TABLE OF CONTENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 18, 2022
Registration No. 333-      
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
TERAWULF INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
TeraWulf Inc.
9 Federal Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
(410) 770-9500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant’s principal
executive offices)
87-1909475
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Stefanie Fleischmann
General Counsel
9 Federal Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
(410) 770-9500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
David S. Huntington, Esq.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019-6064
(212) 373-3000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are to be offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities
to be Registered
Aggregate Amount to be
Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Security(2)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(2)
Amount of
Registration Fee(2)
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units
Total:
$500,000,000
$46,350(3)
(1)
There are being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of each identified class of securities of TeraWulf Inc., which securities may be offered and sold, on a primary basis, in such amount in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies as shall result in an aggregate public offering price for all securities of $500,000,000 after the date hereof. The securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate amount of debt securities and shares of common stock and shares of preferred stock as may be issued upon conversion or exchange for any other debt securities or preferred stock that provide for conversion or exchange into other securities being registered hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover an indeterminate number of additional securities to be offered as a result of share splits, share dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
With regard to the securities included in the offering made hereby, the proposed maximum offering price per security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance of the securities registered by this Registration Statement. Prices, when determined, may be in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies, foreign currency units or composite currencies. If any Debt Securities or shares of preferred stock are issued at an original issue discount, then the amount registered will include the principal or liquidation amount of such securities measured by the initial offering price thereof.
(3)
The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The registrant hereby amends this document on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, Dated January 18, 2022
PROSPECTUS
[MISSING IMAGE: LG_TERAWULF-4CLR.JPG]
TeraWulf Inc.
$500,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may offer and sell from time to time shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants, rights, purchase contracts or units, or any combination thereof, in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that we determine at the time of the offering, with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $500,000,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies).
Each time we offer securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing more information about the particular offering together with this prospectus. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities without a prospectus supplement.
These securities may be sold on a continuous or delayed basis directly to or through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “WULF.” If we decide to list or seek a quotation for any other securities, the prospectus supplement relating to those securities will disclose the exchange or market on which those securities will be listed or quoted.
Investing in these securities involves significant risks. We strongly recommend that you read carefully the risks we describe in this prospectus as well as in any accompanying prospectus supplement and the risk factors that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus from our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is            , 2022.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
10
20
23
25
26
27
28
31
31
 
i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
To understand the terms of the securities offered by this prospectus, you should carefully read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. You should also read the documents referred to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on us and the business conducted by us.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell from time to time shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants, rights, purchase contracts or units, or any combination thereof, in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that we determine at the time of the offering, with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $500,000,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies). This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities. Each time we offer the securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that describes the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus as described below under the heading “Incorporation by Reference.”
The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement and the information incorporated by reference, provides additional information about us and our securities. That registration statement can be found on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
You should rely only on the information provided in the registration statement, this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the cover page of these documents. We are not making an offer to sell the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. The securities may be sold for U.S. dollars, foreign-denominated currency, currency units or composite currencies. Amounts payable with respect to any securities may be payable in U.S. dollars or foreign-denominated currency, currency units or composite currencies as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept or reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of the securities. The prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we offer the securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the securities, and any related fee, commission or discount arrangements. See “Plan of Distribution.”
The prospectus supplement may also contain information about any material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.
In this prospectus, the terms “TeraWulf,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to TeraWulf Inc.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
As required by the Securities Act, we filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the SEC. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are required to file with the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information. Such reports include our audited financial statements. Our publicly available filings can be found on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our filings, including the audited financial and additional information that we have made public to investors, may also be found on our website at www.terawulf.com. Information on or accessible through our website does not constitute part of this prospectus (except for SEC reports expressly incorporated by reference herein).
 
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, exhibits and schedules for more information about us and the securities. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available through the SEC’s website.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement. The following documents have been filed by us with the SEC and are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (filed on March 3, 2021), including portions of our Proxy Statement for the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders (filed on March 23, 2021) to the extent specifically incorporated by reference therein;

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021 (filed on May 13, 2021, August 12, 2021 and November 15, 2021, respectively);

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2021, April 29, 2021, May 3, 2021, June 25, 2021, August 6, 2021, August 11, 2021, October 29, 2021, December 3, 2021, December 9, 2021, December 13, 2021, December 17, 2021, December 21, 2021, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed on August 11, 2021 and December 17, 2021;

the following sections in our Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on November 10, 2021: Risk Factors, Information About TeraWulf, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of TeraWulf, Governance and Management of Holdco, Executive Compensation of Holdco, Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management/Directors of TeraWulf; and

the description of TeraWulf’s capital stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on November 10, 2021, including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating that description.
All reports and other documents that we subsequently file with the SEC (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the later of (1) the completion of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and (2) the date we stop offering securities pursuant to this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such reports and documents. The information contained on our website (www.terawulf.com) is not incorporated into this prospectus.
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement, any applicable pricing supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
You may request a copy of any or all documents referred to above that have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus (excluding certain exhibits to the documents) at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address or telephone number:
TeraWulf Inc.
Attention: Stefanie Fleischmann, General Counsel
9 Federal Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
Telephone: (410) 770-9500
 
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management, and expected market growth are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Use of Proceeds.” Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, any time we use the words “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “continue,” “propose,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “projects,” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology, and similar expressions, we intend to clearly express that the information deals with possible future events and is forward-looking in nature. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. For TeraWulf, particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

conditions in the cryptocurrency mining industry, including any prolonged substantial reduction in cryptocurrency prices, which could cause a decline in the demand for TeraWulf’s services;

competition among the various providers of data mining services;

economic or political conditions in the countries in which TeraWulf plans to do business, including civil uprisings, riots, terrorism, kidnappings, the taking of property without fair compensation and legislative changes;

currency exchange rate fluctuations;

employment workforce factors, including the loss of key employees;

the ability to implement certain business objectives and the ability to timely and cost-effectively execute integrated projects;

changes in governmental safety, health, environmental and other regulations, which could require significant expenditures;

liability related to the use of TeraWulf’s services;

the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition or divestiture plans, regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of a merger, acquisition or divestiture, and the success of the business following a merger, acquisition or divestiture; and

other risks, uncertainties and factors included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and those included under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Registration Statement on Form S-4, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
These forward-looking statements reflect our views with respect to future events as of the date of this prospectus and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this prospectus and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or review publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this prospectus. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. You should read this prospectus and the documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, merger, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may undertake. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
 
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
THE COMPANY
TeraWulf Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a digital asset technology company with a core business of sustainable bitcoin mining. TeraWulf, together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns and operates its bitcoin mining facility sites in the United States and expects to consume over 90% zero-carbon energy, with a target of 100% by 2028. We founded TeraWulf in February 2021. In June 2021, we announced the strategic business combination with IKONICS Corporation (“IKONICS”), a Minnesota corporation in the business of developing imaging technologies. On December 13, 2021, we successfully completed the business combination with IKONICS.
Our primary source of revenue is from sustainably mining bitcoin at our bitcoin mining facility sites. We also earn revenue from the hedging and sale of mined bitcoin and the commercial optimization of TeraWulf’s power supply.
For a description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information regarding TeraWulf, we refer you to our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus. For instructions on how to find copies of these documents, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” More information about us is also available through our website at www.terawulf.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement (except for SEC reports that are expressly incorporated by reference herein).
Our principal executive offices are located at 9 Federal Street, Easton, Maryland 21601, telephone (410) 770-9500.
 
4

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you decide whether to purchase any of our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risks discussed in, or incorporated by reference into, the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” included in our Registration Statement on Form S-4, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. These risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. For more information, please see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.” These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.
 
5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we specify another use in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

debt repayment;

repurchases of shares of our common stock;

working capital; and/or

capital expenditures.
We may also use such proceeds to fund acquisitions of businesses or technologies that complement our current business. We may set forth additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of the securities we offer under this prospectus in a prospectus supplement related to a specific offering.
 
6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
The following is a summary of information concerning our capital stock, including a summary of certain material terms and provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws. You should read these documents in full for complete information on our capital stock. They are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Common Stock
Shares Outstanding.   We are authorized to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of January 14, 2022, we had 99,976,253 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Dividends.   Subject to prior dividend rights of the holders of any preferred shares, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. Delaware law allows a corporation to pay dividends only out of surplus, as determined under Delaware law.
Voting Rights.   Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, the holders of our common stock possess all voting power for the election of directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action and will at all times vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Other Rights.   In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, after the satisfaction in full of the liquidation preferences of holders of any preferred shares, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to ratable distribution of the remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders.
Fully Paid.   The issued and outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. This means the full purchase price for the outstanding shares of our common stock has been paid and the holders of such shares will not be assessed any additional amounts for such shares. Any additional shares of common stock that we may issue in the future will also be fully paid and non-assessable.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and with such rights and preferences as determined by our board of directors with respect to each series. As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of our preferred stock are issued and outstanding.
Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers
We are a Delaware corporation. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director is personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except as required by applicable law, as in effect from time to time. Currently, Delaware law requires that liability be imposed only for the following:

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders;

any act or omission not in good faith or which involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”); and

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
As a result, neither we nor our stockholders have the right, including through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described above.
 
