Exhibit 10.1

 [****] Certain information in this exhibit has been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed

FUTURE SALES AND PURCHASES AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

Bitmain Technologies Limited

(“Bitmain”)

AND

Riot Blockchain, Inc

(“Purchaser”)

This future sales and purchases agreement (this “Agreement”) is made, effective as of April 5, 2021, by and between Bitmain Technologies Limited (“Bitmain”) (Company number: [****]), with its registered office at Unit A1 of Unit A, 11th Floor, Success Commercial Building, 245-251 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong, and Riot Blockchain, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Purchaser”), with its principal business address at 202 6th Street, Suite 401, Castle Rock, CO 80104, USA. Bitmain and the Purchaser shall hereinafter collectively be referred to as the “Parties”, and individually as a “Party”.

Whereas:

Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises hereof and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with such Person.; “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, proprietorship, association, limited liability company, firm, trust, estate or other enterprise or entity (whether or not having separate legal personality); and “Control” means the power or authority, whether exercised or not, to direct the business, management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, provided that such power or authority shall conclusively be presumed to exist upon possession of beneficial ownership or power to direct the vote of more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of the members or shareholders of such Person or power to control the composition of a majority of the board of directors of such Person. The terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Applicable Law” means the laws of Hong Kong and the Governing Law, as set forth in Clause 22 hereof, as well as any treaty, law, decree, order, regulation, decision, statute, ordinance, rule, directive, code or other document that has legal force under any system of law, including, without limitation, local law, law of any other state or part thereof or international law, and which creates or purports to create any requirement or rule that may affect, restrict, prohibit or expressly allow the terms of this Agreement or any activity contemplated or carried out under this Agreement.

“Bank Account” means the bank account information of Bitmain provided in Appendix A to this Agreement.

“Batch” means the individual lots of the Products to be sold to the Purchaser by Bitmain, as set forth on Appendix A hereto.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China or the United States.

“Force Majeure” means in respect of either Party, any event or occurrence whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of that Party, which delays, prevents or hinders that Party from performing any obligation imposed upon that Party under this Agreement, including to the extent such event or occurrence shall delay, prevent or hinder such Party from performing such obligation, war (declared or undeclared), terrorist activities, acts of sabotage, blockade, fire, lightning, acts of god, national strikes, riots, insurrections, civil commotions, quarantine restrictions, epidemics, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, floods, hurricanes, explosions and regulatory and administrative or similar action or delays to take actions of any governmental authority.

“Insolvency Event” in the context of the Purchaser means any of the following events:

“Intellectual Property Rights” means any and all intellectual property rights, including but not limited to those concerning inventions, patents, utility models, registered designs and models, engineering or production materials, drawings, trademarks, service marks, domain names, applications for any of the foregoing (and the rights to apply for any of the foregoing), proprietary or business sensitive information and/or technical know-how, copyright, authorship, whether registered or not, and any neighbor rights.

“Order” means the Purchaser’s offer to purchase the Products from Bitmain, as set forth on Appendix A hereto.

“Order Confirmation” means Bitmain’s acceptance of an Order.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, proprietorship, association, limited liability company, firm, trust, estate or other enterprise or entity (whether or not having separate legal personality).

“Products” means the merchandise that Bitmain will provide to the Purchaser as set forth in Appendix A of this Agreement.

“Total Purchase Price” means the aggregate amount payable by the Purchaser as set out in Appendix A of this Agreement.

“Warranty Period” means the period of time that the Products are covered by the warranty granted by Bitmain or its Affiliates in accordance with Clause 7 of this Agreement.

“Warranty Start Date” means the date on which the Products are delivered to the carrier.

Interpretations:

Bitmain shall sell the Products to the Purchaser and the Purchaser shall purchase the Products in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Appendices hereto. Purchaser shall make payment for the Products sold by Bitmain in accordance with the terms specified in this Agreement, including Appendix A and Appendix B hereto, which are attached hereto and incorporated by reference into this Agreement as if set forth herein in full.

Discount Amount = Amount of prepayment *1%*Number of months prepaid. The amount of prepayment shall be calculated at the end of each month. The number of months prepaid shall be calculated from the month of payment without counting the month of delivery. The prepayment date shall be the date as evidenced in the remittance copy of such payment. Discount amount shall be calculated when the respective amounts have been received by Bitmain in full according to the agreed payment schedule. Different clients may have different payment schedules. No discount amount shall be calculated on the remaining amount.

In the event of any discrepancy between this Agreement and Bitmain’s cargo insurance policy regarding the insurance coverage, the then effective Bitmain cargo insurance policy shall prevail, and Bitmain shall be required to provide the then effective insurance coverage to the Purchaser.

In case the warranty is voided, Bitmain may, at its sole discretion, provide repair service to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall bear all related expenses and costs.

