 20231207 0001104659-23-124090.hdr.sgml : 20231207 20231206201523 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-23-124090 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 FILED AS OF DATE: 20231207 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20231206 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Hut 8 Corp. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001964789 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FINANCE SERVICES [6199] IRS NUMBER: 922056803 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-94244 FILM NUMBER: 231470879 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1101 BRICKELL AVENUE, SUITE 1500 CITY: MIAMI STATE: FL ZIP: 33131 BUSINESS PHONE: 305-224-6427 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1101 BRICKELL AVENUE, SUITE 1500 CITY: MIAMI STATE: FL ZIP: 33131 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Ho Michael CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001999337 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1221 BRICKELL AVENUE, SUITE 900 CITY: MIAMI STATE: FL ZIP: 33131 SC 13D 1 tm2332027d1_sc13d.htm SC 13D

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.  )*

 

Hut 8 Corp.

 

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

44812J 104

 

(CUSIP Number)

 

Michael Ho
c/o Hut 8 Corp.

1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1500

Miami, Florida 33131

(305) 224-6427

 

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

November 30, 2023

 

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of § 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

CUSIP No.  44812J 104   Page 2 of 7 Pages

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

 

Michael Ho

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)

(a) ¨

(b) ¨

3

SEC USE ONLY

 

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

 

OO

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)

 

¨
6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

Canada

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

6,326,412(1)

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

0

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

6,326,412(1)

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

0

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

6,326,412(1)

12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions) ¨
13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

7.1%(2) 

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

 

IN

           

1)Represents 6,326,412 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Issuer held directly by the Reporting Person.

2)The percentage calculation is based on 88,550,105 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock issued and outstanding as of November 30, 2023 following the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined herein).

 

 

 

 

Item 1.Security and Issuer.

 

This statement on Schedule 13D (this “Statement” or “Schedule”) relates to the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) of Hut 8 Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer” or the “Company”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1500, Miami, Florida 33131.

 

Item 2.Identity and Background.

 

(a): This Schedule is being filed by Michael Ho (the “Reporting Person”).

 

(b), (c) and (f): The Reporting Person is a Canadian citizen. The Reporting Person is the Chief Strategy Officer and a Director of the Issuer. The business address of the Reporting Person is c/o Hut 8 Corp., 1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1500, Miami, Florida 33131.

 

(d) and (e): During the last five years, the Reporting Person has not been: (i) convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

Item 3.Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

 

The securities held by the Reporting Person were issued pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination described in Item 6 below.

 

The information set forth or incorporated by reference in Item 6 of this Statement is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.

 

Item 4.Purpose of Transaction.

 

The information set forth or incorporated by reference in Items 3 and 6 of this Statement is incorporated by reference into this Item 4.

 

The Reporting Person intends to continuously review his investment in the Issuer and may in the future determine (1) to acquire additional securities of the Issuer, through open market purchases, private agreements or otherwise, (2) to dispose of all or a portion of the securities of the Issuer owned by him or (3) to take any other available course of action. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Reporting Person specifically reserves the right to change his intention with respect to any or all of such matters. In reaching any decision as to his course of action (as well as to the specific elements thereof), the Reporting Person currently expects that he would take into consideration a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the Issuer’s business and prospects; other developments concerning the Issuer and its business generally; other business opportunities available to the Reporting Person; developments with respect to the business of the Reporting Person; changes in law and government regulations; general economic conditions; and money and stock market conditions, including the market price of the securities of the Issuer.

 

The Reporting Person is the Chief Strategy Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, and, accordingly, in such capacity, may have influence over the corporate activities of the Issuer, including activities which may relate to items described in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D. Subject to the Issuer’s Insider Trading Policy and the Lock-up and Voting Agreement described in Item 6 of this Statement, the Reporting Person may from time to time buy or sell securities of the Issuer as appropriate for their personal circumstances.

 

 1 

 

 

Except as described in this Statement, the Reporting Person does not have any present plans or proposals that relate to or would result in any of the actions described in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D, although, subject to the agreements described herein, the Reporting Person, at any time and from time to time, may review, reconsider and change his position and/or change his purpose and/or develop such plans and may seek to influence management of the Issuer or the Board of Directors of the Issuer with respect to the business and affairs of the Issuer and may from time to time consider pursuing or proposing such matters with advisors, the Issuer or other persons.

 

Item 5.Interest in Securities of the Issuer

 

(a)-(b): The information set forth in rows 7 through 13 of the cover pages to this Statement is incorporated by reference.

 

(c): None.

 

(d): No other person has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, securities covered by this Statement.

 

(e): Not applicable.

 

Item 6.Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

 

Business Combination Agreement

 

On November 30, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2023 (the “Business Combination Agreement”) by and among the Company, U.S. Data Mining Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“USBTC”) and Hut 8 Mining Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of British Columbia (“Hut 8”).

 

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, a newly-formed direct wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary of the Company merged with and into USBTC, with USBTC surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and each share of Series A preferred stock of USBTC, Series B preferred stock of USBTC, Series B-1 preferred stock of USBTC and common stock of USBTC, $0.00001 par value per share (“USBTC common stock”), was exchanged for 0.6716 of a share of Common Stock.

 

As a former shareholder of USBTC, the Reporting Person’s shares of USBTC common stock were exchanged for 6,326,412 shares of Common Stock.

 

 2 

 

 

The foregoing description of the Business Combination does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Business Combination Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Lock-Up and Voting Agreement

 

In connection with the Business Combination, the Company and the Reporting Person entered into the Lock-Up and Voting Agreement, dated November 30, 2023 (the “Lock-Up and Voting Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Reporting Person agreed not to transfer 65% of his shares of Common Stock for a period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on, and including, the date that is six months following the Closing Date. In addition, the Reporting Person agreed to either abstain or not to vote all of the Reporting Person’s shares of Common Stock against the Issuer’s Board of Director’s Director Nominees at any special or annual meeting of stockholders held in the 12 month period following the Closing Date.

 

The foregoing description of the Lock-Up and Voting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Lock-Up and Voting Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Executive Employment Agreement

 

In connection with the Business Combination, the Company entered into an employment agreement with the Reporting Person (the “Executive Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which he will be employed by the Company for an indefinite term until his employment is terminated in accordance with the terms of his Executive Employment Agreement. Under the Executive Employment Agreement, the Company agreed to provide the Reporting Person: (i) a base salary (US$490,000); (ii) an annual bonus with a target opportunity equal to 80% of base salary, subject to achievement of any applicable performance goals established by the Board of Directors; (iii) eligibility to receive equity-based compensation as determined by the Board of Directors; and (iv) annual tax filing reimbursement up to US$2,500.

 

Pursuant to the Executive Employment Agreement, upon a termination of employment Without Cause (as defined in the Executive Employment Agreement) or if the Reporting Person terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the Executive Employment Agreement) (each, a “Qualifying Termination”), the Reporting Person will be entitled to the following payments and benefits: (i) any annual bonus awarded in respect of the year preceding the year of termination, but not yet paid; (ii) an annual bonus at target, if earned, for the year in which the Reporting Person’s employment terminates; (iii) 12 months of the Reporting Person’s base salary payable over 12 months or, at the option of the Company, as a lump sum payment; (iv) continued benefits and perquisites (as existed on the date notice of termination is provided) only for the minimum statutory notice period and thereafter, continued group health and dental benefits for the remainder of the 12-month post-termination period and (v) the Reporting Person’s long-term incentive or other equity awards will be determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan and award agreements; provided that with respect to awards that vest (A) solely based on continued service with the Company, such awards shall vest in any tranche scheduled to vest in accordance with the applicable award agreement during the 12-month post-termination period and (B) based on the achievement of performance criteria that occurs during the 12-month post-termination period.

 

 3 

 

 

Under the Executive Employment Agreement, the Reporting Person is subject to certain non-competition and non-solicitation of customers, suppliers and employees restrictions for 12-months following any termination of employment, in addition to non-disparagement and confidentiality obligations.

 

The foregoing description of the Executive Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Executive Employment Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

 

99.1   Business Combination Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2023, by and among the Company, USBTC and Hut 8 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 1, 2023).
   
99.2   Lock-Up and Voting Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2023, by and between the Company and the Reporting Person.
   
99.3   Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2023, by and among the Company, the Reporting Person, and Hut 8.