7

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we will indemnify any officer or director of our company in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding to which such person is, or is threated to be made, a party, whether civil or criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of the fact that the person is or was our director or officer, or served any other enterprise at our request as a director or officer. We will reimburse the expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by a person indemnified by this provision in connection with any proceeding, including in advance of its final disposition, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Amending this provision will not reduce our indemnification obligations relating to actions taken before an amendment.
We maintain insurance for our officers and directors against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, under insurance policies, the premiums of which are paid by us. The effect of these is to indemnify any officer or director of the Company against expenses, judgments, attorney’s fees and other amounts paid in settlements incurred by an officer or director arising from claims against such persons for conduct in their capacities as officers or directors of the Company.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware Law
Some provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law could make the following more difficult:

acquisition of us by means of a tender offer;

acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or

removal of our incumbent officers and directors.
These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection give us the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us and outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging those proposals because negotiation of them could result in an improvement of their terms.
Size of Board and Vacancies
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors shall consist of not less than three (3) nor more than ten (10) members, which number is determined by resolution of our board of directors. Directors are elected at each annual meeting of stockholders by the vote of a majority of the shares present. Except for directors elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock, any director or the entire Board may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in our authorized number of directors or any vacancies in our board of directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, removal from office or other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board, or by a sole remaining director.
Restriction on Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Except as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation eliminates the right of our stockholders to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders. Stockholder action must take place at the annual or a special meeting of our stockholders.
Stockholder Meetings
Under our amended and restated bylaws, special meetings of our stockholders may be called at any time by, and only by, (i) the Board, (ii) at any time prior to the first date on which Stammtisch and Stammtisch Affiliates (each as defined therein) cease to beneficially own in the aggregate (directly or indirectly) shares
 
8

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
of capital stock entitled to vote generally for the election of our directors representing at least fifteen percent (15%) of such shares of capital stock owned by Stammtisch and Stammtisch Affiliates, by the chairperson of the Board upon written request by Stammtisch delivered in writing to the Board, or (iii) the Secretary upon proper written request given by or on behalf of one or more stockholders who hold at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of common stock.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors other than nominations made by or at the direction of our board of directors or a committee of our board of directors.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Law
We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three (3) years following the date such person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the transaction in which such person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person that, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of our common stock.
No Cumulative Voting
Neither our amended and restated certificate of incorporation nor our amended and restated bylaws provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Forum for Adjudication of Disputes
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of TeraWulf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of TeraWulf to TeraWulf or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation or the amended and restated bylaws, or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, then another court of the State of Delaware or, if no court of the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, then the United States District Court for the District of Delaware). Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that, unless TeraWulf consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. The exclusive forum provisions set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation do not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Our transfer agent and registrar is Equiniti Trust Company.
Listing
Our shares of common stock are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “WULF.”
 
9

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The debt securities will be general obligations of TeraWulf Inc. The debt securities may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a secured or unsecured senior or subordinated basis, jointly and severally, by guarantors, if any. In the event that any series of debt securities will be subordinated to other indebtedness that we have outstanding or may incur, the terms of the subordination will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subordinated debt securities. Debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures between us and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. A copy of the form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement filed with the SEC. The following discussion of certain provisions of the indenture is a summary only and should not be considered a complete description of the terms and provisions of the indenture. Accordingly, the following discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the indenture, including the definition of certain terms used below. You should refer to the indenture for the complete terms of the debt securities.
General
The debt securities will represent direct, general obligations of TeraWulf Inc. and:

may rank equally with other unsubordinated debt or may be subordinated to other debt we have or may incur;

may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities;

may be issued at a price of 100% of their principal amount or at a premium or discount;

may be issued in registered or bearer form and certificated or uncertificated form; and

may be represented by one or more global debt securities registered in the name of a designated depositary’s nominee, and if so, beneficial interests in the global note will be shown on and transfers will be made only through records maintained by the designated depositary and its participants.
The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may authenticate and deliver is unlimited. Subject to limitations contained in the indenture, we may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of a series of debt securities, issue additional debt securities of any such series on the same terms and conditions as the debt securities of such series, except for any differences in the issue price and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and interest payment date; provided that if the additional debt securities are not fungible with the debt securities of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional debt securities will have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for the following terms of the debt securities of the series with respect to which that prospectus supplement is being delivered:

the title of the debt securities of the series (which will distinguish the debt securities of that particular series from the debt securities of any other series) and ranking (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

the price or prices of the debt securities of the series at which such debt securities will be issued;

whether the debt securities are entitled to the benefit of any guarantee by any guarantor;

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under the indenture (except for debt securities authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other debt securities of the series);

the date or dates on which the principal and premium with respect to the debt securities of the series are payable;
 
10

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

the person to whom any interest on a security of the series shall be payable if other than the person in whose name that security is registered at the close of business on the record date;

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the debt securities of the series will bear interest (if any) or the method of determining such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index), the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable or the method by which such dates will be determined, the record dates for the determination of holders thereof to whom such interest is payable (in the case of securities in registered form), and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

the currency or currencies in which debt securities of the series will be denominated and/or in which payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest of any of the securities shall be payable, if other than U.S. dollars, the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the trustee (in the case of securities in registered form) where the principal, premium and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of the series will be payable, where notices and demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities and the indenture may be delivered, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or otherwise;

whether debt securities of the series are to be issued as securities in registered form or securities in bearer form or both and, if securities in bearer form are to be issued, whether coupons will be attached to them, whether securities in bearer form of the series may be exchanged for securities in registered form of the series, and the circumstances under which and the places at which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made;

if any debt securities of the series are to be issued as securities in bearer form or as one or more global securities representing individual securities in bearer form of the series, whether certain provisions for the payment of additional interest or tax redemptions will apply; whether interest with respect to any portion of a temporary bearer security of the series payable with respect to any interest payment date prior to the exchange of such temporary bearer security for definitive securities in bearer form of the series will be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary bearer security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the persons entitled to interest payable on such interest payment date; and the terms upon which a temporary bearer security may be exchanged for one or more definitive securities in bearer form of the series;

the obligation or right, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of such debt securities and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, debt securities of the series will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

the terms, if any, upon which the debt securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for any issuer’s common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, other debt securities or warrants for common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, indebtedness or other securities of any kind and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange will be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other additional provisions;

if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which debt securities of the series will be issuable;

if the amount of principal, premium or interest with respect to the debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;
 
11

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such stated maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined), and if necessary, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars;

any changes or additions to the provisions of the indenture dealing with defeasance;

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or provable in bankruptcy;

the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the debt securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral and any corresponding changes to provisions of the indenture as then in effect;

any addition to or change in the events of default with respect to the debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium and interest, if any, with respect to such debt securities due and payable;

if the debt securities of the series will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual debt securities in definitive registered form, the depositary (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) for such global security and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such global security in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in the indenture;

any trustee, authenticating or paying agent, transfer agent or registrar or any other agent with respect to the debt securities;

the applicability of, and any addition to, deletion of or change in, the covenants and definitions then set forth in the indenture or in the terms then set forth in the indenture relating to permitted consolidations, mergers or sales of assets;

the terms, if any, of any guarantee of the payment of principal, premium and interest with respect to debt securities of the series and any corresponding changes to the provisions of the indenture as then in effect;

the subordination, if any, of the debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture and any changes or additions to the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination;

with regard to debt securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the trustee;

any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs;

any co-issuer;

the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable, where the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities and the indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means; and

any other terms of the debt securities of the series (which terms will not be prohibited by the provisions of the indenture).
The prospectus supplement will also describe any material U.S. federal income tax consequences or other special considerations applicable to the series of debt securities to which such prospectus supplement relates, including those applicable to:

securities in bearer form;
 
12

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

debt securities with respect to which payments of principal, premium or interest are determined with reference to an index or formula (including changes in prices of particular securities, currencies or commodities);

debt securities with respect to which principal or interest is payable in a foreign or composite currency;

debt securities that are issued at a discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates or original issue discount debt securities; and

variable rate debt securities that are exchangeable for fixed rate debt securities.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, securities in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Securities in bearer form will be transferable only by delivery. Provisions with respect to the exchange of securities in bearer form will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities in bearer form.
All funds that we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any debt securities that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal, premium or interest will have become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holders of those debt securities or any related coupons will thereafter look only to us for payment thereof.
Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities. A global security is a debt security that represents, and is denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all outstanding debt securities of a series, or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal and interest are due, and interest rate or method of determining interest. A global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary, or by the depositary or any nominee of the depositary to a successor depositary or any nominee of such successor.
The terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements, in all cases subject to any restrictions or limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for such global security will credit, on its book entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary. Such accounts will be designated by the dealers or underwriters with respect to such debt securities or, if such debt securities are offered and sold directly by us or through one or more agents, by us or such agents. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary (with respect to interests of participants) or records maintained by participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limitations and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of such global security, such depositary or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder
 
13

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
of the individual debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of such debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture.
Payments of principal, premium and interest with respect to individual debt securities represented by a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or holder of such global security. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent or registrar for such debt securities nor any agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for:

any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary, its nominee or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests;

the payment to the owners of beneficial interests in the global security of amounts paid to the depositary or its nominee; or

any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the depositary, its nominee or its participants.
Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent or registrar for such debt securities nor any agent of ours or the trustee will be liable for any delay by the depositary, its nominee or any of its participants in identifying the owners of beneficial interests in the global security, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the depositary or its nominee for all purposes.
We expect that the depositary for a series of debt securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to a definitive global security representing any of such debt securities, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security, as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers and registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants. See “— Limitations on Issuance of Securities in Bearer Form” below.
If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary, we will appoint a successor depositary. If a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine to no longer have debt securities of a series represented by a global security and, in such event, will issue individual debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities. Furthermore, if we so specify with respect to the debt securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security representing debt securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the depositary for such global security, receive individual debt securities of such series in exchange for such beneficial interests. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities of the series represented by such global security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such debt securities registered in its name (if the debt securities are issuable as securities in registered form). Individual debt securities of such series so issued generally will be issued:

as securities in registered form in minimum denominations, unless otherwise specified by us, of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof if the debt securities are issuable as securities in registered form;

as securities in bearer form in the denomination or denominations specified by us if the debt securities are issuable as securities in bearer form; or

as either securities in registered form or securities in bearer form as described above if the debt securities are issuable in either form.
 
14

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Limitations on Issuance of Securities in Bearer Form
The debt securities of a series may be issued as securities in registered form (which will be registered as to principal and interest in the register maintained by the registrar for such debt securities) or securities in bearer form (which will be transferable only by delivery). If such debt securities are issuable as securities in bearer form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe certain special limitations and considerations that will apply to such debt securities.
Certain Covenants
If debt securities are issued, the indenture, as supplemented for a particular series of debt securities, will contain certain covenants for the benefit of the holders of such series of debt securities, which will be applicable (unless waived or amended) so long as any of the debt securities of such series are outstanding, unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement. The specific terms of the covenants, and summaries thereof, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities.
Subordination
Debt securities of a series and any guarantees, may be subordinated, which we refer to as subordinated debt securities, to senior indebtedness (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) to the extent set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. To the extent we conduct operations through subsidiaries, the holders of debt securities (whether or not subordinated debt securities) will be structurally subordinated to the creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent such subsidiary is a guarantor of such series of debt securities.
Events of Default
Each of the following will constitute an event of default under the form of indenture with respect to any series of debt securities:

default in payment of the principal amount of the debt securities of that series, when such amount becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, required redemption or otherwise;

failure to pay interest on the debt securities of that series within 30 days of the due date;

failure to comply with the obligations described under “— Mergers and Sales of Assets” below;

failure to comply for 90 days after notice with any of our other agreements in the debt securities of that series or the indenture or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities; or

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting us.
A prospectus supplement may omit, modify or add to the foregoing events of default.
An event of default under one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default under any other series of debt securities. A default under the fourth bullet above will not constitute an event of default until the trustee notifies us or the holders of 30% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series notify us and the trustee of the default and we do not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.
If any event of default (other than an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs and is continuing with respect to a particular series of debt securities, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding by written notice to us (and to the trustee if such notice is given by the holders), may declare the principal amount of (or in the case of original issue discount debt securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms thereof), and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of, and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series will automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. Upon a declaration by the trustee or the holders, we will be obligated to pay the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest of each affected series of debt securities so declared due and payable.
 