The Purchaser makes the following representations and warranties to Bitmain:

All communications in relation to this Agreement shall be made to the following contacts:

Purchaser’s business contact:

Name: Jeff McGonegal

Phone: +1 303-794-2000, ext. [****]

Email: [****]

Bitmain’s business contact:

Name: Ziyang He

Phone: [****]

Email: [****]

This Agreement, including Appendix A and Appendix B, as attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein, constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties hereto and can only be amended with the written consent of both Parties or otherwise as mutually agreed, in writing, by both Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that Appendix A to this Agreement and Appendix B to this Agreement, as attached hereto, form an integral part of the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement, are incorporated by reference into and made part of this Agreement, and that this Agreement, together with Appendix A and Appendix B, represents the final agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

To the extent possible, if any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part by a court, the provision shall apply with whatever deletion or modification is necessary so that such provision is legal, valid and enforceable and gives effect to the commercial intention of the Parties. The remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.

Depending on the nature of the Purchaser’s interaction with Bitmain, some examples of personal data which Bitmain may collect from the Purchaser include the Purchaser’s name and identification information, contact information such as the Purchaser’s address, email address and telephone number, nationality, gender, date of birth, and financial information such as credit card numbers, debit card numbers and bank account information.

Bitmain generally does not collect the Purchaser’s personal data unless (a) it is provided to Bitmain voluntarily by the Purchaser directly or via a third party who has been duly authorized by the Purchaser to disclose the Purchaser’s personal data to Bitmain (the Purchaser’s “authorized representative”) after (i) the Purchaser (or the Purchaser’s authorized representative) has been notified of the purposes for which the data is collected, and (ii) the Purchaser (or the Purchaser’s authorized representative) has provided written consent to the collection and usage of the Purchaser’s personal data for those purposes, or (b) collection and use of personal data without consent is permitted or required by related laws. Bitmain shall seek the Purchaser’s consent before collecting any additional personal data and before using the Purchaser’s personal data for a purpose which has not been notified to the Purchaser (except where permitted or authorized by law).

In the event of any ambiguity or discrepancy between the Clauses of this Agreement and any Terms and Conditions established or adopted by Bitmain from time to time, it is intended that the Clauses of this Agreement shall prevail and the Parties shall comply with and give effect to this Agreement. The Parties hereby further acknowledge and agree, that where the terms of this Agreement and those of Appendix A or Appendix B, as attached hereto, conflict, the terms of Appendix A and Appendix B, as appropriate, shall control in all respects.

Failure by either Party to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement, or to exercise any election of options provided herein shall not constitute a waiver of such provision or option, nor affect the validity of this Agreement or any part hereof, or the right of the waiving Party to thereafter enforce each and every such provision or option.

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement, and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. The facsimile, email or other electronically delivered signatures of the Parties shall be deemed to constitute original signatures, and facsimile or electronic copies hereof shall be deemed to constitute duplicate originals.

Each Party undertakes to the other Party to execute or procure to be executed all such documents and to do or procure to be done all such other acts and things as may be reasonable and necessary to give all Parties the full benefit of this Agreement.

A person who is not a Party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Chapter 623 of the Laws of Hong Kong) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement.

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Signed for and on behalf of Bitmain:

Bitmain Technologies Limited

By: /s/ Micree Zhan

Name: Micree Zhan

Title: CEO

Signed for and on behalf of the Purchaser:

Riot Blockchain, Inc.

By: /s/Jeffrey McGonegal

Name: Jeffrey McGonegal

Title: Chief Financial Officer

APPENDIX A

This Appendix A (this “Appendix A”) specifies the Products sold by Bitmain Technologies Limited (“Bitmain”) to Riot Blockchain, Inc. (the “Purchaser”) (Bitmain and the Purchaser, collectively, the “Parties” and each a “Party”) pursuant to the future sales and purchases agreement, dated effective as of March 31, 2021, between the Parties to which this Appendix A relates (the “Agreement”), as well as the specific payment and delivery terms applicable to the Products under the Agreement. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Appendix A shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement or Appendix B thereto, as appropriate.

Exclusions:

Company Name: Bitmain Technologies Limited

Company address: FLAT/RM A1 11/F SUCCESS COMMERCIAL BUILDING 245-251 HENNESSY ROAD HK

Account No.: [****]

Bank name: [****]

Bank address: [****]

Swift Code: [****]

ABA CODE: [****]

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

APPENDIX B

This Appendix B (this “Appendix B”) sets forth the terms and conditions applicable to the payment for and delivery of the Products sold by Bitmain Technologies Limited (“Bitmain”) to Riot Blockchain, Inc. (the “Purchaser”) (Bitmain and the Purchaser, collectively, the “Parties” and each a “Party”) pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement, dated effective as of March 31, 2021, between the Parties to which this Appendix B relates (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Appendix B shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement or Appendix A thereto, as appropriate.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

Exhibit 10.2

RIOT BLOCKCHAIN, INC.

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Megan Brooks (the “Employee”) and Riot Blockchain, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”). Employee and the Company shall sometimes be referred to herein as the “Parties”, with each of Employee and the Company a “Party” to this Agreement.

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company previously entered into that certain Employment Agreement dated as of October 31, 2018, as amended from time to time (the “Original Agreement”).