 

 4 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of the Reporting Person’s knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this Statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Dated: December 6, 2023  
     
     
    MICHAEL HO
     
     
    By: /s/ Michael Ho
    Name: Michael Ho

 

 

 

EX-99.2 2 tm2332027d1_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOCK-UP AND VOTING AGREEMENT

 

This LOCK-UP AND VOTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of November 30, 2023 by and among Hut 8 Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned securityholder (the “Holder”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Business Combination Agreement (as defined herein).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, On February 6, 2023, Hut 8 Mining Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of British Columbia (“Hut 8”) entered into a business combination agreement by and among Hut 8, U.S. Data Mining Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation doing business as “US Bitcoin Corp” (“USBTC”), and the Company (the “Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which, (i) Hut 8 and its direct wholly-owned subsidiary, Hut 8 Holdings Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of British Columbia, will, as part of a court-sanctioned plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), be amalgamated (the “Amalgamation”) to continue as one British Columbia corporation (“Hut 8 Amalco”), (ii) following the Amalgamation, and pursuant to the Arrangement, each common share of Hut 8 Amalco (other than any shares held by dissenting shareholders) will be exchanged for 0.2000 of a share of common stock of the Company (each whole share of common stock, a “Share”), and (iii) following the completion of the Arrangement, a newly-formed direct wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary of the Company will complete a merger executed under the laws of the State of Nevada with and into USBTC , with each share of common stock and preferred stock (on an as-converted basis) of USBTC (“USBTC Stock”) being exchanged for that number of Shares equal to 0.6716 of a Share for each share of USBTC Stock (the “Business Combination”); and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Business Combination, the Holder has agreed to certain transfer restrictions on, and/or voting requirements with respect to, the Covered Securities (as defined herein) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.          Definitions and Interpretation.

 

(a)            Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

 

Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlled by, controlling or under common control with such Person; provided that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any Holder. As used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) as applied to any Person shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of such Person (whether through ownership of securities, by contract or otherwise).

 

 

 - 2 - 

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Board Nominees” means those nominees as determined by the Board of Directors for election as directors of the Company (i) at any regular or special meeting of stockholders of the Company called for that purpose and held during the Voting Term

 

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Combination Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks located in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

 

Capital Stock” means (i) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, any and all shares, interests or equivalents in capital stock of such corporation (whether voting or nonvoting and whether common or preferred), (ii) with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, individual or governmental entity, any and all partnership, membership, limited liability company or other equity interests of such Person that confer on the holder thereof the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or the distribution of assets of, the issuing Person, and (iii) any and all warrants, rights (including conversion and exchange rights) and options to purchase any security described in clause (i) or (ii) above.

 

Change of Control” means an event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

 

(i)        any Person (or any group of Persons acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a beneficial owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (I) of paragraph (iii) below;

 

(ii)       the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving on the Board of Directors: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board of Directors and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended;

 

 

 - 3 - 

(iii)      there is consummated a merger, consolidation, conversion, domestication, transfer or continuance of the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary, other than (I) a merger, consolidation, conversion, domestication, transfer or continuance (A) which results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, conversion, domestication, transfer or continuance continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving, resulting, converted or domesticated entity or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving, resulting, converted or domesticated entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation, conversion, domestication, transfer or continuance and (B) immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board of Directors immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors or governing body of the Company, the entity surviving, resulting, converted or domesticated in such merger, consolidation, conversion, domestication, transfer or continuance or, if the Company or the entity surviving, resulting, converted or domesticated in such merger, consolidation, conversion, domestication, transfer or continuance is then a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (II) a merger, consolidation, conversion, domestication, transfer or continuance effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

 

(iv)      the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than (A) a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company following the completion of such transaction in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or (B) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board of Directors immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold or disposed or, if such entity is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof.

 

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Covered Securities” shall mean, with respect to the Holder, all of the following: (i) any and all Shares which are owned by the Holder on the Effective Date, (ii) any Shares issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any securities of the Company which are owned by the Holder as of the Effective Date, (iii) any securities of the Company issued in respect of the Shares issued or issuable the Holder by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization or otherwise and any Shares issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof, in each case to the extent relating to any securities of the Company which were owned by the Holder as of the Effective Date, and (iv) any other securities of the Company issued or issuable to the Holder that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Shares, whether at the option of the Holder or otherwise, in each case to the extent relating to any securities of the Company which were owned by the Holder as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 - 4 - 

Effective Date” means the date on which the Business Combination is consummated.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Holder” has the meaning set forth in the recitals, and shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, any Permitted Transferee thereof to whom Covered Securities are transferred in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Lock-Up Shares” shall mean, with respect to the Holder and as of the Effective Date, 65% of the Shares beneficially owned by the Holder, or over which the Holder exercises control or direction over.

 

Lock-Up Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to the Holder, (i) a member of such Holder’s immediate family (which shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin) or a trust, corporation, partnership or limited liability company for the benefit of the Holder or the Holder’s immediate family member, all of the beneficial interests of which shall be held by such Holder or one or more members of such Holder’s immediate family, (ii) the Holder’s heirs, successors, administrators and executor and any beneficiary pursuant to will, other testamentary document or applicable laws of descent and (iii) to any person pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or other order of a court, administrative agency or other governmental authority.

 

Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

 

Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of Capital Stock of such Person entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or managers is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, either (x) a majority of the Capital Stock of such Person entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or other oversight board vested with the authority to direct management of such Person is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or (y) the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole manager or general partner of such Person.

 

 

 - 5 - 

Transfer” means to, directly or indirectly, whether in one transaction or a series of transactions and whether by merger, consolidation, division, operation of law, or otherwise, (i) sell, transfer, assign or similarly dispose of, or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment or similar disposition of, any interest in any Covered Securities owned by a Person or any interest (including a beneficial interest) in, or the ownership, control or possession of, any Covered Securities owned by a Person (provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the pledging of any interest in any Covered Securities owned by a Person shall not constitute a “Transfer” hereunder), (ii) enter into any swap, hedging, short sale, or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Covered Securities, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii).

 

Voting Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

(b)            Interpretation. Unless otherwise noted:

 

(i)        All references to laws, rules, regulations and forms in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such laws, rules, regulations and forms, as amended from time to time or, to the extent replaced, the comparable successor thereto in effect at the time.

 

(ii)       All references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successor thereto.

 

(iii)      All references to agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to be references to such agreements or other instruments as they may be amended from time to time.

 

Section 2.          Lock-Up.

 

(a)            The Holder hereby agrees that they will not Transfer the Lock-Up Shares held by the Holder as of the Effective Date, from the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on, and including, the date that is six months following the Effective Date (the “Lock-Up Term”). The transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement shall cease to apply commencing on the first calendar day immediately following the last day of the Lock-Up Term.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions on Transfer set forth in Section 2(a), the Holder may:

 

(i)        Transfer Lock-Up Shares to any Permitted Transferee;

 

(ii)       exercise any options, restricted stock units, warrants or other derivative securities of the Company, provided that the Holder shall otherwise comply with any restrictions on Transfer applicable to the Shares underlying such securities; and

 

 

 - 6 - 

(iii)      establish a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act during the Lock-Up Term for the Transfer of Shares (a “10b5-1 Plan”); provided that such plan parameters comply with the restrictions contained in Section 2(a) hereof during the Lock-Up Term; and

 

(iv)      Transfer Lock-Up Shares to the Company;

 

provided, however, that in the case of any Transfer or distribution pursuant to Section 2(b)(i), (x) in each case such Permitted Transferee must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by this Agreement, including the restrictions on Transfer set forth in Section 2(a), and (y) such Permitted Transferee (other than a Permitted Transferee as defined in clause (ii) or (iii) thereof) agrees to promptly Transfer such Lock-Up Shares back to the Holder if such Permitted Transferee ceases to be a Permitted Transferee for any reason prior to the end of the Lock-Up Term.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the restrictions on Transfer set forth in Section 2(a) shall automatically terminate upon consummation of a Change of Control.

 

(d)            The Holder acknowledges and agrees that any purported Transfer of Lock-Up Shares in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio, and the Company shall not be required to register any such purported Transfer. If the Holder effects or attempts to so effect a Transfer in violation of this Agreement, the Holder will be deemed to have committed a material breach of their obligations to the Company hereunder.

 

Section 3.          Restrictive Legend; Stop Transfer Instruction.