15

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding by notice to the trustee under the indenture may on behalf of the holders of all of such series of debt securities waive any existing default or event of default and its consequences under the applicable indenture except a continuing default or event of default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the debt securities of such series.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default will occur and be continuing, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture or debt securities at the request or direction of any of the holders of any series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee against any cost, loss, liability or expense. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such series of debt securities. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of such series of debt securities (it being understood that the trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such direction unduly prejudices the rights of such holders) or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee is entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all costs, losses, liabilities and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder of debt securities of a series has any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or debt securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

such holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to such series of debt securities;

the holder or holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holder or holders have offered security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense, to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and

the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer.
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security of such series for the enforcement of payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on such debt security on or after the applicable due date specified in such debt security.
The indenture provides that if a default with respect to a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a trust officer of the trustee, the trustee must send to each holder of such debt securities notice of the default within 90 days after it is actually known to a trust officer of the trustee. Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise with respect to any debt security of a series when such amount becomes due and payable, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its trust officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is not opposed to the interests of the holders.
The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute a default; provided, however, that failure to provide such written notice will not in and of itself result in a default under the indenture.
Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.
 
16

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Modification and Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions, modifications and amendments of the indenture, any supplemental indenture and any series of debt securities may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series affected by such modification or amendment.
No such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected thereby:

reduce the percentage of principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any amendment;

reduce the principal amount of, or interest on, or extend the Stated Maturity or interest payment periods of, any debt securities;

change the provisions applicable to the redemption of any debt securities;

make any debt securities payable in money or securities other than those stated in the debt securities;

impair the contractual right of any holder of the debt securities to receive payment of principal of and interest on such holder’s debt securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s debt securities;

except as otherwise provided as described under “— Satisfaction and Discharge” and “— Defeasance” herein, release any security or guarantee that may have been granted with respect to any debt securities;

in the case of any subordinated securities, or coupons appertaining thereto, make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination that adversely affects the rights of any holder under such provisions (including any contractual subordination of senior unsubordinated debt securities); or

make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions.
Without the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend the indenture for one or more of the following purposes:

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company by the indenture, to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders of all or any series of debt securities as the board of directors of the Company will consider to be for the protection of the holders of such debt securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in respect of any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a default or an event of default under the indenture; provided, however, that with respect to any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment may provide for a period of grace after default, which may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults, may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default, may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such default or may limit the right of holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series to waive such default;

to provide for the assumption by a successor company of the obligations of the Company under the indenture;

to add guarantees with respect to the debt securities or to secure the debt securities;

to make any change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of any holder of the debt securities;

to add to, change, or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture with respect to one or more series of debt securities, so long as any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under the indenture will (a) neither apply to any debt securities of any series created prior to the
 
17

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the holders of any such debt securities with respect to the benefit of such provision or (b) become effective only when there is no such debt securities outstanding;

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the indenture by more than one trustee;

to add or to change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide that debt securities in bearer form may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium with respect to debt securities in registered form or of principal, premium or interest with respect to debt securities in bearer form, or to permit debt securities in registered form to be exchanged for debt securities in bearer form, so as to not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities or any coupons of any series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities of any series in uncertificated form;

in the case of subordinated debt securities, to make any change in the provisions of the indenture or any supplemental indenture relating to subordination that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of senior Indebtedness under such provisions (but only if each such holder of senior Indebtedness consents to such change);

to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

to conform any provision in the indenture or the debt securities to the description of any debt securities in an offering document;

to approve a particular form of any proposed amendment;

to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series;

to establish the form or terms of debt securities and coupons of any series pursuant to the indenture;

to comply with the rules of any applicable depositary;

to make any amendment to the provisions of the indenture relating to the transfer and legending of debt securities; provided, however, that (a) compliance with the indenture as so amended would not result in debt securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of debt securities to transfer debt securities; or

to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the indenture as shall not adversely affect, in any material respect, the interests of any holders of debt securities of any series.
Mergers and Sales of Assets
The indenture provides that we will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, another person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if not TeraWulf Inc., is a person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture; (iii) the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if not TeraWulf Inc., expressly assumes by supplemental indenture in a form satisfactory to the trustee all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture; and (iv) we or the successor person has delivered to the trustee the certificates and opinions of counsel required under the indenture. Upon any such consolidation, merger or transfer, the resulting, surviving or transferee person shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, TeraWulf Inc. under the indenture.
Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture; Defeasance
Unless otherwise provided for in the prospectus supplement, the indenture will generally cease to be of any further effect with respect to a series of debt securities if (a) we have delivered to the trustee for
 
18

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
cancellation all debt securities of such series (with certain limited exceptions) or (b) all debt securities and coupons of such series not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation will have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we will have irrevocably deposited with the trustee as trust funds the entire amount sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such debt securities and coupons (and if, in either case, we will also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable under the indenture by us).
In addition, we will have a “legal defeasance option” ​(pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, all of our obligations under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such debt securities) and a “covenant defeasance option” ​(pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, our obligations with respect to such debt securities under certain specified covenants contained in the indenture). If we exercise our legal defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to the specified covenants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the procedures we must follow in order to exercise our defeasance options
Regarding the Trustee
The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee may exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict, apply to the SEC for permission to continue, or resign.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
 
19

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares rather than full shares of the preferred stock of a series. In the event that we determine to do so, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock as more fully described below.
The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under one or more deposit agreements among us, a depositary to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the holders from time to time of depositary receipts issued thereunder. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented thereby (including, as applicable, dividend, voting, redemption, subscription and liquidation rights).
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock.
The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the depositary shares so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the depositary shares or the deposit agreement described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement relating to such deposited shares. The forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed as exhibits to the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
The following summary of certain provisions of the depositary shares and deposit agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, all the provisions of the deposit agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement, including the definitions.
Immediately following our issuance of shares of a series of preferred stock that will be offered as fractional shares, we will deposit the shares with the depositary, which will then issue and deliver the depositary receipts to the purchasers thereof. Depositary receipts will only be issued evidencing whole depositary shares. A depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.
Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to (and entitling the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to) the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. Definitive depositary receipts will be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and such temporary depositary receipts will be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the related series of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the series of preferred stock in proportion to the number of the depositary shares owned by the holders.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionately among the holders or that it is not feasible to make the distributions, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt any method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting the distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, at the place or places and upon those terms as it may deem proper.
 
20

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
The amount distributed in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes or other governmental charges.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If any series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from any redemption, in whole or in part, of the series of the preferred stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the series of the preferred stock. If we redeem shares of a series of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or substantially equivalent method determined by the depositary.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon such redemption, upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. Any funds deposited by us with the depositary for any depositary shares that the holders thereof fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date the funds are so deposited.
Voting the Underlying Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the related series of preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of the series of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, provided the depositary receives the instructions sufficiently in advance of the meeting to enable it to so vote or cause to be voted the shares of preferred stock, and we will agree to take all reasonable action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing the preferred stock.
Withdrawal of Stock
Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary and upon payment of the taxes, charges and fees provided for in the deposit agreement and subject to the terms thereof, the holder of the depositary shares evidenced thereby will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property, if any, represented by the depositary shares. Holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive whole shares of the related series of preferred stock, but holders of the whole shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit the shares of preferred stock with the depositary or to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder or upon his or her order at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.
Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares of any series and any provision of the applicable deposit agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially adversely alters the rights of the holders of
 
21

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
depositary shares of any series will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares of the series then outstanding. Every holder of a depositary receipt at the time the amendment becomes effective will be deemed, by continuing to hold the depositary receipt, to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may any amendment impair the right of any holder of any depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares and subject to any conditions specified in the deposit agreement, to receive shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us at any time upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to the depositary, in which case, on a date that is not later than 30 days after the date of the notice, the depositary shall deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares. The deposit agreement shall automatically terminate after all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or there has been a final distribution in respect of the related series of preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us and the distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary shares.
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and the governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay the charges of the depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock and the initial issuance of the depositary shares and all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock, except that holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us written notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary, which successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the related preferred stock.
The depositary’s corporate trust office will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts and if shares of a series of preferred stock are redeemable, the depositary will also act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.
 
22

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
The following description of the terms of the warrants sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or depositary shares. Warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.
Debt Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of debt warrants will describe the terms of such debt warrants, including the following:

the title of such debt warrants;

the offering price for such debt warrants, if any;

the aggregate number of such debt warrants;

the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of such debt warrants;

if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities with which such debt warrants are issued and the number of such debt warrants issued with each such debt security;

if applicable, the date from and after which such debt warrants and any debt securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of a debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise (which price may be payable in cash, securities or other property);

the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

the antidilution or adjustment provisions of such debt warrants, if any;

the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such debt warrants; and

any additional terms of such debt warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such debt warrants.
Stock Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of common stock warrants, preferred stock warrants or depositary share warrants will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following:

the title of such warrants;
 
23

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

the offering price for such warrants, if any;

the aggregate number of such warrants;

the designation and terms of the offered securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

if applicable, the designation and terms of the offered securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such offered security;

if applicable, the date from and after which such warrants and any offered securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;

the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise;

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

the antidilution provisions of such warrants, if any;

the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such warrants; and

any additional terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
 
24

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS
We may issue rights to purchase our common stock. The rights may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and one or more banks, trust companies or other financial institutions, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:

the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution;

the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

the exercise price;

the conditions to completion of the rights offering;

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the rights will expire; and

any applicable federal income tax considerations.
Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.
If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
25

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue, from time to time, purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and us to sell to the holders, a specified principal amount of debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares, government securities, or other securities that we may sell under this prospectus at a future date or dates. The consideration payable upon settlement of the purchase contracts may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by a specific reference to a formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and other securities or obligations issued by us or third parties, including United States treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the relevant securities under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or units or vice versa, and the payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts.
The prospectus supplement related to any particular purchase contracts will describe, among other things, the material terms of the purchase contracts and of the securities being sold pursuant to such purchase contracts, a discussion, if appropriate, of any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts and any material provisions governing the purchase contracts that differ from those described above. The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, relating to the purchase contracts.
 