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to enter into this Agreement to reflect the terms and conditions of Employee’s employment with the Company, which shall amend, replace and supersede in its entirety the terms of the Original Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises, and obligations contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of such consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

a.     Effective Date. Employee’s employment with the Company shall be effective as of April 6th, 2021 (the “Effective Date”).

b.     Position; Job Duties. Employee accepts and shall serve full-time as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (“COO”). In Employee’s position as COO, Employee shall have such authority and perform such duties and responsibilities as are assigned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and/or as are otherwise normally associated with such position. Employee will report to the Company’s CEO or such other person or persons as the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) designates.

c.     Performance under this Agreement. During the Employment Term (as that term is defined herein), Employee shall perform and fulfill Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement to the best of Employee’s abilities and in a trustworthy, professional, competent, and efficient manner. Employee shall at all times comply with and be subject to all applicable policies, procedures, codes of conduct, requirements, and organizational regulations established by and/or amended by or on behalf of the Company from time to time. In Employee’s position as COO, Employee shall have the full powers, responsibilities, and authorities customary for the COO of corporations of the size, type, and nature of the Company, together with such other powers, authorities, and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to Employee by the Company’s CEO, CFO and/or the Board from time to time. Except as within the scope of Employee’s authority as COO, Employee shall have no authority to bind the Company by a promise or representation or to enter into any contract, either written or oral, affecting the Company or any of its related entities.

d.     Preparation, Ownership, and Storage of Data and Documents. Employee shall prepare, in connection with services performed, all reports, documents and correspondence necessary and/or appropriate under the circumstances, all of which shall belong to the Company. Employee shall store all reports, documents, correspondence, and data on and in Company-designated storage and will not archive or otherwise retain any tangible or intangible copies, summaries, or descriptions of said reports, documents, correspondence, or data or otherwise store any such materials outside of such Company-designated storage.

e.      Fiduciary Duty; Conflict of Interests. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee owes a fiduciary duty of loyalty, fidelity, and allegiance to act at all times in the best interests of the Company and to not engage in any act which would directly or indirectly injure the Company’s business, interests, or reputation. In keeping with Employee’s fiduciary duties and obligations to the Company, Employee shall not become involved in a conflict of interest with the Company, or upon discovery thereof, allow such a conflict to continue. Moreover, Employee shall not engage in any activity that might involve a possible conflict of interest without first obtaining written approval from the Company’s CEO. Employee may, however, subject to the terms of this Agreement and with prior written consent from the CEO (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld), serve on one corporate board as a board member and serve on one civic or non-profit board as a board member at any given time during Employee’s employment with the Company; provided, however, that Employee engages in such outside activities only during Employee’s personal time.

2.                  Term of Employment. Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall continue until the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”) unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement. On the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and each annual anniversary thereafter (such date and each annual anniversary thereof a “Renewal Date”), the Agreement shall be automatically extended for successive one year periods (each a “Renewed Term”) unless (a) terminated earlier pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement or (b) either Party delivers written notice to the other, consistent with Section 8.i. of this Agreement, at least 180 days before the applicable Renewal Date of Employee’s or the Company’s intention not to renew this Agreement, in each case Employee’s employment hereunder shall be terminated as of the end of the expiring Initial Term or Renewed Term, as the case may be. The Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, advance the date of termination upon receipt of such written notice from Employee. The period during which Employee is employed by the Company under this Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the “Employment Term”.

3.                  Exclusive Employment; Place of Services. During Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee shall devote all of Employee’s working time, attention, knowledge, and skill(s) to the performance and fulfillment of Employee’s duties, responsibilities, and services for the Company, and Employee shall not at any time during the Employment Term engage in any other business, employment, or consulting or contractor work, unless Employee has first obtained prior written consent from the Company’s CEO. Employee’s services during the Employment Term shall ordinarily be performed in the Castle Rock, Colorado area, subject to reasonable business travel requirements on a limited, and temporary basis, in performance of Employee’s duties. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Employee’s duties shall include travel relating to the Company’s business reasonably commensurate with Employee’s position with the Company.

4.            Compensation and Benefits.

a.    Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay Employee an annualized salary in the total gross amount of Two Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($275,000.00), subject to all offsets, prorations, deductions, withholdings and claw-backs as set forth in this Agreement. Employee’s annual salary, as in effect from time to time, is hereinafter referred to as “Base Salary”. Employee’s Base Salary shall take effect on the first regularly scheduled pay period following the Effective Date of this Agreement. The Company’s CEO and/or the Board’s Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) shall annually review and may, in its sole discretion, adjust Employee’s Base Salary. Effective as of the date of any change to Employee’s Base Salary, the Base Salary as so changed shall be considered the new Base Salary for all purposes of this Agreement.

b.    Annual Incentive Bonus. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, for each fiscal year during the Employment Term, Employee shall be eligible for an annual incentive bonus of up to a maximum amount of One-Hundred Percent (100%) of Employee’s Base Salary, payable net of applicable tax withholdings and deductions, based upon the achievement of specific Company and Employee performance goals, criteria, and/or targets for each such fiscal year (the “Incentive Bonus”). Provided that the Board or the Compensation Committee first establishes an Incentive Bonus plan for the applicable fiscal year, terms of any Incentive Bonus shall be communicated in writing to Employee, and the Board or the Compensation Committee shall evaluate whether the Company and Employee performance goals, criteria, and/or targets with respect to the Incentive Bonus for the applicable fiscal year have been met. Based on that evaluation, the Board or the Compensation Committee shall determine the final amount of the Incentive Bonus, if any, to be awarded to Employee. Incentive Bonus awards may, in the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee, be granted as an Equity Award according to Section 4.c.iii. of this Agreement, or as a cash award.