 

Certificates or DRS Position Statement representing the Lock-Up Shares issued on the Effective Date must bear the following legend:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS [CERTIFICATE/DRS POSITION STATEMENT] ARE SUBJECT TO A LOCK-UP AND VOTING AGREEMENT AMONG HUT 8 CORP. (THE ”COMPANY“) AND THE OWNER OF SUCH SECURITIES THAT MATERIALLY RESTRICTS THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THE SECURITIES. BY ACCEPTING ANY INTEREST IN SUCH SHARES THE PERSON ACCEPTING SUCH INTEREST SHALL BE DEEMED TO AGREE TO AND SHALL BECOME BOUND BY ALL THE PROVISIONS OF SAID AGREEMENT. A COPY OF THE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.”

 

In order to ensure compliance with the provisions contained herein, the Holder agrees that the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” certificates or instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of a Holder’s Lock-Up Shares (irrespective of the date of issuance of such Shares), or otherwise make adequate provision to restrict the transferability of the Lock-Up Shares, in the event of a transfer other than in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, and that it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its records.

 

Section 4.          Voting Agreement.

 

(a)            From the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on, and including, the date that is 12 months following the Effective Date (the “Voting Term”), the Holder agrees to either abstain or not to vote, or cause to be voted, all of such Holder’s Covered Securities entitled to vote at any regular or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, if submitted for a stockholder vote by the Board of Directors, against such Board Nominee’s election to the Board of Directors. The voting of shares of Covered Securities may be effected in person, by proxy or in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

 

 

 - 7 - 

(b)            To secure the Holder’s obligations to vote their shares of Covered Securities in accordance with this Section 4, (i) the Holder hereby appoints the Chair of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or either of them (if not the same person) from time to time, or their respective designees, as the Holder’s true and lawful proxy and attorney, with the power to act alone and with full power of substitution, to vote all of the Holder’s Covered Securities in favor of the matters set forth in Section 4(a) and to execute all appropriate instruments consistent with this Agreement on behalf of such Holder if, and only if, the Holder fails to vote, or cause to be voted, all of the Holder’s Covered Securities or execute such other instruments in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 within five days of the Company’s written request for the Holder’s vote, written consent or signature. The proxy and power granted by the Holder pursuant to this Section 4 are coupled with an interest and are given to secure the performance of the Holder’s obligations under this Section 4. Each such proxy and power will be irrevocable during the Voting Term. The proxy and power, so long as such Holder is an individual, will survive the death, incompetency and disability of such Holder and, so long as such Holder is a Person, other than an individual, will survive the merger or reorganization of such Holder.

 

(c)            This Agreement shall terminate on the date of the expiration of the Voting Term.

 

Section 5.          General Provisions.

 

(a)            Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and the Holder. The failure or delay of any Person to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such Person thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. A waiver or consent to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that Person of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person under this Agreement.

 

(b)            Remedies. The parties to this Agreement and their successors and permitted assigns shall be entitled to seek enforcement of their rights under this Agreement specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto and their successors and assigns agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing hereunder, any party shall be entitled to seek specific performance and/or other injunctive relief from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

 

 - 8 - 

(c)            Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or regulation in any jurisdiction, such prohibition, invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

(d)            Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement contains the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

(e)            Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns and the Holders and their respective successors and assigns (whether so expressed or not). In addition, whether or not any express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of the Holder are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent or successor Holder. No Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns is intended to be a beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

(f)            Notices. Any notice, demand or other communication to be given under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or delivered (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) when sent by electronic mail (provided that the sending party does not receive an automatically generated message from the recipient’s email server that such email could not be delivered to such recipient) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient but, if not, then on the next Business Day, (iii) one Business Day after it is sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or (iv) three Business Days after it is mailed to the recipient by first class mail, return receipt requested. Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the Company and the undersigned Holder at the addresses specified below, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party or as is on file for such Person at the Company. Any party may change such party’s address for receipt of notice by providing prior written notice of the change to the sending party as provided herein.

 

The Company’s address is:

 

Hut 8 Corp.

c/o Hut 8 Mining Corp.

24 Duncan Street, Suite 500

Toronto, ON M5V 2B8

Attn: Chief Legal Officer

 

Email: aniss.amdiss@hut8.io

 

 

 - 9 - 

The Holder’s address is:

 

1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1500
Miami, Florida 33131

Attention: Michael Ho

 

Email: mike@usbitcoin.com

 

or to such other address or to the attention of such other Person as the Company has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

 

(g)            Governing Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto, and the relative rights of the Company and the Holders hereunder, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

(h)            MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL), EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(i)            Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Each of the parties, and each of their successors and assigns, irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the court of chancery of the state of Delaware or, only if such court lacks jurisdiction, the state or federal courts in the state of Delaware, for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this agreement, any related agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby. Each of the parties hereto, and each of their successors and assigns, irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this agreement, any related document or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby in the aforementioned courts, and hereby and thereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(j)            Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.

 

(k)            Interpretation. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) each party hereto and its counsel reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of this Agreement and have contributed to its revision, (ii) the rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement and (iii) the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be construed fairly as to all parties hereto, regardless of which party was generally responsible for the preparation of this Agreement.

 

 

 - 10 - 

(l)            Other Agreements. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of, or release from, any obligations any party hereto may have under, or any restrictions on the transfer of securities of the Company imposed by any other agreement.

 

(m)            Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signature of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(n)            Electronic Delivery. This Agreement and any amendments hereto, to the extent executed and delivered by means of DocuSign or a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction of such signed writing using a facsimile machine or electronic mail shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of DocuSign, a facsimile machine, or electronic mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of DocuSign, a facsimile machine, or electronic mail as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(o)            Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Holder shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(p)            Not a Voting Trust. This Agreement is not a voting trust governed by Section 218 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and should not be interpreted as such.

 

(q)            Dilution. If, from time to time, there is any change in the capital structure of the Company by way of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification or similar change affecting all issued and outstanding Shares as a class, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions hereof so that the rights and privileges granted hereby shall continue. In the event of any issuance of Capital Stock of the Company hereafter to any of the parties hereto in connection with any change in the capital structure of the Company as described in the immediately preceding sentence, such shares shall become subject to this Agreement and shall be endorsed with the legend set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

 

 - 11 - 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lock-Up and Voting Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  HUT 8 CORP.
     
     
  Per: /s/ Asher Genoot
   

Name:

Title:

Asher Genoot

President

 

  /s/ Michael Ho
  Michael Ho

 

 

 

EX-99.3 3 tm2332027d1_ex99-3.htm EXHIBIT 99.3

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 30th day of November, 2023 (the "Effective Date"), by and among Hut 8 Mining Corp., a corporation amalgamated under the laws of British Columbia ("Hut"), Hut 8 Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Company"), and Mike Ho, an individual residing in Dubai, UAE (the "Executive").

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS pursuant to a transaction involving a business combination of Hut, the Company and U.S. Data Mining Group, Inc. d/b/a US Bitcoin Corp. ("USBTC") by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and a merger under the laws of the State of Nevada, pursuant to which, among other things, Hut and USBTC will each become wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company (the "Transaction"). The closing of the Transaction shall be referred to in this Agreement as the "Closing"; and

 

WHEREAS upon and subject to Closing, the Company and Hut (together, collectively, the "Hut Group") shall jointly employ the Executive as the Chief Strategy Officer pursuant to the terms, and subject to the conditions, as set out in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual agreements contained herein (the receipt and adequacy of which are acknowledged), the Parties agree as follows:

 

Article 1
INTERPRETATION

 

Section 1.1          Definitions.

 

In this Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms have the meaning set out in Schedule "A" annexed to this Agreement.

 

Section 1.2          Extended Meanings.

 

In this Agreement, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing gender include all genders.

 

Section 1.3          Headings.

 

The division of this Agreement into articles and sections and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 1.4          References.

 

References to a specific article, or section are to be construed as references to that specified article, or section of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

 

 - 2 - 

Section 1.5          Currency.

 

All dollar amounts referred to in this Agreement are in United States currency, unless otherwise specifically indicated.

 

Article 2

EMPLOYMENT POSITION AND DUTIES

 

Section 2.1          Employment.