26

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS
We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of certain other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Each unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.
Any prospectus supplement related to any particular units will describe, among other things:

the material terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

any material provisions relating to the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

if appropriate, any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described above.
 
27

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may offer and sell the securities in any one or more of the following ways:

to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;

directly to one or more other purchasers;

through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

through agents on a best-efforts basis; or

otherwise through a combination of any of the above methods of sale.
In addition, we may enter into option, share lending or other types of transactions that require us to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus. We may also enter into hedging transactions with respect to our securities. For example, we may:

enter into transactions involving short sales of the shares of common stock by underwriters, brokers or dealers;

sell shares of common stock short and deliver the shares to close out short positions;

enter into option or other types of transactions that require us to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus; or

loan or pledge the shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who may sell the loaned shares or, in the event of default, sell the pledged shares.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will name any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will also set forth the terms of the offering, including:

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities;

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

any public offering or purchase price and any discounts or commissions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers;

any commissions allowed or paid to agents;

any other offering expenses;

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed;

the method of distribution of the securities;
 
28

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

the terms of any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with the underwriters, brokers or dealers; and

any other information we think is important.
If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account. The securities may be sold from time to time by us in one or more transactions:

at a fixed price or prices that may be changed;

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

at prices related to such prevailing market prices;

at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

at negotiated prices.
Such sales may be effected:

in transactions on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

in transactions in the over-the-counter market;

in block transactions in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction, or in crosses, in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the trade;

through the writing of options; or

through other types of transactions.
The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the securities offered will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discount or concession allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.
Any shares of common stock covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus. Any shares of common stock offered under this prospectus will be listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (or other such exchange or automated quotation system on which the common stock is listed), subject to official notice of issuance.
The securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth in, the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of the securities may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters, dealers or agents will be authorized to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutional investors with which these contracts may be made include, among others:

commercial and savings banks;

insurance companies;
 
29

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

pension funds;

investment companies; and

educational and charitable institutions.
In all cases, these purchasers must be approved by us. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that (a) the purchase of the securities must not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which that purchaser is subject, and (b) if the securities are also being sold to underwriters, we must have sold to these underwriters the securities not subject to delayed delivery. Underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.
Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents used by us in any offering of securities under this prospectus may be customers of, engage in transactions with, and perform services for us or affiliates of ours in the ordinary course of business. Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to be reimbursed by us for certain expenses.
Subject to any restrictions relating to debt securities in bearer form, any securities initially sold outside the United States may be resold in the United States through underwriters, dealers or otherwise.
Any underwriters to which offered securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but those underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time.
The anticipated date of delivery of the securities offered by this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering.
To comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the securities may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.
 
30

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York. If legal matters in connection with offerings made pursuant to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of TeraWulf Inc. as of March 31, 2021 and for the period from February 8, 2021 (date of inception) to March 31, 2021 incorporated in this registration statement by reference have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report theron, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this registration statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of IKONICS as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years then ended incorporated in this registration statement by reference have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report theron, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this registration statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
31

TABLE OF CONTENTS
[MISSING IMAGE: LG_TERAWULF-4CLR.JPG]
TeraWulf Inc.
$500,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be borne by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of securities of being registered hereby.
Amount to
be Paid
Registration fee
$ 46,350
Transfer Agent and Trustee fees and expenses
*
Printing
*
Legal fees and expenses
*
Rating Agency fees
*
Accounting fees and expenses
*
Miscellaneous
*
TOTAL
$
*
These fees and expenses are calculated based on the amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.
Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and agents against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and (other than in actions by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the registrant. The DGCL provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. Section 1 of Article VI of the registrant’s amended and restated bylaws provides for mandatory indemnification by the registrant of its present and former directors and officers and permits indemnification by the registrant of its employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that:
No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
The registrant maintains standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided (a) to its directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful
 
II-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
act, and (b) to the registrant with respect to payments which may be made by the registrant to such officers and directors pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.
Item 16.   Exhibits
A list of exhibits filed with this registration statement is contained in the exhibits index, which is incorporated by reference.
Exhibit
Number
Description of Documents
1.1* Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities.
1.2* Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity Securities.
1.3* Form of Underwriting Agreement for Depositary Shares.
1.4* Form of Underwriting Agreement for Purchase Contracts.
1.5* Form of Underwriting Agreement for Units.
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TeraWulf Inc., dated as of December 13, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Form 8-K12B filed with the SEC on December 13, 2021).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of TeraWulf Inc., effective as of December 13, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Form 8-K12B filed with the SEC on December 13, 2021).
4.1
4.2* Form of Subordinated Indenture.
4.3* Form of Certificate of Designation.
4.4* Form of Deposit Agreement.
4.5* Form of Depositary Receipt.
4.6* Form of Warrant Agreement.
4.7* Form of Warrant.
4.8* Form of Rights Agent Agreement.
4.9* Form of Purchase Contract.
4.10* Form of Unit Agreement.
5.1
23.1 Consent of RSM US LLPindependent registered public accounting firm of TeraWulf Inc.
23.2
23.3
24.1
25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Computershare Trust Company, National Association to act as trustee under the Indenture.
*
To be filed, if necessary, by a post-effective amendment to the registration statement or as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference herein.
Item 17.   Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
 
II-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i)
Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii)
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5)
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to the registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell
 
II-3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer and sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii)
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1)
For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2)
For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(e)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
 
II-4

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, TeraWulf Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Easton, State of Maryland on January 18, 2022.
TERAWULF INC
By:
/s/ Paul B. Prager
Name:   Paul B. Prager
Title:    Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Paul B. Prager and Kenneth J. Deane, acting singly, his or her true and lawful agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement together with all schedules and exhibits thereto and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) act on, sign and file such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, (iii) act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in this registration statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (iv) take any and all actions which may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, granting unto such agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby approving, ratifying and confirming all that such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact or any of their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 18, 2022.
/s/ Paul B. Prager
Paul B. Prager
Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer and Director)
/s/ Kenneth J. Deane
Kenneth J. Deane
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Nazar M. Khan
Nazar M. Khan
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Director
/s/ Walter E. Carter
Walter E. Carter
Director
/s/ Catherine J. Motz
Catherine J. Motz
Director
/s/ Jason G. New
Jason G. New
Director
 
II-5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
/s/ Steven T. Pincus
Steven T. Pincus
Director
/s/ Lisa A. Prager
Lisa A. Prager
Director
 
II-6

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

[Form of Indenture]

 

TERAWULF INC.

 

Company

_______________________________

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of       , 2022

 

Providing for Issuance of Senior Securities in Series
_______________________________

 

Computershare Trust Company, National Association,
Trustee

 

 

 

 

Table Showing Reflection in Indenture of Certain Provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended

 

Trust Indenture Act Section   Indenture Section  
310(a)(1)   7.09; 7.10  
(a)(2)   7.10  
(a)(3)   7.10  
(a)(4)   7.10  
(a)(5)   7.10  
(b)   7.10  
(c)   N.A.  
311(a)   7.11  
(b)   7.11.  
(c)   N.A.  
312(a)   2.06  
(b)   10.03  
(c)   10.03  
313 (a)   7.06  
(b)(1)   7.06  
(b)(2)   7.06  
(c)   7.06; 10.02  
(d)   7.06  
314(a)   4.02; 4.03; 10.02  
(b)   N.A.  
(c)(1)   10.04  
(c)(2)   10.04  
(c)(3)   N.A.  
(d)   N.A.  
(e)   10.05  
(f)   N/A  
315(a)   7.01  
(b)   7.05; 10.02  
(c)   7.01  
(d)   7.01  
(e)   6.11  
316(a)   2.09  
(a)(1)(A)   6.05  
(a)(1)(B)   6.04  
(a)(2)   N.A.  
(b)   6.07  
(c)   2.13  
317(a)(1)   6.08  
(a)(2)   6.09  
(b)   2.05  
318(a)   10.01  
(b)   N.A.  
(c)   10.01  

N.A.       means Not Applicable.

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

i 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

SECTION 1.01. Definitions 1
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions 5
SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act 5
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction 5

ARTICLE II
The Securities

SECTION 2.01. Issuable in Series 6
SECTION 2.02. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities 6
SECTION 2.03. Execution and Authentication 9
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent 10
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust 11
SECTION 2.06. Holder Lists 11
SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange 11
SECTION 2.08. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities 12
SECTION 2.09. Outstanding Securities 12
SECTION 2.10. Treasury Securities 13
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities 13
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation 13
SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest 13
SECTION 2.14. Global Securities 14
SECTION 2.15. CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc 15

ARTICLE III
Redemption

SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee 15
SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed 16
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption 16
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption 17
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price 17
SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part 18

ARTICLE IV
Covenants

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities. 18
SECTION 4.02. Reports 18
SECTION 4.03. Compliance Certificate 18
SECTION 4.04. Further Instruments and Acts 19

ARTICLE V
Successor Company

SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. 19

 

ii 

 

 

ARTICLE VI
Defaults and Remedies
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default 20
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration 21
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies 21
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults 22
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority 22
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits 22
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment 23
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee 23
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 23
SECTION 6.10. Priorities 23
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs 24
SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws 24
ARTICLE
VII Trustee
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee 24
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee 26
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee 27
SECTION 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer 27
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults 27
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders 28
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity 28
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee 29
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger 30
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification 30
SECTION 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company 30
SECTION 7.12. Conflicting Interests 30
ARTICLE VIII
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance
SECTION 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. 31
SECTION 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge 31
SECTION 8.03. Covenant Defeasance 32
SECTION 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance 32
SECTION 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions 33
SECTION 8.06. Repayment to Company 34
SECTION 8.07. Reinstatement 34
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. 34
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders 36
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act 37
SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers 37
SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities 37
SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments 38

 

iii 

 

 

ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous
SECTION 10.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. 38
SECTION 10.02. Notices 38
SECTION 10.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders 39
SECTION 10.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 40
SECTION 10.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion 40
SECTION 10.06. When Securities Disregarded 40
SECTION 10.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar 40
SECTION 10.08. Legal Holidays 41
SECTION 10.09. Governing Law 41
SECTION 10.10. No Recourse Against Others 41
SECTION 10.11. Successors 41
SECTION 10.12. Multiple Originals 41
SECTION 10.13. Table of Contents; Headings 42
SECTION 10.14. Severability 42
SECTION 10.15. Waiver of Jury Trial , Consent to Jurisdiction 42
SECTION 10.16. Force Majeure 42
SECTION 10.17. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act 43

 

iv 

 

 

 

INDENTURE dated as of      , 2022, between TeraWulf Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the securities issued under this Indenture (the “Securities”):

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

 

SECTION 1.01.        Definitions.