Nothing in this Section 4.b., nor anything else in this Agreement, entitles or shall be interpreted to entitle Employee to any guaranteed minimum Incentive Bonus at any time during the Employment Term and Employee’s receipt of an Incentive Bonus is expressly contingent upon Employee being actively employed by the Company through the date that any such Incentive Bonus is actually paid to Employee. All determinations with respect to any Incentive Bonus, including whether applicable Company and/or Employee performance goals, criteria, and/or targets have been met, shall be made by the Board or Compensation Committee, as applicable, in its sole and reasonable discretion, and shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all Parties.

c.    Equity Compensation. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Employee shall be eligible to receive the following equity awards (each an “Equity Award”):

i.     Initial Equity Award. As of the Effective Date, subject to Board or the Compensation Committee approval, Employee shall be granted an initial Equity Award of 6,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or such number of RSUs equal to the value of One Hundred Percent (100%) of Employee’s Base Salary, whichever is greater (the “Initial Equity Award”). Subject to Employee’s continued active employment with the Company on and through each applicable date during the Vesting Period (as defined herein) and the provisions of this Agreement, the Initial Equity Award shall be eligible to vest in four (4) equal quarterly installments in arrears, commencing 90 days from the Effective Date (the “Vesting Period”).

ii.    Additional Equity Awards. During the Employment Term, Employee may be eligible to receive additional grants of Equity Awards, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion.

iii.   Terms and Conditions of Equity Compensation. Each Equity Award, including any Incentive Bonus under Section 4.b. above awarded as an Equity Award, shall be granted under and subject to the terms of the Riot Blockchain, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (or any successor equity plan) (the “Equity Plan”), as well as the terms of an equity award agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit “A” hereto, specifying, among other things, the number of RSUs (or other Company Security) granted to Employee and the applicable vesting schedule (each, an “Equity Award Agreement”). The term “Company Security” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Equity Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, except as to the Initial Equity Award, Employee shall not be guaranteed any minimum Equity Award at any time during the Employment Term.

d.     Benefits. During the Employment Term, Employee shall be entitled to participate in each of the Company’s employee benefit plans and programs, as in effect from time to time, including without limitation those group medical, dental, health and/or disability insurance plans, 401(k) plans, and Medicare/Social Security reimbursement plans, all in accordance with and subject to all terms and conditions of those benefit plans and/or programs and any amendments thereto, including any and all provisions concerning eligibility for participation.

e.     Paid Time Off. During the Employment Term, Employee shall be eligible to receive paid time off (“PTO”) up to a maximum amount of twenty-five (25) days per fiscal year to be accrued, carried over, and used subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Company’s paid-time-off policy in effect from time to time. During the Employment Term, accrued but unused PTO will carry over from one fiscal year to the next; however, once Employee has reached Employee’s maximum PTO accrual for that fiscal year, Employee will not be eligible to accrue any additional PTO until Employee’s PTO balance falls below the maximum accrual amount of twenty (30) days per fiscal year.

f.      Expense Reimbursement. During the Employment Term, and subject to Section 8.o. of this Agreement, the Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable, necessary, and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Employee on behalf of the Company in connection with the performance of Employee’s duties as COO. All expenses shall be in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies and procedures in effect from time to time, subject to Employee submitting to the Company a written reimbursement request and proof of such expense(s).

g.     Company Compensation Practices and Regulatory Compliance. Any payment or benefit conferred under this Section 4 of the Agreement shall, subject to all applicable regulatory, tax, and legal requirements described under Section 8.o. of this Agreement, be paid in accordance with the Company’s customary compensation practices, and, as applicable, be prorated for the actual number of days Employee was actively employed with the Company during the applicable fiscal year.

5.           Restrictive Covenants. Employee has read and shall sign the Company’s Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement (the “CNCA”), which is attached hereto as Exhibit “B” and incorporated herein by this reference. Employee further understands and agrees that the Company may, in its sole discretion, update and amend Employee’s CNCA from time to time, and Employee will be required to sign any such amended agreement as a material term of this Agreement and a condition of continued employment. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, and for the avoidance of any doubt, nothing herein shall modify or limit the applicability of the confidentiality and/or restrictive covenants contained in the CNCA and/or any other agreement between the Parties, which shall be enforced according to their terms and read together to provide the greatest level of protection(s) to the Company and its confidential information (as that term is defined in the CNCA).