 

The Executive shall be employed as the Chief Strategy Officer of the Hut Group and shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as the case may be. If reasonably requested by the Board, the Executive will also serve as an officer and/or director of subsidiaries or affiliates of the Hut Group. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Executive will not be entitled to any additional compensation for services for other positions or titles that the Executive may hold with any subsidiaries or affiliates of the Hut Group to the extent the Executive is so appointed. The Executive shall work from his home in Dubai, UAE with frequent business travel to Hut's principal offices in Toronto, Ontario and to other international locations as reasonably required to perform the Executive's duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

The Executive shall perform such duties and responsibilities as set forth on Schedule "B" annexed to this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement, it is agreed to by the Parties to this Agreement that as a condition of the Executive's employment, and carrying out his duties, under this Agreement, the Executive must obtain all necessary authorizations to work in the United States of America within a reasonable period of time after the Closing and until such time as the Executive obtains such necessary authorizations to work in the United States of America, the Executive will not have an active role in the Company, including that he will not have direct reports at the Company and will not frequently travel to the Company's office in the United States of America. When such authorization to work in the United States of America is obtained by the Executive, it is further agreed to by the Executive that he shall, if required by the Hut Group, enter into an amendment to this Agreement or an amended and restated employment agreement that will account for such authorization but will otherwise contain terms and conditions of employment that are substantially similar to the terms and conditions herein.

 

Section 2.2          Term.

 

This Agreement will be effective from and subject to the date upon which the Closing occurs and will continue in effect for an indefinite term until it is terminated in accordance with Article 4 (the "Term"). In the event that the Closing does not occur, this Agreement shall be null and void.

 

Section 2.3          Location.

 

The Executive shall generally perform services for Hut from his home in Dubai, UAE and/or Hut's principal offices in Toronto, Ontario, and with other business travel as required. The Parties further agree that: (a) any agreements, contracts or other binding commitments concluded by the Executive on behalf of Hut shall be concluded in Canada; (b) while visiting the United States of America or other locations outside of Canada, the Executive shall not negotiate or conclude any agreements, contracts or other binding commitments on behalf of Hut; and (c) the Executive shall not negotiate or conclude any agreements, contracts or other binding commitments on behalf of the Company until such time as the Executive obtains all necessary authorizations to work in the United States of America. The Executive shall keep, or cause to be maintained, and provide to the Hut Group, complete and accurate records of work days spent by the Executive in Canada or the UAE and days spent visiting other global locations as part of his employment hereunder.

 

 

 - 3 - 

Section 2.4          Faithful Service.

 

(1)During the Term, the Executive shall:

 

(a)well and faithfully serve the Hut Group, as the case may be, and carry out those responsibilities as are necessary to perform the functions associated with the position of Chief Strategy Officer of the Hut Group;

 

(b)devote the required skill, experience and attention necessary to carry out the responsibilities consistent with the Executive's position; and

 

(c)use the Executive's best efforts to promote the success of the Business and act at all times in the best interests of the Hut Group.

 

(2)The Executive acknowledges that the Executive must comply with: (a) the lawful policies and procedures established by the Company from time to time, including any code of ethics or business conduct adopted by the Company (including any future revisions of such policies, procedures or other codes of business conduct); and (b) all applicable laws, rules, regulations and all requirements of all applicable regulatory, self-regulatory and administrative bodies.

 

Article 3
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

Section 3.1          Base Salary.

 

During the Term, Hut shall pay from its Canadian payroll to the Executive a salary at the rate of US$490,000.00 per annum (the "Base Salary"), less applicable deductions and withholdings, payable in accordance with the Company's regular payroll practices. The Executive's Base Salary may be increased upon annual review by the Board, at the sole discretion of the Board, and once increased shall thereafter be the Base Salary hereunder. The Executive's Base Salary will be converted from United States dollars to Canadian dollars at the average USD:CAD exchange rate (calculated using the Bank of Canada rates) for the calendar month prior to the calendar month of the applicable pay period.

 

Section 3.2          Annual Bonus.

 

During the Term, the Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus with a target of eighty percent (80%) of Base Salary ("Annual Bonus") in accordance with the achievement of performance metrics, both corporate and personal, as determined by the Board (or a subcommittee thereof) in their sole discretion, acting reasonably, as applicable, at the beginning of the relevant year. Each such Annual Bonus will be payable on such date as is determined by the Board (or a subcommittee thereof), but no later than March 31 of the following fiscal year and in all cases in the calendar year that follows the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates, and will be converted from United States dollars to Canadian dollars at the average USD:CAD exchange rate (calculated using the Bank of Canada rates) for the calendar month prior to the calendar month of the applicable pay period. As a condition to being eligible for an Annual Bonus, the Executive must remain actively employed under this Agreement until the date of payment.

 

 

 - 4 - 

The Executive acknowledges that: (a) terms of the Annual Bonus may change each fiscal year at the discretion of the Company; (b) the Executive has no expectation that in any fiscal year there will be a guaranteed level of bonus; (c) the amount of the bonus, if any, that the Executive may be awarded may change from year to year; and (d) all bonuses are subject to applicable deductions and withholdings. For greater certainty, except as otherwise stipulated in Article 4 of this Agreement, and except as required by Applicable Employment Standards Legislation, no period of notice of termination, if any, or payment in lieu of notice or Severance Period that is given or ought to have been given pursuant to this Agreement or at law that follows or is in respect of a period after the last date of actual and active employment will be considered as extending the Executive's period of employment for the purposes of determining the Executive's entitlements under this Agreement.

 

Section 3.3          Equity Compensation.

 

During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive equity-based compensation awards under the equity compensation plan of the Company as in effect from time to time, as determined by the Board (or a subcommittee thereof) in its sole discretion.

 

Section 3.4          Vacation.

 

During each full calendar year, the Executive will be entitled to five (5) weeks' vacation, which shall accrue in accordance with the Company's vacation policy, if applicable. Unused vacation may not be carried forward to a subsequent year or paid out upon termination of employment, except as required by Applicable Employment Standards Legislation or Company policy. Vacation is to be taken at a time acceptable to the Company having regard to business requirements.

 

Section 3.5          Expenses.

 

The Company or an affiliate shall reimburse the Executive for all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably and properly incurred by the Executive in connection with the Executive's duties hereunder, provided that such expenses are in accordance with the policies of the Company in effect from time to time. To the extent requested by the Company or required under such policies, the Executive shall furnish to the Company statements and receipts for all such expenses. If the reimbursement of any travel expense results in a taxable benefit to the Executive, Hut agrees, and the Company shall cause Hut, to reimburse the Executive the applicable taxes as a result of such taxable benefit.

 

Section 3.6          Benefits.

 

The Executive will continue to participate in the applicable benefits plans of the Company and Hut, as the case may be, during the Term subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans, as may be amended or terminated. To the extent that there is a superior entitlement under any other Company benefit plan, the Executive shall be entitled to receive such additional benefit subject to and in accordance with its terms and conditions, as may be amended or terminated.

 

 

 - 5 - 

Section 3.7          Tax Filing Reimbursement.

 

To assist the Executive with the Executive's tax affairs during employment hereunder and without limiting Section 3.5 above, the Company or an affiliate shall reimburse the Executive, on an after-tax basis, for any costs reasonably and properly incurred by the Executive with respect to the Executive's receipt of tax advisory and preparation services from a qualified accounting firm of the Executive's choice, up to US$2,500.00 (the "Cap"), inclusive of any applicable goods and services taxes and sales taxes, on an annual basis and subject to the Executive's submission to the Company of statements and receipts for such costs to the extent requested by the Company. For greater certainty: (a) the Company or an affiliate shall reimburse the Executive for any additional income and payroll taxes and similar amounts imposed on the Executive as a result of any reimbursements received or receivable by the Executive under this Section 3.7 (including reimbursements described in this Section 3.7(a)); and (b) the Cap shall be exclusive of any reimbursements described in Section 3.7(a), which may apply in addition to the Cap.

 

Section 3.8          Section 409A Compliance.

 

The intent of the Parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively "Code Section 409A"), to the maximum extent possible, or to the extent not so exempt, that they be compliant with Section 409A to the maximum extent possible and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly. In no event whatsoever shall the Company or its affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or attorneys be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Executive by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

To the extent applicable and for purposes of compliance with Code Section 409A: (a) all expenses or other reimbursements hereunder shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Executive; (b) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; and (c) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

 

For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Executive's right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes "nonqualified deferred compensation" for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.

 

A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “resignation,” “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean separation from service.  Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of Executive’s separation from service, the Company determines that Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then to the extent any payment or benefit that Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of such separation from service would be considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, such payment or benefit shall be paid or provided at the date which is the earlier of (i) six (6) months and one (1) day after such separation from service, and (ii) the date of Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”).  Within five (5) days of the end of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this paragraph (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or provided to Executive in a lump-sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

 

 

 - 6 - 

All payments of Taxes required to be paid by the Company to the Executive pursuant to Section 3.7 or Section 11.9 shall be paid no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive remits the Taxes.