 

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors or, in the case of a Person that is not a corporation, the group exercising the authority generally vested in a board of directors of a corporation.

 

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

 

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests (including partnership interests), rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

 

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

 

Company” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the Trust Indenture Act, each other obligor on the indenture Securities.

 

Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer of the Company.

 

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, the corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be principally administered, which such office at the date hereof is located at the address set forth in Section 10.02, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

 

 

 

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities issuable in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the issue date of any Series of Securities, including those set forth in:

 

(1)       the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants;

 

(2)       statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board;

 

(3)       such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession; and

 

(4)       the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

 

Global Securities Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.14(c), which is required to be placed on all Global Securities issued under this Indenture.

 

Global Security” when used with respect to any Series of Securities issued hereunder, means a Security which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and an indenture supplemental hereto, if any, or Board Resolution and pursuant to a Company Order, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the outstanding Securities of such Series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due, and interest rate or method of determining interest and which shall bear the Global Securities Legend.

 

Government Securities” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged; provided, that if Securities of a Series are denominated in a currency other than U.S. Dollars, an Officer’s Certificate or any supplemental indenture may provide for Government Securities to be direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by a country other than the United States of America and the payment for which such country pledges its full faith and credit, for purposes of such Securities of a Series.

 

2

 

 

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such other Person:

 

(1)       to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

 

(2)       entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term “Guarantor” shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

 

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in the applicable Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate relating to a particular Series of Securities.

 

Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time, and includes the forms and terms of particular Securities established as contemplated hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of determining the rights of Holders of any Series of Securities, and the terms applicable to such Series, references to “this Indenture” will mean the Indenture with respect to such Series.

 

Interest Payment Date” when used with respect to any Series of Securities, means the date specified in such Securities for the payment of any installment of interest on those Securities.

 

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or in the city of the Corporate Trust Office.

 

Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise.

 

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary of the Company.

 

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer.

 

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Original Issue Discount Security” means (i) any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof and (ii) any other security which is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code.

 

3

 

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Indenture.

 

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC and, for purpose of determining whether an Event of Default has occurred, any group of Subsidiaries that combined would be such a Significant Subsidiary.

 

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such Security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such Security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

 

Trust Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its corporate trust office, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs such functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject matter and who, in each case, shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

4

 

 

U.S. Dollar” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

 

Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

SECTION 1.02.        Other Definitions.

 

Term

 

Section

Bankruptcy Law   6.01
Covenant Defeasance   8.03
Custodian   6.01
Event of Default   6.01
DTC   3.03
Legal Defeasance   8.02
Notice of Default   6.01
Paying Agent   2.04
Registrar   2.04
Successor Company   5.01(a)(1)

 

SECTION 1.03.        Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the Trust Indenture Act which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities” means the Securities; “indenture security holder” means a Holder; “indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture; “indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the Securities means the Company, and any other obligor on the Securities.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

 

SECTION 1.04.        Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)                a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(2)                an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(3)                “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                “including” means including without limitation;

 

(5)                words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(6)                unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

 

5

 

 

(7)                secured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to any other secured Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral; and

 

(8)                the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

ARTICLE II
The Securities

 

SECTION 2.01.        Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series as the Company may authorize from time to time. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.02.        Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.

 

At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Section 2.02(a), and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Sections 2.02(b) through 2.02(ee)) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:

 

(a)                the title of the Securities of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series) and ranking (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

 

(b)                the price or prices of the Securities of the Series at which such Securities will be issued;

 

(c)                whether the Securities are entitled to the benefit of any Guarantee by any Guarantor;

 

(d)                any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series);

 

(e)                the date or dates on which the principal and premium with respect to the Securities of the Series are payable; 6

 

(f)                 the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the Series shall be payable if other than the Person in whose name that Security is registered at the close of business on the record date;

 

6

 

 

(g)                the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index), the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest, if any, shall be payable or the method by which such dates will be determined, the record dates, for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable (in the case of Securities in registered form), and the basis upon which such interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

(h)                the currency or currencies in which Securities of the Series shall be denominated and/or in which payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, on any of the Securities of the Series shall be payable, if other than U.S. Dollars, the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, where the principal, premium and interest, if any, with respect to Securities of such Series shall be payable, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be delivered, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

 

(i)                 the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part at the option of the Company or otherwise;

 

(j)                 whether Securities of the Series are to be issued as Securities in registered form or as Securities in bearer form or both and, if Securities in bearer form are to be issued, whether coupons will be attached to them, whether Securities in bearer form of the Series may be exchanged for Securities in registered form of the Series, and the circumstances under which and the places at which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made;

 

(k)                if any Securities of the Series are to be issued as Securities in bearer form or as one or more Global Securities representing individual Securities in bearer form of the Series, whether certain provisions for the payment of additional interest or tax redemptions shall apply; whether interest with respect to any portion of a temporary bearer Security of the Series payable with respect to any Interest Payment Date prior to the exchange of such temporary bearer Security for definitive Securities in bearer form of the Series shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date; and the terms upon which a temporary Security in bearer form may be exchanged for one or more definitive Securities in bearer form of the Series;

 

(l)                 the Company’s obligation or right, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder of such Securities and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the Series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

 

(m)              the terms, if any, upon which the Securities of the Series may be convertible into or exchanged for the Company’s common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, other debt securities or warrants for common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, Indebtedness or other securities of any kind and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other additional provisions;

 

7

 

 

(n)                if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

 

(o)                if the amount of principal, premium or interest with respect to the Securities of the Series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

(p)                if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Securities of the Series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined), and if necessary, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. Dollars;

 

(q)                any changes or additions to Article VIII;

 

(r)                 if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy;

 

(s)                 the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Securities of the Series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as then in effect;

 

(t)                 any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders of such Series of Securities to declare the principal, premium and interest, if any, on such Series of Securities due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(u)                if the Securities of the Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities of such Series in definitive registered form, the Depositary for such Global Security and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the Global Securities Legend;

 

(v)                any Trustee, authenticating agent, Paying Agent, transfer agent or Registrar, or any other agent with respect to the Securities;

 

(w)              the applicability of, and any addition to, deletion of or change in, the covenants and definitions set forth in Articles IV or V which apply to Securities of the Series;

 

(x)                the terms, if any, of any Guarantee of the payment of principal, premium and interest with respect to Securities of the Series and any corresponding changes to the provisions of this Indenture and as then in effect;

 

(y)                the subordination, if any, of the Securities of the Series pursuant to this Indenture and any changes or additions to the provisions of this Indenture then in effect;

 

(z)                with regard to Securities of the Series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee;

 

8

 

 

(aa)             any U.S. federal income tax consequences or implications applicable to the Securities;

 

(bb)            any provisions granting special rights to Holders when a specified event occurs;

 

(cc)             any co-issuer;

 

(dd)            the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means; and

 

(ee)             any other terms of Securities of the Series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

 

All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate.

 

SECTION 2.03.        Execution and Authentication.

 

An Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature of the Trustee on a Security shall be conclusive evidence that such Security has been duly and validly authenticated and issued under this Indenture. A Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate.

 

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order, an Officer’s Certificate delivered in accordance with Section 10.04 and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.04 which shall state:

 

(1)                that the form and the terms of such Securities have been established by a supplemental indenture or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Sections 2.01 and 2.02 and in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)                that such Securities when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; and

 

9

 

 

(3)                that all conditions precedent in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and, if applicable, the execution of the supplemental indenture, and, if applicable, the execution of the supplemental indenture, have been complied with.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02, except as provided in Section 2.08.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Company. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

SECTION 2.04.        Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.02, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrars. The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent for each Series of Securities unless another Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of a Series are first issued. The Company may change any Registrar, co-registrar or Paying Agent without notice to any Holder.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any of its domestically organized Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

 

The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (1) acceptance of any appointment by a successor as evidenced by an agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (2) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (1) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice; provided, however, that the Trustee may resign as Registrar or Paying Agent only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

 

10

 

 

SECTION 2.05.        Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or any of its domestically organized Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any Event of Default under Section 6.01(5) or (6), the Trustee shall automatically become the Paying Agent. In the event that the Paying Agent receives funds in advance of the due date, the Paying Agent shall be entitled to invest such funds in an account designated by the Company in writing, any earnings on which shall be for the account of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.06.        Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Securities.

 

SECTION 2.07.        Transfer and Exchange.

 

Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.06 or 9.05).

 

Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

 

11

 

 

SECTION 2.08.        Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

SECTION 2.09.        Outstanding Securities.

 

Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Company receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, at the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to such Securities, then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

12

 

 

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities of any Series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 2.10.        Treasury Securities.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company shall be disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.11.        Temporary Securities.

 

Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities upon receipt of a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.

 

SECTION 2.12.        Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and dispose of (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Company upon written request of the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall provide to the Company a list of all Securities that have been cancelled from time to time as requested in writing by the Company.

 

SECTION 2.13.        Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, the Company shall pay defaulted interest at the rate set forth in the Securities (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are Holders of such Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Security and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date and shall promptly mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine defaulted interest or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of defaulted interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of defaulted interest.

 

13

 

 

SECTION 2.14.        Global Securities.

