Registration No. 333-218020
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
_________________
AMENDMENT
NO.3
TO
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
_________________
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Not
Applicable
(Translation of Registrant’s Name into
English)
_________________
British Virgin Islands |
|
7371 |
|
Not Applicable |
(State or other jurisdiction of
|
|
(Primary Standard Industrial
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer
|
1 Jinghua South Road,
Wangzuo Plaza East Tower
Room 2112
Beijing
,
People’s Republic
of China 100020
+86-010-65020507 – telephone
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of principal executive offices)
_________________
Vcorp Agent Services,
Inc.
25 Robert Pitt Drive, Suite 204
Monsey, NY 10952
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
William S. Rosenstadt, Esq.
|
|
Fang
Liu Esq.
|
_________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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 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 post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) 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. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company x
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Class of Securities to be Registered |
|
Amount
to be
|
|
Proposed
|
|
Proposed
|
|
Amount
of
|
||||
Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.001 per share (“Class A Ordinary Shares”) (2) |
|
1,400,000 |
|
$ |
5.00 |
|
$ |
7,000,000 |
|
$ |
811.30 |
|
Total |
|
1,400,000 |
|
$ |
5.00 |
|
$ |
7,000,000 |
|
$ |
811.30 |
(3) |
____________
(1) The registration fee for securities is based on an estimate of the Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price of the securities, assuming the sale of the maximum number of shares at the highest expected offering price, and such estimate is solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o).
(2) In accordance with Rule 416(a), the Registrant is also registering an indeterminate number of additional Class A Ordinary Shares that shall be issuable pursuant to Rule 416 to prevent dilution resulting from share splits, share dividends or similar transactions.
(3) Previously paid with the initial filing of this registration statement.
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We will not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, Dated September 19, 2017
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
Minimum Offering: 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares
Maximum Offering: 1,400,000 Class A Ordinary Shares
This is an initial public offering of Class A Ordinary Shares of AGM Group Holdings Inc., a British Virgin Islands company. We are offering a minimum of 1,000,000 and a maximum of 1,400,000 of our Class A Ordinary Shares.
Class A Ordinary Shares are the only class of ordinary shares being offered in this offering. Each of the Class A Ordinary Shares has one vote per share, while each of the Class B Ordinary Shares has five votes per share.
The directors and executive officers beneficially own a majority of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares and all of the outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares as of the date hereof. Upon the completion of this offering, our directors and executive officers will directly and indirectly hold an aggregate of approximately 51.43% of the combined voting power, assuming we complete the minimum offering of 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, and an aggregate of approximately 50.54% of the combined voting power if we complete the maximum offering of 1,400,000 Class A Ordinary Shares. Our Chairman of the Board, Zhentao Jiang, has voting and dispositive power of all outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares. Mr. Jiang will hold approximately 17.89% of the combined voting power, assuming we complete the minimum offering of 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, and an aggregate of approximately 17.80% of the combined voting power if we complete the maximum offering of 1,400,000 Class A Ordinary Shares.
See “Description of Share Capital” and “Risk Factor — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure and Operation — The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares has the effect of concentrating voting control with those shareholders who held our capital stock prior to the completion of this offering, including our executive officers, employees and directors and their affiliates, which will limit your ability to influence the outcome of important transactions, including a change in control .”
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Ordinary Shares. The initial public offering price of our Class A Ordinary Shares is expected to be $5.00 per share. We intend to apply to list our Class A Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGMH.”
We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Investing in our Class A Ordinary Shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12.
|
|
Per
Ordinary
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Maximum
|
|||
Assumed public offering price |
|
$ |
5.00 |
|
$ |
5,000,000 |
|
$ |
7,000,000 |
Underwriter fees and commissions (1) |
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
$ |
560,000 |
Proceeds to us, before expenses (1)(2) |
|
$ |
4.60 |
|
$ |
4,600,000 |
|
$ |
6,440,000 |
____________
(1) See “Underwriting” in this prospectus for more information regarding our arrangements with the underwriter.
(2) The total estimated expenses related to this offering are set forth in the section entitled “Fees, Commission and Expense Reimbursement.”
We expect our total cash expenses for this offering, including cash expenses payable to our underwriter, Network 1 Financial Securities Inc. (the “Underwriter”), for its reasonable non-accountable expenses and accountable expenses referenced above, to be up to approximately $145,000, exclusive of the above commissions. The Underwriter must sell the minimum number of securities offered (1,000,000) if any are sold. The Underwriter is only required to use its best efforts to sell the maximum number of securities offered (1,400,000). The offering will close or terminate, as the case may be, upon the earlier of: (i) a date mutually acceptable to us and the Underwriter after the minimum offering amount of our offering is raised, or (ii) 90 days from the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement (and for a period of up to 60 additional days if extended by agreement of the Company and the Underwriter) (the “Termination Date”) . Until we sell at least 1,000,000 shares, all investor funds will be held in an escrow account at Signature Bank, New York, N.Y. If we do not sell at least 1,000,000 shares by the Termination Date, all funds will be promptly returned to investors within five (5) business days after the termination of this offering without charge, interest or deduction. If we complete this offering, net proceeds will be delivered to us on the closing date. We plan to use our proceeds in our subsidiaries in British Virgin Island, Belize, Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), however, we will not be able to use such proceeds until we complete certain remittance procedures in PRC. If we complete this offering, then on the closing date, we will issue Class A Ordinary Shares to investors in the offering on Class A Ordinary Shares sold in this offering. One of the conditions to our obligation to sell any securities through the Underwriter is that, upon the closing of the offering, the Class A Ordinary Shares would qualify for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
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 , 2017.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Summary |
|
1 |
Risk Factors |
|
12 |
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements |
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32 |
Use of Proceeds |
|
33 |
Dividend Policy |
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35 |
Exchange Rate Information |
|
36 |
Capitalization |
|
36 |
Dilution |
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38 |
Post-Offering Ownership |
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39 |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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40 |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
|
50 |
Business |
|
51 |
Management |
|
69 |
Executive Compensation |
|
76 |
Related Party Transactions |
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77 |
Principal Shareholders |
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79 |
Description of Share Capital |
|
81 |
Shares Eligible for Future Sale |
|
90 |
Material Tax Consequences Applicable to U.S. Holders of Our Class A Ordinary Shares |
|
92 |
Enforceability of Civil Liabilities |
|
98 |
Underwriting |
|
99 |
Expenses Relating to This Offering |
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103 |
Legal Matters |
|
103 |
Experts |
|
103 |
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel |
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103 |
Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification |
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103 |
Where You Can Find Additional Information |
|
104 |
Financial Statements |
|
F-1 |
Neither we nor the Underwriter have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses we have prepared. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our Class A Ordinary Shares only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our Class A Ordinary Shares. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and is subject to change. No person should rely on the information contained in this document for any purpose other than participating in our proposed initial public offering, and only the preliminary prospectus issued on , 2017 is authorized by us to be used in connection with our proposed initial public offering. The preliminary prospectus will only be distributed by us and the Underwriter named herein and no other person has been authorized by us to use this document to offer or sell any of our securities.
Until , 2017 (25 days after the commencement of our initial public offering), all dealers that buy, sell, or trade our Class A Ordinary Shares, whether or not participating in our initial public offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as Underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
i
Prospectus Summary
This summary highlights information contained in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information you should consider in making your investment decision. You should read the entire prospectus carefully before making an investment in our Class A Ordinary Shares. You should carefully consider, among other things, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Prospectus Conventions
Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this prospectus only, “we”, “us”, “our company”, “Company”, “our” and “AGM Holdings” refer to
• AGM Group Holdings Inc., a British Virgin Islands company limited by shares (“AGM Holdings” when individually referenced);
• AGM Group, Ltd., a Belize limited liability company (“AGM Belize” when individually referenced) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings;
• AGM Technology, Limited, a Hong Kong SAR limited company (“AGM HK” when individually referenced) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings;
• Shenzhen AnGaoMeng Financial Technology Service Co. Ltd. (“AGM Shenzhen”) (also referred to as 深圳安高盟金融科技服务有限公司 in China), a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) formed under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM HK;
• Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co. Ltd. (“AGM Beijing”) (also referred to as 北京安高盟科技服务有限公司 in China), a PRC company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen;
• Nanjing XinGaoMeng Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“AGM Nanjing”) (also referred to as 南京鑫高盟软件科技有限公司 in China), a PRC company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen.
• AGM Software Service LTD, (“AGM Software”) a British Virgin Islands company limited by shares and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings;
• AGMTrade UK LTD. (“AGM UK”) a company incorporated under the law of England and Wales, limited by shares and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings;
• AGM Trade Global PTY LTD. (“AGM Australia”) an Australia company, limited by shares and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings;
• AGMClub Service Limited (“AGMClub”) a Hong Kong SAR limited company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings;
• AGM Shenzhen, AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing are collectively referred to as AGM PRC.
This prospectus contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollar amounts at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The relevant exchange rates are listed below:
|
|
For
the Year
|
|
For
the Period
|
Period Ended RMB: USD exchange rate |
|
6.9437 |
|
6.4907 |
Period Average RMB: USD exchange rate |
|
6.6430 |
|
6.2175 |
1
For the sake of clarity, this prospectus follows the English naming convention of first name followed by last name, regardless of whether an individual’s name is Chinese or English. For example, the name of our chief executive officer will be presented as “Zhentao Jiang,” even though, in Chinese, Mr. Jiang’s name is presented as “Jiang Zhentao.”
We have relied on statistics provided by a variety of publicly-available sources regarding China’s expectations of growth. We did not, directly or indirectly, sponsor or participate in the publication of such materials, and these materials are not incorporated in this prospectus other than to the extent specifically cited in this prospectus. We have sought to provide current information in this prospectus and believe that the statistics provided in this prospectus remain up-to-date and reliable, and these materials are not incorporated in this prospectus other than to the extent specifically cited in this prospectus.
Overview
Incorporated on April 27, 2015, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), we strive to become a one-stop shop that focuses on providing financial technology service in foreign exchange, also called forex, to brokers and institutional clients. We are primarily engaged in, through our subsidiaries, three core business: (i) online trading platform application service for institutional clients; (ii) forex trading brokerage service; and (iii) program trading application technology and management service. We see ourselves as a financial technology company and solutions provider, focusing on delivering innovative solutions and technologies that enable brokers and institutional clients to run their trading-related business. Our services provided to institutional clients focuses mainly on providing forex trading access service. Our institutional clients include forex brokers, precious metal brokers and small-sized asset management firms, who trade spot contracts that have the same trading rules and calculation methods as foreign exchange spot contracts. Substantially all of our business operations, research and development, and employees are in the PRC.
Our Core Services
We provide our service through three services lines: (i) online trading platform application service for institutional clients; (ii) forex trading brokerage service; and (iii) program trading application technology and management service.
Online trading platform application service for institutional clients
Online trading platform application service generates 89.5% of our total revenue. We provide our trading platform application services through cloud computing or commonly known as Software as a Service (“SaaS”) approach. Revenue from our online trading platform application service consist of three components: 1) service fees for usage of online trading application based on trading volumes of the forex trading transactions; 2) initial trading application setup fees; and 3) ongoing service support fees. Service fees based on trading volumes account for majority of the revenue and initial setup fees and ongoing service support fees only account for a small portion of the revenue from this service line.
AGM Belize holds licenses to a core trading platform known as the MetaTrader (“Core Trading Platform”), which we believe is the most widely-used platform for trading forex, analyzing financial markets and using automatic programing tools. The license agreements between AGM Belize and MetaQuotes Software Corp. (“MetaQuotes”) regarding the Core Trading Platform are non-exclusive licenses with the right to download, install and use the Core Trading Platform. MetaQuotes delivered to AGM Belize the main server, proxy server, history server, access server, manager/dealer workstation, administrator workstation, client terminal, backup replication service and the Manager API, Server API, Datafeed API, report API, Gateway API and Web API. AGM Belize is licensed to develop programs based on the APIs.
AGM Belize contracts with AGM HK, which signs contracts with our customers and then contracts with AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing to conduct customized development and integration. All of our operations and research and development are conducted in PRC by our employees at AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing. We integrate the Core Trading Platform with functional modules that fit local clients changing demands. Products of the customized development include, but are not limited to, modules and applications that enable clients to have a multiple accounts management system, a bridge engine to straight through process their orders directly to the clearing counterparty, and a sophisticated client relationship management system. Once a client requests online trading access application service from AGM HK, AGM HK will outsource the service to AGM Beijing, which will then be responsible for
2
initial online trading software application setup, service monitoring and maintenance and supports etc. Our clients are able to trade more than 80 products on our trading platform, including foreign currencies, commodities, and precious metal, all of which are based on spot trading contract.
Forex trading brokerage service
Our subsidiary AGM Belize is a retail forex broker licensed to provide forex trading service by International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC) under the license number 60/448/FX/17 (the “IFSC License”). We also provide our users with trading in spot precious metals and spot oil because spot precious metals and spot oils are conventionally categorized as spot forex. In the spot market, spot precious metals and spot oil are usually categorized as spot forex because spot precious metals and spot oil transactions are usually denominated in more than one currency, which results in the same profit calculation and margin calculation specifications applying to the contract of spot precious metals and spot oil as well as the contract of spot forex. Additionally, IFSC only provide two types of license regarding brokerage trading service, which are trading in foreign exchange services and trading in securities services. See http://www.ifsc.gov.bz/licensed-service-providers/. Because we believe that spot precious metals and spot oil should not be categorized as securities, our IFSC License for trading in foreign exchange should cover spot precious metals and spot oil. Furthermore, according to the item 11 and 18 in the IFSC License, filed herein as exhibit 10.6, we can provide our products according to the products offered by our licensed clearing counterparties. London Multi Asset Exchange (“LMAX Exchange”), a UK FCA regulated leading Multilateral Trading Facility for foreign exchange and one of our clearing counterparties, offers products including spot precious metals and spot oils, and categorizes them as spot forex. Last but not least, it is a common practice in the forex trading industry to categorize spot precious metals and spot oil as spot forex. For example, Koderan International Markets Limited, Belize, (at http://www.koderan.com/en-us/trade/forex.php) and ZB Forex Ltd., Belize, (at http://www.zbforex.com/en/), and Decode Global Ltd. Belize (http://www.decfx.com/) all provide with trading in spot precious metal and spot oil while they only have brokerage service license in foreign exchange from IFSC. Therefore, IFSC allows us to provide trading in spot metals and spot oil.
In general, our Belize IFSC License allow us to provide forex trading service in a jurisdiction unless such jurisdiction requires local license for such purpose. Belize IFSC license term 21 specifies “The licensee shall not offer or transact any trading with a resident of a country who laws require a local license for this purpose, without obtaining such a license.” Substantially all of AGM Belize’s customers are residents of the PRC and the current PRC laws does not require local license for a retail forex broker to provide forex trading service. Each of our PRC subsidiaries only provides customers with software solution services that are outsourced by our Hong Kong subsidiary AGM Technology Limited, and does not engage in forex trading brokerage services in the PRC, the PRC licensing requirements do not apply to our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, our subsidiary AGM Australia is applying for the necessary license with the Australian authority. We do not believe that we will need a license in Malaysia because we plan to establish our Malaysia office only to provide IT service for AGM HK and AGM Belize. The revenue of forex trading brokerage service includes forex trading brokerage fees and commissions.
Program trading application technology and management service
We provide our program trading application technology and management service by integrating our in-house algorithm application with the Core Trading System and bundling into a module called “Expert Advisors” to the Core Trading System. It enables traders to automatically execute the trades on a live account. Expert Advisors is very flexible and can take any information into account that is available on the Core Trading Platform. The revenue of program trading application technology and management service refers to the commission based on the profit of client’s investment managed by our intelligent trading system.
We provide our institutional client and brokers with clearing house connection service by the following technologies: FIX4.0-4.4 protocol, CQG API, Integral API and Currenex API. Liquidity providers we support include Barclays, OANDA, Interactive Brokers, CFH Clearing, LMAX Exchange, Dukascopy Swiss Forex Bank & Marketplace, SAXO Capital Markets, and Sucden Financial, etc.
Our services are also available to users on their mobile devices. Users can download the Core Trading Platform’s mobile application, search our brand name under “AGM Group” and have access to our trading environment and instruments.
3
We have made investment in the development and support of our three service lines. We have a professional team of software engineers working on web service and software development, integration and customization. We have integrated, customized and developed management supporting system, user office management software and multi-account trading system with the Core Trading System. As of December 31, 2016, AGM Beijing has purchased and registered with the National Copyright Administration of PRC, three copyrights: (i) Management Supporting System for a fifty-year authorized use time starting on December 7, 2016, (ii) User Office Management Software for a fifty-year authorized use time starting on December 7, 2016, and (iii) Multi Account Trading System for a fifty-year authorized use time starting on December 30, 2016. Copyright protection are granted in PRC. The purchase price of these copyrights is a total of US$1,761,742. We utilize the copyrighted software to design and integrate our services and interface. In addition, our business, a substantial majority of which is composed of our online trading platform application service, is not subject to PRC foreign investment and ownership restrictions.
Industry and Market Background
The foreign exchange market is considered among the largest and most liquid financial market in the world. The trading volume in forex market is on a continuous growth. The increase is due to a number of factors: the i) growing importance of forex as an asset class, ii) the increased trading activities of high-frequency traders, and iii) the emergence of retail investors as an important market segment. The growth of electronic online trading and the diverse selection of trading venues have lowered transaction costs, increased market liquidity, and attracted greater participation from different customer types. Trading via online portals has made it easier for retail traders to trade in the foreign exchange market. More brokers and institutions start to offer forex trading platform due to huge market demands.
On the other hand, brokers and institutions also need to meet the changing demands of using social networks and mobile phone from their ultimate clients. Such technologies allow consumers to access high quality information that they were not able to find form traditional financial institution. Brokers and traditional financial institutions are integrating themselves with Fintech companies because the solutions and services of the innovative technologies are able to meet client’s needs and to provide clients better experience with innovative technology.
Known as “fintech”, the financial technology industry is one with rapid growth and big potential. The global investment into fintech from 2010 to 2015 totaled $49.7 billion, with $12.7 billion, 25% of the total amount, invested in the first two quarters in 2015. Fintech global investment continues to grow, with $3 billion in 2013, to over $12 billion in 2014, $19 billion in 2015, and $15 billion by mid-August 2016. On the other hand, over 80% of traditional financial institutions believe business is at risk to Fintech innovators, and among them 82% expect to increase Fintech partnerships in the next three to five years.
Our Growth Strategy
To maintain the growth of our business and sustain our leading position in the market, we anticipate to rely on these key drivers as part of our growth strategy:
• Continue to define industry best practices. We strive to create and uphold industry best practices for all aspects of our business, including risk management and analysis, operational transparency and data security. We will continue to foster the sustainable growth of our industry by leading through example and our sharing of best practices.
• Maintain and broaden our customer base. Our current targeted customers are mainly located in Asia. We seek to maintain the business relationships with our existing customers and to grow the number of clients on our online trading platform by introducing new services and tailoring services to specific customer needs. As our business continues to grow, we plan to open new offices in Malaysia and Australia in the future.
• Expand our service. We strive to provide quality service to our existing and new clients. We will continue to develop new services, to satisfy demands of different customers. In the future, we plan to continue to make investments in our proprietary technologies in the areas of data collection and processing algorithms to increase the precision and speed. We will also continue providing multi-accounts platform and additional features so that the users can have the best trading experience.
By the end of 2017, we plan to start promoting our electronic online social trading platform AGMTrade.com, where traders are able to share their trading activities and view those of other traders, receive feedback, chat, execute recommendations, and follow the trading strategies of friends and leaders in
4
a virtual community. Also, traders would be able to model after trading activities and strategies of master traders, find the top traders or strategies on the platform, and view their profiles and trading status. A user can elect to follow the actions of one or more traders or strategies. The user can set up the percentage of the funds he or she wants to allocate for tagging along and the amount he or she wants to copy. According to the user’s risk preference and expected earning, the amounts of the followed trades will be calculated accordingly. We offer two types of accounts, with the minimum amount to open an account of $500 or $10,000. The numbers of trades the accounts are able to tag along are 1 and 5 respectively. 20% of the tagging user’s profit will be deducted from the account monthly as commission to be paid to the AGMTrade.com and the master trader or strategy owner. In addition, we plan to make the social trading platform available on mobile devices as well, so that our users can have access to their accounts and remain connected to live-feed of other traders’ activities.
• Further enhance our risk management capabilities. We will continue to automate our risk management system by enhancing our real-time data analytics capabilities and utilizing more data matrix. We will also further upgrade our proprietary algorithms in order to increase the automation and predictive capabilities of our risk management systems. These will enable us to further increase the efficiency of our service while maintaining sophisticated risk management capabilities.
• Continue to execute our mobile strategy. We have made and will continue to make significant investments in pursuing our mobile strategy. We plan to further strengthen our mobile internet presence to seize promising market opportunities by developing targeted marketing programs directed at mobile users, introduce more mobile related services and further enhance our risk management capabilities utilizing additional information from our mobile users.