 

Article 4
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Section 4.1          Early Termination.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Executive's employment and this Agreement may be terminated at any time as follows:

 

(1)automatically upon the death of the Executive;

 

(2)by the Hut Group at any time as a result of the Executive's Disability;

 

(3)by the Hut Group at any time for Cause;

 

(4)by the Hut Group at any time without Cause by providing written notice to the Executive specifying the effective Date of Termination (which may be immediately);

 

(5)by the Executive (in the absence of Good Reason) at any time by providing written notice to the Chair of the Board, together with a written copy being delivered to Hut, specifying the effective date of resignation (such date being not less than eight (8) weeks following the date of the Executive's written notice, the "Resignation Notice Period") it being understood neither the Company nor Hut is under an obligation to utilize the Executive's services during the Resignation Notice Period; or

 

(6)by the Executive for Good Reason only after providing written notice to the Chair of the Board, together with a written copy being delivered to Hut, specifying the event or events upon which the Executive is relying to terminate the Executive's employment for Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the initial occurrence thereof, such event or events are not cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, and the Executive's resignation occurs within two (2) years following the initial occurrence of such event or events,

 

provided that, in the case of each of Section 4.1(3) and Section 4.1(4) above, such termination shall not occur (A) during the first year of the Term without the approval of the greater of (i) a majority of the members of the Board (excluding the Executive if the Executive is at such time a member of the Board) and (ii) six members of the Board and (B) after the first year of the Term, without approval of a majority of the members of the Board (excluding the Executive if the Executive is at such time a member of the Board).

 

 

 - 7 - 

Section 4.2          Termination for Death, Cause, or Voluntary Resignation.

 

If this Agreement and the Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(1), Section 4.1(3) or Section 4.1(5) above, then the Company shall, or the Company shall cause an affiliate to, pay to the Executive or to the Executive's estate, as applicable: (a) accrued and unpaid Base Salary up to the Date of Termination; (b) any accrued and outstanding vacation pay to the Date of Termination; and (c) reimbursement for business and other eligible expenses properly incurred to the Date of Termination ((a), (b) and (c), the "Basic Entitlements"). For clarity, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(1), then, in addition to the Company paying, or the Company causing an affiliate to pay, the Executive's Basic Entitlements, the Company or an affiliate shall pay to the Executive's estate any bonus earned but unpaid for any prior fiscal year preceding the year in which the Executive's death occurs. For greater certainty and clarity, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(3) or Section 4.1(5) above, then the Executive shall not be entitled to any bonus, pro-rated or otherwise, for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs or for any unpaid bonus for the prior fiscal year in which termination or resignation occurs.

 

Section 4.3          Termination by Reason of Disability.

 

If this Agreement and the Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(2) above, then the Company shall, or the Company shall cause an affiliate to, pay to the Executive (a) the Basic Entitlements; and (b) those termination and severance payments required by Applicable Employment Standards Legislation (with vacation pay calculated to the end of the statutory notice period). The Executive shall continue to participate in Hut's or the Company's health and welfare benefit plans, as applicable, for the minimum statutory notice period and shall not be entitled to any other notice, or payment in lieu of notice in respect of the termination of the Executive's employment.

 

Section 4.4          Termination without Cause or for Good Reason.

 

If this Agreement and the Executive's employment are terminated without Cause pursuant to Section 4.1(4) or by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4.1(6) above, then the following provisions shall apply:

 

(1)the Company shall, or shall cause an affiliate to, pay to the Executive the Basic Entitlements (with vacation pay calculated to the end of the statutory notice period);

 

(2)the Company shall, or shall cause an affiliate to, pay any Annual Bonus awarded in respect of the year preceding the year of termination, but not yet paid;

 

(3)the Company shall, or shall cause an affiliate to, provide to the Executive an amount equivalent to the Executive's then Base Salary and Annual Bonus at target for a period of twelve (12) months (the "Severance Period") following the Date of Termination and in equal installments on the Company's regular payroll dates over such Severance Period, or at the option of the Company, may make one (1) lump sum payment equal to the same total Base Salary and Annual Bonus at target on the Date of Termination;

 

 

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(4)the Company shall continue, or shall cause Hut to continue, all of the Executive's benefits and perquisites (as existed on the date notice of termination is provided) only for the minimum statutory notice period and thereafter, the Company shall, or shall cause an affiliate to, only continue the Executive's group health and dental benefits for the remainder of the Severance Period; and

 

(5)long term incentive or other equity awards will be determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan and award agreements; provided that with respect to awards that vest (i) solely based on continued service with the Company, such awards shall vest in any tranche scheduled to vest in accordance with the applicable award agreement during the Severance Period and (ii) based on the achievement of performance criteria that occurs during the Severance Period.

 

Section 4.5          Mitigation.

 

The Executive is not required to mitigate any of the amounts payable under this Article 4.

 

Section 4.6          Release.

 

The Parties agree that the provisions of Section 4.3 and Section 4.4 are fair and reasonable and that the payments, benefits and entitlements referred to in Section 4.3 and Section 4.4 hereof are reasonable estimates of the damages which will be suffered by the Executive in the event of the termination of this Agreement and employment hereunder. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.3 and Section 4.4, the Executive shall not be entitled to any further notice of termination, payment in lieu of notice of termination, severance, damages, or any additional compensation whatsoever and the amounts payable are inclusive of any statutory payments. As a condition to receiving any payment pursuant to Section 4.3 and Section 4.4 hereof (except for any minimum obligations due and owing to the Executive pursuant to Applicable Employment Standards Legislation), the Executive agrees to deliver a full and final release in a form provided to the Executive by the Company releasing all claims, demands, actions or otherwise against the Company, the Company's affiliates, and each and all of their respective officers, directors, trustees, shareholders, employees, attorneys, insurers and agents.

 

Section 4.7          Resignation as Director and Officer.

 

Upon termination of the Executive's employment for Cause, the Executive shall thereupon be deemed to have immediately resigned any position the Executive may have as an officer, director or employee of the Company, together with any other office, position or directorship which the Executive may hold with the Company or any of its affiliates. In such event, the Executive shall, at the request of the Company, forthwith execute any and all documents appropriate to evidence such resignations. The Executive shall not be entitled to any payments in respect of such loss of office/directorship.

 

Section 4.8          Return of Property.

 

All equipment, keys, pass cards, credit cards, software, material, written correspondence, memoranda, communication, reports, or other documents or property pertaining to the business of the Company or any of its affiliates used or produced by the Executive in connection with the Executive's employment, or in the Executive's possession or under the Executive's control, shall at all times remain the property of the Company or its affiliate, as applicable. The Executive shall return all property of the Company or any of its affiliates in the Executive's possession or under the Executive's control in good condition forthwith upon any request by the Company or upon any termination of this Agreement and of the Executive’s employment (regardless of the reason for such termination).

 

 

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Article 5
EXECUTIVE’S COVENANTS

 

Section 5.1          Company Property.

 

The Executive acknowledges that all materials of the Company or an affiliate of the Company relating to the business and affairs of the Company or such affiliate, including, without limitation, all Developments, manuals, documents, reports, equipment, working materials and lists of customers or suppliers prepared by the Company or such affiliate or by the Executive in the course of the Executive’s employment are for the benefit of the Company or such affiliate and are and will remain the property of the Company or such affiliate.

 

Section 5.2          Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Rights.

 

(1)While employed during the Term, and following the termination of the Executive's employment (for any reason), the Executive shall not disclose to any Person, nor use for the Executive or another Person’s benefit, any Confidential Information, except as otherwise specifically authorized in writing by the Company or as reasonably required for the Executive to carry out the Executive's duties and responsibilities during employment.

 

(2)The Executive acknowledges and agrees that all rights, titles and interests in or to the Developments and all Intellectual Property in and to the Developments shall be owned exclusively by the Company. Without further compensation, the Executive hereby irrevocably quit-claims and assigns to the Company, and agrees to assign to any designee of the Company, the Executive’s entire right, title and interest in and to the Developments and all Intellectual Property in and to the Developments. The Executive understands that this assignment is intended to, and does, extend to Developments currently in existence, in development, as well as Developments which have yet to be created.