6.           Termination of Employment.

a.   By the Company for Cause. Employee’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by the Company at any time upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events (each of which shall be a termination event for “Cause”):

i.     Employee willfully, recklessly, or with gross negligence fails to comply with any material term or aspect of the policies, standards, and regulations that the Company, in its sole discretion, establishes and/or implements in writing before and during the Employment Term;

ii.    Employee commits any act of gross negligence, illegal conduct, embezzlement, theft, misappropriation, fraud, dishonesty, or other acts of misfeasance, malfeasance, and/or misconduct in the rendering of services to or on behalf of the Company;

iii.   Employee willfully, recklessly, or with gross negligence fails to comply with any reasonable request of the person(s) to whom Employee reports;

iv.   Employee fails to adequately, substantially, and/or continually perform to Company’s reasonable satisfaction the usual and customary duties of Employee’s employment, those duties reasonably requested of Employee and typically associated with Employee’s position, and/or those duties or expectations assigned by Company;

v.    Employee breaches any material term or provision of this Agreement or any material term or provision of any other agreement between the Parties; and/or

vi.   Employee is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime constituting, a felony or a misdemeanor involving deceit, dishonesty, or moral turpitude, or otherwise commits any act which impairs Employee’s fitness to perform Employee’s duties under this Agreement and/or damages the reputation of the Company, as determined in the sole and reasonable discretion of the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Cause under Sections 6.a.i.-vi. above without first providing Employee with written notice of the event or condition(s) constituting Cause, which notice must be given no later than 30 days after the date on which the event or condition(s) constituting Cause is first reasonably discovered by the Company’s CEO or CFO. Upon the giving of such notice, and only if the event or condition is reasonably capable of being remedied by Employee, Employee shall have a period of 30 days during which Employee may try to remedy the event or condition(s) and, if so remedied, the Company may not terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Cause for the event or condition that was remedied.

b.     By the Company without Cause. The Company may terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement without Cause upon providing written notice of termination to Employee 30 days in advance. For purposes of this Agreement, “without Cause” shall mean any termination by the Company that is not a termination for Cause as described and in accordance with Section 6.a above. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, advance Employee’s termination date to an alternate termination date of the Company’s own choosing provided, however, that Employee shall be paid Employee’s Base Salary from the date that the Company provides written notice of termination through the end of the 30-day notice period provided for in this Section 6.b.

c.     By Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate her employment under this Agreement following written notice to the Company upon the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions (each of which shall be a termination event for “Good Reason”):

i.     A material diminution in Employee’s Base Salary or employment benefits other than a general reduction in Base Salary and/or benefits that affects all similarly situated employees;

ii.    A material breach of this Agreement by the Company;

iii.   A material diminution in Employee’s title, authorities, responsibilities, or duties without Employee’s consent (other than a temporary change while Employee is physically or mentally in capacitated or as required by applicable law);

iv.   A relocation of Employee’s primary work location that would require the reasonable person to move Employee’s residence from its then current location if Employee does not consent to such relocation;

v.     The Company permanently ceases its business operations; and/or

vi.   A Change in Control (as defined in Section 7.2 of the Equity Plan) of the Company and Employee experiences any of the events set forth in the foregoing Sections 6.c.i.-v. within either (A) the first six (6) months following such Change in Control or (B) the Initial Term or any then-effective Renewed Term of this Agreement, whichever is later.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee may not terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason without first providing the Company advanced written notice of the event(s) and/or condition(s) constituting Good Reason, which notice must be given no later than 30 days after the date on which the event(s) and/or condition(s) constituting Good Reason first occurs. Upon the Company’s receipt of such notice, the Company shall then have 30 days during which it may remedy the event(s) and/or condition(s) (the “Company Notice Period”) and, if so remedied, Employee may not terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason. If Employee fails to comply with the immediately preceding two sentences of this Section 6.c., such termination shall not be considered a termination for Good Reason. If the Company fails to cure the event(s) and/or conditions during the Company Notice Period, then the termination shall occur 30 days after the expiration of the Company Notice Period unless the Company, in its sole discretion, chooses to advance Employee’s termination date to an alternate termination date of the Company’s own choosing.

d.     By Employee without Good Reason. Employee may terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement without Good Reason by providing written notice of termination to the Company no less than 180 days before the termination date. For purposes of this Agreement “without Good Reason” shall mean any termination by Employee that is not a termination due to death or disability under Section 6.e. below or for Good Reason as set forth and in accordance with Section 6.c. above. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, waive all or any part of the 180-day notice period for no consideration and advance Employee’s termination date to an alternate termination date of the Company’s own choosing.

e.     Termination due to Death or Disability. Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate immediately in the event of death or Disability of Employee. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Disability” means Employee’s inability to substantially perform his duties as COO by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that, as determined by a physician chosen by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Employee, can be expected to: (i) result in death; (ii) last for a continuous period of at least 30 days; or (iii) endanger Employee and/or others if Employee were to continue to perform Employee’s duties with the Company.

f.      Payments Upon Separation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, upon termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Company only the compensation and benefits set forth in this Section 6.f., and Employee shall not be entitled to any further compensation or benefits from the Company (including its subsidiaries and affiliates). For the avoidance of any doubt, the “Severance Payments” identified in Sections 6.f.ii.-v. below shall not become due and payable unless and until a written agreement between the Company and Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be) containing, among other terms, a broad waiver and release favoring the Company (a “Severance Agreement”) has become effective, binding, and irrevocable on the parties thereto. Except with respect to Severance Payments, which shall be paid to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be) pursuant to the applicable Severance Agreement, all amounts due under the following Sections 6.f.i.-v. upon termination of Employee’s employment with the Company shall be paid to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be) on the first regular payday following Employee’s termination (or sooner if required by law). All amounts which may become payable to Employee under this Section 6.f., including any Severance Payments, shall be subject to all applicable regulatory, tax, and legal requirements described under Section 8.o. of this Agreement.