Competitive Advantages
We have a number of competitive advantages that will enable us to maintain and further increase our market position in the financial technology industry for the regional market. Our competitive strengths include:
• We are familiar with the market and we cater our services to the market needs. Our management team is familiar with the industry and the specific needs and characteristics of the Asian market. Therefore, we are able to significantly reduce our personnel cost before, during and after sales with local institutional clients. Also, we are able to provide on-call level technical services, and make customized service plans and fee proposals, upon clients’ request.
• Our technology development team is experienced with trading system operation and development. Our technology development team is experienced in the Fintech industry. We have worked with more than 100 local clients and have maintained sustainable business relationships with them. We know the future trends in technology and market needs.
• We have a stable client base. We have maintained good business relationships with our clients. Most of our clients become more familiar with our payment scheme and show strong interests in subscribing to our new services and solutions.
• We have a comprehensive service line. Our technology development team is consisted of engineers, researchers and analysts of different backgrounds. Our services are comprehensive, covering front-end, middle-office and back-office component of a trading system, and mobile application development. We are able to deliver a wide range of solutions, from a complete trading platform to a single component, to quickly answer clients’ needs.
• We offer unique services. We are not aware of any other entities that provide similar services within Asia and we also believe competition is limited outside of Asia. Traditional companies within our sector only have sales personnel who provide basic consulting service regarding their services in the local market, while the other services are provided remotely from the client site. We provide localized and responsive services to local clients, enabling us to maintain a firm and long-term relationship with our clients.
• We plan to introduce multiple new services in the near future. We have multiple new services under development, including our social trading platform. New services will greatly supplement our existing business.
5
Our Challenges and Risk Factors Summary
The following section outlines the primary challenges and risks inherent to our business model. Before deciding to invest in our Class A Ordinary Shares, we strongly recommend a close reading and consider all of the risks in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12.
• Limited Operating History . Our significant business lines have a limited operating history, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and results of operations.
• Our ability to maintain and enhance our brand recognition and to conduct our sales and marketing activities cost-effectively. As we have a limited operating history, our focus will be on maintaining and enhancing our brand recognition in a cost-effective manner. We may not be able to compete effectively with our more established competitors and this may in turn impede our growth and profitability.
• Customized development to existing Core Trading Platform and component could be restricted or prohibited. Our services are mainly based on component designed to be used on the Core Trading Platform and customized development. We purchased the Core Trading Platform license and conducted customized development. Currently, the Core Trading Platform allows customized development. However, there is uncertainty whether such forms of development will be restricted or prohibited in the future. If the customized development is restricted or prohibited, we may lose our main business.
• Our reliance on the information technology infrastructure. We rely heavily on information technology and our business will suffer from any unexpected network interruptions or network failures. Also, if we are not able to continue to innovate or if we fail to adapt to changes in our industry, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:
• the ability to include only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosure; and
• an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
We may take advantage of these provisions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.0 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our Class A Ordinary Shares held by non-affiliates or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.
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Corporate Information
We are a British Virgin Islands (also referred to as “BVI”) company limited by shares. Our current corporate structure is as follows prior to completion of this offering:
AGM Group Holdings Inc. (“AGM Holdings”) was incorporated on April 27, 2015 under the law of British Virgin Islands (“BVI”).
AGM Technology Limited (“AGM HK”) was incorporated on May 21, 2015 under the law of Hong Kong. AGM HK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity is to cater our core service to our customers.
AGM Group, Ltd. (“AGM Belize”) was incorporated on August 28, 2015 under the law of Belize. AGM Belize is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and is primarily engaged in the forex trading brokerage service.
Shenzhen AnGaoMeng Financial Technology Service Co. Ltd. (“AGM Shenzhen”) was incorporated on October 13, 2015 in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM HK and a wholly foreign-owned entity under the PRC laws, AGM Shenzhen’s registered capital is RMB 1,000,000. AGM Shenzhen was incorporated for the purpose of being a holding company for the equity
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interests in PRC. AGM Shenzhen did not conduct any operations or own any material assets or liabilities except for cash, insignificant expense and the 100% of the equity interests in AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing. AGM Shenzhen was incorporated in Shenzhen because Shenzhen is geographically located nearby Hong Kong, where our subsidiary AGM HK was incorporated. AGM Shenzhen will rely on AGM HK in the future to carry out its business.
Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co. Ltd. (“AGM Beijing”) was incorporated on November 13, 2015 in Beijing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. AGM Beijing’s registered capital is RMB 5,000,000. Through equity transfers, AGM Beijing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen and its principal activities include (i) technology promotion and (ii) data processing. AGM Beijing holds an ICP filing for our integrated online trading platform. AGM Beijing was incorporated in Beijing because substantially all of our employees are located in Beijing. In order to comply with the PRC law regarding employee’s social benefits, which are regulated separately in each city or province, it is more practical for us to locate our office in Beijing so that we can pay for the employees’ social benefits with the local government agency.
Nanjing XinGaoMeng Software Technology Limited (“AGM Nanjing”) was incorporated on September 28, 2016 in Nanjing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. AGM Nanjing’s registered capital is RMB 1,000,000. Through equity transfers, AGM Nanjing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen and its principal activities include (i) software design, technology transfer, technology consulting, technology promotion and (ii) data processing. AGM Nanjing was incorporated in Nanjing because Nanjing is located in the Yangtze River Delta economic region and is nearby Shanghai. We plan to expand our services to the market in the Yangtze River Delta economic region through AGM Nanjing.
AGM Software Service LTD (“AGM Software”) was incorporated on June 14, 2017 under the laws of BVI. AGM Software is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity will be assisting AGM HK in providing our core technology services to customers.
AGMTrade UK LTD. (“AGM UK”) was incorporated on July 18, 2017 under the law of England and Wales. AGM UK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity will be advertising on a global scale, and providing our core technology services and consulting services to our customers. AGM UK was incorporated in the United Kingdom because we have discovered potential customers in the UK.
AGM Trade Global PTY LTD (“AGM Australia”) was incorporated on July 25, 2017 under the law of Australia. AGM Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings. It was formed with the vision to possibly expand our service to customers located in Australia.
AGMClub Service Limited (“AGMClub”) was incorporated on August 14, 2017 under the law of Hong Kong. AGMClub is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its primary activity is to provide online marketing on a global scale, including the greater China area.
Our PRC subsidiaries were formed because substantially all of our employees and management are located in China. Most of our revenues are generated through the business of our subsidiary, AGM Technology Limited, a Hong Kong SAR limited liability (“AGM HK”), in order to reduce the cost of conducting business. AGM HK then outsources the software solution services to our subsidiaries within the PRC, where the operation cost, including lease and labor, is much lower than that of Hong Kong. By including these subsidiaries as part of our corporate structure, we are able to both retain all of the revenue of the contracts signed by AGM HK through our consolidated financial statements and significantly cut down our operation cost at the same time. This corporate structure provides us with competitive advantage to maintain our profitability. Additionally, each of our PRC subsidiaries, AGM Shenzhen, AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing, only provides software solution services and does not engage in financial service or internet service. Because AGM HK is not located within the PRC, we do not believe our business is subject to PRC foreign investment and ownership restrictions.
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Offering Summary
Following completion of our initial public offering, ownership of AGM Holdings will be as follows, assuming completion of the minimum and maximum offerings, respectively. To the extent we complete an offering between the minimum and maximum offerings, the percentage ownership of participants in our initial public offering will between the below amounts:
Our principal executive office is located at 1 Jinghua South Road, Wangzuo Plaza East Tower, Room 2112 Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100020. The telephone number of our principal executive offices is +86-010-65020507. Our registered agent in the British Virgin Islands is Overseas Management Company Trust (B.V.I.) Ltd. Our registered office and our registered agent’s office in the British Virgin Islands are both at Wickham Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands. Our registered agent in the United States is Vcorp Agent Services, Inc. We maintain a website at www.agmprime.com . We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus.
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The Offering
Shares Offered: |
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Minimum: 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares |
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Maximum: 1,400,000 Class A Ordinary Shares |
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Shares Outstanding Prior to Completion of Offering: |
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Shares
to be Outstanding after
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Maximum: 21,410,000 Class A Ordinary Shares |
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Assumed Offering Price per Share: |
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$5.00 |
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Gross Proceeds: |
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Minimum: $4,600,000 |
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Maximum: $6,440,000 |
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Best efforts |
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The underwriters are selling our Ordinary Shares on a “best efforts, minimum-maximum” basis. Accordingly, the underwriter has no obligation or commitment to purchase any securities. The underwriters are not required to sell any specific number of dollar amount of Ordinary Shares but will use its best efforts to sell the Ordinary Shares offered. |
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We do not intend to close this offering unless we sell at least a minimum number of Ordinary Share, at the price per Ordinary Share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, to result in sufficient proceeds to list our Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market. |
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Escrow account |
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The gross proceeds from the sale of the Ordinary Shares in this offering will be deposited in a non-interest bearing escrow account maintained by the escrow agent, Signature Bank, at New York, N.Y (the “Escrow Agent”). All checks will be deposited directly into the escrow account and all wire transfers will be wired directly to the escrow account. The funds will be held in escrow until the Escrow Agent has advised us and the Underwriter that it has received $5,000,000, the minimum offering, in cleared funds. If we do not receive the minimum of $5,000,000 by the Termination Date, all funds will be returned to purchasers in this offering within five (5) business days after the termination of the offering, without charge, deduction or interest. Prior to the Termination Date, in no event will funds be returned to you unless the offering is terminated. You will only be entitled to receive a refund of your subscription price if we do not raise a minimum of $5,000,000 by the Termination Date. No interest will be paid either to us or to you. See “Underwriting — Deposit of Offering Proceeds.” |
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Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market Symbol: |
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Transfer Agent: |
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VStock
Transfer, LLC
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Risk Factors: |
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Investing in these securities involves a high degree of risk. As an investor, you should be able to bear a complete loss of your investment. You should carefully consider the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus before deciding to invest in our Class A Ordinary Shares. |
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Closing of Offering: |
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The offering contemplated by this prospectus will terminate upon the earlier of: (i) a date mutually acceptable to us and the Underwriter after the minimum offering is sold or (ii) 90 days from the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement (and for a period of up to 60 additional days if extended by agreement of the Company and the Underwriter) (the “Termination Date”). If we complete this offering, net proceeds will be delivered to us on the closing date (such closing date being the above mutually acceptable date on or before the Termination Date, provided the minimum offering has been sold). We will not complete this offering unless our application to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market is approved. We will not be able to use such proceeds in China, however, until we complete certain remittance procedures in China. |
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Use of Proceeds: |
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We intend to use the proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the expansion of our business. To the extent that we are unable to raise the maximum proceeds in this offering, we may not be able to achieve all of our business objectives in a timely manner. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information. |
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Dividend Policy: |
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We have no present plans to declare dividends and plan to retain our earnings to continue to grow our business. |
Summary Financial Information
In the table below, we provide you with historical selected financial data for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. This information is derived from our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. When you read this historical selected financial data, it is important that you read it along with the historical financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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For
Fiscal
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For
the
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US$
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US$
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Statement of operation data: |
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Revenues |
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7,704,820 |
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Gross profit |
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6,403,124 |
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— |
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Operating expenses |
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(3,266,510 |
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(150,448 |
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Income from operations |
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3,136,614 |
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(150,448 |
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Other non-operating expenses, net |
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(3,084 |
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(172 |
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Provision for income taxes |
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(783,382 |
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— |
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Net income |
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2,350,148 |
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(150,620 |
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Earnings per share, basic and diluted |
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13.48 |
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(15.06 |
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Weighted average Ordinary Shares outstanding |
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174,384 |
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10,000 |
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Balance sheet data |
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Current assets |
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7,420,109 |
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11,263 |
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Total assets |
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9,294,896 |
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11,263 |
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Current liabilities |
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6,217,206 |
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155,674 |
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Total liabilities |
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6,217,206 |
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155,674 |
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Total equity |
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3,077,690 |
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(144,411 |
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Risk Factors
Before you decide to purchase our Class A Ordinary Shares, you should understand the high degree of risk involved. You should consider carefully the following risks and other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected. As a result, the trading price of our Class A Ordinary Shares could decline, perhaps significantly.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We have a limited operating history in a new and evolving market, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects.
The market for China’s financial technology of trading system is new and may not develop as expected. The regulatory framework for this market is also evolving and may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Potential institutional clients and brokers may not be familiar with financial technology service and may have difficulty distinguishing our services from those of our competitors. Convincing potential new institutional clients and brokers of the value of our services is critical to increasing the trading volume facilitated through our trading platform and to the success of our business.
Our company was incorporated in April 27, 2015 and have a limited operating history. As our business develops or in response to competition, we may continue to introduce new features or make adjustments to our existing technology and our business model. Any significant change to our business model may not achieve expected results and may have a material and adverse impact on our financial conditions and results of operations. It is therefore difficult to effectively assess our future prospects. You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges we encounter or may encounter in this developing and rapidly evolving market. These risks and challenges include our ability to, among other things:
• navigate an evolving regulatory environment;
• expand the client base;
• broaden our services;
• increase awareness of our brand and continue to develop customer loyalty;
• enhance our risk management capabilities;
• raise sufficient capital to sustain and expand our business;
• attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel;
• upgrade our technology to support additional research and development of new services;
• improve our operational efficiency;
• cultivate a vibrant online social trading system;
• maintain the security of our platform and the confidentiality of the information provided and utilized across our platform;
• attract, retain and motivate talented employees; and
• defend ourselves against litigation, regulatory, intellectual property, privacy or other claims.
If we fail to educate potential investors about the value of our trading platform and services, if the market for our trading platform does not develop as we expect, or if we fail to address the needs of our target market, or other risks and challenges, our business and results of operations will be harmed.
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Customized development to existing Core Trading Platform and component could be restricted or prohibited.
Our services are mainly based on component designed to be used on the Core Trading Platform and customized development. We are licensed to use the Core Trading Platform and conducted customized development through its API. Currently, the Core Trading Platform allows licensees to conduct customized development. However, there is uncertainty whether such forms of development would be restricted or prohibited in the future. If customized development is no longer allowed, we may lose our main business.
We are dependent on our major customers for the majority of our revenues. The loss of one or more significant customers could adversely affect our financial condition, prospects and results of operations.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, our two largest customers collectively accounted for approximately 53.43% of total revenues. If we were to lose several key alliances over a relatively short period of time or if one of our largest customers fails to pay or delays in paying a significant amount of our outstanding receivables, we could experience an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. Additionally, changes in ownership of our customers may result in the loss of, or reduction in, business from those customers, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are dependent on a limited number of suppliers, and delays in deliveries or increases in the cost could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our ability to meet our customers’ demand for our service depends upon obtaining adequate supplies on a timely basis. We have established relationships with a limited number of suppliers. For the year ended December 31, 2016, our three largest suppliers collectively accounted for approximately 92.65% of total cost. Should any of our current suppliers be unable to deliver their service or otherwise fail to deliver in a timely manner and at acceptable prices and quality, we would have to identify and quality replacements from alternative sources of supply. However, the process of qualifying new suppliers for complex components is also lengthy and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, increase in costs may adversely impact demand for our services or the results of our business operations.
If we are not able to continue to innovate or if we fail to adapt to changes in our industry, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
The Internet industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, new service introductions and changing customer demands. Furthermore, our competitors are constantly developing innovations in Internet search, online marketing, communications, social networking and other services to enhance users’ online experience. We continue to invest significant resources in our infrastructure, research and development and other areas in order to enhance our platform technology and our existing services as well as to introduce new high quality services that will attract more participants to our marketplaces. The changes and developments taking place in our industry may also require us to re-evaluate our business model and adopt significant changes to our long-term strategies and business plan. Our failure to innovate and adapt to these changes would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to maintain existing clients, attract new clients or broaden our market, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
The clients base and the trading volume facilitated through our trading platform have grown rapidly since our inception. To maintain the high growth momentum, we must continuously increase the client base and the trading volume by retaining current participants and attracting more clients. We intend to continue to dedicate significant resources to our client acquisition efforts, including establishing new acquisition channels, particularly as we continue to grow and introduce new services. The overall number of clients and trading volume may be affected by several factors, including our brand recognition and reputation, the effectiveness of our risk control, the efficiency of our platform, the macroeconomic environment and other factors. Currently, we promote our brand through direct communications with potential clients and referrals. We also plan to invest more in marketing and bring our services to Southeast Asia and Australia. However, we are not familiar with the market or legal environment in such
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jurisdictions, nor do we have sufficient human resource to market our services. These factors and uncertainties will result in an increase in operation cost. If we are unable to broaden our marker or attract new clients, or if the existing clients do not continue to use our trading platform, we might be unable to increase our clients base, trading volume and revenues as we expect, and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
If we do not compete effectively, our results of operations could be harmed.
The market of online trading platform is an emerging industry in rapid growth. The number of online trading platform providers is increasing due to rapid growth of actual and predicted demand. The market, thus, has become more competitive. With our limited operating history, we have not yet encountered a competitor who carries out research and development on all three lines of service we provide or who offers the same or similar kind of services within Asia. We mainly compete with traditional financial institutions and other trading platforms service providers from outside of Asia, which include, traditional banks and brokers/dealers. Our competitors operate with different business models, have different cost structures or participate selectively in different market segments. They may ultimately prove more successful or more adaptable to new regulatory, technological and other developments. Some of our current and potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their platforms. Our competitors may also have longer operating histories, more extensive client bases, greater brand recognition and brand loyalty and broader partner relationships than us. Additionally, a current or potential competitor may acquire one or more of our existing competitors or form a strategic alliance with one or more of our competitors. Our competitors may be better at developing new services, offering more attractive investment returns or lower fees, responding faster to new technologies and undertaking more extensive and effective marketing campaigns. In response to competition and in order to grow or maintain the client base, we may have to offer more features in the platform or charge lower service fees, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. If we are unable to compete with such companies and meet the need for innovation in our industry, the demand for our service could stagnate or substantially decline, we could experience reduced revenues or our services could fail to achieve or maintain more widespread market acceptance, any of which could harm our business and results of operations.
If we fail to promote and maintain our brand in an effective and cost-efficient way, our business and results of operations may be harmed.
We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of our brand effectively is critical to attracting new and retaining existing clients. Successful promotion of our brand and our ability to attract clients depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and the success of the channels we use to promote our services. It is likely that our future marketing efforts will require us to incur significant additional expenses. These efforts may not result in increased revenues in the immediate future or at all and, even if they do, any increases in revenues may not offset the expenses incurred. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand while incurring substantial expenses, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected, which may impair our ability to grow our business.
Failure to maintain or improve our technology infrastructure could harm our business and prospects.
We are constantly upgrading our services to provide increased scale, improved performance and additional built-in functionality and additional capacity for our online users. Adopting new services and upgrading our technology infrastructure require significant investments of time and resources, including adding new hardware, updating software and recruiting and training new engineering personnel. Maintaining and improving our technology infrastructure require significant levels of investment. Adverse consequences could include unanticipated system disruptions, slower response times, impaired quality of users’ experiences and delays in reporting accurate operating and financial information. In addition, much of the software and interfaces we use are internally developed and proprietary technology. If we experience problems with the functionality and effectiveness of our software or platforms, or are unable to maintain and constantly improve our technology infrastructure to handle our business needs, our business, financial condition, results of operation and prospects, as well as our reputation, could be materially and adversely affected.
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Our quarterly results may fluctuate significantly and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.
Our quarterly results of operations, including the levels of our net revenues, expenses, net (loss)/income and other key metrics, may vary significantly in the future due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control, and period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful, especially given our limited operating history. Accordingly, the results for any one quarter are not necessarily an indication of future performance. Factors that may cause fluctuations in our quarterly financial results include:
• our ability to attract new clients and maintain relationships with existing clients;
• changes in our service mix and introduction of new services;
• network outages or security breaches;
• general economic, industry and market conditions;
• the timing of expenses related to the development or acquisition of technologies or businesses.
In addition, we experience seasonality in our business, reflecting seasonal fluctuations in internet usage. For example, we generally experience lower transaction value on trading platform during national holidays in China, particularly during the Chinese New Year holiday season in the first quarter of each year. While the seasonality is mild and our rapid growth has somewhat masked this seasonality, our results of operations could be affected by such seasonality in the future.
Our ability to protect the confidential information of our users may be adversely affected by cyber-attacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions.
Our platform collects, stores and processes certain personal and other sensitive data from our users, which makes it an attractive target and potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions. While we have taken steps to protect the confidential information that we have access to, our security measures could be breached. Because techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until they are launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any accidental or willful security breaches or other unauthorized access to our platform could cause confidential client information to be stolen and used for criminal purposes. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. Additionally, we have not yet purchase insurance to cover data stored on the server or data backup in the cloud, if security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with users could be severely damaged, we could incur significant liability and our business and operations could be adversely affected.
Any significant disruption in service on the third-party platform or in our computer systems, including events beyond our control, could prevent our clients from placing orders and processing trading on our platform, reduce the attractiveness of our platform and result in a loss of our clients.