 

(3)The Executive hereby irrevocably waives, in favour of the Company, its successors, assigns and nominees, all moral rights arising under the Copyright Act (Canada) as amended (or any successor legislation of similar effect) or similar legislation in any applicable jurisdiction, or at common law, to the full extent that such rights may be waived in each respective jurisdiction, that the Executive may have now or in the future with respect to the Developments.

 

(4)The Executive shall promptly disclose Developments to the Company, and, at the Company’s expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the Term) to establish and confirm title and ownership of Developments and all Intellectual Property in and to the Developments (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments). The Executive agrees to execute on demand, whether during or after the Term, any applications, transfers, assignments or other documents as the Company may consider necessary for the purpose of either:

 

(a)obtaining, maintaining, vesting or assigning absolute title in any Developments and any Intellectual Property related thereto in, to or for the Company; or

 

 

 - 10 - 

(b)applying for, prosecuting, obtaining, protecting or enforcing any patent, copyright, industrial design or trade-mark registration or any other similar right pertaining to any Intellectual Property in Developments in any country. The Executive further agrees to cooperate and assist the Company in every way possible in the application for or prosecution of rights pertaining to such Intellectual Property.

 

(5)In the event the Company is unable, for any reason, after diligent effort, to secure the Executive’s signature on any document needed in connection with the above-mentioned actions, the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as the Executive's agent and attorney in fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest to act for and on the Executive’s behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of this Agreement with the same legal force and effect as if executed by the Executive.

 

(6)Nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, provincial or local law or regulation. The Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and the Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures.

 

(7)The Executive hereby irrevocably consents to the use of the Executive’s name, picture, portrait, voice, or other likeness or statements made by the Executive in any text, audio and/or visual work, including but not limited to printed materials, photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, films, websites, business or social networking site pages, print, online or other electronic works of authorship, which the Company and/or its affiliates and/or their contractors or representatives produce or publish in relation to the marketing and advertising of the Company’s and/or its affiliates’ products and/or services, in perpetuity and without the requirement of any further consent, attribution or consideration whatsoever. The Executive further hereby grants to the Company and its affiliates and licensees the right to modify, publish, copy, sublicense, and distribute any of the above works, at the Company’s and/or its affiliates’ or licensees’ sole discretion, or any part or remake thereof, in any medium throughout the world in perpetuity.

 

Section 5.3          Corporate Opportunities.

 

Any business opportunities relating in any way to the business and affairs of the Company or any of its affiliates which become known to the Executive during the Executive's employment hereunder shall be fully disclosed and made available to the Company and shall not be appropriated by the Executive under any circumstance.

 

 

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Article 6
NON-COMPETITION

 

Section 6.1          Non-Competition.

 

The Executive shall not, during the Term (including, for certainty, the Resignation Notice Period) and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of the Executive's employment (the “Non-Compete Tail Period”), for any reason, on the Executive's own behalf or on behalf of any Person, without the prior written consent of the Company, whether directly or indirectly, alone, or through or in connection with any Person,

 

(1)carry on or be engaged in a capacity that is the same as or similar to the position occupied by the Executive during the Term, for any undertaking or business in all or part of the Territory which is competitive, in any way, with the Business; or

 

(2)have any financial interest in or be otherwise commercially involved in any undertaking or business in all or part of the Territory which is competitive, in any way, with the Business.

 

Section 6.2          Exception.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 6.1, while employed by the Company or the Hut Group, the Executive shall be permitted to hold, strictly for portfolio reasons and as a passive investor, no more than one percent (1%) of the issued and outstanding shares of or any other interest in, any body corporate, which is listed on any recognized stock exchange, the business of which body corporate is competitive, in any way, with the Business. Furthermore, during the Non-Compete Tail Period, the Executive shall be permitted to hold, strictly for portfolio reasons and as a passive investor, no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the issued and outstanding shares of or any other interest in, any body corporate, the business of which body corporate is competitive, in any way, with the Business.

 

Article 7
NON-SOLICITATION

 

Section 7.1          Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers.

 

The Executive shall not, during the Term (including, for certainty, the Resignation Notice Period) and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of the Executive's employment, for any reason, on the Executive's own behalf or on behalf of or in connection with any other Person, without the prior written consent of Company, whether directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever, alone, or through or in connection with any Person, solicit the business of (or assist in the soliciting of the business of) any Customer, Prospective Customer or Supplier for any purpose which is competitive with the Business, including for the purpose of having a Customer, Prospective Customer or Supplier cease doing business with the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

Section 7.2          Non-Solicitation of Employees.

 

The Executive shall not, during the Term (including, for certainty, the Resignation Notice Period) and for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of the Executive's employment, for any reason, on the Executive's own behalf or on behalf of or in connection with any other Person, without the prior written consent of Company, whether directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever, alone, or through or in connection with any Person:

 

(1)solicit the employment or engagement of or otherwise entice away from the employment or engagement of the Company or any of its affiliates, any individual who is employed or engaged by the Company or any of its affiliates, whether or not such individual would commit any breach of contract or terms of employment or engagement by leaving the employ or the engagement of the Company or any of its affiliates; or

 

 

 - 12 - 

(2)assist any Person to solicit the employment or engagement of any individual who is employed or engaged by the Company or any of its affiliates with whom the Executive had contact in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company during the two (2) year period immediately before the Executive’s employment terminated, or otherwise entice any such individual away from the employment or engagement of the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

For clarity, the placement by the Executive of advertising in a newspaper or other publication of general circulation, or the engagement of a personnel search agency by the Executive generally (i.e. not specifically in respect of the Company or any of its affiliates), that results in an employee or other individual engaged by the Company or any of its affiliates leaving the employment of or engagement with the Company shall not be considered a violation of this Section 7.2.

 

Section 7.3          Fiduciary Obligations.

 

Nothing in this Article 7 is intended to limit the fiduciary obligations that the Executive owes to the Company or Hut or any of their respective affiliates, as the case may be.

 

Article 8
RECOGNITION

 

Section 8.1          Recognition.

 

(1)The Executive expressly recognizes that Article 5, Article 6 and Article 7 of this Agreement are of the essence of this Agreement, and that the Hut Group would not have entered into this Agreement without the inclusion of those provisions and the Executive’s commitment to abide by same.

 

(2)The Executive further recognizes and expressly acknowledges that the application of Article 5, Article 6 and Article 7 of this Agreement will not have the effect of prohibiting the Executive from earning a living in a satisfactory manner in the event of the termination of this Agreement and the Executive's employment.

 

(3)The Executive further recognizes and expressly acknowledges that Article 5, Article 6 and Article 7 of this Agreement grant to the Company and its affiliates only such reasonable protection as is necessary to preserve the legitimate interests of the Company and its affiliates and the Executive equally recognizes, in this respect, that the description of the Business and the Territory are reasonable.

 

Section 8.2          Remedies.

 

The Executive hereby recognizes and expressly acknowledges that the Company and its affiliates would be subject to irreparable harm should any of the provisions of Article 5, Article 6 or Article 7 be infringed, or should any of the Executive’s obligations hereunder be breached by the Executive, and that damages alone will be an inadequate remedy for any breach or violation thereof and that the Company and/or Hut, in addition to all other remedies, will be entitled as a matter of right to equitable relief, including temporary or permanent injunction to restrain such breach.

 

 

 - 13 - 

Section 8.3          Suspension or Termination of Benefits and Compensation.

 

In the event that the Company determines that, without the express written consent of the Company, the Executive has breached any provisions of Article 5, Article 6 or Article 7 of this Agreement, the Company will have the right to suspend or terminate any or all remaining payments and/or benefits, if any, referenced in Section 4.4 of this Agreement subject to applicable minimum requirements contained in Applicable Employment Standards Legislation. Such suspension or termination of payments and/or benefits will be in addition to and will not limit any and all other rights and remedies as set out in Section 8.2 of this Agreement that the Company and/or its affiliates may have against the Executive.

 

Article 9
NON-DISPARAGEMENT

 

Section 9.1          Non-Disparagement.

 

The Executive shall not, during and following the Term, engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumours, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or goodwill of the business or the Hut Group, its affiliates or its employees. Similarly, the Hut Group shall instruct each of its respective directors and officers to not, during and following the Term, engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumours, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity or reputation of the Executive. Nothing in this section is intended to restrict any Party to this Agreement from making comments or providing disclosure as required under applicable laws, including whistleblower legislation, or as required in any investigation, court or arbitration proceeding or action.

 

Article 10
CONFLICTING OBLIGATIONS

 

Section 10.1        No Conflicting Obligations.