i.       Termination by Company for Cause; Termination by Employee without Good Reason (without Notice). If the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause, or if Employee terminates Employee’s employment hereunder without Good Reason and Employee fails to provide advance notice required by Section 6.d., then Employee shall be entitled to receive only the following cash compensation: (A) Base Salary through the date of termination; and (B) any outstanding expense reimbursement payments then due to Employee as of the date of termination.

ii.      Termination by Employee without Good Reason (with Notice); Nonrenewal of Employment Term. If Employee terminates Employee’s employment hereunder without Good Reason and provides the Company with advance written notice required by Section 6.d. of this Agreement, or if Employee’s employment terminates by expiration because the Employment Term is not renewed (by either Party) consistent with the terms of this Agreement, then Employee shall be entitled to receive only the following cash compensation: (A) Base Salary through the date of termination; (B) payment of Employee’s accrued but unused PTO, if any, as of the date of termination; (C) any outstanding expense reimbursement payments then due to Employee as of the date of termination; and, (D) in exchange for Employee executing (and, if applicable, not revoking) a Severance Agreement, the following Severance Payments: (1) the pro-rata portion of any Incentive Bonus to which Employee would have been entitled under Section 4.b. of this Agreement, if any, had Employee remained employed with the Company through the end of fiscal year in which the termination occurred; and (2) one month of Base Salary.

iii.     Termination by Company without Cause; Termination by Employee for Good Reason. If the Company terminates Employee’s employment hereunder without Cause, or if Employee terminates Employee’s employment hereunder for Good Reason (except for a Change in Control), then Employee shall be entitled to receive only the following cash compensation: (A) Base Salary through the date of termination; (B) payment of Employee’s accrued but unused PTO, if any, as of the date of termination; (C) any outstanding expense reimbursement payments then due to Employee as of the date of termination; and, (D) in exchange for Employee executing (and, if applicable, not revoking) a Severance Agreement, the following Severance Payments: (1) the pro-rata portion of any Incentive Bonus to which Employee would have been entitled under Section 4.b. of this Agreement, if any, had Employee remained employed with the Company through the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred; and (2) twelve (12) months of Base Salary.

iv.     Termination because of Change in Control. If Employee’s employment is terminated in connection with a Change in Control within twelve (12) months of a Change in Control (as defined in Section 7.2 of the Equity Plan), or if Employee terminates Employee’s employment under this Agreement for a Change in Control consistent with Section 6.c.vi. of this Agreement, then Employee shall be entitled to only the following cash compensation: (A) Base Salary through the date of termination; (B) payment of Employee’s accrued but unused PTO, if any, as of the date of termination; (C) any outstanding expense reimbursement payments then due to Employee as of the date of termination; and, (D) in exchange for Employee first executing (and, if applicable, not revoking) a Severance Agreement, the following Severance Payments: (1) the remainder of Employee’s Base Salary to which Employee would have been entitled had Employee remained employed with the Company through the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred; (2) the Incentive Bonus to which Employee would have been entitled under Section 4.b. of this Agreement, if any, had Employee remained employed with the Company through the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred; and (3) twelve (12) months of Base Salary.

v.      Termination because of Death; Termination because of Disability. If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated because of Employee’s death, or if Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated because of Employee’s Disability, then Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be) shall receive only the following cash compensation: (A) Base Salary through the date of termination; (B) payment of Employee’s accrued but unused PTO, if any, as of the date of termination; C) any outstanding expense reimbursement payments then due to Employee as of the date of termination; and, (D) in exchange for Employee (or employee’s estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be, executing (and, if applicable, not revoking) a Severance Agreement, the following Severance Payments: (1) the pro-rata portion of any Incentive bonus to which Employee would have been entitled under Section 4.b. of this Agreement, if any, had Employee remained employed with the Company through the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred; and (2) three (3) months of Base Salary.

vi.     Treatment of Equity. Except with respect to applicable regulatory, tax, and legal requirements described under Section 8.o. of this Agreement, regardless of the reason for separation, any Equity Awards granted to Employee shall remain governed by the Equity Plan and any applicable Equity Award Agreement governing such Equity Awards, including with respect to the treatment of any Change in Control under Section 7.2 of the Equity Plan, and nothing in the foregoing Sections 6.f.i. through 6.f.v. entitles or purports to entitle Employee to any additional rights with respect to any such Equity Awards beyond the specific provisions of the Equity Plan or applicable Equity Award Agreement.

g.       Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, upon termination of Employee’s employment hereunder for any reason, Employee agrees: (i) to immediately deliver to the Company all Property (as that term is defined in the CNCA) and records (including all copies thereof) of the Company; (ii) that the Company shall have the right, without limitation, to withhold and retain any amounts that might otherwise be owed to Employee to offset any amounts or debts owed by Employee to the Company; and (iii) that the Company shall, subject to applicable laws, further have the right to withhold the payment of any amounts that might otherwise be owed to Employee until such time as the Company determines, to its reasonable satisfaction, that any and all Property and proprietary and confidential information, regardless of the medium on which it is embodied (e.g., laptop computer), has been returned to the Company and that Employee has not retained copies thereof.

7.         Resignation/Removal from All Other Positions. Upon termination of Employee’s employment with the Company for any reason, Employee shall be deemed to have resigned and/or been removed, effective as of the date of such termination, from all positions that the Executive holds (or previously held) with the Company or any of the Company’s affiliated and/or related entities.