We rely on the third-party Core Trading Platform software providers. All of our trading volume was derived from trades utilizing the Core Trading Platform. Any interruption in the third-party service, or deterioration in the performance or quality, could adversely affect our business. In the event of a platform outage and physical data loss, our ability to perform our servicing obligations or process trading would be materially and adversely affected. The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our platform and our underlying network infrastructure are critical to our operations, customer service, reputation and our ability to retain existing and attract new clients. Much of our system hardware is hosted in a leased facility located in Beijing that is operated by our IT Staff. Our operations depend on our ability to protect our systems against damage or interruption from natural disasters, power or telecommunications failures, air quality issues, environmental conditions, computer viruses or attempts to harm our systems, criminal acts and similar events. If there is a lapse in service or damage to our leased Beijing facilities, we could experience interruptions in our service as well as delays and additional expense in arranging new facilities.
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If our arrangement with any third party is terminated, we may not be able to find an alternative systems or services provider on a timely basis or on commercially reasonable terms. Any interruptions or delays in our service, whether as a result of third-party error, our error, natural disasters or security breaches, whether accidental or willful, could harm our relationships with our clients and our reputation. Additionally, we have not yet purchase any insurance to cover any damage or interruption during the operation. We may not have sufficient capacity to recover all data and services in the event of an outage. These factors could prevent clients from placing order to processing trading on our platform, damage our brand and reputation, divert our employees’ attention, subject us to liability and cause our clients to abandon our platform, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors, our business could be adversely affected.
Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our platform and internal systems depend on the ability of such software to store, retrieve, process and manage immense amounts of data. The software on which we rely has contained, and may now or in the future contain, undetected errors or bugs. Some errors may only be discovered after the code has been released for external or internal use. Errors or other design defects within the software on which we rely may result in a negative user experience, delay introductions of new features or enhancements, result in errors or compromise our ability to protect users’ data or our intellectual property. Any errors, bugs or defects discovered in the software on which we rely could result in harm to our reputation, loss of clients or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential customer information or our failure or the perception by our customers that we failed to comply with privacy laws or properly address privacy concerns could harm our business and standing with our customers.
We collect, store, process, and use certain personal information and other user data in our business. A significant risk associated with our business is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. The perception of privacy concerns, whether or not valid, may adversely affect our business and results of operations. We must ensure that any processing, collection, use, storage, dissemination, transfer and disposal of data for which we are responsible complies with relevant data protection and privacy laws. The protection of our customer, employee and company data is critical to us. We rely on commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide secure processing, transmission and storage of confidential customer information. Despite the security measures we have in place, our facilities and systems, and those of our third-party service providers, may be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming or human errors, or other similar events. Any security breach, or any perceived failure involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, as well as any failure or perceived failure to comply with laws, policies, legal obligations or industry standards regarding data privacy and protection, whether by us or our vendors, could damage our reputation, expose us to litigation risk and liability, subject us to negative publicity, disrupt our operations and harm our business. We cannot assure you that our security measures will prevent security breaches or that failure to prevent them will not have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, we do not carry cybersecurity insurance to compensate for any losses that may result from any breach of security. Therefore, our results of operations or financial condition may be materially adversely affected if our existing general liability policies did not cover a security breach.
New lines of business or new services may subject us to additional risks.
From time to time, we may implement new lines of business or offer new services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new services, we may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new services could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We regard our trademarks, copyrights, domain names, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on a combination of intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements, including confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. We have purchased and registered with the National Copyright Administration of PRC certain copyrights. See “Business — Intellectual Property.” Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated, or such intellectual property may not be sufficient to provide us with competitive advantages. In addition, because of the rapid pace of technological change in our industry, parts of our business rely on technologies developed or licensed by third parties, and we may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses and technologies from these third parties on reasonable terms, or at all.
It is often difficult to register, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. Statutory laws and regulations are subject to judicial interpretation and enforcement and may not be applied consistently due to the lack of clear guidance on statutory interpretation. Confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights in China. Preventing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly and the steps we take may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and financial resources. We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. To the extent that our employees or consultants use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related know-how and inventions. Any failure in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.
We cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be from time to time in the future subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, there may be third-party trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights that are infringed by our services or other aspects of our business without our awareness. Holders of such intellectual property rights may seek to enforce such intellectual property rights against us in China, the United States or other jurisdictions. If any third-party infringement claims are brought against us, we may be forced to divert management’s time and other resources from our business and operations to defend against these claims, regardless of their merits.
Additionally, the application and interpretation of China’s intellectual property right laws and the procedures and standards for granting trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights in China are still evolving and are uncertain, and we cannot assure you that PRC courts or regulatory authorities would agree with our analysis. If we were found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be subject to liability for our infringement activities or may be prohibited from using such intellectual property, and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives of our own. As a result, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our risk management policies and procedures may not be effective and may leave us exposed to unidentified or unexpected risks.
We are dependent on our risk management policies. Our policies, procedures and practices are used to identify, monitor and control a variety of risks, including risks related to human error, customer defaults, market movements, fraud and money-laundering. Some of our methods for managing risk are discretionary by nature and are based on internally developed controls and observed historical market behavior, and also involve reliance on standard industry practices. These methods may not adequately prevent losses, particularly as they relate to extreme market movements, which may be significantly greater than historical changes in market prices. Our risk management
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methods also may not adequately prevent losses due to technical errors if our testing and quality control practices are not effective in preventing software or hardware failures. In addition, we may elect to adjust our risk management policies to allow for an increase in risk tolerance, which could expose us to the risk of greater losses. Our risk management methods rely on a combination of technical and human controls and supervision that are subject to error and failure. These methods may not protect us against all risks or may protect us less than anticipated, in which case our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.
From time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.
We may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to further increase the value of our services and better serve our clients. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we are able to identify an appropriate business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction and, even if we do consummate such a transaction, we may be unable to obtain the benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such transaction.
Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
• difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, products and services of the acquired business;
• inability of the acquired technologies, products or businesses to achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, productivity or other benefits;
• difficulties in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key personnel;
• diversion of management’s time and resources from our normal daily operations;
• difficulties in successfully incorporating licensed or acquired technology and rights into our services;
• difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies within the combined organizations;
• difficulties in retaining relationships with clients, employees and suppliers of the acquired business;
• risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience;
• regulatory risks, including remaining in good standing with existing regulatory bodies or receiving any necessary pre-closing or post-closing approvals, as well as being subject to new regulators with oversight over an acquired business;
• assumption of contractual obligations that contain terms that are not beneficial to us, require us to license or waive intellectual property rights or increase our risk for liability;
• failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology;
• liability for activities of the acquired business before the acquisition, including intellectual property infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities;
• potential disruptions to our ongoing businesses; and
• unexpected costs and unknown risks and liabilities associated with strategic investments or acquisitions.
We may not make any investments or acquisitions, or any future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits. In addition, we cannot assure you that any future investment in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the successful development of new or enhanced services or that any new or enhanced services, if developed, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
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Our business depends on the continued efforts of our senior management. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.
Our business operations depend on the continued services of our senior management, particularly the executive officers named in this prospectus. While we have provided different incentives to our management, we cannot assure you that we can continue to retain their services. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, our future growth may be constrained, our business may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel. In addition, although we have entered into confidentiality and non-competition agreements with our management, there is no assurance that any member of our management team will not join our competitors or form a competing business. If any dispute arises between our current or former officers and us, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce them at all.
Competition for employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the qualified and skilled employees needed to support our business.
We believe our success depends on the efforts and talent of our employees, including risk management, software engineering, financial and marketing personnel. Our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain qualified and skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled technical, risk management and financial personnel is extremely intense. We may not be able to hire and retain these personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure. Some of the companies with which we compete for experienced employees have greater resources than we have and may be able to offer more attractive terms of employment.
In addition, we invest significant time and expenses in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expenses in hiring and training their replacements, and the quality of our services and our ability to serve our clients could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect to our business.
A lack of insurance could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.
We have not yet purchased insurance to cover our assets and property of our business, which could leave our business inadequately protected from loss. If we were to incur substantial losses or liabilities due to fire, explosions, floods, other natural disasters or accidents or business interruption, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, Insurance companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance products as insurance companies in more developed economies. Currently, we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance to cover our operations. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurring substantial costs.
We face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations.
We are vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform failures or internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to provide services on our platform.
Our business could also be adversely affected by the effects of Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or other epidemics. Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees is suspected of having Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, SARS or other epidemic, since it could require our employees to be quarantined and/or our offices to be disinfected. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected to the extent that any of these epidemics harms the Chinese economy in general.
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Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.
Substantially all of our business operations and R&D are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to economic, political and legal developments in China. Although the Chinese economy is no longer a planned economy, the PRC government continues to exercise significant control over China’s economic growth through direct allocation of resources, monetary and tax policies, and a host of other government policies such as those that encourage or restrict investment in certain industries by foreign investors, control the exchange between RMB and foreign currencies, and regulate the growth of the general or specific market. These government involvements have been instrumental in China’s significant growth in the past 30 years. In response to the recent global and Chinese economic downturn, the PRC government has adopted policy measures aimed at stimulating the economic growth in China. If the PRC government’s current or future policies fail to help the Chinese economy achieve further growth or if any aspect of the PRC government’s policies limits the growth of our industry or otherwise negatively affects our business, our growth rate or strategy, our results of operations could be adversely affected as a result.
A severe or prolonged downturn in the Chinese or global economy could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese or global economy may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In particular, general economic factors and conditions in China or worldwide, including the general interest rate environment and unemployment rates, may affect our customer’s participation in forex trading. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions. The global financial markets have experienced significant disruptions since 2008 and the United States, Europe and other economies have experienced periods of recession. The recovery from the lows of 2008 and 2009 has been uneven and there are new challenges, including the escalation of the European sovereign debt crisis from 2011 and the slowdown of China’s economic growth since 2012 which may continue. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. There have also been concerns over unrest in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in financial and other markets. There have also been concerns about the economic effect of the tensions in the relationship between China and surrounding Asian countries. If present Chinese and global economic uncertainties persist, many of our customers may reduce the service they require from us. Adverse economic conditions could also reduce the number of customers seeking our service, as well as their ability to make payments. Should any of these situations occur, our net revenues will decline, and our business and financial conditions will be negatively impacted. Additionally, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs.
Labor laws in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
On June 29, 2007, the PRC government promulgated a new labor law, namely, the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which became effective on January 1, 2008, which was further amended on December 28, 2012 (effective July 1, 2013). The Labor Contract Law imposes greater liabilities on employers and significantly affects the cost of an employer’s decision to reduce its workforce. Further, it requires certain terminations be based upon seniority and not merit. In the event we decide to significantly change or decrease our workforce, the Labor Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to enact such changes in a manner that is most advantageous to our business or in a timely and cost-effective manner, thus materially and adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations. The Labor Contract Law also mandates that employers provide social welfare packages to all employees, increasing our labor costs. To the extent competitors from outside China are not affected by such requirements, we could be at a comparative disadvantage.
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Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses and could materially reduce the value of your investment.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions and the foreign exchange policy adopted by the PRC government. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Following the removal of the U.S. dollar peg, the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the PRC government has allowed the RMB to appreciate slowly against the U.S. dollar again, and it has appreciated more than 10% since June 2010. In April 2012, the PRC government announced that it would allow more RMB exchange rate fluctuation. On August 11, 2015, the PRC government set the central parity rate for the RMB nearly 2% lower than that of the previous day and announced that it will begin taking into account previous day’s trading in setting the central parity rate. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a more flexible currency policy, which could result in greater fluctuation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. Substantially all of our revenues and costs are denominated in United States Dollars, while some of our assets and liabilities are denominated in Renminbi. Any significant revaluation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our liquidity and cash flows. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount we would receive.
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “Resident Enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.
China passed an Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”) and implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.
On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation of China issued the Notice Concerning Relevant Issues Regarding Cognizance of Chinese Investment Controlled Enterprises Incorporated Offshore as Resident Enterprises pursuant to Criteria of de facto Management Bodies, or the Notice, further interpreting the application of the EIT Law and its implementation to offshore entities controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group. Pursuant to the Notice, an enterprise incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction and controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group will be classified as a “non-domestically incorporated resident enterprise” if (i) its senior management in charge of daily operations reside or perform their duties mainly in China; (ii) its financial or personnel decisions are made or approved by bodies or persons in China; (iii) its substantial assets and properties, accounting books, corporate stamps, board and stockholder minutes are kept in China; and (iv) at least half of its directors with voting rights or senior management are often resident in China. A resident enterprise would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on its worldwide income and must pay a withholding tax at a rate of 10% when paying dividends to its non-PRC stockholders. However, it remains unclear as to how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Currently, approximately 94% of our revenue is non-China source income, so could be adversely affected. Second, under the EIT Law and its implementing rules, dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income.” Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC stockholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC stockholders from transferring our shares.
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If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both the U.S. and China, and our PRC tax may not be creditable against our U.S. tax.
PRC regulations relating to investments in offshore companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC-resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits.
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014, which replaced the former circular commonly known as “SAFE Circular 75” promulgated by SAFE on October 21, 2005. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirement could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls. According to the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Policies for the Foreign Exchange Administration of Direct Investment (the “2015 Notice”) released on February 13, 2015 by SAFE, local banks will examine and handle foreign exchange registration for overseas direct investment, including the initial foreign exchange registration and amendment registration, under SAFE Circular 37 from June 1, 2015.
We have not filed SAFE Circular 75 reports on behalf of our shareholders who are PRC residents before. The failure of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to register or amend their SAFE registrations in a timely manner pursuant to SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, or the failure of future beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, may subject such beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to fines and legal sanctions. Furthermore, since SAFE Circular 37 and the 2015 Notice were recently promulgated and it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC government authorities, we cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or future strategy. Failure to register or comply with relevant requirements may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to our company. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.
We provide most of our services through our subsidiaries in China. Although our PRC subsidiaries are not subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China, our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. The PRC legal system is based on statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.
China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. Therefore, PRC legislation and regulations provide very little guidance on Fintech industry. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law.
In connection with this offering, we will become subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We are also subject to Chinese anti-corruption laws, which strictly prohibit the payment of bribes to government officials. We have operations, agreements with third parties, and make sales in China, which may experience corruption. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by
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one of the employees, consultants or distributors of our company, because these parties are not always subject to our control. We are in process of implementing an anticorruption program, which prohibits the offering or giving of anything of value to foreign officials, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The anticorruption program also requires that clauses mandating compliance with our policy be included in all contracts with foreign sales agents, sales consultants and distributors and that they certify their compliance with our policy annually. It further requires that all hospitality involving promotion of sales to foreign governments and government-owned or controlled entities be in accordance with specified guidelines. In the meantime, we believe to date we have complied in all material respects with the provisions of the FCPA and Chinese anti-corruption law.
However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants or distributors of our Company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption law may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the government may seek to hold our Company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.
Since our operations and assets are located in the PRC, shareholders may find it difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against the assets of our company, our directors and executive officers.
Our operations and assets are located in the PRC. In addition, most of our executive officers and directors are non-residents of the U.S., and substantially all the assets of such persons are located outside the U.S. As a result, it could be difficult for investors to effect service of process in the U.S., or to enforce a judgment obtained in the U.S. against us or any of these persons. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”
Regulatory bodies of the United States may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China.
From time to time, the Company may receive requests from certain U.S. agencies to investigate or inspect the Company’s operations, or to otherwise provide information. While the Company will be compliant with these requests from these regulators, there is no guarantee that such requests will be honored by those entities who provide services to us or with whom we associate, especially as those entities are located in China. Furthermore, an on-site inspection of our facilities by any of these regulators may be limited or entirely prohibited. Such inspections, though permitted by the Company and its affiliates, are subject to the capricious nature of Chinese enforcers, and may therefore be impossible to facilitate.
PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
In utilizing the proceeds of this offering in the manner described in “Use of Proceeds,” as an offshore holding company of our PRC operating subsidiaries, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries.
Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans by us to our subsidiaries in China, which are foreign-invested companies, to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. On August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated Circular 142 (later supplemented by Circular 88, which was issued on July 18, 2011 and effective starting August 1, 2011), a notice regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested company of foreign currency into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. The notice requires that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments within the PRC unless such investments are otherwise provided for in the business scope. The foreign currency-denominated capital shall be verified by an accounting firm before converting into RMB. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight over the flow and use of RMB funds converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company. To convert such capital into RMB, the foreign-invested company must report the use of such RMB to the bank, and the RMB must be used to the reported purposes. According to Circular 142, change of the use of such
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RMB without approval is prohibited. In addition, such RMB may not be used to repay RMB loans if the proceeds of such loans have not yet been used. Violations of Circular 142 may result in severe penalties, including substantial fines as set forth in the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules.
Furthermore, SAFE promulgated Circular 59 on November 19, 2010, requiring the governmental authority to closely examine the authenticity of settlement of net proceeds from offshore offerings. In particular, it is specifically required that any net proceeds settled from offshore offerings shall be applied in the manner described in the offering documents.
On May 10, 2013, SAFE released Circular 21, which came into effect on May 13, 2013. According to Circular 21, SAFE has simplified the foreign exchange administration procedures with respect to the registration, account openings and conversions, settlements of FDI-related foreign exchange, as well as fund remittances.
In addition, on March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Administrative Approach Regarding the Settlement of the Foreign Exchange Capitals of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, prohibiting foreign-invested enterprise from using an RMB fund converted from its foreign exchange capital for expenditure beyond its business scope, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between non-financial enterprises or purchasing real estate not for self-use.
Circular 142, Circular 59, Circular 21, and circular 19 may significantly limit our ability to convert, transfer and use the net proceeds from this offering and any offering of additional equity securities in China, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.
We may also decide to finance our subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be approved by the Ministry of Commerce of China, or MOFCOM, or its local counterpart. We may not be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to receive such approvals, we will not be able to use the proceeds of this offering and capitalize our PRC operations, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
We must remit the offering proceeds to the PRC before they may be used to benefit our business in the PRC, and this process may take a number of months.
The proceeds of this offering must be sent back to the PRC, and the process for sending such proceeds back to the PRC may take several months after the closing of this offering. We may be unable to use these proceeds to grow our business until we receive such proceeds in the PRC. In order to remit the offering proceeds to the PRC, we will take the following actions:
• First, we will open a special foreign exchange account for capital account transactions. To open this account, we must submit to State Administration for Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) certain application forms, identity documents, transaction documents, form of foreign exchange registration of overseas investments by domestic residents, and foreign exchange registration certificate of the invested company.
• Second, we will remit the offering proceeds into this special foreign exchange account.
• Third, we will apply for settlement of the foreign exchange. In order to do so, we must submit to SAFE certain application forms, identity documents, payment order to a designated person, and a tax certificate.
The timing of the process is difficult to estimate because the efficiencies of different SAFE branches can vary materially. Ordinarily, the process takes several months to complete but is required by law to be accomplished within 180 days of application. Until the abovementioned approvals, the proceeds of this offering will be maintained in an interest-bearing account maintained by us in the United States.
We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet-related businesses and companies, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
The PRC government extensively regulates the internet industry, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements pertaining to, companies in the internet industry. These internet-related laws
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and regulations are relatively new and evolving, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations.
The evolving PRC regulatory system for the internet industry may lead to the establishment of new regulatory agencies. For example, in May 2011, the State Council announced the establishment of a new department, the State Internet Information Office (with the involvement of the State Council Information Office, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (“MIIT”), and the Ministry of Public Security). The primary role of this new agency is to facilitate the policy-making and legislative development in this field, to direct and coordinate with the relevant departments in connection with online content administration and to deal with cross-ministry regulatory matters in relation to the internet industry.
Internet information services are regulated by the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the ICP Measures, promulgated on September 25, 2000 by the State Council and amended on January 8, 2011. “Internet information services” are defined as services that provide information to online users through the internet. Internet information services providers, also called Internet content providers, or ICPs. ICPs that provide commercial services are required to obtain an operating license from the MIIT or its provincial counterpart. ICPs that provide non-commercial services are required to submit ICP filings with the MIIT or its provincial counterpart. Our services provided within the PRC, which are mainly research and development, are classified as non-commercial services.
Except for our corporate website ( www.agmprime.com ), we only have contractual control over our websites, as the domains are held by our subsidiaries. Among the subsidiaries which holds domain names, AGM Beijing is subject to the PRC laws and regulations. AGM Beijing has submitted ICP filings with the MIIT for all the domain names it holds. However, AGM Beijing may be deemed to be providing commercial internet information services, which would require AGM Beijing to obtain an ICP License. An ICP License is a value-added telecommunications business operating license required for provision of commercial internet information services. Furthermore, as we are providing service through mobile applications to mobile device users, it is uncertain if AGM Beijing will be required to obtain a separate operating license in addition to the ICP License. Although we believe that not obtaining an ICP License or such separate license is in line with the current market practice, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to apply for an operating license for our mobile applications in the future.