 

The Executive represents and warrants to the Hut Group that:

 

(1)there exists no agreement or contract, and that the Executive is not subject to any obligation, which restricts the Executive from (i) being employed by the Company and/or Hut; (ii) performing the duties assigned to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) soliciting the business of any Person; or (iv) using information within the Executive's knowledge or control which may be useful in the performance of the Executive's duties for the Company and/or Hut;

 

(2)in the performance of the Executive's duties for the Company and/or Hut, as the case may be, the Executive shall not improperly bring to the Company or Hut or use any trade secrets, confidential information or other proprietary information of any third party; and

 

(3)the Executive shall not infringe the Intellectual Property of any third party.

 

 

 - 14 - 

Section 10.2        Suspension with Pay.

 

The Executive acknowledges that, during the course of the Executive’s employment, the Board may exercise its discretion to suspend the Executive with pay in furtherance of any internal investigation relating to the Executive’s conduct.

 

Article 11
GENERAL

 

Section 11.1        Notices.

 

Any notice, demand or other communication which is required or permitted by this Agreement to be given or made by a party hereto must be in writing and be sufficiently given if delivered personally, sent by pre-paid registered mail, or via electronic mail at the following addresses:

 

(1)to the Company at:

 

1221 Brickell Avenue, Suite 900
Miami, FL 33131

 

Attention: Chairman of the Board

 

(2)To Hut at:

 

24 Duncan Street, Suite 500
Toronto, ON M5V 2B8

 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

(3)to the Executive at:

 

[***]

 

Attention: Mike Ho

 

or at such other address as any party may from time to time advise the other party by notice in writing. Every notice or other communication will be deemed to have been received, (a) on the date of receipt, if given by personal delivery or electronic mail, and (b) the fifth Business Day after which it is mailed, if sent by registered mail. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a strike or lockout of postal service is in effect, or generally known to be impending, notice must be effected by personal delivery.

 

Section 11.2        Survival.

 

Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, each party shall remain bound by the provisions of this Agreement which by their terms impose obligations upon that party that extend beyond the termination of this Agreement.

 

 

 - 15 - 

Section 11.3        Further Assurances.

 

The Parties shall, with reasonable diligence, do all things and provide all reasonable assurances as may be required to give effect to this Agreement and carry out its provisions, including providing such further documents or instruments reasonably required by any other party.

 

Section 11.4        Assignment.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations are assignable by the Executive. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, amalgamation, arrangement, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company. The Executive, by the Executive's signature hereto, expressly consents to such assignment and, provided that such successor agrees to assume and be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. All references to the "the Company" herein shall include any such successor.

 

Section 11.5        Entire Agreement.

 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and which further includes understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the Parties, and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements by or among the Parties in connection with the subject matter hereof except as specifically set forth herein; provided, however, that nothing herein modifies, supersedes, voids or otherwise alters the Executive's non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, non-disparagement, or similar obligations in any other agreements or contractual obligations to the extent relating to acts or omissions prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.6        Amendment and Waiver.

 

Except as permitted by the terms of this Agreement, no supplement, modification, amendment or waiver of this Agreement will be binding unless executed in writing by all of the Parties. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement will constitute a waiver of any other provision (whether or not similar) nor will such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.

 

Section 11.7        Accessibility.

 

The Company is committed to complying, or causing its affiliates to comply, as the case may be, with the Accessibility for Ontarian's with Disabilities Act, 2005, and any other applicable accessibility or similar legislation, to accommodate its employees with disabilities. Should the Executive require accommodation, the Executive may contact a representative of the Company's Human Resources Department.

 

Section 11.8        Compliance with Employment Standards Legislation.

 

In the event that the minimum standards set out in the Applicable Employment Standards Legislation (as may be amended from time to time) are more favourable to the Executive in any respect than a term or provision provided for in this Agreement, the Executive and the Company agree that the statutory provisions will apply in respect of that term or provision.

 

 - 16 - 

Section 11.9        Withholding Tax.

 

All remuneration paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding and deduction of all amounts required under applicable laws in respect of taxes (including income and payroll taxes), social security contributions, employment insurance premiums, government pension premiums and similar amounts ("Tax"). The Hut Group shall indemnify the Executive at all times during and after the Term for Tax liabilities (including in respect of any applicable interest or penalties) arising as a result of the Hut Group failing to report income or withhold Tax as may be required pursuant to the laws of a jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction in which the Executive resides. The foregoing indemnity is conditional upon the Executive co-operating with Hut Group to undertake such mitigation measures that the Hut Group considers advisable. The above indemnity shall not apply in respect of losses, claims or demands arising as a result of the Executive's failure to meet individual Tax filing, reporting or payment obligations. This Section 11.9 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.10      Indemnity.

 

In addition to any rights to indemnification to which Executive is entitled (i) under Section 11.9, and (ii) the Company's certificate of incorporation, bylaws, agreements or policies or applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Executive at all times during and after the Term to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, and shall pay the Executive's expenses (including legal fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred in defending any civil action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding to the maximum extent permitted under such applicable law for Executive's action or inaction on behalf of the Company under the terms of this Agreement. At all times during and after the Term, the Executive shall be covered to the same extent as other officers and employees of the Company of similar title, office or rank under any liability insurance policy maintained by the Company with respect to such officers and employees. This Section 11.10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.11     Successors and Assigns.

 

This Agreement will enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective heirs, executors and administrators or successors and permitted assigns, as the case may be.

 

Section 11.12     Preamble/Recital.

 

The Executive, the Company and Hut acknowledge and agree that the provisions contained in the preamble/recital section of this Agreement forms an integral part of this Agreement and may be relied upon by any Party.

 

Section 11.13     Severability.

 

If any provision in this Agreement is determined to be invalid, void or unenforceable by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, which determination is not appealed or appealable for any reason whatsoever, the provision in question will not be deemed to affect or impair the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement and such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof will be severed from the remainder of this Agreement.

 

 

 - 17 - 

Section 11.14     Independent Legal Advice.

 

The Executive acknowledges that the Executive has been advised to obtain, and that the Executive has obtained or has been afforded the opportunity to obtain, independent legal advice with respect to this Agreement and that the Executive understands the nature and consequences of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.15      Governing Law.

 

This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein. Any legal action brought by Hut Group related to this Agreement may be brought by the Company and/or Hut jointly or individually.

 

Section 11.16      Notification of New Employer.

 

The Executive agrees to disclose the existence of the Executive’s obligations to the Company and its affiliates under this Agreement to all third parties who engage or employ or otherwise become associated or have a business relationship with the Executive after the date hereof, and hereby irrevocably consents to the Company’s and its affiliates’ contacting any and all such third parties at any time and providing them with a copy of this Agreement to verify compliance with the terms hereof. The Executive shall not assert, and hereby releases the Company and its affiliates from, any claims relating to the Company’s or its affiliates’ communications or actions with respect to any third parties pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

 

Section 11.17     Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered will be deemed to be an original and such counterparts will together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  HUT 8 CORP.
     
     
  By: /s/ Jaime Leverton
   

Authorized Signing Officer

 

  HUT 8 MINING CORP.
   
   
  /s/ Aniss Amdiss
 

Authorized Signing Officer

 

Agreed to and accepted this 30th day of November, 2023.

 

  /s/ Mike Ho
 

Mike Ho

Chief Strategy Officer

 

 

 

SCHEDULE "A"
DEFINITIONS

 

"Applicable Employment Standards Legislation" means Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 and its regulations, and includes, for greater certainty herein, any other applicable employment standards or similar legislation and its associated regulations, as may be amended from time to time and any successor legislation.

 

"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

"Business" means the business of the Hut Group and its affiliates being a digital asset mining and high-performance computing infrastructure provider, and as such may change or evolve in accordance with the business and strategic planning.

 

"Business Day" means any day of the year which the Toronto Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are open for business.

 

"Cause" means: (a) any material neglect of duty or misconduct by the Executive in discharging the Executive's duties and responsibilities hereunder; (b) a material breach of the terms of this Agreement; (c) any act or failure to act by the Executive, the result of which is materially detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates; (d) repeated failure on the part of the Executive to perform the Executive's duties following written notification by the Chair of the Board or the person to whom the Executive is required to report of the Executive's failure to perform such duties; (e) any material failure or refusal by the Executive to comply with the reasonable policies, rules and regulations of the Company or any of its affiliates; (f) the Executive's conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any criminal offence where such conviction or plea is materially detrimental to the Business or reputation of the Company and its affiliates; (g) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, or misappropriation by the Executive of the Company's or any of its affiliates' property or assets; or (h) any other act or omission or series of acts or omissions by the Executive that would, pursuant to Applicable Employment Standards Legislation or at common law, permit the Company to, without notice or payment in lieu of notice, terminate the Executive employment.