8.          Miscellaneous.

a.      Section Headers; Gender and Number. The section headings in this Agreement are for the Parties’ convenience only and are not intended to govern, limit, or affect the meanings of the sections. Singular and plural nouns and pronouns shall mean the singular or plural and the masculine, feminine, or neuter genders as permitted by the context in which the words are used.

b.       Representations by Employee. Employee represents and warrants to the Company that:

i.     Employee’s acceptance of employment under this Agreement with the Company and the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder will not conflict with or result in a violation of, a breach of, or a default under any contract, agreement, or understanding to which Employee is a party or is otherwise bound;

ii.    Employee’s acceptance of employment under this Agreement with the Company and the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder will not violate any non-solicitation, non-competition, non-disclosure, or other similar covenant or agreement between Employee and a prior employer of Employee;

iii.   Employee’s representations to the Company regarding Employee’s prior employment have been truthful and accurate; and

iv.   Employee shall immediately notify the Company of any issues that arise that could conflict with the representations, warranties, and obligations set forth herein, including without limitation, any demands, claims, notices, or requests made by third parties that could adversely impact Employee’s ability to perform services as COO of the Company.

c.       Cooperation. The Parties agree that certain matters in which Employee will be involved during the Employment Term may necessitate Employee’s cooperation in the future. Accordingly, following the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, to the extent requested by the Company, Employee shall provide to the Company reasonable levels of assistance in answering questions about the Company’s business, transition of responsibility, legal matters, and/or litigation. The Company shall make reasonable efforts to minimize the disruption of Employee’s other activities.

d.       Entire Agreement; Modification. Unless specifically provided herein, this Agreement, along with all exhibits and/or attachments hereto (including without limitation the Equity Award attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” and the CNCA attached hereto as Exhibit “B”) constitutes the entire understanding between Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Parties are not relying upon any representations or promises not set forth in this Agreement. Except as provided herein, this Agreement may not be amended or modified except in a writing signed by both Parties.

e.       Waiver. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants, or conditions set forth in this Agreement (including the CNCA) shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power hereunder at any one or more times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other times. No waiver by the Company of a breach by Employee of any provision of this Agreement (including the CNCA) shall be binding upon the Company unless the same is in writing, signed by a duly authorized representative of the Company, and any such waiver shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

f.        Severability. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions in this Agreement, each of which shall survive and be given full force and effect. A court of competent jurisdiction may modify and bring about a modification of any invalid or unenforceable provision in this Agreement to make it enforceable under applicable law.

g.       Assignment. The Company may assign this Agreement (including the CNCA) and, if assigned, the assignee has the right to seek enforcement of the Agreement (including the CNCA). Since this Agreement and Employee’s rights and obligations hereunder are personal to Employee, Employee cannot assign this Agreement (including the CNCA) to any other person or entity.

h.       Indemnification of Company. Employee agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold the Company, its Affiliates (as that term is defined in the CNCA), and each of their officers, directors, and employees harmless from and against any claims (including without limitation losses, damages, attorneys’ fees and costs) by third parties alleging that Employee’s employment with the Company hereunder constitutes unlawful activity, breaches an obligation of Employee, or otherwise subjects the Company and/or any of its Affiliates to potential liability as a result of Employee’s employment with the Company.

i.        Notices. All notices and other communications required to be given under this Agreement (including the CNCA) shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Party in person, via e-mail or as an attachment to an e-mail transmission to the Party’s e-mail address, or by overnight carrier service by a recognized business courier (such as FedEx or UPS). A notice and/or other communication to be given hereunder shall be considered effective: (i) on the date of delivery if personally delivered against a written receipt; (ii) on the date of delivery if sent by e-mail transmission or as an attachment to an e-mail transmission, with a delivery receipt; or (iii) on the first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered to a recognized business courier service (such as DHL Courier, FedEx, or UPS) for overnight delivery.

j.        Survival. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, and for the avoidance of any doubt, the termination of Employee’s employment under this Agreement for any reason shall not affect the CNCA or any of the covenants, warranties, and agreements in Sections 4.g., 5, 6.f.vi., 6.g., 7 and 8 (including all applicable subparts) of this Agreement, each of which shall survive such termination of the Employment Term, the Parties’ employment relationship, and this Agreement.

k.       Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue; Attorney’s Fees and Costs. The validity, construction, and performance of this Agreement (including the CNCA) shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado without giving effect to conflict of law principles. Except as otherwise may be required by the Company to obtain equitable injunctive relief under this Agreement, the CNCA, and/or any other agreement between the Parties, jurisdiction for all actions or proceedings arising under this Agreement (including the CNCA) shall be exclusive to a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction located in or with jurisdiction for Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado. The Parties hereby irrevocably subject and consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum related to any action or proceeding in such venue. Should an action be commenced for a breach of and/or to enforce the terms of this Agreement (including the CNCA), the prevailing party in such an action shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party, in addition to all other legal and/or equitable remedies, all costs of litigation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

l.        Pre-Suit Mediation. Except with respect to any injunctive relief sought by the Company under this Agreement, the CNCA, and/or any other agreement between the Parties, each of the Parties knowingly, voluntarily, and intentionally agrees to and shall participate in a mediation conference before filing any complaint, charge, or accusatory pleading or document, or otherwise commencing any legal or administrative action or proceeding against the other Party with a federal, state, or local agency and/or in a court of competent jurisdiction. The Parties agree that the mediation conference shall be convened in Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado, and to cooperate in the selection of a mutually agreeable mediator. The Parties shall split equally the cost of the mediator. The Parties also agree to bear their own respective attorney’s fees and costs for mediation under this Section 8.l. For the avoidance of any doubt, except as provided herein, the mediation requirement of this Section 8.l. is a condition precedent to any action, proceeding, and/or litigation between the Parties.