 

(a)                Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

 

(b)                Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.07 of this Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.07 of this Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company, subject to the procedures of the Depositary, executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

 

Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b) a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.

 

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

The transferor of any Security of any series shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information. In connection with any proposed exchange of a certificated Security for a Global Security, the Company or the Depositary shall be required to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

 

(c)                Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“This Global Security is held by the Depositary (as defined in the Indenture governing this Security) or its nominee in custody for the benefit of the beneficial owners hereof, and is not transferable to any person under any circumstances except that (I) the Trustee may make such notations hereon as may be required pursuant to Section 9.05 of this Indenture, (II) this Global Security may be exchanged in whole but not in part pursuant to Section 2.08 of the Indenture, (III) this Global Security may be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.15 of the Indenture and (IV) this Global Security may be transferred to a successor Depositary with the prior written consent of the Company (as defined in the Indenture governing this Security).”

 

14

 

 

(d)                Acts of Holders. The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under this Indenture.

 

(e)                Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

 

(f)                 Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14(e), the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.15.        CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc.

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (in each case if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee in writing of any change in any “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs or “Common Code” numbers applicable to the Securities of any Series.

 

ARTICLE III
Redemption

 

SECTION 3.01.        Notices to Trustee.

 

The Company, with respect to any Series of Securities, may elect to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms provided for in such Series of Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Securities of the Series to be redeemed and the redemption price. The Company shall give such notice to the Trustee at least three Business Days before the notice of redemption is delivered to Holders, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

15

 

 

SECTION 3.02.        Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed.

 

Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate, if fewer than all the Securities of a particular Series are to be redeemed or purchased, the Trustee shall select the Securities of such Series to be redeemed or purchased pro rata (or, in the case of Global Securities by such method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require)or by a method that complies with applicable legal and securities exchange requirements, if any. The Trustee shall make the selection at least 30 days but no more than 60 days before the redemption date (subject to delay as provided in the Indenture to allow for one or more conditions to be satisfied) from outstanding Securities of a Series not previously called for redemption. Securities and portions thereof that the Trustee selects shall be in principal minimum amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. If applicable, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed.

 

Any redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any of all such conditions shall be satisfied.

 

SECTION 3.03.        Notice of Redemption.

 

Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or deliver electronically if held by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or in the case of Global Securities, delivered according to the procedures of the Depositary.

 

The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1)                the redemption date;

 

(2)                the redemption price (or the method of calculating such price);

 

(3)                if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Security;

 

(4)                the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(5)                that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(6)                that, upon the satisfaction of any conditions to such redemption set forth in the notice of redemption, and unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Securities (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

16

 

 

(7)                the paragraph of the Securities and/or provision of this Indenture pursuant to which the Securities called for redemption are being redeemed;

 

(8)                that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

 

(9)                the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, printed on the Securities being redeemed; provided, however, that no representation will be made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

 

In addition, if such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including, subject to the applicable procedures of DTC, more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. The Company will provide prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Holders prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date of the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions, the delay of such redemption date or the rescission of such notice of redemption. Upon the rescission of such notice of redemption, the rescinded notice of redemption shall have no force or effect. Upon the Company’s written request given at least five Business Days prior to the date such notice shall be sent (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period), the Trustee shall (on the date specified in such written request or promptly after such time) forward such notice to the Holders in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

 

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense, provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days (unless a shorter time shall be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the notice date, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in this Section 3.03.

 

SECTION 3.04.        Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in such notice. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date), and such Securities shall be canceled by the Trustee. On and after the redemption date, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the amounts due upon redemption, interest ceases to accrue on Securities or portions of such Securities called for redemption. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holders shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

SECTION 3.05.        Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation. The Paying Agent shall as promptly as practicable return to the Company any money deposited with it by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Securities to be redeemed. If such money is then held by the Company in trust and is not required for such purpose it shall be discharged from such trust. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

17

 

 

SECTION 3.06.        Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered, and the Company shall cancel the original Security.

 

ARTICLE IV
Covenants

 

SECTION 4.01.        Payment of Securities.

 

The Company shall promptly make all payments in respect of each Series of Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in such Series of Securities and in this Indenture. Such payments shall be considered made on the date due if prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with this Indenture, money sufficient to make all payments with respect to such Securities then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.02.        Reports.

 

At any time when the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon the requests of any Holders, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as any Securities are not freely transferable under the Securities Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of Trust Indenture Act § 314(a).

 

Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.02 are for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive or actual notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.03.        Compliance Certificate.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officer’s Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of his or her duties as Officer of the Company such Officer would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not such Officer knows of any Default that occurred during such period. If so, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act § 314(a)(4).

 

18

 

 

SECTION 4.04.        Further Instruments and Acts.

 

Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days of being aware of the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute a Default; provided, however, that failure to provide such written notice will not in and of itself result in a Default under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE V
Successor Company

 

SECTION 5.01.        When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets.

 

(a)                Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate, the Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of its assets to, any Person, unless:

 

(1)                the Company is the surviving Person or the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or similar entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(2)                immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(3)                the Company or the Successor Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and such supplemental indenture (if any ) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company.

 

(b)                For purposes of this Section 5.01, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

 

(c)                The Successor Company shall be the successor to the Company and shall succeed to, be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture. The Company will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Securities and the Indenture, provided that, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of properties or assets of the Company, the Company will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities.

 

19

 

 

ARTICLE VI

Defaults and Remedies

 

SECTION 6.01.        Events of Default.

 

Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate, each of the following constitutes an “Event of Default” with respect to a Series of Securities:

 

(1)                the Company’s default in any payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), any Security of that Series when such amount becomes due and payable at Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, required redemption or otherwise;

 

(2)                the Company’s failure to pay interest on any Security of that Series when such interest becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(3)                the Company fails to comply with Section 5.01;

 

(4)                the Company fails to comply with any of its agreements contained in the Securities of that Series or this Indenture (other than those referred to in clause (1), (2) or (3) above) and such failure continues for 90 days after the notice specified below;

 

(5)                the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A)              commences a voluntary case;

 

(B)              consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(C)              consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property;

 

(D)              makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; or

 

(6)                a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A)              is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(B)              appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(C)              orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.

 

20

 

 

 

The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

A Default under clause (4) above is not an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities until the Trustee notifies the Company or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the Securities of that Series notify the Company and the Trustee of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified in clause (4) after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.” Any Default for the failure to deliver any report within the time periods prescribed in Section 4.02 or to deliver any notice or certificate pursuant to any other provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to be cured upon the subsequent delivery of any such report, notice or certificate, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified.

 

SECTION 6.02.       Acceleration.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities of that Series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such amounts shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities of each Series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series, by notice to the Trustee, may rescind any such acceleration of that Series of Securities and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to such Series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Securities of that Series that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 6.03.       Other Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Securities of that Series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that Series or this Indenture.

 

21

 

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of a Series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

 

SECTION 6.04.       Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may, by notice to the Trustee, waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on a Security of that Series, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Security of that Series when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder of that Series affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

SECTION 6.05.       Control by Majority.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that Series.

 

However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of that Series (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such direction is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any such other Holder) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all costs, losses, liabilities and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06.       Limitation on Suits.

 

Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), or accrued and unpaid interest on, a Security of any Series when due, no Holder of a Security of that Series may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of that Series unless:

 

(1)             the Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default with respect to that Series is continuing;

 

(2)             the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(3)             such Holder or Holders of that Series have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4)             the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

22

 

 

(5)             the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request during such 60-day period.

 

A Holder of Securities of any Series may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of that Series or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of that Series (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such use of this Indenture prejudices the rights of such Holder or obtains a preference or priority over such Holder).

 

SECTION 6.07.       Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of (or, in the case of Original Issuer Discount Securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Securities held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08.       Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07 to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses disbursement and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09.       Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, their creditors or their property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

SECTION 6.10.       Priorities.

 

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI with respect to any Series of Securities, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

FIRST: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

SECOND: Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of that Series for the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of that Series for the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, respectively; and

 

23

 

 

THIRD: to the Company.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section.

 

SECTION 6.11.       Undertaking for Costs.

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any Series.

 

SECTION 6.12.       Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

 

The Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

ARTICLE VII
Trustee

 

SECTION 7.01.       Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Series of Securities, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

 

(b)           Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities:

 

(1)             the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that Series, as modified or supplemented by a supplemental indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)             in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to the Securities of that Series, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates (including Officer’s Certificates) and opinions (including Opinions of Counsel) to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any such opinion or certificates, including mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

24

 

 

(c)            The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1)             this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

(2)             the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(3)             the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

 

(d)           Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (e) and (h) of this Section.

 

(e)           The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture unless it receives security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any costs, loss, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power.

 

(f)            The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. In the absence of written investment direction from the Company, the Trustee shall be entitled to invest any funds received in an account designated by the Company in writing, any earnings on which shall be for the account of the Company. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of investments or for investment losses incurred thereon or for losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any such investment prior to its maturity date, and the Trustee shall have no liability to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of any written investment direction from the Company.

 

(g)           Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(h)           No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(i)            Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(j)            The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections and immunities as are set forth in paragraphs (e), (f), (g) and (h) of this Section and in Section 7.02, each with respect to the Trustee.

 

25

 

 

SECTION 7.02.       Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)           The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)           The Trustee may act through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed with due care. No Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depositary.

 

(d)           The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes, suffers to exist or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.

 

(e)           The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(f)            The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(g)           The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any Series unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received from the Company or any Holders of such Securities by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references such Securities and this Indenture.

 

(h)           The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(i)            The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request or direction.

 

26

 

 

(j)            The Trustee may from time to time request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to the Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any persons authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(k)           The permissive right of the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty to so act.

 

(l)            In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, punitive, indirect, consequential, or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(m)          Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

(n)           Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities.

 

 

SECTION 7.03.       Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must either eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04.       Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent (other than itself as Paying Agent) and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05.       Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default with respect to Securities of any Series occurs, is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee (as provided in Section 7.02(g)), the Trustee shall send to each Holder of Securities of that Series notice of the Default within 90 days after it is known to the Trustee (as provided in Section 7.02(g)). Except in the case of a Default with respect to Securities of any Series in payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), and accrued and unpaid interest on, any Security of that Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and for so long as the a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is not opposed to the interests of the Holders.

 

27

 

 

SECTION 7.06.       Reports by Trustee to Holders.