 

"Confidential Information" means all information disclosed to or known by the Executive as a consequence of or through the Executive's employment with the Company or any of its affiliates that is not generally known to the public and which relates to any aspect of the business or affairs of the Company or any of its affiliates, their clients, customers or suppliers or any other party with whom the Company agrees to hold information of such party in confidence. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, the following types of information and other information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced to writing or designated or marked as confidential):

 

(a)work product resulting from or related to work or projects performed or to be performed by the Company or an affiliate, including, but not limited to, the interim and final lines of inquiry, hypotheses, research and conclusions related thereto and the methods, processes, procedures, analysis, techniques and audits used in connection therewith;

 

(b)information relating to Developments (as hereinafter defined) prior to any public disclosure thereof, including, but not limited to, the nature of the developments, production data, technical and engineering data, test data and test results, the status and details of research and development of products and services, and information regarding acquiring, protecting, enforcing and licensing proprietary rights (including patents, copyrights and trade secrets);

 

 1 

 

(c)internal personnel and financial information of the Company or any of its affiliates, vendor names and other vendor information, purchasing and internal cost information, internal services and operational manuals;

 

(d)marketing and development plans, price and cost data, price and fee amounts, pricing and billing policies, quoting procedures, marketing techniques and methods of obtaining business, forecasts and forecast assumptions and volumes, and future plans and potential strategies of the Company or any of its affiliates which have been or are being discussed, customer names and customer information;

 

(e)contracts and their contents, client services, data provided by clients and the type, quantity and specifications of products and services purchased, leased, licensed or received by clients of the Company or any of its affiliates; and

 

(f)all other information of the Company or any of its affiliates which becomes known to the Executive as a result of employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, which the Executive, acting reasonably, believes is confidential information of the Company or any of its affiliates or which the Company or any of its affiliates takes measures to protect, provided that the Executive is aware or ought to be aware of such measures, but Confidential Information does not include:

 

(i)information that becomes publicly known through no breach of this Agreement and no breach by any other Persons who were under confidentiality obligations with respect to the item or items involved; or,

 

(ii)information, the public disclosure of which is required to be made by any law, regulation, governmental authority or court (to the extent of the requirement), provided that before disclosure is made, notice of the requirement is provided to the Company where it is within the Executive's control to provide such notice, and to the extent possible in the circumstances, the Company and/or its affiliate is afforded an opportunity to dispute the requirement.

 

"Customer" means any Person who, during the Term (including, for certainty, the Resignation Notice Period), or in the case of termination of employment, in the two (2) years preceding the Date of Termination of the Executive's employment hereunder for any reason, has purchased, leased or licensed from the Company or its affiliates, any product or services produced, sold, licensed, or distributed by the Company or any of its affiliates in respect of the Business.

 

"Date of Termination" means the earlier of: (i) the date specified in the written notice of termination provided pursuant to Section 4.1; (ii) the end of the Resignation Notice Period; or (iii) Executive's last date of actual and active employment.

 

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"Developments" means any discovery, invention, design, improvement, concept, design, specification, creation, development, treatment, computer program, method, process, apparatus, specimen, formula, formulation, product, hardware or firmware, any drawing, report, memorandum, article, letter, notebook and any other work of authorship and ideas (whether or not patentable or copyrightable) and legally recognized proprietary rights (including, but not limited to, patents, copyrights, trademarks, topographies, know-how and trade secrets), and all records and tangible embodiments relating to the foregoing, that:

 

(a)result or derive from the Executive's employment with the Company or any of its affiliates or from the Executive's knowledge or use of Confidential Information;

 

(b)are conceived or made by the Executive (individually or in collaboration with others) in the discharge of the Executive's duties hereunder;

 

(c)result from or derive from the use or application of the resources of the Company or any of its affiliates; or

 

(d)relate to the business operations of the Company or any of its affiliates or the actual or demonstrably anticipated research and development by the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

"Disability" means the Executive's inability to substantially fulfil the Executive's duties on behalf of the Company or Hut for a continuous period of six (6) months or more or for an aggregate period of twelve (12) months or more during any consecutive eighteen (18) month period, and if there is any disagreement between the Company and the Executive as to the Executive's Disability or as to the date any such Disability began or ended, such disagreement will be determined by a physician mutually acceptable to the Company and the Executive whose determination will be conclusive evidence of any such Disability and of the date any such Disability began or ended.

 

"Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive's consent:

 

(a)the unilateral relocation of the Executive's principal workplace to a location that is more than 100 kilometers from the Executive's then current principal work location as described in Section 2.1;

 

(b)a reduction of 10% or more in the Executive's Base Salary (unless such reduction is applied to all senior executives of the Company); or

 

(c)a material diminution in the Executive's job duties, responsibilities or authority after the Closing.

 

"Intellectual Property" shall mean all common law, statutory and other intellectual and industrial property rights, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

 

(a)rights to any patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names, copyright, database rights, designs, industrial designs, trade secrets, integrated circuit rights and topography rights; and

 

(b)all domestic and foreign registrations, applications, divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, re-examinations and renewals thereof.

 

"Party" means any of the Executive, Hut or the Company, as the case may be, and together shall, collectively, be the "Parties".

 

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"Person" means a natural person, partnership, limited liability partnership, company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity or governmental entity, and pronouns have a similarly extended meaning.

 

"Prospective Customer" means (i) any Person solicited by the Executive on behalf of the Company or its affiliates for any purpose relating to the Business at any time during the Term (including, for certainty, the Resignation Notice Period), and in the case of termination within the two (2) year period immediately preceding the date of termination of the Executive's employment hereunder, for any reason; and (ii) any Person solicited by the Company or any of its affiliates with the Executive's knowledge for any purpose relating to the Business at any time during the Term (including, for certainty, the Resignation Notice Period), and in the case of termination within the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the date of the termination of the Executive's employment hereunder.

 

"Supplier" means any Person who, during the Term (including, for certainty, the Resignation Notice Period), and in the case of termination, in the two (2) years preceding the date of termination of the Executive's employment hereunder for any reason, has sold to the Company or its affiliates, any products or services that are or may be used by the Company or any of its affiliates as an integral part of the Business.

 

"Territory" means the Province of Ontario, the Province of Alberta and the States of Florida, New York and Nebraska or any other state in the United States of America or Province in Canada in which the Hut Group or any of its affiliates have operations.

 

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SCHEDULE "B"

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

·Strategic Planning: Work with the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company and the extended Senior Leadership team of the Company to develop and refine overall strategic vision, ensuring alignment with market trends, technological advancements, and business objectives.

 

·Lead the development of short-term and long-term strategic plans, outlining actionable goals and milestones.

 

·Conduct market analysis, competitive intelligence, and customer research to identify growth opportunities and potential threats.

 

·Business Development: Identify, evaluate, and pursue strategic partnerships, alliances, and investment opportunities that align with the Company's objectives.

 

·Collaborate with cross-functional teams to explore new markets, develop entry strategies, and establish a strong market presence.

 

·Negotiate business agreements, contracts, and collaborations with external partners.

 

·Innovation and Disruption: Drive innovation initiatives within the Company, encouraging creative thinking and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

 

·Identify disruptive technologies and trends in Bitcoin mining, blockchain, high performance computing and related fields, evaluating their potential impact on the Company's business model.

 

·Oversee the development of innovative products, services, and solutions that differentiate the Company.

 

·Risk Management: Evaluate risks associated with business strategies and propose risk mitigation measures to protect the Company's interests.

 

·Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards, staying abreast of changes in cryptocurrency regulations and policies.

 

·Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to navigate legal challenges and maintain a strong ethical standing in the industry.

 

·Stakeholder Communication: Communicate the company's strategic direction and progress to internal stakeholders, including the executive team, employees, and investors.

 

·Foster an environment of, and engage in, ethical and responsible decision making.

 

·Carryout such other duties and responsibilities as is customary for a Chief Strategy Officer of a company in a similar industry and stage of development, as the Chief Executive Officer and/or the Board of Directors of the Company may reasonably request from time to time.

 

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