m.      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. To the extent permitted by law, the parties KNOwingly, voluntarily, and intentionally agree to, and do hereby, waive the right to trial by jury in any litigation, cause of action, claim, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by either of the parties against the other: [I] based on any matter whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with Employee’s employment with the Company; [II] Based on this Agreement (INCLUDING THE CNCA) or arising out of, under, or relating to this agreement (INCULDING THE CNCA); and/or [III] based on any alleged action, inaction, or omission of either party to this Agreement.

n.       Construction. The essential terms and conditions contained in this Agreement have been mutually negotiated between the Parties. The Parties agree that the language of all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any of the Parties. No ambiguity or uncertainty in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted in favor of or against any Party.

o.       Compliance with Applicable Regulatory, Tax, and Legal Requirements. Any payments or benefits which may be conferred under this Agreement shall be subject to and administered in compliance with all regulatory, tax, and legal requirements applicable to Employee or the Company, including, without limitation, the following:

i.       Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any compensation or benefits payable to Employee all applicable federal, state, local or other taxes and make any other deductions and withholdings as the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines are required or permitted by law.

ii.     Code Section 409A. This Agreement and all payments, distributions or other benefits hereunder shall comply and be administered in accordance with the requirements of, or an exemption or exclusion to, Section 409A of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”), as well as any applicable equivalent State law. To the extent any provision or term of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance in this respect, such provision or term and all payments hereunder shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of, or an exemption or exclusion to, Section 409A, as well as any applicable equivalent State law. Any provision that would cause this Agreement or a payment, distribution, or other benefit hereunder to fail to comply with the requirements of, or an exemption or exclusion to, Section 409A, as well as any applicable equivalent State law, shall have no force or effect and the Parties agree that, to the extent an amendment would be effective, this Agreement shall be amended to comply with the requirements of, or an exemption or exclusion to, Section 409A, as well as any applicable equivalent State law. Such amendment shall be retroactive to the extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Agreement, Employee shall not be deemed to have terminated employment unless and until a “Separation from Service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h) has occurred. Each payment under Section 6.f. of this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.

iii.       Code Section 280G. If any of the payments or benefits received or to be received by Employee constitute “Parachute Payments” within the meaning of Code Section 280G (each, a “Section 280G Payment”) and would, but for this Section 8.o.iii., be subject to the excise tax imposed under Code Section 4999 (the “Golden Parachute Tax”), then, prior to making such Section 280G Payment, a calculation shall be made comparing (i) the Net Benefit (as defined below) to Employee of the Section 280G Payment to (ii) the Net Benefit to Employee if the Section 280G Payment is limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Golden Parachute Tax. Only if the amount calculated under (i) above is less than the amount under (ii) above will the Section 280G Payment be reduced, and then, only to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Section 280G Payment is subject to the Golden Parachute Tax. For purposes of this Section 8.o.iii. only, “Net Benefit” shall mean the present value of the payment, net of all federal, state, local, foreign income, employment, and excise taxes, including the Golden Parachute Tax. Any reduction made pursuant to this Section 88.o.iii. shall be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A. All calculations and determinations under this Section 8.o.iii. shall be made by an independent accounting firm or independent tax counsel appointed by the Company (the “Tax Counsel”), whose determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Employee for all purposes. The Company and Employee shall furnish the Tax Counsel with such information and documents as requested by the Tax Counsel to make its determinations under this Section 8.o.iii., and the Company shall bear all costs incurred by the Tax Counsel under this Section 8.o.iii.

iv.       Regulatory Claw-back. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation (whether cash-, equity-, or incentive-based, or otherwise) paid to Employee under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement between the Company and Employee which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement shall be subject to such deductions and claw-back as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement), without regard for any termination, severance, or other agreement with respect to Employee’s separation from service with the Company.

p.         Full Understanding; Acknowledgment. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee has thoroughly read the terms of this Agreement before signing. Employee further acknowledges and agrees that, by signing this Agreement, Employee knowingly and voluntarily consents to the terms contained herein.

q.         Counterparts. This Agreement (including the CNCA) may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Signing of this Agreement (including the CNCA) and transmission of the signed Agreement (including the CNCA) by electronic document transfer will be acceptable and binding upon the parties as of the Effective Date.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, have executed this Executive Employment Agreement as of the dates set forth below, which Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date.

Attachments: Equity Award Agreement (Exhibit “A”)

Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement (Exhibit “B”)

[Signature Page to Riot Blockchain, Inc./Brooks Executive Employment Agreement]