The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies and possible new laws, regulations or policies relating to the internet industry have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, internet businesses in China, including our business. We cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required for conducting our business in China or will be able to maintain our existing licenses or obtain new ones. If the PRC government considers that we were operating without the proper approvals, licenses or permits or promulgates new laws and regulations that require additional approvals or licenses or imposes additional restrictions on the operation of any part of our business, it has the power, among other things, to levy fines, confiscate our income, revoke our business licenses, and require us to discontinue our relevant business or impose restrictions on the affected portion of our business. Any of these actions by the PRC government may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Dividends payable to our foreign investors and gains on the sale of our ordinary shares by our foreign investors may become subject to PRC tax law.
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation regulations issued by the State Council, a 10% PRC withholding tax is applicable to dividends payable to investors that are non-resident enterprises, which do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or which have such establishment or place of business but the dividends are not effectively connected with such establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC. Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of our ordinary shares by such investors is also subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 10%, subject to any reduction or exemption set forth in relevant tax treaties, if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. If we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid on our ordinary shares, and any gain realized from the transfer of our ordinary shares, would be treated as income derived from sources within the PRC and would as a result be subject to PRC taxation. See “Regulation — Regulations on Tax.” Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends payable to individual investors who are non-PRC residents and any gain realized on the transfer of our
25
ordinary shares by such investors may be subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 20%, subject to any reduction or exemption set forth in applicable tax treaties. It is unclear whether if we or any of our subsidiaries established outside China are considered a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our ordinary shares would be able to claim the benefit of income tax treaties or agreements entered into between China and other countries or areas. If dividends payable to our non-PRC investors, or gains from the transfer of our ordinary shares by such investors are subject to PRC tax, the value of your investment in our ordinary shares may decline significantly.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit PRC investors’ ability to make investment.
In response to the persistent capital outflow in China and RMB’s depreciation against U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the PBOC and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures over recent months, including stricter vetting procedures for Chinese citizens to transfer foreign currency overseas and for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, on January 26, 2017, SAFE issued the Notice of State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Improving the Check of Authenticity and Compliance to Further Promote Foreign Exchange Control, or the SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, the original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls, and more restrictions and substantial vetting process may be put in place by SAFE for cross-border transactions falling under both the current account and the capital account. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC investors to make capital contribution or make other kinds of payments to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow.
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure and Operation
The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares has the effect of concentrating voting control with those shareholders who held our capital stock prior to the completion of this offering, including our executive officers, employees and directors and their affiliates, which will limit your ability to influence the outcome of important transactions, including a change in control.
As disclosed in the “Description of Share Capital” section beginning on page 81, each of our Class B Ordinary Shares has five (5) votes per share, and each of our Class A Ordinary Shares, which is the ordinary share we are offering, has one vote per share. Because of the five-to-one voting ratio between our Class B Ordinary Shares and Class A Ordinary Shares, after the completion of this offering, the holders of our Class B Ordinary Shares will collectively continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our ordinary shares and therefore be able to control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval even when the shares of Class B Ordinary Shares represent a minority of all outstanding shares of our Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares. These holders of our Class B Ordinary Shares may also have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interests. The directors and executive officers beneficially own a majority of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares and all of the outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares as of the date hereof. Upon the completion of this offering, our directors and executive officers will directly and indirectly hold an aggregate of approximately 51.43% of the combined voting power, assuming we complete the minimum offering of 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, and an aggregate of approximately 50.54% of the combined voting power if we complete the maximum offering of 1,400,000 Class A Ordinary Shares. Our Chairman of the Board, Zhentao Jiang, has voting and dispositive power of all outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares. Mr. Jiang will hold approximately 17.89% of the combined voting power, assuming we complete the minimum offering of 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, and an aggregate of approximately 17.80% of the combined voting power if we complete the maximum offering of 1,400,000 Class A Ordinary Shares. This concentrated control may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of our company, could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their ordinary shares as part of a sales of our company and might ultimately affect the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares.
Our net profit may decline.
Our services have generated a significant amount of revenue as compared to our expenses. However, the reason that our expense for the year 2015 and 2016 was low was because that most of research and development expense, as well as marketing expense were incurred before the establishment of the company, thus was not reflected in the
26
Financial Statements. Also, labor cost in China is relatively low as compared to the labor cost in western countries. In the future, we might incur more expense due to the expansion of our business and the possible increase in labor cost. If the expansion of our business was not successful or was not able to generate great revenue in a short term, our net profit may decline.
British Virgin Islands companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests.
British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred. The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the United States based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law; and to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will generally recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. This means that even if shareholders were to sue us successfully, they may not be able to recover anything to make up for the losses suffered.
The laws of the British Virgin Islands provide little protection for minority shareholders, so minority shareholders will have little or no recourse if the shareholders are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs.
Under the law of the British Virgin Islands, there is little statutory law for the protection of minority shareholders other than the provisions of the BVI Business Companies Act (the “BVI Act”) dealing with shareholder remedies. The principal protection under statutory law is that shareholders may bring an action to enforce the constituent documents of the corporation, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Shareholders are entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted in accordance with the general law and the company’s articles and memorandum of association.
There are common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English company law, since the common law of the British Virgin Islands for business companies is limited. Under the general rule pursuant to English company law known as the rule in Foss v. Harbottle, a court will generally refuse to interfere with the management of a company at the insistence of a minority of its shareholders who express dissatisfaction with the conduct of the company’s affairs by the majority or the board of directors. However, every shareholder is entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted properly according to law and the constituent documents of the corporation. As such, if those who control the company have persistently disregarded the requirements of company law or the provisions of the company’s memorandum and articles of association, then the courts will grant relief. Generally, the areas in which the courts will intervene are the following: (1) an act complained of which is outside the scope of the authorized business or is illegal or not capable of ratification by the majority; (2) acts that constitute fraud on the minority where the wrongdoers control the company; (3) acts that infringe on the personal rights of the shareholders, such as the right to vote; and (4) where the company has not complied with provisions requiring approval of a special or extraordinary majority of shareholders, which are more limited than the rights afforded minority shareholders under the laws of many states in the United States.
Risks Related to Our Initial Public Offering and Ownership of Our Class A Ordinary Shares
We are a “foreign private issuer,” and our disclosure obligations differ from those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. As a result, we may not provide you the same information as U.S. domestic reporting companies or we may provide information at different times, which may make it more difficult for you to evaluate our performance and prospects.
We are a foreign private issuer and, as a result, we are not subject to the same requirements as U.S. domestic issuers. Under the Exchange Act, we will be subject to reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and less frequent than those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. For example, we will not be required to issue
27
quarterly reports or proxy statements. We will not be required to disclose detailed individual executive compensation information. Furthermore, our directors and executive officers will not be required to report equity holdings under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and will not be subject to the insider short-swing profit disclosure and recovery regime.
As a foreign private issuer, we will also be exempt from the requirements of Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) which, generally, are meant to ensure that select groups of investors are not privy to specific information about an issuer before other investors. However, we will still be subject to the anti-fraud and anti-manipulation rules of the SEC, such as Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act. Since many of the disclosure obligations imposed on us as a foreign private issuer differ from those imposed on U.S. domestic reporting companies, you should not expect to receive the same information about us and at the same time as the information provided by U.S. domestic reporting companies.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our Class A Ordinary Shares less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although we could lose that status sooner if our revenues exceed $1 billion, if we issue more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three-year period, or if the market value of our Class A Ordinary Shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict if investors will find our Class A Ordinary Shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Class A Ordinary Shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A Ordinary Shares and our stock price may be more volatile.
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail our company of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
The market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.
The initial public offering price for our Class A Ordinary Shares will be determined through negotiations between the Underwriter and us and may vary from the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares following our initial public offering. If you purchase our Class A Ordinary Shares in our initial public offering, you may not be able to resell those shares at or above the initial public offering price. We cannot assure you that the initial public offering price of our Class A Ordinary Shares, or the market price following our initial public offering, will equal or exceed prices in privately negotiated transactions of our shares that have occurred from time to time prior to our initial public offering. The market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
• actual or anticipated fluctuations in our revenue and other operating results;
• the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these projections;
• actions of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
• announcements by us or our competitors of significant services or features, technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments;
28
• price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the economy as a whole;
• lawsuits threatened or filed against us; and
• other events or factors, including those resulting from war or incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events.
In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. Stock prices of many companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business, and adversely affect our business.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from our initial public offering and may not use them effectively.
To the extent (i) we raise more money than required for the purposes explained in the section titled “Use of Proceeds” or (ii) we determine that the proposed uses set forth in that section are no longer in the best interests of our Company, we cannot specify with any certainty the particular uses of such net proceeds that we will receive from our initial public offering. Our management will have broad discretion in the application of such net proceeds, including working capital, possible acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes, and we may spend or invest these proceeds in a way with which our stockholders disagree. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business and financial condition. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from our initial public offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment in our Class A Ordinary Shares if the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares increases.
There may not be an active, liquid trading market for our Class A Ordinary Shares.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A Ordinary Shares. An active trading market for our Class A Ordinary Shares may not develop or be sustained following this offering. You may not be able to sell your shares at the market price, if at all, if trading in our shares is not active. The initial public offering price was determined by negotiations between us and the Underwriter based upon a number of factors. The initial public offering price may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market.
Investors risk loss of use of funds allocated for purchases, with no right of return, during the offering period.
We cannot assure you that all or any shares will be sold. Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc., our Underwriter, is offering our shares on a “best efforts, minimum-maximum basis.” We have no firm commitment from anyone to purchase all or any of the shares offered. If offers to purchase a minimum of 1,000,000 shares are not received on or before 90 days from the effective date of the Registration Statement (and for a period of up to 60 additional days if extended by agreement of the Company and the Underwriter) , escrow provisions require that all funds received be promptly refunded. If refunded, investors will receive no interest on their funds. During the offering period, investors will not have any use or right to return of the funds.
We will incur additional costs as a result of becoming a public company, which could negatively impact our net income and liquidity.
Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company in the United States. As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. In addition, Sarbanes-Oxley and rules and regulations implemented by the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market require significantly heightened corporate governance practices for public companies. We expect that these rules
29
and regulations will increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs and will make many corporate activities more time-consuming and costly.
We do not expect to incur materially greater costs as a result of becoming a public company than those incurred by similarly sized U.S. public companies. If we fail to comply with these rules and regulations, we could become the subject of a governmental enforcement action, investors may lose confidence in us and the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares could decline.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention.
As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of the securities exchange on which we list, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Despite recent reforms made possible by the JOBS Act, compliance with these rules and regulations will nonetheless increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to our business and operating results.
As a result of disclosure of information in this prospectus and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and adversely affect our business, brand and reputation and results of operations.
We also expect that being a public company and these new rules and regulations will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.
The obligation to disclose information publicly may put us at a disadvantage to competitors that are private companies.
Upon completion of this offering, we will be a publicly listed company in the United States. As a publicly listed company, we will be required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission upon the occurrence of matters that are material to our company and shareholders. In some cases, we will need to disclose material agreements or results of financial operations that we would not be required to disclose if we were a private company. Our competitors may have access to this information, which would otherwise be confidential. This may give them advantages in competing with our company. Similarly, as a U.S.-listed public company, we will be governed by U.S. laws that our competitors, which are mostly private Chinese companies, are not required to follow. To the extent compliance with U.S. laws increases our expenses or decreases our competitiveness against such companies, our public listing could affect our results of operations.
Shares eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares, as the future sale of a substantial amount of outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares in the public marketplace could reduce the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares.
The market price of our shares could decline as a result of sales of substantial amounts of our shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur. In addition, these factors could make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of our Class A Ordinary Shares. 21,410,000 shares will be outstanding immediately after this offering, if the maximum offering is raised. All of the shares sold in the offering will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. The remaining shares will be “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144. These shares may be sold in the future without registration under the Securities Act to the extent permitted by Rule 144 or other exemptions under the Securities Act. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.”
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You will experience immediate and substantial dilution.
The initial public offering price of our shares is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A Ordinary Shares. Assuming the completion of the minimum offering, if you purchase shares in this offering, you will incur immediate dilution of approximately $4.75 or approximately 95% in the pro forma net tangible book value per share from the price per share that you pay for the shares. Assuming the completion of the maximum offering, if you purchase shares in this offering, you will incur immediate dilution of approximately $4.67 or approximately 93% in the pro forma net tangible book value per share from the price per share that you pay for the Class A Ordinary Shares. Accordingly, if you purchase shares in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution of your investment. See “Dilution.”
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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this prospectus other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus or to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.
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Use of Proceeds
After deducting the estimated placement discount and offering expenses payable by us, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $3,93,000 from this offering if the minimum offering is sold and approximately $5,759,000 if the maximum offering is sold. The net proceeds from this offering must be remitted to China before we will be able to use the funds to grow our business. The procedure to remit funds may take several months after completion of this offering, and we will be unable to use the funds in China until remittance is completed. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — We must remit the offering proceeds to the PRC before they may be used to benefit our business in the PRC, and this process may take a number of months.”
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows after we complete the remittance process, and we have ordered the specific uses of proceeds in order of priority. We do not expect that our priorities for fund allocation would change if the amount we raise in this offering exceeds the size of the minimum offering but is less than the maximum offering. We expect to devote any funds raised over the minimum offering amount to our working capital needs, including devoting further resources to the below uses of proceeds. If we were to raise an amount between the minimum and maximum offerings, the percentage of net proceeds allocated for each use as described above will remain unchanged.
|
|
Minimum Offering |
|
Maximum Offering |
||
Gross proceeds |
|
$ |
5,000,000 |
|
$ |
7,000,000 |
Underwriting discounts and commissions (8% of gross proceeds) |
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
$ |
560,000 |
Underwriting non-accountable expenses (1% of gross proceeds) |
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
$ |
70,000 |
Miscellaneous underwriting fees expenses |
|
$ |
75,000 |
|
$ |
75,000 |
Other offering expenses |
|
$ |
536,000 |
|
$ |
536,000 |
Net proceeds |
|
$ |
3,939,000 |
|
$ |
5,759,000 |
Description of Use (1) |
|
Estimated
|
|
Estimated
|
||
R&D and promotion |
|
$ |
650,000 |
|
$ |
750,000 |
New trading software purchase or lease |
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
1,200,000 |
Talent acquisition and training |
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
1,000,000 |
Regulatory compliance expenses |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
300,000 |
Advertisement and marketing |
|
|
1,139,000 |
|
|
1,619,000 |
Office lease |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
450,000 |
Working capital |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
440,000 |
Total |
|
$ |
3,939,000 |
|
$ |
5,759,000 |
____________
(1) The use of proceeds was calculated based on the following considerations
(i) We plan to expand our technology development team to recruit additional 10 to 20 mid-level or high-level personnel and control the cost at about RMB 300,000 (approximately $42,800) per year per person;
(ii) We plan to purchase two new core trading platforms, which will incur a purchase expense of $150,000 to $200,000 and a monthly fee of $20,000 to $30,000. Other expenses include purchasing hardware servers and database applications for the more professional and multi-assets trading platform, in a total of approximately $200,000 per year. Once our customer base expands, we will incur an increase in monthly fee regarding expanding the current system and purchasing additional core trading platform. Currently, we incur a monthly cost of approximately $30,000 on the web service cost and software used on our existing trading platform.
(iii) We plan to recruit more sales and marketing personnel to broaden our international market and client base. We also plan to open office in Malaysia and Australia. We intend to recruit about 15 additional employees in the three officers with an annual salary of $30,000 to $50,000 per person on average.
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(iv) We plan to retain an in-house counsel and 3 to 4 senior compliance officers with an annual salary of about $50,000 per person.
(v) We plan to spend more in marketing, including online advertisement, promotion, digital marketing, and exhibition. We aim to maintain the live client acquisition cost within $300 per client. And we expect to run marketing plan to acquire more than 50,000 potential clients.
(vi) We plan to rent more office space, which would incur an expense for about RMB 200,000 per month and RMB 2,500,000 per year in rent.
(vii) Our daily operating expense will increase based on the more active operating activities.
Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, interest bearing, investment-grade obligations. These investments may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our Class A Ordinary Shares. It is possible that we may become a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income taxpayers, which could result in negative tax consequences to you. These consequences are discussed in more detail in “Taxation.”
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Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Class A Ordinary Shares. We anticipate that we will retain any earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions and future prospects and other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Under British Virgin Islands law, we may only pay dividends from surplus (the excess, if any, at the time of the determination of the total assets of our company over the sum of our liabilities, as shown in our books of account, plus our capital), and we must be solvent before and after the dividend payment in the sense that we will be able to satisfy our liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of business; and the realizable value of assets of our company will not be less than the sum of our total liabilities, other than deferred taxes as shown on our books of account, and our capital.
If we determine to pay dividends on any of our Class A Ordinary Shares in the future, as a holding company, we will be dependent on receipt of funds from our operating subsidiaries. Current Hong Kong regulations permit our HK subsidiary, AGM HK to pay dividends to AGM Holdings only out of profits available for distribution. Withholding tax regarding dividends is exempted in Hong Kong.
Current Belize regulations permit our subsidiary AGM Belize to pay dividends in money, shares or other property, but only out of surplus. No dividend shall be declared and paid unless the directors determine that immediately after the payment of the dividend, (i) the company will be able to satisfy its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business; and (ii) the realizable value of the assets of the company will not be less than the sum of its total liabilities, other than deferred taxes, as shown in the books of account, and its capital.
Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to AGM HK only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of our subsidiaries in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
In addition, pursuant to the EIT Law and its implementation rules, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and distributed to us by our PRC subsidiaries are subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10% unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC-resident enterprises are incorporated.
Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from the operations in China may be used to pay dividends to our company.
35
Exchange Rate Information
Our financial statements are presented in United States dollar, which is the reporting currency of the Company. The functional currency of AGM Holdings, AGM Belize and AGM HK are United States dollar. The functional currency of AGM Beijing, AGM Shenzhen and AGM Nanjing are Renminbi (“RMB”). For the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are RMB, results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period, and equity is translated at historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in determining other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of income.
The consolidated balance sheet balances, with the exception of equity at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were translated at RMB 6.9437 and RMB 6.4907 to $1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from the inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 were RMB 6.6430 and RMB 6.2175 to $1.00, respectively.
Capitalization
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2016 on a pro forma as adjusted basis giving effect to the sale of the minimum and maximum offering at an assumed public offering price of $5.00 per share and to reflect the application of the proceeds after deducting the estimated placement fees. You should read this table in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and “Use of Proceeds” and “Description of Share Capital.”
Minimum
Offering (1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares)
As of
December 31, 2016 |
||||||||||||
Actual
(As restated) |
Pro forma (1) | Pro forma adjusted | ||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||
Current Assets | $ | 7,420,109 | $ | 3,939,000 | $ | 11,359,109 | ||||||
Intangible assets | 1,747,060 | 1,747,060 | ||||||||||
Property | 75,637 | 75,637 | ||||||||||
Other Assets | $ | 52,090 | $ | 52,090 | ||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 9,294,896 | $ | 3,939,000 | $ | 13,233,896 | ||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Current Liabilities | $ | 6,217,206 | $ | 6,217,206 | ||||||||
Other Liabilities | — | — | ||||||||||
Total Liabilities | $ | 6,217,206 | $ | 6,217,206 | ||||||||
Shareholder’s Equity: | ||||||||||||
Class A Ordinary Shares (20,010,000 shares issued and outstanding with par value of $0.001) | $ | 20,010 | $ | 20,010 | ||||||||
Class B Ordinary Shares (11,900,000 shares issued and outstanding with par value of $0.001) | $ | 11,900 | $ | 11,900 | ||||||||
Additional paid-in capital (2) | $ | 1,968,100 | $ | 3,939,000 | $ | 5,907,100 | ||||||
Subscription receivable | $ | (1,170,000 | ) | $ | (1,170,000 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | $ | 2,199,528 | $ | 2,199,528 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 48,152 | $ | 48,152 | ||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | $ | 3,077,690 | $ | 3,939,000 | $ | 7,016,690 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | $ | 9,294,896 | $ | 3,939,000 | $ | 13,233,896 |
____________
(1) Gives effect to the sale of the minimum offering at an assumed public offering price of $5.00 per share and reflects the application of the proceeds after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and our estimated offering expenses.
(2) Pro forma adjusted for IPO additional paid in capital reflects the net proceeds we expect to receive, after deducting underwriting discount, underwriter expense allowance and other expenses. In a minimum offering, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $3,939,000 ($5,000,000 offering, less underwriting discount of $400,000, non-accountable expense allowance of $50,000 and other accountable expenses of $75,000, and offering expenses of $536,000).