 

As promptly as practicable after each July 1 beginning with the July 1 after the issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, and in any event prior to September 15 in each such year for so long as Securities remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar, a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act § 313(b). The Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Company a copy of any report it delivers to Holders pursuant to this Section 7.06.

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Securities become listed or cease to be listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

SECTION 7.07.       Compensation and Indemnity.

 

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including costs of collection, costs of preparation and mailing of notices to Holders and reasonable costs of counsel retained by the Trustee or otherwise in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Trustee (in any capacity under this Indenture and other documents or transactions entered into in connection with this Indenture) against any and all loss, damage, claim, suit, liability or expense, including attorneys’ fees, court costs and taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured or determined by the income of the Trustee) arising out of or incurred by it in connection with the acceptance and administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing the Indenture (including this Section 7.07) and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Company or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense of any such claim.

 

The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities.

 

The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

 

28

 

 

SECTION 7.08.       Replacement of Trustee.

 

The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of any Series at any time upon 30 days’ written notice to the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series outstanding may remove the Trustee upon 30 days’ written notice to the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such Series of Securities, which successor Trustee shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

If at any time:

 

(1)             the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(2)             the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(3)             a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)             the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting; then, in any such case, (A) the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or (B) subject to Section 6.11, Holders of 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities of any series who have been bona fide Holders of such Securities of the Series for at least six months may, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture subject to the lien in Section 7.07 herein. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of that Series of Securities. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office with respect to the Securities of that Series within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Company’s expense) or the Holders of 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

29

 

 

SECTION 7.09.       Successor Trustee by Merger.

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided that such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VII and § 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto.

 

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture; provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

SECTION 7.10.       Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Trust Indenture Act § 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act § 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of the Trust Indenture Act § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in the Trust Indenture Act § 310(b)(1) are met.

 

SECTION 7.11.       Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

 

SECTION 7.12.       Conflicting Interests.

 

If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

 

To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series.

 

30

 

 

ARTICLE VIII
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

 

SECTION 8.01.       Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by resolutions set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Securities of any Series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.

 

Unless otherwise provided for in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate, when (a) the Company has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of a Series or (b) all outstanding Securities of a Series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and the Company shall have deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount sufficient to pay at Maturity or upon redemption of all outstanding Securities of the Series, and if, in either case, the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable under the Indenture by the Company, then the Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to such Securities of such Series. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to such satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied and at the cost and expense of the Company.

 

SECTION 8.02.       Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02 with respect to any Series of Securities, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of that Series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of that Series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.5 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture with respect to such Securities of such Series (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company and in sole reliance on an Opinion of Counsel and Officer’s Certificate, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(a)            the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of that Series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), and interest on, such Securities when such payments are due;

 

(b)           the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities of that Series under Article II;

 

(c)           the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith including without limitation under Article VII herein; and

 

(d)           this Article VIII.

 

Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

31

 

 

 

SECTION 8.03.        Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to any Series of Securities, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate with respect to the outstanding Securities of that Series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of that Series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of that Series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to such Securities under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof with respect to any Series of Securities, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof and Sections 6.01(3) and 6.01(4) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default with respect to such Securities.

 

SECTION 8.04.        Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Securities: In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to any Series of Securities:

 

(a)                the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of that Series of Securities, cash in U.S. dollars (or the currency in which Securities of that Series is denominated), non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm (as to which the Trustee is an addressee or otherwise entitled to rely), to pay the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and interest on, the outstanding Securities of that Series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(b)                in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States confirming that:

 

(1)                the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling; or

 

(2)                since the issue date of that particular Series of Securities under this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

 

(3)                in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities of that Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

32

 

 

in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Securities of that Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(c)                no Default or Event of Default with respect to that Series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing either:

 

(1)                on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default with respect to that Series of Securities resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit); or

 

(2)                insofar as Sections 6.01(5) or 6.01(6) hereof are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

 

(d)                such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries are a party or by which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries are bound;

 

(e)                the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

 

(f)                 the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with and that the defeasance is permitted by the Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.05.        Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of any outstanding Series of Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof.

 

33

 

 

Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(c) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Trustee shall have no liability for any such release of funds.

 

SECTION 8.06.        Repayment to Company.

 

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years (or as otherwise required by applicable law) after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease. Any unclaimed funds held by the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.06 shall be held uninvested and without any liability of or by the Trustee for interest.

 

SECTION 8.07.        Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any currency or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 thereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX
Amendments

 

SECTION 9.01.        Without Consent of Holders.

 

The Company and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Holder:

 

(1)                to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)                to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company by this Indenture, to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any Series of Securities as the Board of Directors of the Company shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in respect of any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default under this Indenture; provided, however, that with respect to any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment may provide for a period of grace after default, which may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults, may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series to waive such default;

 

34

 

 

(3)                to comply with Article V;

 

(4)                to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided, however, that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code and such determination is set forth in an Opinion of Counsel upon which the Trustee may rely;

 

(5)                to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities;

 

(6)                to make any change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of any Holder of Securities;

 

(7)                to add to, change, or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture with respect to one or more Series of Securities, so long as any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Indenture shall (A) neither apply to any Security of any Series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holders of any such Security with respect to the benefit of such provision or (B) become effective only when there is no such Security outstanding;

 

(8)                to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of this Indenture by more than one Trustee;

 

(9)                to add or to change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Securities in bearer form may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium with respect to Securities in registered form or of principal, premium or interest with respect to Securities in bearer form, or to permit Securities in registered form to be exchanged for Securities in bearer form, so as to not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities or any coupons of any Series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities of any Series in uncertificated form;

 

(10)              in the case of subordinated Securities, to make any change in the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture relating to subordination that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of senior Indebtedness under such provisions (but only if each such holder of senior Indebtedness consents to such change);

 

(11)              to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

35

 

 

(12)              to conform any provision in this Indenture or the Securities to the description of any Securities in an offering document;

 

(13)              to approve a particular form of any proposed amendment; provided that Holders consent to approve the substance of the proposed amendment to the extent required;

 

(14)              to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series;

 

(15)              to establish the form or terms of Securities and coupons of any Series pursuant to Article II;

 

(16)              to comply with the rules of any applicable Depositary;

 

(17)              to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Securities; provided, however, that (a) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Securities; or

 

(18)              to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect, in any material respect, the interests of any Holders of Securities of any Series.

 

SECTION 9.02.        With Consent of Holders.

 

The Company and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities of any Series without notice to any Holder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding and affected by such amendment (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange for, the Securities) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding and affected. However, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not:

 

(1)                reduce the percentage of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any amendment;

 

(2)                reduce the principal amount of, or interest on, or extend the Stated Maturity or interest payment periods of, any Security;

 

(3)                change the provisions applicable to the redemption of any Security;

 

(4)                make any Security payable in money or securities other than those stated in the Security;

 

(5)                impair the right of any Holder of the Securities to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Holder’s Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Securities;

 

36

 

 

(6)                except as otherwise provided pursuant to Article VIII under this Indenture, release any security or Guarantee that may have been granted with respect to any Security;

 

(7)                in the case of any subordinated Securities, or coupons appertaining thereto, make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to subordination that adversely affects the rights of any Holder under such provisions (including any contractual subordination of senior unsubordinated debt securities);

 

(8)                expressly subordinate the Securities to any other Indebtedness of the company or its Subsidiaries; or

 

(9)                make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second sentence of this Section.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall send to all affected Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

 

SECTION 9.03.        Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04.        Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers.

 

A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective with respect to Securities, it shall bind every Holder of such Securities. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or waiver by the Trustee.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

SECTION 9.05.        Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

 

If an amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee.

 

37

 

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

 

SECTION 9.06.        Trustee To Sign Amendments.

 

The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article IX, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental Indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 10.01.    Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act, the duty or provision required by the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 10.02.    Notices.

 

Unless otherwise provided here in, any notice or communication shall be in writing (including facsimile and electronic communications in PDF format) and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

 

If to the Company:

 

TeraWulf Inc.
9 Federal Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
Attention: Stefanie Fleischmann, General Counsel

 

With a copy to:

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019-6064
Attention: David S. Huntington, Esq.
Facsimile Number: 212-492-0124

 

38

 

 

If to the Trustee:

 

Computershare Trust Company, National Association
CTSO Mail Operations

600 South Fourth Street, Seventh Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55415

Attention: Corporate Trust Services, TeraWulf Account Manager

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as long as the Securities of a Series are issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security, notices to be given to the Holders of such Series shall be given to the Depositary, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time.

 

Failure to send a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is sent in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

If the Company sends a notice or communication to Holders, it shall send a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions and directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing; and provided further that, the sending party assumes any and all risks of using such unsecured delivery methods, including without limitation any risks of interception, disclosure or delivery errors and failures.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of Global Securities (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the customary procedures of the Depositary.

 

SECTION 10.03.    Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act § 312(c).

 

39

 

 

SECTION 10.04.    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(1)                an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)                an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 10.05.    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

(1)                a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(2)                a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3)                a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(4)                a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

 

SECTION 10.06.    When Securities Disregarded.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

 

SECTION 10.07.    Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

40

 

 

SECTION 10.08.    Legal Holidays.

 

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

 

SECTION 10.09.    Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 10.10.    No Recourse Against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

SECTION 10.11.    Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 10.12.    Multiple Originals; Electronic Signature.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.

 

This Indenture and any certificate, agreement or other document to be signed in connection with this Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an original manual signature; (ii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature; or (iii) in the case of this Indenture and any certificate, agreement or other document to be signed in connection with this Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby, other than any Securities, any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (collectively, “Signature Law”). Each electronic signature (except in the case of any Securities) or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature (except in the case of any Securities), of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for authentication of any Securities by the Trustee and for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

 

41

 

 

SECTION 10.13.    Table of Contents; Headings.

 

The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 10.14.    Severability.

 

If any provision in this Indenture is deemed unenforceable, it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision set forth herein, or of the Indenture as a whole.

 

SECTION 10.15.    Waiver of Jury Trial , Consent to Jurisdiction.

 

Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of this Indenture, the Securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The Company, the Trustee and the Holders (by their acceptance of the Securities) each hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

SECTION 10.16.    Force Majeure.