36
Maximum
Offering (1,400,000 Ordinary Share)
As of
December 31, 2016 |
||||||||||||
Actual
(As restated) |
Pro forma (1) | Pro forma adjusted | ||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||
Current Assets | $ | 7,420,109 | $ | 5,759,000 | $ | 13,179,109 | ||||||
Intangible assets | 1,747,060 | 1,747,060 | ||||||||||
Property | 75,637 | 75,637 | ||||||||||
Other Assets | $ | 52,090 | $ | 52,090 | ||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 9,294,896 | $ | 5,759,000 | $ | 15,053,896 | ||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Current Liabilities | $ | 6,217,206 | $ | 6,217,206 | ||||||||
Other Liabilities | — | — | ||||||||||
Total Liabilities | $ | 6,217,206 | $ | 6,217,206 | ||||||||
Shareholder’s Equity: | ||||||||||||
Class A Ordinary Shares (20,010,000 shares issued and outstanding with par value of $0.001) | $ | 20,010 | $ | 20,010 | ||||||||
Class B Ordinary Shares (11,900,000 shares issued and outstanding with par value of $0.001) | $ | 11,900 | $ | 11,900 | ||||||||
Additional paid-in capital (2) | $ | 1,968,100 | $ | 5,759,000 | $ | 7,727,100 | ||||||
Subscription receivable | $ | (1,170,000 | ) | $ | (1,170,000 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | $ | 2,199,528 | $ | 2,199,528 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 48,152 | $ | 48,152 | ||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | $ | 3,077,690 | $ | 5,759,000 | $ | 8,836,690 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | $ | 9,294,896 | $ | 5,759,000 | $ | 15,053,896 |
____________
(1) Gives effect to the sale of the maximum offering, as applicable, at an assumed public offering price of $5.00 per share and reflects the application of the proceeds after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and our estimated offering expenses.
(2) Pro forma adjusted for IPO additional paid in capital reflects the net proceeds we expect to receive, after deducting underwriting discount, underwriter expense allowance and other expenses. In a maximum offering, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $5,759,000 ($7,000,000 offering, less underwriting discount of $560,000, non-accountable expense allowance of $70,000 and other accountable expenses of $75,000, and offering expenses of $536,000).
37
Dilution
If you invest in our Class A Ordinary Shares, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per Ordinary Share and the pro forma net tangible book value per Ordinary Share after the offering. Dilution results from the fact that the per Ordinary Share offering price is substantially in excess of the book value per Ordinary Share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares. Our net tangible book value attributable to shareholders at December 31, 2016 was $1,330,630 or approximately $0.07 per Ordinary Share. Net tangible book value per Ordinary Share as of December 31, 2016 represents the amount of total assets less intangible assets and total liabilities, divided by the number of Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding.
If the minimum offering is sold, we will have 21,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding upon completion of the offering. Our post offering pro forma net tangible book value, which gives effect to receipt of the net proceeds from the offering and issuance of additional shares in the offering, but does not take into consideration any other changes in our net tangible book value after December 31, 2016, will be approximately $5,269,630 or $0.25 per Ordinary Share. This would result in dilution to investors in this offering of approximately $4.75 per Ordinary Share or approximately 95% from the assumed offering price of $5.00 per Ordinary Share. Net tangible book value per Ordinary Share would increase to the benefit of present shareholders by $0.18 per share attributable to the purchase of the Class A Ordinary Shares by investors in this offering.
If the maximum offering is sold, we will have 21,410,000 Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding upon completion of the offering. Our post offering pro forma net tangible book value, which gives effect to receipt of the net proceeds from the offering and issuance of additional shares in the offering, but does not take into consideration any other changes in our net tangible book value after December 31, 2016, will be approximately $7,089,630 or $0.33 per Ordinary Share. This would result in dilution to investors in this offering of approximately $4.67 per Ordinary Share or approximately 93% from the assumed offering price of $5.00 per Ordinary Share. Net tangible book value per Ordinary Share would increase to the benefit of present shareholders by $0.26 per share attributable to the purchase of the Class A Ordinary Shares by investors in this offering.
The following table sets forth the estimated net tangible book value per Ordinary Share after the offering and the dilution to persons purchasing Class A Ordinary Shares based on the foregoing minimum and maximum offering assumptions.
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Maximum
|
||
Assumed offering price per Ordinary Share |
|
$ |
5.00 |
|
$ |
5.00 |
Net tangible book value per Ordinary Share before the offering |
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
$ |
0.07 |
Increase per Ordinary Share attributable to payments by new investors |
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
$ |
0.26 |
Pro forma net tangible book value per Ordinary Share after the offering |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
$ |
0.33 |
Dilution per Ordinary Share to new investors |
|
$ |
4.75 |
|
$ |
4.67 |
____________
(1) Assumes gross proceeds from offering of 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares.
(2) Assumes gross proceeds from offering of 1,400,000 Class A Ordinary Shares.
38
Post-Offering Ownership
The following chart illustrates our pro forma proportionate ownership, upon completion of the offering under alternative minimum and maximum offering assumptions, by present shareholders and investors in this offering, compared to the relative amounts paid by each. The charts reflect payment by present shareholders as of the date the consideration was received and by investors in this offering at the offering price without deduction of commissions or expenses. The charts further assume no changes in net tangible book value other than those resulting from the offering.
|
|
Shares Purchased |
|
Total Consideration |
|
Average Price |
||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
Percent |
|
Amount |
|
Percent |
|
Per Share |
||||
MINIMUM OFFERING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Existing shareholders |
|
20,010,000 |
|
95.2 |
% |
|
$ |
2,000,000 |
|
29.6 |
% |
|
$ |
0.10 |
New investors |
|
1,000,000 |
|
4.8 |
% |
|
$ |
5,000,000 |
|
71.4 |
% |
|
$ |
5.00 |
Total |
|
21,010,000 |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
7,000,000 |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
|
Shares Purchased |
|
Total Consideration |
|
Average Price |
||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
Percent |
|
Amount |
|
Percent |
|
Per Share |
||||
MAXIMUM OFFERING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Existing shareholders |
|
20,010,000 |
|
93.5 |
% |
|
$ |
2,000,000 |
|
22.2 |
% |
|
$ |
0.10 |
New investors |
|
1,400,000 |
|
6.5 |
% |
|
$ |
7,000,000 |
|
77.8 |
% |
|
$ |
5.00 |
Total |
|
21,410,000 |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
9,000,000 |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
0.42 |
39
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear in this prospectus. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in “Risk Factors.” All amounts included herein with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from the inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from the inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or US GAAP.
Overview
Incorporated on April 27, 2015, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), we see ourselves as a financial technology company and financial solutions provider, focused on delivering innovative trading platform solutions and technologies that enable brokers and institutional clients to have a better user experience. We strive to become a one-stop solution provider that focuses on providing financial technology service to brokers and institutional clients. We are primarily engaged in three core business: (i) online trading platform application service for institutional clients; (ii) forex trading brokerage service; and (iii) program trading application technology and management service.
We provide online trading platform application service for institutional clients and wealth management service through our subsidiary AGM HK, AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing, and our forex trading brokerage service through AGM Belize.
Online trading platform application service for institutional clients
Online trading platform application service generates 89.5% of all the total revenue. We provide our trading platform application services through cloud computing or also commonly known as Software as a Service (“SaaS”) approach. Revenue from our online trading platform application service consist of three components: 1) service fees for usage of online trading application based on trading volumes of the forex trading transactions; 2) initial trading application setup fees; and 3) ongoing service support fees. Service fees based on trading volumes account for majority of the revenue and initial setup fees and ongoing service support fees only account for a small portion of the revenue from this service line.
AGM Belize holds licenses to a core trading platform known as the MetaTrader (“Core Trading Platform”), which we believe is the most widely-used platform for trading forex, analyzing financial markets and using automatic programing tools. The license agreements between AGM Belize and MetaQuotes Software Corp. (“MetaQuotes”) regarding the Core Trading Platform are non-exclusive licenses with the right to download, install and use the Core Trading Platform. MetaQuotes delivered to AGM Belize the main server, proxy server, history server, access server, manager/dealer workstation, administrator workstation, client terminal, backup replication service and the Manager API, Server API, Datafeed API, report API, Gateway API and Web API. AGM Belize is licensed to develop programs based on the APIs.
AGM Belize contracts with AGM HK, which signs contracts with our customers and then contracts with AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing to conduct customized development and integration. We integrated the core trading platform with functional modules that fit local clients changing demands. Products of the customized development include, but not limited to, modules and applications that enable clients to have a multiple accounts management system, a bridge engine to straight through process their orders directly to the clearing counterparty, and a sophisticated client relationship management system. Once a client requests online trading access application service from AGM HK, AGM HK will contract the service to AGM Beijing, which will then be responsible for initial online trading software application setup, service monitoring and maintenance and supports, etc. Our clients are able to trade more than 80 products on our trading platform, including foreign exchanges, precious metal, etc., all of which are based on spot trading contract.
40
Forex trading brokerage service
Our subsidiary AGM Belize is a retail forex broker licensed to provide forex trading service by International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC) under the license number IFSC/60/448/FX/17 (the “IFSC License”). We also provide our users with trading in spot precious metals and spot oil because spot precious metals and spot oils are conventionally categorized as spot forex. In the spot market, spot precious metals and spot oil are usually categorized as spot forex because spot precious metals and spot oil transactions are usually denominated in more than one currency, which results in the same profit calculation and margin calculation specifications applying to the contract of spot precious metals and spot oil as well as the contract of spot forex. Additionally, IFSC only provide two types of license regarding brokerage trading service, which are trading in foreign exchange services and trading in securities services. See http://www.ifsc.gov.bz/licensed-service-providers/. Because we believe that spot precious metals and spot oil should not be categorized as securities, our IFSC License for trading in foreign exchange should cover spot precious metals and spot oil. Furthermore, according to the item 11 and 18 in the IFSC License, filed herein as exhibit 10.6, we can provide our products according to the products offered by our licensed clearing counterparties. London Multi Asset Exchange (“LMAX Exchange”), a UK FCA regulated leading Multilateral Trading Facility for foreign exchange and one of our clearing counterparties, offers products including spot precious metals and spot oils, and categorizes them as spot forex. Last but not least, it is a common practice in the forex trading industry to categorize spot precious metals and spot oil as spot forex. For example, Koderan International Markets Limited, Belize, (at http://www.koderan.com/en-us/trade/forex.php) and ZB Forex Ltd., Belize, (at http://www.zbforex.com/en/), and Decode Global Ltd. Belize (http://www.decfx.com/) all provide with trading in spot precious metal and spot oil while they only have brokerage service license in foreign exchange from IFSC. Therefore, IFSC allows us to provide trading in spot metals and spot oil.
In general, our Belize IFSC License allow us to provide forex trading service in a jurisdiction unless such jurisdiction requires local license for such purpose. Belize IFSC license term 21 specifies “The licensee shall not offer or transact any trading with a resident of a country who laws require a local license for this purpose, without obtaining such a license.” Substantially all of AGM Belize’s customers are residents of the PRC and the current PRC laws does not require local license for a retail forex broker to provide forex trading service. Each of our PRC subsidiaries only provides customers with software solution services that are outsourced by our Hong Kong subsidiary AGM Technology Limited, and does not engage in forex trading brokerage services in the PRC, the PRC licensing requirements do not apply to our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, our subsidiary AGM Australia is applying for the necessary license with the Australian authority. We do not believe that we will need a license in Malaysia because we plan to establish our Malaysia office only to provide IT service for AGM HK and AGM Belize. The revenue of forex trading brokerage service includes forex trading brokerage fees and commissions.
Program trading application technology and management service
We provide our program trading application technology and management service by integrating our in-house algorithm application with the core trading system and package into a module to the core trading system. The module that we package to our current core trading system is called Expert Advisors. It enables traders to automatically execute the trades on a live account. Expert Advisors is very flexible and can take any information into account that is available on the Core Trading Platform. The revenue of program trading application technology and management service refers to the commissions based on profit of client’s investment managed by our intelligent trading system.
We provide to our institutional client and brokers with clearing house connection service by the following technologies: FIX4.0-4.4 protocol, CQG API, Integral API, Currenex API, Liquidity providers we support include but not limited to: Barclays, OANDA, Interactive Brokers, CFH Clearing, LMAX Exchange, Dukascopy Swiss Forex Bank & Marketplace, SAXO Capital Markets, and Sucden Financial, etc.
Our services are also available to the users on their mobile devices. Users can download the Core Trading Platform’s mobile application, search our brand name under “AGM Group” and have access to our services.
To ensure our ability to provide unique online trading application services, we have a professional team of engineers working on web service and software development, integration and customization. We have integrated and customized developed management supporting system, user office management software and multi-account trading system with the Core Trading System. As of December 31, 2016, AGM Beijing has purchased and registered with the National Copyright Administration of PRC, three copyrights: (i) Management Supporting System for a fifty-year
41
authorized use time starting on December 7, 2016, (ii) User Office Management Software for a fifty-year authorized use time starting on December 7, 2016, and (iii) Multi Account Trading System for a fifty-year authorized use time starting on December 30, 2016. Copyright protection are granted in PRC. The purchase price of these copyrights is a total of US$1,747,060. We utilize the copyrighted software to design and integrate our service and interface.
Our management team is comprised of a group of people who are experienced in the areas of finance, IT, software R&D and marketing. We have a total of 111 full-time employees supporting in five departments. We have 76 employees in the Research and Development Department, which is the core of our innovation and business, and is supported by the 5 employees from the Financial Department and 6 employees the Human Resource and Administration Department. Additionally, all of our services are marketed and promulgated through our Operation Department, which is consisted of 7 employees in the marketing group, 8 employees in the transaction group, 4 employees in the risk management group and 4 employees in the business group. Finally, we have 1 employee in our Compliance Department, scrutinizing the Forex trading brokerage service provided by AGM Belize.
Over the past years, we have seen significant growth of our revenue and market share. In summary, we generated a revenue and net income of $7,704,820 and $3,133,530, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, during which we didn’t generated any revenue and incurred a loss of $150,620.
Our business, a substantial majority of which is composed of our online trading platform application service, is not subject to PRC foreign investment and ownership restrictions. Substantially all of our business operations and research and development are conducted in the China. Also, substantially all of our employees are located in China.
42
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016 and the Period from Inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015
The following table presents an overview of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015:
(Amounts expressed in U.S. dollars)
|
|
For the Year
|
|
For the
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
4,599,385 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Revenues – trading |
|
|
384,499 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Revenues – related party |
|
|
2,720,936 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
7,704,820 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
1,301,696 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Gross profit (loss) |
|
|
6,403,124 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research & development expense |
|
|
1,283,103 |
|
|
|
111,135 |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
1,983,407 |
|
|
|
39,313 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
3,266,510 |
|
|
|
150,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations |
|
|
3,136,614 |
|
|
|
(150,448 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
599 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Bank service charge |
|
|
(3,597 |
) |
|
|
(174 |
) |
Other income (expense), net |
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
(3,084 |
) |
|
|
(172 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
3,133,530 |
|
|
|
(150,620 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes |
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
2,350,148 |
|
|
|
(150,620 |
) |
Revenue:
|
|
For the Year
|
|
For the Period
|
||
Online Trading Platform Software |
|
$ |
6,888,311 |
|
|
— |
Percentage Per Total |
|
|
89.5 |
% |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forex Brokerage Fee and Commission |
|
|
384,499 |
|
|
— |
Percentage Per Total |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expert advisory service |
|
|
437,478 |
|
|
— |
Percentage Per Total |
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales Tax |
|
|
-5,468 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
7,704,820 |
|
|
— |
43
We didn’t generate revenue in 2015, because we were incorporated in 2015 and majority of the activities were focused on Research and Development in 2015. We generated $7,704,820 in revenue for the fiscal year ended December 3, 2016. The revenue is primarily generated from:
(i) Online trading access application service
Online trading platform application service generates 89.5% of all the total revenue. It consists of three components: 1) service fees for usage of online trading application based on trading volumes of the forex trading transactions; 2) initial trading application setup fees; and 3) ongoing service support fees.
(ii) Forex trading brokerage service
Our subsidiary AGM Belize is a retail forex broker licensed to provide forex trading service by International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC) under the license number IFSC/60/448/FX/17 (the “IFSC License”). It provides trading service for forex, precious metals and oil spot contracts. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business and Industry — If AGM Belize is not licensed to provide brokerage service in trading in spot precious metals or spot oil, our IFSC License might be revoked.” The revenue of forex trading brokerage service includes forex trading brokerage fees and commissions.
(iii) Program trading application technology and management service
We provide our program trading application technology and management service by integrating our in-house algorithm application with the core trading system and package into a module to the core trading system. The module that we package to our current core trading system is called Expert Advisors. It enables traders to automatically execute the trades on a live account. Expert Advisors is very flexible and can take any information into account that is available on the Core Trading Platform. The revenue of program trading application technology and management service refers to the commission on profit of client’s investment managed by our intelligent trading system.
Our online trading access application service generate the most revenue during 2016. Revenue from this service accounts for 89.5% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. Revenue generated from forex trading brokerage service accounted for 9.5% of the total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. Revenue from expert advising service for 5.5% of the total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016.
General and Administrative expenses
We incurred $1,983,407 in general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $39,313 for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. General and administrative expenses increased by $1,944,094 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. This significant increase was primarily due to expansion of our business and increase in regulatory compliance and filing.
Research and Development Expenses
We incurred $1,283,103 in research and development expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $111,135 for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. R&D expenses increased by $1,171,968 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to the hiring of additional R&D staff.
Income from operations
As a result of the factors described above, operating income was $3,136,614 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, compared to operating loss of $150,448 for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, an increase in operating income of $3,287,062.
Other expenses
Our total other expenses were $3,084 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the total other expenses of $172 for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, an increase in other expense of $2,912.
44
Income Tax
Our subsidiaries in China incurred net loss, and AGM HK and AGM Belize were exempted from income tax for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. However, we have recorded a liability of $783,382 in relation to uncertain tax positions for the uncertainty surrounding the PRC residency of our non-PRC entities for the year ended December 31, 2016. We did not incur income tax expense for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 due to limited business activity.
Net Income
As a result of the factors described above, our net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 was $2,350,148, compared to net loss of $150,620 for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, an increase in net income of $2,500,768.
Foreign currency translation
Our financial statements are presented in United States dollar, which is the reporting currency of the Company. The functional currency of AGM Holdings, AGM Belize and AGM HK are United States dollar. The functional currency of AGM Beijing, AGM Shenzhen and AGM Nanjing are Renminbi (“RMB”). For the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are RMB, results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period, and equity is translated at historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in determining other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of income.
The consolidated balance sheet balances, with the exception of equity at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were translated at RMB 6.9437 and RMB 6.4907 to $1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from the inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 were RMB 6.6430 and RMB 6.2175 to $1.00, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4,244,353 and $8,989 respectively. As of June 30, 2017, we have approximately $7,580,000 in our current cash account. As a result, we believe that our current cash and cash to be generated from our operations will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs for at least the next twelve months. We are not dependent upon the access to borrow loans from our related parties. We are also not dependent upon this offering to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months. However, we plan to expand our business to implement our growth strategies to broaden our service and strengthen our position in the marketplace. To do so, we will need more capital through equity financing to increase our production and meet market demands.
Under applicable Hong Kong regulations, AGM HK may pay dividends to AGM Holdings only out of profits available for distribution. Withholding tax regarding dividends is exempted in Hong Kong.
Under applicable Belize regulations, AGM Belize is permitted to pay dividends in money, shares or other property, but only out of surplus. No dividend shall be declared and paid unless the directors determine that immediately after the payment of the dividend, (i) the company will be able to satisfy its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business; and (ii) the realizable value of the assets of the company will not be less than the sum of its total liabilities, other than deferred taxes, as shown in the books of account, and its capital.
Under applicable PRC regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our Chinese subsidiary is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Our board of directors also have the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits to staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be distributed to equity owners except in the event of liquidation.
As of December 31, 2016, we have a total of $4,244,353 in cash, among which $246,955 (RMB 1,714,781) was held inside the PRC, and $3,997,398 was held outside of the PRC. We have not transferred and do not plan to transfer
45
our cash in RMB outside of PRC in order to avoid unnecessary currency exchange cost. Our subsidiaries in PRC incurs expenses from time to time, and we have spent and plan to spend our cash in RMB to cover those expenses.
With respect to retained earnings accrued after such date, our Board of Directors may declare dividends after taking into account our operations, earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability and other factors as it may deem relevant at such time. Any declaration and payment, as well as the amount, of dividends will be subject to our By-Laws, charter and applicable Chinese and U.S. state and federal laws and regulations, including the approval from the shareholders of each subsidiary which intends to declare such dividends, if applicable. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Initial Public Offering and Ownership of Our Class A Ordinary Shares — We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.”
The net proceeds from this offering must be remitted to China before we will be able to use the funds to grow our business. The procedure to remit funds may take several months after completion of this offering, and we will be unable to use the funds in China until remittance is completed. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — We must remit the offering proceeds to the PRC before they may be used to benefit our business in the PRC, and this process may take a number of months.”
Cash Flow Summary
|
|
For the Fiscal
|
|
For the Period
|
||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
$ |
1,390,666 |
|
|
$ |
(29,344 |
) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
(1,931,187 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
4,787,271 |
|
|
|
38,728 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
(11,386 |
) |
|
|
(395 |
) |
Net increase in cash |
|
$ |
4,235,364 |
|
|
$ |
8,989 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
8,989 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
4,244,353 |
|
|
$ |
8,989 |
|
We have cash and cash equivalents held in bank accounts in the following countries (regions):
Country (Region) |
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||
China (Mainland) |
|
$ |
246,955 |
|
$ |
8,989 |
China (Hong Kong) |
|
|
506,904 |
|
|
— |
Singapore |
|
|
1,075,495 |
|
|
— |
Denmark |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
— |
UK |
|
|
2,264,499 |
|
|
— |
USA |
|
|
100,500 |
|
|
— |
Total |
|
$ |
4,244,353 |
|
$ |
8,989 |
Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $1,390,666, which was primarily attributable to a net income of $2,350,148, and $25,984 in depreciation and amortization. The primary driver of the net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was revenue from our online trading application service line, which accounted for 89.5% of our total revenue in 2016.
The adjustments for changes in non-cash working capital mainly included (i) accounts receivable related to recent service subscriptions in $1,700,318, (ii) related party accounts receivable related to recent service subscriptions in $247,000, (iii) deferred assets for $128,801, (iv) other receivables in $208,118, (v) other assets — deposit in $54,448, (vi) advances to suppliers in $2,114, (vii) accounts payable in $175,248, (viii) advance from customers in $201,828, (ix) salary payable in $165,891, (x) tax payable in $13,756, (xi) transaction monetary assets held for
46
clients in $900,498, (xii) deposit payable in $900,498, and (xiii) other liabilities in $794,382, (xiv) depreciation and amortization of $25,984. Cash received from deposit payable is held on behalf of our clients to fund client liabilities in connection with trading positions. This fund is not available for funding the operations of the Company.
Net cash used in operating activities for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 was $29,344, which was primarily due to a net loss of $150,620. The Adjustments for changes in non-cash working capital included (1) advance to suppliers in $2,258, (ii) other receivables in $116, (iii) salary payable in $115,312 and (iv) tax payable in $8,338.
Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities was $1,931,187 for the year ended December 31, 2016. It was primarily attributable to: (i) the purchase of office equipment for $89,698 and (ii) the purchase of intangible assets for $1,841,489.
There was no cash used in or provided by investing activities for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. It was primarily due to limited investing activities.
Financing Activities:
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $4,787,271 for the year ended December 31, 2016. It was primarily attributable to related party borrowings for an amount of $3,957,271 and capital contribution from shareholders of $830,000.
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $38,728 for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. It was primarily attributable to related party borrowing for an amount of $38,718, plus capital contribution from shareholders for an amount of $10.
Credit Facility
We mainly finance our operations through proceeds borrowed from related parties. Related party account payable includes:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||
Zhentao Jiang (1) |
|
$ |
3,869,836 |
|
$ |
37,229 |
Total |
|
$ |
3,869,836 |
|
$ |
37,229 |
____________
(1) The balance of due to related party represents expenses totaling $129,810 (2015: $37,229) incurred in the ordinary course that were paid by Zhentao Jiang, Chairman of the Board of Directors and principal shareholder, on behalf of the Company as well as three loans totaling $3,740,026 that the Company obtained from Zhentao Jiang for working capital purpose.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into three advance agreements with Zhentao Jiang, allowing the Company to borrow unsecured and interest-free loans. The balances and material terms of the three loan advance agreements are summarizes below:
(i) Under the advance agreement between Zhentao Jiang (the “Lender”) and AGM Beijing (the “Borrower”), which dated January 1, 2016,
• The borrowed money shall be used for business activities of the Borrower only.
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed RMB 15,000,000 (USD 2,160,232).
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of the national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017.
• The repayment date is December 31, 2017.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $1,843,964 as of December 31, 2016.
(ii) Under the advance agreement between Zhentao Jiang the “Lender” and AGM Group Holdings Inc. (the “Borrower”), which dated July 3, 2016,
• The borrowed money shall be used for business activities of the Borrower only.
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed USD 1,200,000.
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from July 3, 2016 to July 2, 2018.
• The repayment date is July 2, 2018.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $1,003,166 as of December 31, 2016.
47
(iii) Under the advance agreement between Zhentao Jiang (the “Lender”) and AGM Shenzhen (the “Borrower”), which dated July 3, 2016,
• The borrowed money shall be used for business activities of the Borrower only.
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed RMB 8,000,000 (USD 1,152,124).
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from July 3, 2016 to July 2, 2018.
• The repayment date is July 2, 2018.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $892,896 as of December 31, 2016.
On May 4, 2017, the Company repaid $1,003,166 of its related party loan due to Zhentao Jiang. As of the date of the prospectus, the remaining balance due to Zhentao Jiang is $2,866,670.
On January 1, 2017, the Company entered into a 2-year term advance agreement with the Company’s CEO and shareholder, Wenji Tang, allowing the Company to borrow unsecured and interest-free loan up to the amount of RMB15,000,000 ($2,160,232) from the CEO during fiscal 2017. The Company shall repay the CEO for any amount outstanding at the maturity date of December 31, 2018. The Company has subsequently drawn down RMB8,413,548 ($1,247,117).
Lease commitments
Lease Term |
|
Address |
|
Space
|
|
Monthly
|
|
Purpose |
December 27, 2016 to
|
|
Baiziyuan Building No. 6, room 606, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
75 |
|
6,290 |
|
Residential – Employees’ Dormitory |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 25, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2211 and 2212, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
377 |
|
50,000 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 5, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2111, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
186 |
|
27,500 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 1, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2103, Block 6, No.93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
124 |
|
22,500 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 1, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2605, 2606, and 2607, Block C Media Center, No.4 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
479 |
|
161,620 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 6, 2016 to
|
|
No.8 Ronghua zhong Road, Beijing Economic and Technology Development Zone, Beijing City, PRC |
|
420 |
|
56,162 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 15, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2112, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. |
|
178 |
|
25,000 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From the end of 2016, with terms from six months to one year |
|
Five employees’ dormitories located in Nanjing city and one employees’ dormitory located in Beijing city |
|
N/A |
|
54,200 |
|
Residential – Employees’ Dormitory |
We do not have any lease commitment in 2015, primarily due to limited operating activities.
48
On December 27, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Ziru living assets management Co., Ltd. to lease a 75 square-meter room for dormitory, located at Baiziyuan Building No. 6, room 606, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 27, 2016 with a term of one year. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 6,290 per month.
On December 25, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Jinqiao Lida investment consulting Co., Ltd. to lease a 377 square-meter office space, located at Room 2211 and 2212, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 25, 2016 with a term of six months. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 50,000 per month.
On November 15, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Gang Liu to lease a 186 square-meter office space, located at Room 2111, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 5, 2016 with a term of six months. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 27,500 per month.
On August 16, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Shulin Liu to lease a 124 square-meters office space, located at Room 2103, Block 6, No.93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018. According to the lease, the rent is RMB 22,500 per month.
On March 18, 2016 and June 3, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement and a supplementary lease agreement with Beijing oriental media properties Limited respectively, to lease a 479 square-meter office space, located at Room 2605, 2606, and 2607, Block C Media Center, No.4 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2018. According to the lease, the rent is RMB 161,620 per month.
On March 6, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Zhumian Gong to lease a 420 square-meter office space, located at No.8 Ronghua zhong Road, Beijing Economic and Technology Development Zone, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from March 6, 2016 to March 5, 2019. According to the lease, the rent is RMB 56,162 per month.
On April 15, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Terry Henderson real estate brokerage Co., Ltd. to lease a 187 square-meter office space, located at Room 2112, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from April 15, 2016 with a term of one year. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 25,000 per month.
At the end of 2016, the Company entered into six lease agreements for six employees’ dormitories, five of the dormitories located in Nanjing city and the other one located in Beijing city. These leases cover lease terms from six months to 1 year. The total rent is RMB54,200 per months.
The above operating lease commitments are summarized as follows.
|
|
Commitment amount |
|||
|
|
RMB |
|
USD |
|
Year of 2017 |
|
RMB 3,751,025 |
|
$ |
540,206 |
Year of 2018 |
|
1,338,804 |
|
|
192,808 |
Year of 2019 |
|
112,324 |
|
|
16,176 |
|
|
RMB 5,202,153 |
|
$ |
749,190 |
Off-balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements
There were no off-balance sheet arrangements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, or that in the opinion of management are likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
We believe it is helpful for investors to understand the critical accounting policies underlying our financial statements. Please refer to Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Prospectus for details of our critical accounting policies.
49
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As of the latest fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we had immaterial derivative financial instruments (open FX positions with a total fair value of $34,652) and did not have any derivative commodity instruments. Our other financial instruments (e.g. cash equivalents, transaction monetary assets held for clients, accounts receivable, other receivable, accounts payable, due to related party and other payables) are exposed to certain market risk such as foreign currency risk and interest rate risk. Our overall risk management program focuses on preservation of capital and the unpredictability of financial markets and has sought to minimize potential adverse effects on our financial performance and position. Our other financial instruments primarily include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable for whose carrying values approximate to their fair value due to the short term nature of these balances. Therefore, we do not expect our other financial instruments to be exposed to material impacts from market risk. However, we have still summarized the relevant market risk and its potential impacts to our other financial instruments as below:
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
While our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar, some of our consolidated financial liability instruments are in the functional currency of RMB. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the U.S. Dollar, the value of our RMB liabilities as expressed in our U.S. Dollar financial statements will decline. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates at the balance sheet dates and revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates and stockholders’ equity is translated at historical exchange rates. Any resulting translation adjustments are not included in determining net income but are included in determining other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk.
The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Since July 2005, the RMB has not been pegged to the U.S. dollar and, although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar or the Euro in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future, PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in RMB exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market. Although the RMB strengthened against the U.S. dollar over the last five years, the RMB’s significant weakening against the U.S. dollar since July 2015 has largely undone such prior increases.
We estimated that as of December 31, 2016, a 10% appreciation/depreciation in RMB against the U.S. dollar would have resulted in an increase/decrease of $396,125 (2015: $15,234) to our financial liabilities 1 denominated in RMB and would have resulted in a corresponding decrease/increase in our consolidated comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our financial assets denominated in RMB were immaterial 2 and therefore will not be subject to material market risk.
Interest Rate Risk
The company’s exposure to changes in market interest rates, related primarily to the Company’s earned interest income on cash deposits in financial institutions. The Company maintains a balance between the liquidity of cash assets and the interest rate return thereon. The carrying amount of financial assets, net of any provisions of losses, represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk.
As of December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4,244,353. These cash and cash equivalents did not earn significant interest income due to low saving interest rates and therefore were not subject to material market risk. Should an immediate change to these interest rates by 100-basis points, it would have resulted in a change in market value of $42,444 to these cash and cash equivalents. We had immaterial cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015. Therefore, they were subject to immaterial market risk.
As of December 31, 2016, we had three long-term loans and they were all advanced from a related party. The total balance of these long-term loans was $3,740,026 and they are all interest free and payable on either December 31, 2017 or July 2, 2018. As these loans are interest free, they are not subject to interest rate risk. We do not have any long-term loans or other long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2015.
____________
1 (These include accounts payable, salary payable, due to related party, tax payable and other liabilities.)
2 (Financial assets denominated in RMB were only $350,303 and $9,090 respectively for the period ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.)
50
Business
Overview
Incorporated on April 27, 2015, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), we strive to become a one-stop shop that focuses on providing financial technology service to brokers, and institutional clients. We are primarily engaged in three core business: (i) online trading platform application service for institutional clients; (ii) forex trading brokerage service; and (iii) program trading application technology and management service. We provide online trading platform application service for institutional clients and program trading application technology and management service through our subsidiary AGM HK, AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing, and our forex trading brokerage service through AGM Belize. As a group, we integrate innovations with high-quality services. We see ourselves as a financial technology company and financial solutions provider, focused on delivering innovative solutions and technologies that enable brokers and institutional clients to get better user experience.
Our business, a substantial majority of which is composed of our online trading platform application service, is not subject to PRC foreign investment and ownership restrictions. Substantially all of our business operations and research and development are conducted in the China. Also, substantially all of our employees are located in China. Our team is comprised of a group of people who are experienced in the areas of finance, IT, software R&D and marketing. We have a total of 111 full-time employees supporting in five departments. We have 76 employees in the Research and Development Department, which is the core of our innovation and business, and is supported by the 5 employees from the Financial Department and 6 employees the Human Resource and Administration Department. Additionally, all of our services are marketed and promulgated through our Operation Department, which is consisted of 7 employees in the marketing group, 8 employees in the transaction group, 4 employees in the risk management group and 4 employees in the business group. Finally, we have 1 employee in our Compliance Department, scrutinizing the Forex trading brokerage service provided by AGM Belize.
We promote our brand through direct communications with potential clients and referrals. In addition, we tailor our services to meet the needs of our clients and provide them with competitive pricing to establish long-term business relationships. We take pride in the cutting-edge technology and superb quality of our services.
Our services provided to institutional customer focuses mainly on providing foreign exchange access service. These institutional clients include foreign exchange brokers, precious metals brokers, and small-sized asset management companies, who trade spot contracts that have the same trading rules and calculation methods as foreign exchange spot contracts. Our clients do not conduct trading in stocks, futures or any other assets classes. Specifically, foreign exchange brokers normally provide trading of precious metals spot contracts because the trading rules and calculation methods are almost the same between precious metals spot contracts and foreign exchange spot contracts. On the other hand, in Asia, customers of brokers are more receptive to the trading of precious metals. That’s why the precious metals brokers, by using our trading system and trading access service, provide to those customers with the trading of precious metals spot contracts, but not foreign exchange spot contracts. Additionally, the small-sized asset management companies specifically trade foreign exchange spot contracts through our trading system software and service.
Industry Overview
The foreign exchange market is the largest and most liquid financial market in the world. The trading volume in forex market is on a continuous growth. The increase is due to a number of factors: the growing importance of forex as an asset class, the increased trading activities of high-frequency traders, and the emergence of retail investors as an important market segment. The growth of electronic online trading and the diverse selection of trading venues has lowered transaction costs, increased market liquidity, and attracted greater participation form different customer types. Trading via online portals has made it easier for retail traders to trade in the foreign exchange market. More brokers and institutions start to offer Forex trading platform due to huge market demands.
On the other hand, brokers and institutions need also to serve the changing demands of using social networks and mobile phone from their ultimate clients. Such technologies allow consumers to access high quality information that they were not able to find form traditional financial institution. Brokers and traditional financial institutions are integrating themselves with Fintech companies because we are able to meet client’s needs and to provide clients better experience with innovative technology.
51
Fintech is an industry on its rapid growth. The global investment into Fintech from 2010 to 2015 totaled $49.7 billion, with $12.7 billion, 25% of the total amount, invested in the first two quarters in 2015. Fintech global investment continues to grow, with $3 billion in 2013, to over $12 billion in 2014, $19 billion in 2015, and $15 billion by mid-August 2016. On the other hand, over 80% of financial institutions believe business is at risk to Fintech innovators, and among them 82% expect to increase Fintech partnerships in the next three to five years.
Corporate Structure
Below is a chart illustrating our current corporate structure:
AGM Group Holdings Inc. (“AGM Holdings”) was incorporated on April 27, 2015 under the law of British Virgin Islands (“BVI”).
AGM Technology Limited (“AGM HK”) was incorporated on May 21, 2015 under the law of Hong Kong. AGM HK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity is providing our core service to customers.
52
AGM Group, Ltd. (“AGM Belize”) was incorporated on August 28, 2015 under the law of Belize. AGM Belize is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity is trading in forex service.
Shenzhen AnGaoMeng Financial Technology Service Co. Ltd. (“AGM Shenzhen”) was incorporated on October 13, 2015 in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM HK and a wholly foreign-owned entity under the PRC laws, AGM Shenzhen’s registered capital is RMB 1,000,000. AGM Shenzhen was incorporated for the purpose of being a holding company for the equity interests in PRC. AGM Shenzhen did not conduct any operations or own any material assets or liabilities except for cash, insignificant expense and the 100% of the equity interests in AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing. AGM Shenzhen was incorporated in Shenzhen because Shenzhen is geographically close to Hong Kong, where our subsidiary AGM HK was incorporated. AGM Shenzhen will rely on AGM HK in the future to carry out its business.
Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co. Ltd. (“AGM Beijing”) was incorporated on November 13, 2015 in Beijing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. AGM Beijing’s registered capital is RMB 5,000,000. Through equity transfers, AGM Beijing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen and its principal activities include (i) technology promotion and (ii) data processing. AGM Beijing holds an ICP filing for our integrated online trading platform. AGM Beijing was incorporated in Beijing because almost all of our employees were and still are located in Beijing. In order to comply with the PRC law regarding employee’s social benefits, which are regulated separately in each city or province, it is more practical for us to locate our office in Beijing so that we can pay for the employees’ social benefits with the local government agency.
Nanjing XinGaoMeng Software Technology Limited (“AGM Nanjing”) was incorporated on September 28, 2016 in Nanjing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. AGM Nanjing’s registered capital is RMB 1,000,000. Through equity transfers, AGM Nanjing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen and its principal activities include (i) software design, technology transfer, technology consulting, technology promotion and (ii) data processing. AGM Nanjing was incorporated in Nanjing because Nanjing is geographically in the Yangtze River Delta and is close to Shanghai. We plan to expand our services to the market in the Yangtze River Delta through AGM Nanjing.
AGM Software Service LTD (“AGM Software”) was incorporated on June 14, 2017 under the laws of BVI. AGM Software is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity will be assisting AGM HK in providing our core technology services to customers.
AGMTrade UK LTD. (“AGM UK”) was incorporated on July 18, 2017 under the law of England and Wales. AGM UK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its principal activity will be advertising on a global scale, and providing our core technology services and consulting services to our customers. AGM UK was incorporated in the United Kingdom because we have discovered potential customers in the UK.
AGM Trade Global PTY LTD (“AGM Australia”) was incorporated on July 25, 2017 under the law of Australia. AGM Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings. It was formed with the vision to possibly expand our service to customers located in Australia.
AGMClub Service Limited (“AGMClub”) was incorporated on August 14, 2017 under the law of Hong Kong. AGMClub is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings and its primary activity is to provide online marketing on a global scale, including the greater China area.
Our PRC subsidiaries were formed because substantially all of our employees and management are located in China. Most of our revenues are generated through the business of our subsidiary, AGM Technology Limited, a Hong Kong SAR limited liability (“AGM HK”), in order to reduce the cost of conducting business. AGM HK then outsources the software solution services to our subsidiaries within the PRC, where the operation cost, including lease and labor, is much lower than that of Hong Kong. By including these subsidiaries as part of our corporate structure, we are able to both retain all of the revenue of the contracts signed by AGM HK through our consolidated financial statements and significantly cut down our operation cost at the same time. This corporate structure provides us with competitive advantage to maintain our profitability. Additionally, each of our PRC subsidiaries, AGM Shenzhen, AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing, only provides software solution services and does not engage in financial service or internet service. Because AGM HK is not located within the PRC, we do not believe our business is subject to PRC foreign investment and ownership restrictions.
53
Our Core Services
We provide our service through three services lines: (i) online trading platform application service for institutional clients; (ii) forex trading brokerage service; and (iii) program trading application technology and management service.
Online trading platform application service for institutional clients
Online trading platform application service generates 89.5% of all the total revenue. We provide our trading platform application services through cloud computing or commonly known as Software as a Service (“SaaS”) approach. Revenue from our online trading platform application service consist of three components: 1) service fees for usage of online trading application based on trading volumes of the forex trading transactions; 2) initial trading application setup fees; and 3) ongoing service support fees. Service fees based on trading volumes account for majority of the revenue and initial setup fees and ongoing service support fees only account for a small portion of the revenue from this service line.
AGM Belize holds licenses to a core trading platform known as the MetaTrader (“Core Trading Platform”), which we believe is the most widely-used platform for trading forex, analyzing financial markets and using automatic programing tools. The license agreements between AGM Belize and MetaQuotes Software Corp. (“MetaQuotes”) regarding the Core Trading Platform are non-exclusive licenses with the right to download, install and use the Core Trading Platform. MetaQuotes delivered to AGM Belize the main server, proxy server, history server, access server, manager/dealer workstation, administrator workstation, client terminal, backup replication service and the Manager API, Server API, Datafeed API, report API, Gateway API and Web API. AGM Belize is licensed to develop programs based on the APIs.
AGM Belize contracts with AGM HK, which signs contracts with our customers and then contracts with AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing to conduct customized development and integration. We integrated the core trading platform with functional modules that fit local clients changing demands. Products of the customized development include, but not limited to, modules and applications that enable clients to have a multiple accounts management system, a bridge engine to straight through process their orders directly to the clearing counterparty, and a sophisticated client relationship management system. Once a client requests online trading access application service from AGM HK, AGM HK will contract the service to AGM Beijing, which will then be responsible for initial online trading software application setup, service monitoring and maintenance and supports, etc. Our clients are able to trade more than 80 products on our trading platform, including foreign exchanges, precious metal, etc., all of which are based on spot trading contract.