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, (i) any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, (ii) strikes, (iii) work stoppages, (iv) accidents, (v) acts of war or terrorism, (vi) civil or military disturbances, (vii) nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, (viii) disease, (ix) epidemic or pandemic, (x) quarantine, (xi) national emergency, (xii) interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, (xiii) communications system failure, (xiv) malware or ransomware; (xv) unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex system or other wire or other funds transfer systems, or (xvi) unavailability of any securities clearing system ; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable best efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

42

 

 

SECTION 10.17.    U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to the Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

43

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  TeraWulf Inc.
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
   
  Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019-6064

 

January 18, 2022

 

TeraWulf Inc.

9 Federal Street

Easton, Maryland 21601

 

Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) of TeraWulf Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Rules”), you have asked us to furnish our opinion as to the legality of the securities being registered under the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement relates to the registration under the Act of the following securities of the Company (together, the “Securities”):

 

A. debt securities (the “Debt Securities”);

 

B. shares of preferred stock (including shares issuable upon conversion of the Debt Securities or upon the exercise of warrants or purchase contracts) of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”);

 

C. shares of common stock (including shares issuable upon conversion or exchange of the Debt Securities or Preferred Stock or upon the exercise of warrants, rights or purchase contracts) of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”);

 

D. depositary shares representing a fractional share or multiple shares of Preferred Stock evidenced by depositary receipts (the “Depositary Shares”);

 

 

 

 

E. warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Depositary Shares or any combination of them (the “Warrants”);

 

F. rights to purchase Common Stock (the “Rights”);

 

G. purchase contracts representing the Company’s obligation to sell Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants or debt obligations of third parties, including government securities (the “Purchase Contracts”); and

 

H. units consisting of any combination of two or more of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Purchase Contracts or debt obligations of third parties, including government securities (the “Units”).

 

The Securities are being registered for offering and sale from time to time as provided by Rule 415 under the Act.

 

The Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture to be entered into by and among the Company and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Indenture”).

 

The Depositary Shares are to be issued under deposit agreements, each between the Company and a depositary to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Depositary Agreement”). The Warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements, each between the Company and a warrant agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Warrant Agreement”). The Rights are to be issued under rights agent agreements, each between the Company and a rights agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Rights Agent Agreement”). The Purchase Contracts will be issued under purchase contract agreements, each between the Company and a purchase contract agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”). The Units are to be issued under unit agreements, each between the Company and a unit agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (each, a “Unit Agreement”).

 

2

 

 

In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined original, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents:

 

1.                  the Registration Statement; and

2.                  the form of Indenture (including the form of debt securities included therein) attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.

 

In addition, we have examined (i) such corporate records of the Company as we have considered appropriate, including a copy of the certificate of incorporation, as amended, and by-laws, as amended, of the Company, certified by the Company as in effect on the date of this letter, and copies of resolutions of the board of directors of the Company relating to the filing of the Registration Statement and (ii) such other certificates, agreements and documents as we deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below. We have also relied upon the factual matters contained in the representations and warranties of the Company made in the documents reviewed by us and upon certificates of public officials and the officers of the Company.

 

In our examination of the documents referred to above, we have assumed, without independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the documents reviewed by us, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic, reproduced or conformed copies of valid existing agreements or other documents, the authenticity of all such latter documents and that the statements regarding matters of fact in the certificates, records, agreements, instruments and documents that we have examined are accurate and complete.

 

3

 

 

We have also assumed, without independent investigation, that (i) the Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties to it in substantially the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (ii) each of the Depositary Agreements, the Warrant Agreements, the Rights Agent Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements, the Unit Agreements and any other agreement entered into, or officer’s certificates or board resolutions delivered, in connection with the issuance of the Securities will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties to such agreements (such agreements and documents, together with the Indenture, are referred to collectively as the “Operative Agreements”), (iii) each Operative Agreement, when so authorized, executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto (other than the Company), (iv) the Depositary Shares, the Warrants, the Rights, the Purchase Contracts, the Units and any related Operative Agreements will be governed by the laws of the State of New York and (v) in the case of Purchase Contracts or Units consisting at least in part of debt obligations of third parties, such debt obligations at all relevant times constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the issuers thereof enforceable against the issuers thereof in accordance with their terms.

 

With respect to the Securities of a particular series or issuance, we have assumed that (i) the issuance, sale, number or amount, as the case may be, and terms of the Securities to be offered from time to time will be duly authorized and established, in accordance with the organizational documents of the Company, the laws of the State of New York and its jurisdiction of incorporation, and any applicable Operative Agreement, (ii) prior to the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock, an appropriate certificate of designation or board resolution relating to such series of Preferred Stock will have been duly authorized by the Company and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, (iii) the Securities will be duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered by the Company and, in the case of Debt Securities, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Rights, Purchase Contracts and Units, duly authenticated or delivered by the applicable trustee or agent, in each case, against payment by the purchaser at the agreed-upon consideration, and (iv) the Securities will be issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

4

 

 

Based upon the above, and subject to the stated assumptions, exceptions and qualifications, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.                  When the specific terms of a particular issuance of Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Security in accordance with its terms) have been duly authorized by the Company and such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered, and, if applicable, upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Security in accordance with its terms, such Debt Securities will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

2.                  Upon due authorization by the Company of the issuance and sale of shares of a series of Preferred Stock, and, if applicable, upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Security in accordance with its terms, such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

5

 

 

3.                  Upon due authorization by the Company of the issuance and sale of shares of Common Stock, and, if applicable, upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Security in accordance with its terms, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

4.                  When any Depositary Shares evidenced by depositary receipts are issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of a Depositary Agreement against the deposit of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Preferred Stock, such Depositary Shares will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Depositary Agreement.

 

5.                  When the specific terms of a particular issuance of Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company and such Warrants have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered, such Warrants will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

6.                  When the specific terms of a particular issuance of Rights have been duly authorized by the Company and such Rights have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered, such Rights will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

7.                  When any Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, such Purchase Contracts will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

6

 

 

8.                  When any Units have been duly authorized, issued and delivered by the Company, such Units will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

The opinions expressed above as to enforceability may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) requirements that a claim with respect to any Securities in denominations other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated other than into United States dollars in respect of the claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined by applicable law.

 

The opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law. Our opinion is rendered only with respect to the laws, and the rules, regulations and orders under those laws, that are currently in effect.

 

7

 

 

We hereby consent to use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” contained in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required by the Act or the Rules.

 

  Very truly yours,

 

  /s/ PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP

 

8

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related Prospectus of TeraWulf Inc. of our report dated July 28, 2021, relating to the financial statements of TeraWulf Inc., appearing in the March 31, 2021 financial statements and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related prospectus of TeraWulf Inc.

 

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.

 

/s/ RSM US LLP

 

Boston, MA

January 18, 2022

 

1

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related Prospectus of TeraWulf Inc. of our report dated March 2, 2021, relating to the financial statements of IKONICS Corporation, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of IKONICS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.

 

/s/ RSM US LLP

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

January 18, 2022

 

1

 

Exhibit 25.1

  

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A

TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)  [___]

 

 

 

Computershare Trust Company, National Association

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

National Banking Association
(Jurisdiction of incorporation of organization
if not a U.S. national bank)
04-3401714
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
   
150 Royall Street, Canton, MA
(Address of principal executive offices)
02021
(Zip Code)

 

Computershare Trust Company, National Association
Attn: Legal Department

150 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

(781) 575-3538

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

TERAWULF INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

85-1909475

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 TeraWulf Inc.
9 Federal Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
(410) 770-9500
(Address, including zip code, of obligor's principal
executive offices)

 

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Comptroller of the Currency

340 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10017-2613

 

(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with the obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe such affiliation.

 

None.

 

Item 16. List of exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility.

 

1.            A copy of the articles of association of the trustee as now in effect.*

 

2.            A copy of the certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business.

 

3.            A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Computershare Trust Company, National Association.

 

4.            A copy of the existing bylaws of the trustee as now in effect.*

 

6.            The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

7.            A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

*            Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 7.3 to the Form F-9 dated February 3, 2012 of The Bank of Nova Scotia, file number 333-179383.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the trustee, Computershare Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association, organized and existing under the laws of the United States, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Jacksonville, and State of Florida, on the 18th day of January, 2022.

 

  COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
  By:   /s/ Patrick T. Giordano
    Patrick T. Giordano
    Vice President

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 2

 

A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Computershare Trust Company, National Association, dated October 5, 2021.

 

 

 

2022-00019-C

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 3

 

A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Computershare Trust Company, National Association, dated October 5, 2021.

 

 

 

2022-00019-C

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 6

 

CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321 (b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and in connection with the proposed issue of debt securities, Computershare Trust Company, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefore.

 

  COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
  By:   /s/ Patrick T. Giordano
    Patrick T. Giordano
    Vice President
     
January 18, 2022

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

  

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Computershare TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

150 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021

at the close of business June 30, 2021.

 

  Dollar Amounts In  
ASSETS   Thousands  
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:        
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin     -0-  
Interest-bearing balances     -0-  
Securities:        
Held-to-maturity securities     -0-  
Available-for-sale securities     38,647  

Federal funds sold and securities purchased
    under agreements to resell:

       
Federal funds sold in domestic offices     -0-  

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

    -0-  
Loans and lease financing receivables:        

Loans and leases held for sale

    -0-  
Loans and leases, net of unearned income     -0-  
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses     -0-  
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance     -0-  
Trading assets     -0-  
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)     -0-  
Other real estate owned     -0-  
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies     -0-  
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures     -0-  
Intangible assets:        
Goodwill     7,756  
Other intangible assets     -0-  
Other assets     1,195  
Total assets     47,598  

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES        
Deposits:        
In domestic offices     -0-  
Noninterest-bearing     -0-  
Interest-bearing     -0-  
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:        

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

    -0-  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase     -0-  
Trading liabilities     -0-  
Other borrowed money:
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)
    -0-  
Not applicable        
Not applicable        
Subordinated notes and debentures     -0-  
Other liabilities     8,391  
Total liabilities     8,391  
EQUITY CAPITAL        

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

    0  
Common stock     500  
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)     30,024  
Retained earnings     8,683  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    -0-  

Other equity capital components

    -0-  
Total bank equity capital     39,207  
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries     -0-  
Total equity capital     39,207  
Total liabilities and equity capital     47,598  

 

I, Robert G. Marshall, Assistant Controller of the above named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

  

  /s/ Robert G. Marshall


Robert G. Marshall

 Assistant Controller