Forex trading brokerage service
Our subsidiary AGM Belize is a retail forex broker licensed to provide forex trading service by International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC) under the license number 60/448/FX/17 (the “IFSC License”). We also provide our users with trading in spot precious metals and spot oil because spot precious metals and spot oils are conventionally categorized as spot forex. In the spot market, spot precious metals and spot oil are usually categorized as spot forex because spot precious metals and spot oil transactions are usually denominated in more than one currency, which results in the same profit calculation and margin calculation specifications applying to the contract of spot precious metals and spot oil as well as the contract of spot forex. Additionally, IFSC only provide two types of license regarding brokerage trading service, which are trading in foreign exchange services and trading in securities services. See http://www.ifsc.gov.bz/licensed-service-providers/. Because we believe that spot precious metals and spot oil should not be categorized as securities, our IFSC License for trading in foreign exchange should cover spot precious metals and spot oil. Furthermore, according to the item 11 and 18 in the IFSC License, filed herein as exhibit 10.6, we can provide our products according to the products offered by our licensed clearing counterparties. London Multi Asset Exchange (“LMAX Exchange”), a UK FCA regulated leading Multilateral Trading Facility for foreign exchange and one of our clearing counterparties, offers products including spot precious metals and spot oils, and categorizes them as spot forex. Last but not least, it is a common practice in the forex trading industry to categorize spot precious metals and spot oil as spot forex. For example, Koderan International Markets Limited, Belize, (at http://www.koderan.com/en-us/trade/forex.php) and ZB Forex Ltd., Belize, (at http://www.zbforex.com/en/), and Decode Global Ltd. Belize (http://www.decfx.com/) all provide with trading in spot precious metal and spot oil while they only have brokerage service licnese in foreign exchange from IFSC. Therefore, IFSC allows us to provide trading in spot metals and spot oil.
54
In general, our Belize IFSC License allow us to provide forex trading service in a jurisdiction unless such jurisdiction requires local license for such purpose. Belize IFSC license term 21 specifies “The licensee shall not offer or transact any trading with a resident of a country who laws require a local license for this purpose, without obtaining such a license.” Substantially all of AGM Belize’s customers are residents of the PRC and the current PRC laws does not require local license for a retail forex broker to provide forex trading service. Each of our PRC subsidiaries only provides customers with software solution services that are outsourced by our Hong Kong subsidiary AGM Technology Limited, and does not engage in forex trading brokerage services in the PRC, the PRC licensing requirements do not apply to our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, our subsidiary AGM Australia is applying for the necessary license with the Australian authority. We do not believe that we will need a license in Malaysia because we plan to establish our Malaysia office only to provide IT service for AGM HK and AGM Belize. The revenue of forex trading brokerage service includes forex trading brokerage fees and commissions.
Program trading application technology and management service
We provide our program trading application technology and management service by integrating our in-house algorithm application with the core trading system and package into a module to the core trading system. The module that we package to our current core trading system is called Expert Advisors. It enables traders to automatically execute the trades on a live account. Expert Advisors is very flexible and can take any information into account that is available on the Core Trading Platform. The revenue of program trading application technology and management service refers to the commissions based on profit of client’s investment managed by our intelligent trading system.
We provide to our institutional client and brokers with clearing house connection service by the following technologies: FIX4.0-4.4 protocol, CQG API, Integral API, Currenex API, Liquidity providers we support include but not limited to: Barclays, OANDA, Interactive Brokers, CFH Clearing, LMAX Exchange, Dukascopy Swiss Forex Bank & Marketplace, SAXO Capital Markets, and Sucden Financial, etc.
Our services are also available to the users on their mobile devices. Users can download the Core Trading Platform’s mobile application, search our brand name under “AGM Group” and have access to our services.
We have a professional team of engineers working on web service and software development to support our three service lines. We have developed management supporting system, user office management software and multi-account trading system. As of December 31, 2016, AGM Beijing has purchased and registered with the National Copyright Administration of PRC, three copyrights: (i) Management Supporting System for a fifty-year authorized use time starting on December 7, 2016, (ii) User Office Management Software for a fifty-year authorized use time starting on December 7, 2016, and (iii) Multi Account Trading System for a fifty-year authorized use time starting on December 30, 2016. Copyright protection are granted in PRC. The purchase value of these copyrights is a total of US$1,761,742. We utilize the copyrighted software to design and integrate our services and interface.
Our Growth Strategy
To maintain the growth of our business and sustain our leading position in the market, we anticipate to rely on these key drivers as part of our growth strategy:
• Continue to define industry best practices in China. We strive to create and uphold industry best practices for all aspects of our business, including risk management and analysis, operational transparency and data security. We will continue to foster the sustainable growth of our industry by leading through example and our sharing of best practices.
• Maintain and broaden our customer base. Our current market is mainly in Aisa. We seek to maintain the business relationships with our existing customers and to grow the number of clients on our online trading platform by introducing new services and tailoring the services to specific customer needs. As our business continues to grow, we plan to open new offices in Malaysia and Australia in the future.
• Expand our services. We strive to provide quality service to our existing and new clients. We will continue to develop new services to satisfy different customer requirements. In the future, we plan to offer additional access software such as Meta Trader 5 to broaden the trading channels. We will continue
55
to make investments in our proprietary technologies in the areas of data collection and processing algorithms to increase the precision and speed. We will also continue providing multi-accounts platform and additional features so that the users can have the best trading experience.
In 2018, we plan to promote our social trading platform AGMTrade.com, where users are able to share their trading activities and view those of other users, receive feedback, chat, execute recommendations, and follow the trading strategies of friends and leaders. Also, users would be able to copy trading activities and strategies from master traders find the top traders or strategies on the platform, view their profiles, trading status, etc. A user can elect to copy one or more traders or strategies. The user can set up the percentage of the funds he or she wants to allocate for copying and the lots he or she wants to copy. According to the user’s risk preference, expected earning, etc., the amounts of the copied trades will be calculated accordingly. We offer two types of accounts, with the minimum amount to activate the account of $500 or $10,000. The numbers of trades the accounts are able to copy simultaneously are 1 or 5 respectively. 20% of the copying user’s profit will be deducted from the account monthly as commission to be paid to the agmtrade.com and the master trader or strategy owner.
• Further enhance our risk management capabilities. We will continue to automate our risk management system by enhancing our online data analytics capabilities and utilizing additional data sources. We will also further advance our proprietary algorithms in order to increase the automation and predictive capabilities of our risk management systems. These will enable us to further increase the efficiency of our services and platform while maintaining sophisticated risk management capabilities.
• Continue to execute our mobile strategy. We have made and will continue to make significant investments in pursuing our mobile strategy. We plan to further strengthen our mobile internet presence to seize promising market opportunities by developing targeted marketing programs directed at mobile users, introduce more mobile related services and further enhance our risk management capabilities utilizing additional information from our mobile users.
IT Infrastructure
Under applicable PRC law, almost all access to the internet in China is maintained through state-owned telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT. “Internet information services” are defined as services that provide information to online users through the internet. Internet information services providers, also called Internet content providers, or ICPs. ICPs that provide commercial services are required to obtain an operating license from the MIIT or its provincial counterpart. ICPs that provide non-commercial services are required to submit ICP filings for the record with the MIIT or its provincial counterpart. Our services provided within the PRC, which are mainly research and development, are classified as non-commercial services. Our subsidiary AGM Beijing has submitted ICP filings for all the domain names it holds. We have been developing and plan to introduce an electronic online social trading platform in stages to allow our clients to share their trading activities and have access to those of others. Please refer to “Our Growth Strategies” for further information.
Sales Channels and Long Term Opportunities
To market our services and brand to other regions within China, we have set up 7 employees in the marketing department. Due to our limited operating history, we have not developed a comprehensive marketing strategy. Currently, we are marketing our services through direct communication with potential clients and referrals. We believe word-of-mouth is an especially effective marketing tool for our professional services. To further promote our brand, we also take advantage of the Internet, through which we introduce basic services information, market research and updates to our clients. We plan to invest in marketing using the proceeds of this offering to promote our brand and expand the company’s geographic coverage. Particularly, we plan to open office in Malaysia and Australia and recruit 15 additional sales and marketing personnel to broaden our international market and client base. We are very familiar with the market and have good relationship with major financial institutions and brokers. We expect that our long-term opportunities will increase as we emphasize on marketing and signing new clients.
56
Customers and Suppliers
Customers
Our main clients are institutional clients and brokers. We consider our major customers to be those customers that accounted for more than 10% of sales revenue. We have two such customers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which are IIG Ltd. and Rising International Management Company Limited.
Taking IIG, Ltd. as an example, in the Technology Service Agreement between AGM HK (the “Licensor”) and IIG, Ltd. (the “Licensee”), dated December 15, 2015,
• The Licensor will provide Technology White Label Services, which may include MT4 softwares, Liquidity Bridge, Plugin, Web Services, API, Binary Option MT4 Plugin, Web Trading Terminal, Mobile Trading Terminal, Web-based Social Trading Terminal, Signal and Data Service and Customer Support to the Licensee, including all written or electronic documentation, user manuals and other documents pertaining to Licensor Technology White Label.
• The Licensor will provide installation, debugging, operation and maintenance of server and application program, training and support of certain service component.
• The service component shall be delivered in electronic form as program installation files, to be downloaded by the Licensee via the Internet.
• The Licensor does not provide services of an Internet provider. It shall not be held liable for any Internet communication or equipment failure, delays in reporting of transactions in accounting books or other confirmation or any faults in electric circuits.
• The Licensor shall not be liable for any legal actions or claims of the Licensee’s customers arising from the operation or the use of the Core Trading Platform or the Expert Advisors.
• The Licensee agrees to pay service fees.
• The Licensee agrees to follow the guideline provided by the Licensor on the proper use of the components and shall not engage in illegal activities.
We do not have any major customers during the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015.
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|||||
Customer |
|
Revenue |
|
Rate |
|
Revenue |
|
Rate |
|
IIG Ltd. |
|
2,720,936 |
|
35.31 |
% |
|
— |
|
— |
Rising International Management Company Limited |
|
1,395,897 |
|
18.12 |
% |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
7,704,820 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
Suppliers
We consider our major supplier to be those suppliers that accounted for more than 10% of overall purchasing. We have three such suppliers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which are Yuenyu Industry Technology Co. Limited, Kaisheng Yin, and Dong Yi.
Taking Yuenyu Industry Technology Co. Limited as an example, in the MT4 MT5 Software Platform Maintenance and Technology License Agreement between AGM HK (the “Licensee”) and Yuenyu Industry Technology Co. Limited (the “Lisensor”), dated December 12, 2015,
• The Licensor will provide Technology White Label Services, which may include MT4 softwares, Liquidity Bridge, Plugin, Web Services, API, Binary Option MT4 Plugin, Web Trading Terminal, Mobile Trading Terminal, Web-based Social Trading Terminal, Signal and Data Service and Customer Support to the Licensee, including all written or electronic documentation, user manuals and other documents pertaining to Licensor Technology White Label.
57
• The Licensor will provide installation, debugging, operation and maintenance of server and application program, training and support of certain service component.
• The service component shall be delivered in electronic form as program installation files, to be downloaded by the Licensee via the Internet.
• The Licensor does not provide services of an Internet provider. It shall not be held liable for any Internet communication or equipment failure, delays in reporting of transactions in accounting books or other confirmation or any faults in electric circuits.
• The Licensor shall not be liable for any legal actions or claims of the Licensee’s customers arising from the operation or the use of the Core Trading Platform or the Expert Advisors.
• The Licensee agrees to pay service fees.
• The Licensee agrees to follow the guideline provided by the Licensor on the proper use of the components and shall not engage in illegal activities.
We do not have any major suppliers during the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015.
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|||||
Supplier |
|
Cost |
|
Rate |
|
Cost |
|
Rate |
|
Kaisheng Yin |
|
360,000 |
|
27.66 |
% |
|
— |
|
— |
Dong Yi |
|
150,000 |
|
11.52 |
% |
|
— |
|
— |
Yuenyu Industry Technology Co. Limited |
|
696,000 |
|
53.47 |
% |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost |
|
1,301,696 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Research and Development
We are committed to researching and developing Fintech service for use in different financial products trading platforms. We believe that innovations will help our Company achieve its long-term strategic objectives. Our research and development efforts are an integral part of our operations and the core of our competitive advantage and differentiation strategy.
The Research and Development team consists of dedicated engineers, researchers and analysts focusing on software customized development.
Our Property
Intellectual Property
We rely on our software copyrights to protect our domestic business interests and ensure our competitive position in our industry.
Copyrights
The software copyrights we hold are as follows:
No. |
|
Copyright Name |
|
Start Date |
|
Expiry Date
|
|
Owner |
1 |
|
Management Supporting System |
|
December 7, 2016 |
|
December 6, 2066 |
|
AGM Beijing |
2 |
|
User Office Management Software |
|
December 7, 2016 |
|
December 6, 2066 |
|
AGM Beijing |
3 |
|
Multi Account Trading System |
|
December 30, 2016 |
|
December 29, 2066 |
|
AGM Beijing |
58
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|||
Management supporting system |
|
$ |
587,247 |
|
|
$ |
— |
User office management software |
|
|
531,319 |
|
|
|
— |
Multi account trading system |
|
|
643,176 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,761,742 |
|
|
|
— |
Accumulated amortization |
|
|
(14,682 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
1,747,060 |
|
|
$ |
— |
As of December 31, 2015, we have no intangible asset. During the year ended December 31, 2016, amortization expense amounted to $15,346. There is no impairment provided for these intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Domain
The domain we hold are as follows.
No. |
|
Domain Name |
|
Owner |
1 |
|
www.agmprime.com |
|
AGM Holdings |
2 |
|
www.agmtrade.com |
|
AGM HK |
3 |
|
www.agmft.com |
|
AGM HK |
4 |
|
www.agmbroker.com |
|
AGM Belize |
5 |
|
www.agm18.com |
|
AGM Beijing |
6 |
|
www.51agm.com |
|
AGM Beijing |
7 |
|
www.agmfx.cn |
|
AGM Beijing |
8 |
|
www.agmtrade.cn |
|
AGM Beijing |
9 |
|
www.agmfx.com.cn |
|
AGM Beijing |
10 |
|
www.agmtrade.com.cn |
|
AGM Beijing |
11 |
|
www.angaomeng.com |
|
AGM Beijing |
Equipment
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, property consisted of the following:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||
Electronic equipment |
|
$ |
75,706 |
|
$ |
— |
Office equipment |
|
|
10,108 |
|
|
— |
Total property |
|
|
85,814 |
|
|
— |
Less: accumulated depreciation |
|
|
-10,177 |
|
|
— |
Total Property, net |
|
$ |
75,637 |
|
$ |
— |
As of December 31, 2015, we have no property. As of December 31, 2016 we have electronic equipment worth $75,706 and office equipment worth $10,108. Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $10,638. The total value of the property is $75,637.
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Lease commitment
We do not have any lease commitment in 2015, primarily due to limited operating activities. As of December 31, 2016, our lease commitment consisted of the following
Lease Term |
|
Address |
|
Space
|
|
Monthly
|
|
Purpose |
December 27, 2016 to December 26, 2017 |
|
Baiziyuan Building No. 6, room 606, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
75 |
|
6,290 |
|
Residential — Employees’ Dormitory |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 25, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2211 and 2212, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
377 |
|
50,000 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 5, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2111, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
186 |
|
27,500 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 1, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2103, Block 6, No.93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
124 |
|
22,500 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 1, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2605,2606, and 2607, Block C Media Center, No.4 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC |
|
479 |
|
161,620 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 6, 2016 to
|
|
No.8 Ronghua zhong Road, Beijing Economic and Technology Development Zone, Beijing City, PRC |
|
420 |
|
56,162 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 15, 2016 to
|
|
Room 2112, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. |
|
178 |
|
25,000 |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Start from the end of 2016, with terms from six months to one year. |
|
Five employees’ dormitories located in Nanjing city and one employees’ dormitory located in Beijing city |
|
N/A |
|
54,200 |
|
Residential — Employees’ Dormitory |
On December 27, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Ziru living assets management Co., Ltd. to lease a 75 square-meter room for dormitory, located at Baiziyuan Building No. 6, room 606, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 27, 2016 with a term of one year. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 6,290 per month.
On December 25, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Jinqiao Lida investment consulting Co., Ltd. to lease a 377 square-meter office space, located at Room 2211 and 2212, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 25, 2016 with a term of six months. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 50,000 per month.
On November 15, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Gang Liu to lease a 186 square-meter office space, located at Room 2111, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 5, 2016 with a term of six months. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 27,500 per month.
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On August 16, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Shulin Liu to lease a 124 square-meters office space, located at Room 2103, Block 6, No.93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018. According to the lease, the rent is RMB 22,500 per month.
On March 18, 2016 and June 3, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement and a supplementary lease agreement with Beijing oriental media properties Limited respectively, to lease a 479 square-meter office space, located at Room 2605,2606, and 2607, Block C Media Center, No.4 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2018. According to the lease, the rent is RMB 161,620 per month.
On March 6, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Zhumian Gong to lease a 420 square-meter office space, located at No.8 Ronghua zhong Road, Beijing Economic and Technology Development Zone, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from March 6, 2016 to March 5, 2019. According to the lease, the rent is RMB 56,162 per month.
On April 15, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Terry Henderson real estate brokerage Co., Ltd. to lease a 187 square-meter office space, located at Room 2112, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from April 15, 2016 with a term of one year. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 25,000 per month.
At the end of 2016, the Company signed six dormitories lease contracts, five of the dormitories located in Nanjing city and the other one located in Beijing city, for its employees with total rent of RMB54,200 per months. These leases cover lease terms from six months to 1 year.
The above operating lease commitments are summarized as follows.
|
|
Commitment amount |
|||
|
|
RMB |
|
USD |
|
Year of 2017 |
|
RMB3,751,025 |
|
$ |
540,206 |
Year of 2018 |
|
1,338,804 |
|
|
192,808 |
Year of 2019 |
|
112,324 |
|
|
16,176 |
|
|
RMB5,202,153 |
|
$ |
749,190 |
Our Employees
Department |
|
Number of
|
|
% of Total |
|
Research and Development Department |
|
76 |
|
68.5 |
% |
Human Resource and Administration Department |
|
6 |
|
5.4 |
% |
Financial Department |
|
5 |
|
4.5 |
% |
Compliance Department |
|
1 |
|
0.9 |
% |
Operation Department |
|
23 |
|
20.7 |
% |
Marketing Group |
|
7 |
|
6.3 |
% |
Transaction Group |
|
8 |
|
7.2 |
% |
Business Group |
|
4 |
|
3.6 |
% |
Risk Management Group |
|
4 |
|
3.6 |
% |
Total |
|
111 |
|
|
|
As of September 2017, we employ a total of 111 full-time employees, among which 76 work in Research and Development Department, 6 work in the Human Resource and Administration Department, 5 work in Financial Department, 1 works in the Compliance Department and 23 work in Operation Department, which is consisted of 7 employees in Marketing Group, 8 employees in Transaction Group, 4 employees in Business Group and 4 employees in Risk Management Group.
Our employees are not represented by a labor organization or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees and we have not experienced any significant labor disputes. We are required under PRC law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at
61
specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time. As required by regulations in China, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by local governments. We pay social insurance for 82 of the 111 full time employees, covering housing fund and all five types of social insurance, including pension, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance, and maternity insurance. All monthly payments were made on time. The rest 29 employees have their social benefits paid elsewhere and do not want to transfer their already paid social benefits to AGM Beijing or AGM Nanjing.
Chinese Laws and Regulations
Regulation of Internet Information Services
Internet information services are regulated by the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the ICP Measures, promulgated on September 25, 2000 by the State Council and amended on January 8, 2011. “Internet information services” are defined as services that provide information to online users through the internet. Internet information services providers, also called Internet content providers, or ICPs, that provide commercial services are required to obtain an operating license from the MIIT or its provincial counterpart.
To the extent the internet information services provided relate to certain matters, including news, publication, education or medical and health care (including pharmaceutical products and medical equipment), approvals must also be obtained from the relevant industry regulators in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations governing those industries.
Regulation of Internet Content
The PRC government has promulgated measures relating to Internet content through various ministries and agencies, including the MIIT, the News Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Culture and the General Administration of Press and Publication. In addition to various approval and license requirements, these measures specifically prohibit internet activities that result in the dissemination of any content which is found to contain pornography, promote gambling or violence, instigate crimes, undermine public morality or the cultural traditions of the PRC or compromise State security or secrets. ICPs must monitor and control the information posted on their websites. If any prohibited content is found, they must remove such content immediately, keep a record of it and report to the relevant authorities. If an ICP violates these measures, the PRC government may impose fines and revoke any relevant business operation licenses.
Regulation of Internet Security
The Decision in Relation to Protection of the Internet Security enacted by the SCNPC on December 28, 2000 provides that the following activities conducted through the Internet are subject to criminal punishment:
• gaining improper entry into a computer or system of strategic importance;
• disseminating politically disruptive information or obscenities;
• leaking State secrets;
• spreading false commercial information; or
• infringing intellectual property rights.
The Administrative Measures on the Security Protection of Computer Information Network with International Connections, issued by the Ministry of Public Security on December 16, 1997 and amended on January 8, 2011, prohibit the use of the Internet in a manner that would result in the leakage of State secrets or the spread of socially destabilizing content. If an ICP violates these measures, the Ministry of Public Security and the local security bureaus may revoke its operating license and shut down its websites.
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Regulation Relating to Privacy Protection
Under the ICP Measures, ICPs are prohibited from producing, copying, publishing or distributing information that is humiliating or defamatory to others or that infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of others. Depending on the nature of the violation, ICPs may face criminal charges or sanctions by PRC security authorities for such acts, and may be ordered to suspend temporarily their services or have their licenses revoked.
Under the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services, issued by the MIIT on December 29, 2011, ICPs are also prohibited from collecting any user personal information or providing any such information to third parties without the consent of a user. ICPs must expressly inform the users of the method, content and purpose of the collection and processing of such user personal information and may only collect such information necessary for its services. ICPs are also required to properly maintain the user personal information, and in case of any leak or likely leak of the user personal information, ICPs must take remedial measures immediately and report any material leak to the telecommunications regulatory authority.
In addition, the Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on December 28, 2012 emphasizes the need to protect electronic information that contains individual identification information and other private data. The decision requires ICPs to establish and publish policies regarding the collection and use of personal electronic information and to take necessary measures to ensure the security of the information and to prevent leakage, damage or loss. Furthermore, MIIT’s Rules on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunications and Internet Users promulgated on July 16, 2013 contain detailed requirements on the use and collection of personal information as well as the security measures to be taken by ICPs.
The PRC government retains the power and authority to order ICPs to provide an Internet user’s personal information if such user posts any prohibited content or engages in any illegal activities through the Internet.
Regulation on Intellectual Property Rights
Patent . Patents in the PRC are principally protected under the Patent Law of the PRC. The duration of a patent right is either 10 years or 20 years from the date of application, depending on the type of patent right.
Copyright . Copyright in the PRC, including copyrighted software, is principally protected under the Copyright Law of the PRC and related rules and regulations. Under the Copyright Law, the term of protection for copyrighted software is 50 years.
Trademark . Registered trademarks are protected under the Trademark Law of the PRC and related rules and regulations. Trademarks are registered with the Trademark Office of the SAIC. Where registration is sought for a trademark that is identical or similar to another trademark which has already been registered or given preliminary examination and approval for use in the same or similar category of commodities or services, the application for registration of such trademark may be rejected. Trademark registrations are effective for a renewable ten-year period, unless otherwise revoked.
Domain Names . Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies established under the relevant regulations, and applicants become domain name holders upon successful registration.
Regulation on Dividend Distributions
One of our PRC subsidiaries, AGM Shenzhen, is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise under the PRC law. The principal regulations governing the distribution of dividends paid by wholly foreign-owned enterprises include:
• Corporate Law (1993) as amended in 2005 and 2013;
• The Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended in 2000;
• The Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law Implementation Regulations (1990), as amended in 2001; and
• The Enterprise Income Tax Law (2007) and its Implementation Regulations (2007).
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Under these regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, an enterprise in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until its cumulative total reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. Our Company’s reserve fund has not yet reached this level. The board of directors of a wholly foreign-owned enterprise has the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits to its employee welfare and bonus funds. These reserve funds, however, may not be distributed as cash dividends.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress enacted the Enterprise Income Tax Law, and on December 6, 2007, the State Council issued the Implementation Regulations on the Enterprise Income Tax Law, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. Under this law and its implementation regulations, dividends payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC to its foreign investor who is a non-resident enterprise will be subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a lower withholding tax rate. See “Taxation.”
Nevertheless, AGM Shenzhen currently do not have assets or operation of business, and we have no present plans to declare dividends and plan to retain our earnings to continue to grow our business.
Regulations on Tax
PRC Enterprise Income Tax
The PRC enterprise income tax, or EIT, is calculated based on the taxable income determined under the applicable EIT Law and its implementation rules, which became effective on January 1, 2008. The EIT Law imposes a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25% on all resident enterprises in China, including foreign-invested enterprises.
Uncertainties exist with respect to how the EIT Law applies to our tax residence status and our offshore subsidiaries. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with a “de facto management body” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” which means that it is treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. Although the implementation rules of the EIT Law define “de facto management body” as a managing body that exercises substantive and overall management and control over the production and business, personnel, accounting books and assets of an enterprise, the only official guidance for this definition currently available is set forth in Circular 82 issued by the State Administration of Taxation, which provides guidance on the determination of the tax residence status of a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise, defined as an enterprise that is incorporated under the laws of a foreign country or territory and that has a PRC enterprise or enterprise group as its primary controlling shareholder.
According to Circular 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having a “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its worldwide income only if all of the following criteria are met:
• the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC;
• decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC;
• the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholders meeting minutes are located or maintained in the PRC; and
• 50% or more of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe that we meet the conditions outlined in the immediately preceding paragraph and should be treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes if the criteria for “de facto management body” as set forth in Circular 82 were deemed applicable to us. However, as the tax residency status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body” as applicable to our offshore entities, we will continue to monitor our tax status. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in the People’s Republic of China — Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “Resident Enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders .”
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In the event that we or any of our offshore subsidiaries is considered to be a PRC resident enterprise: (1) we or our offshore subsidiaries, as the case may be, may be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income; (2) dividend income that we or our offshore subsidiaries, as the case may be, receive from our PRC subsidiaries may be exempt from the PRC withholding tax; and (3) dividends paid to our overseas shareholders who are non-PRC resident enterprises as well as gains realized by such shareholders from the transfer of our shares may be regarded as PRC-sourced income and as a result be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%, and similarly, dividends paid to our overseas shareholders who are non-PRC resident individuals, as well as gains realized by such shareholders from the transfer of our shares, may be regarded as PRC-sourced income and as a result be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 20%, subject to the provision of any applicable agreement for the avoidance of double taxation.
Under SAT Circular 698 and Bulletin 7, if a non-resident enterprise transfers “PRC taxable assets” of a PRC resident enterprise indirectly by disposition of the equity interests of an overseas non-public holding company without reasonable commercial purpose, the parties involved in the indirect transfer of the PRC taxable assets and the PRC resident enterprise whose equity is transferred indirectly, may report such equity transfer matter to the PRC competent tax authority of the PRC resident enterprise. The PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding, or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such disposition may be subject to a PRC withholding tax rate of up to 10%. Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise to its related parties at a price which is not on an arm’s length basis and results in reducing the taxable income, the relevant tax authority has the power to make a reasonable adjustment as to the taxable income of the transaction. Circular 698 was retroactively effective on January 1, 2008. On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation released SAT Bulletin 7 to amend and clarify several issues related to Circular 698. According to SAT Bulletin 7, the term “PRC taxable assets” includes assets attributed to an establishment in China, immoveable properties located in China, and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises; and when determining whether there is a “reasonable commercial purpose” of the transaction arrangement, factors to be taken into consideration include: whether the main value of the equity interest of the relevant offshore enterprise derives from PRC taxable assets; whether the assets of the relevant offshore enterprise mainly consists of direct or indirect investment in China or if its income mainly derives from China; whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding PRC taxable assets have real commercial nature which is evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure; the duration of existence of the business model and organizational structure; the replicability of the transaction by direct transfer of PRC taxable assets; and the tax situation of such indirect transfer and applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements. If Circular 698 and Bulletin 7 were determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to us, our offshore subsidiaries and our non-resident enterprise investors, we, our offshore subsidiaries and our non-resident enterprise investors might be required to expend valuable resources to comply with this circular, which may materially and adversely affect us or our non-resident enterprise investors. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in the People’s Republic of China — We and our shareholders face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises or other assets attributed to a PRC establishment of a non-PRC company, or other assets attributable to a PRC establishment of a non-PRC company.”
Under applicable PRC laws, payers of PRC-sourced income to non-PRC residents are generally obligated to withhold PRC income taxes from the payment. In the event of a failure to withhold, the non-PRC residents are required to pay such taxes on their own. Failure to comply with the tax payment obligations by the non-PRC residents will result in penalties, including full payment of taxes owed, fines and default interest on those taxes.
PRC Value-added Tax
Pursuant to the Pilot Measure for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax for Transport and Shipping Industry and Some of the Modern Service Industries, promulgated by the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on November 16, 2011 (the “PilotMeasure”),any entity or individual conducting business in some modern service industry, such as the service we are engaging in, is generally required to pay a value-added tax, or VAT, at the rate of 6% on the revenues generated from providing such services. A taxpayer is allowed to offset the qualified input VAT paid on taxable purchases against the output VAT chargeable on the modern services provided.
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On March 30, 2016, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Overall Implementation of the Pilot Program of Replacing Business Tax with Value-added Tax. Pursuant to this notice, from May 1, 2016, a value-added tax will generally be imposed to replace the business tax in the construction industry, real estate industry, finance industry, consumer service industry and other industries on a nationwide basis.
SAFE Circular 37
SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014, which replaced the former circular commonly known as “SAFE Circular 75” promulgated by SAFE on October 21, 2005. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.” SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Furthermore, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls.
Share Option Rules
Under the Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control issued by the PBOC on December 25, 2006, all foreign exchange matters involved in employee share ownership plans and share option plans in which PRC citizens participate require approval from SAFE or its authorized branch. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies. In addition, under the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Share Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or the Share Option Rules, issued by SAFE on February 15, 2012, PRC residents who are granted shares or share options by companies listed on overseas stock exchanges under share incentive plans are required to (i) register with SAFE or its local branches, (ii) retain a qualified PRC agent, which may be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas listed company or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the share incentive plans on behalf of the participants, and (iii) retain an overseas institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of share options, purchase and sale of shares or interests and funds transfers.
Employment Laws
In accordance with the PRC National Labor Law, which became effective in January 1995, and the PRC Labor Contract Law, which became effective in January 2008, as amended subsequently in 2012, employers must execute written labor contracts with full-time employees in order to establish an employment relationship. All employers must compensate their employees equal to at least the local minimum wage standards. All employers are required to establish a system for labor safety and sanitation, strictly abide by state rules and standards and provide employees with appropriate workplace safety training. In addition, employers in China are obliged to pay contributions to the social insurance plan and the housing fund plan for employees. We have contributed to the basic and minimum social insurance plan. Due to a high employee turnover rate in our industry, it is difficult for us to comply fully with the law. While we believe that we have made adequate provision of such outstanding amounts of contributions to such plans in our financial statements, any failure to make sufficient payments to such plans would be in violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations and, if we are found to be in violation of such laws and regulations, we could be required to make up the contributions for such plans as well as to pay late fees and fines.
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Belize’s Laws and Regulations
Regulation on Dividend Distributions
According to the current International Business Companies Act, AGM Belize is permitted to pay dividends in money, shares or other property, but only out of surplus. No dividend shall be declared and paid unless the directors determine that immediately after the payment of the dividend, (i) the company will be able to satisfy its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business; and (ii) the realizable value of the assets of the company will not be less than the sum of its total liabilities, other than deferred taxes, as shown in the books of account, and its capital.
Forex Trading Regulations
Financial services in Belize are regulated by International Financial Services Commission IFSC. IFSC issued Standard Conditions for Trading in Securities or Trading in Foreign Exchange License. Among other things, regulated brokers are required to
• have at least $100,000 in unimpaired capital;
• segregate customer funds;
• fully disclose to customers the charges for services performed;
• make monthly reports to the IFSC, detailing unimpaired capital and the number and trading volume made with the firm;
• provide its customers with monthly statements, specifying (i) the amount due to such customers, and (ii) the fact that such funds are payable on demand of the customer;
• demonstrate that it has made adequate attempt to deal with customer complaints;
• limit the foreign exchange trading to over-the-counter markets and organized exchanges, and strictly not in the cash/parallel market;
• ensure that customers’ cash deposit are not proceeds of money laundering or any other financial crime;
• not to invest in the equity of a single issuer, including its affiliate, more than 25% of its fully paid-up and unimpaired capital.
AGM Belize is a brokerage firm licensed by IFSC to provide forex trading services. It is regulated by the IFSC and is required to abide by any law and rule as adopted by Belize and IFSC.
Taxation
Belize enacted the International Business Companies (IBC) Act, which allows international investors to establish offshore companies in Belize. IBCs are not allowed to own an interest in real property in Belize or to conduct business in banking or insurance with Belizean residents. However, IBCs benefit from tax exemptions on all income; dividends paid to persons resident in Belize or elsewhere; interest, rent, royalties, and compensation paid to persons who are not residents of Belize; and capital gains realized on shares, debt obligations, or other securities of an IBC by persons who are not resident in Belize. There are no currency restrictions for banking transactions, and no restrictions on citizenship or residency requirements for directors, officers, or shareholders. All IBCs must be registered through an authorized IBC agent of the International Business Companies Registry.
AGM Belize, though incorporated in Belize, neither conducts its operation nor owns any property in Belize. Therefore, AGM Belize qualifies as an IBC under Belize Law.
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Hong Kong’s Laws and Regulations
Regulation on Dividend Distributions
Current Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and applicable regulations permit our HK subsidiary, AGM HK to pay dividends to AGM Holdings only out of profits available for distribution. Withholding tax regarding dividends is exempted in Hong Kong.
Taxation
According to the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO) of Hong Kong, a corporation is subject to a 16.5% profits tax if, (i) the corporation carries on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong; (ii) the trade, profession or business derives profits; and (iii) the profits are derived from Hong Kong (i.e., the profits are sourced in Hong Kong). For servicing business, the source of the income is the place where the services are performed. If services are performed in Hong Kong, the income has a source in Hong Kong. In the event that the service income is earned by a company carrying on a business in Hong Kong but the services are performed entirely outside Hong Kong, the service fee is not taxable in Hong Kong.
In addition, there is no withholding tax (“WHT”) on dividends, interest, or royalties. However, royalties paid or accrued to a non-resident for the use of or right to use in Hong Kong or outside Hong Kong (if the royalties are deductible in ascertaining the assessable profits of a person for Hong Kong profits tax purposes) a trademark, patent, design, copyright material, secret process, or other property of a similar nature, or for the use in Hong Kong of cinema or television tape or any sound recording, are deemed to be taxable in Hong Kong. The 4.95%/16.5% for corporations tax on royalties received by non-residents is, in effect, similar to a WHT.
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Management
Executive Officers and Directors
The following table provides information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date of this prospectus:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position(s) |
Zhentao Jiang |
|
52 |
|
Chairman of the Board |
Wenjie Tang |
|
36 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
Guofu Zhang |
|
37 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Chengchun Zhang |
|
47 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
Yufeng Mi |
|
41 |
|
Chief Technology Officer |
Bin Liu |
|
32 |
|
Chief Risk Officer |
Chenxi Shi |
|
52 |
|
Secretary of the Board |
Chuang Chen |
|
45 |
|
Independent Director and Chairman of Audit Committee |
Jialin Liu |
|
59 |
|
Independent Director and Chairman of Compensation Committee. |
Tingfu Xie |
|
69 |
|
Independent Director and Chairman of Nominating Committee |
The business address of each of the officers and directors is 1 Jinghua South Road, Wangzuo Plaza East Tower, Room 2112, Beijing, P.R. China 100020.
Zhentao Jiang . Mr. Jiang is the co-founder of our Company and has served as Chairman of the Board since the beginning. Mr. Jiang has extensive experience in financial industry. Prior to co-founding our company, Mr. Jiang was the Chief Executive Officer in Shenzhen Zhichengxin Equity Investment Fund Management Co. Ltd. from 2011 to 2014, and the director and Chief Financial Officer in Beijing Fengrong Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd. from 2010 to 2011. Mr. Jiang earned his bachelor degree from Sichuan University. Mr. Jiang is experienced in private equity, business model design, insurance broker, insurance agent and insurance appraisal. He has a systematic ideology on the future of financial technology industry. We believe his influence and expertise in the industry will greatly contribute to the growth of company and industry.
Wenjie Tang . Mr. Tang is the co-founder of our Company and has served as Chief Executive Officer since the beginning. Before co-founding our subsidiary AGM Beijing, he co-founded and held the Chief Executive Officer position in Beijing Miteke Technology Co. Ltd. from 2011 to 2015, and was Chief Representative and Chief Business Officer in MeiZhi Huangqiu Beijing Technology Co. Ltd. from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Tang earned his master degree in economy from Tufts University in Boston, and his bachelor degree in economy from Shanghai Fudan University. He is a Certified Financial Analyst (level 3), and has passed series 3 of the National Commodities Futures Examination in the United States. Mr. Tang has 12 years of experience in forex trading, more than 15 years of experience in stock and futures investment. He also has a profound understanding of the operation principle principles, market microstructure, micro-trading, trading system and risk control.
Guofu Zhang . Mr. Zhang has served as Chief Financial Officer since the beginning. He was a senior accounting consultant at China Customer Relations Centers, Inc. from 2013 to 2015. He was the Financial Manager at Tianli Agritech, an American public company, from 2009 to 2012 and served as Chief Financial Officer there from April 2012 to July 2013. Mr. Zhang earned his bachelor degree in accounting from Renmin University of China. He is experienced in financial analysis, auditing, and accounting internal control. He also has experience with IPO when he helped CCRC list on NASDAQ in December 2015.
Chengchun Zhang. Mr. Zhang has served as Chief Marketing Officer since the beginning. He has also been the general manager of Nanjing Julong Equity Investment Fund Co. Ltd. and Huanlu Investment Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. since September 2012. He served as executive assistant to chairman in Beijing Fengrong Insurance Broker Co. Ltd. from 2009 to 2012. Mr. Zhang earned his bachelor degree from Nanchang Insurance School. He acquired Insurance Assessor Certificate, Insurance Broker Certificate and Insurance Agent Certificate in China. He has experience in planning and preparing for IPO.
Yufeng Mi. Mr. Mi has served as Chief Technology Officer since the beginning. Before co-founding our subsidiary AGM Beijing, he co-founded Beijing Miteke Technology Co. Ltd. with Wenjie Tang, and was the IT department manager in MeiZhi Huangqiu Beijing Technology Co. Ltd. from 2011 to 2015. Mr. Mi earned his master
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degree in computer science from Université Pierre et Marie Currie, his master degree in finance from Université Dauphine, and his bachelor degree in communication technology from Shanghai Jiaotong University. He is a Certified Financial Analyst (level 1) in the United States and a Financial Risk Manager. Mr. Mi is experienced in B2C e-commerce, forex trading system, and system design.
Bin Liu. Mr. Liu has served as Chief Risk Officer since February, 2017. Before joining the team, Mr. Liu was the business partner and chief risk officer of Random Trading Group LLC from 2010 to 2014. Mr. Liu received his bachelor degree from Zhejiang University. He has been working in risk management for more than 10 years. He is especially experienced with trading and risk management on trading of stocks, ETFs, futures and forex.
Chenxi Shi. Mr. Shi has served as Secretary of the Board since September, 2016. He has been the director and president of Aventech Capital Inc. since September, 2016. Before joining AGM, Mr. Shi was the founder, director and president of M&A Holding Corp. from November, 2014 to January, 2016. He was the founder, director and president of Pan American Education Group Inc. from April, 2014 to June 2016. He was also the founder, director and chief financial officer of Canada National Jade Trading Center Inc. from November, 2013 to May, 2014. In addition, he was the founder, director and president of APAC Media Inc. from June, 2012 to August, 2016. Mr. Shi received his Bachelor degree in computer sciences from Northern Jiaotong University and his Master degree in Business Administration from Peking University. Mr. Shi has 30 years of experience in computer technology and business management.
Chuang Chen. Mr. Chen has served as our Independent Director and Chairman of Audit Committee since March, 2017. He has been the business partner of the 18 th Audit Department at Reanda Certified Public Accountants LLP since 2015, and was the business partner of the 11 th Audit Department at Ruihua Certified Public Accountants from 2012 to 2015. Mr. Chen earned his bachelor degree of accounting from Handan Agricultural College, and became a certified public account in China in 2004. He is experienced with IPOs and has assisted a number of companies in going public in China. He has also provided professional services for companies going public in the United States. As a professional advisor, he successfully assisted Huan China Sun Pharmaceutical Machinery Co. Ltd and Sichuan Goldstone Orient New Material Equipment Inc. to list on Shenzhen Stock Exchange in China. Mr. Chen is a financial expert. He is experienced with auditing, accounting and setting up internal control system.
Jialin Liu. Mr. Liu has served as our Independent Director and Chairman of Compensation Committee since March, 2017. He has been the Chairman of the Board of Profit Well Gold Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd. since 2006. He earned his bachelor degree from Central University of Finance and Economics. He is very experienced with administrative management and finance.
Tingfu Xie. Mr. Xie has served as our Independent Director and Chairman of Nominating Committee since March, 2017. He has been the president of Ji Shang Capital Group since 2015. He was the Chief Executive Officer of China Finance Think Tank from 2011 to 2014. Mr. Xie earned his master degree in EMBA from Peking University, his master degree in economics and his bachelor degree in finance from Jilin University. Mr. Xie has 37 years of practical and research experience in finance.
Election of Officers
Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors, including Zhentao Jiang. There is no family relationship among any of our directors or executive officers.
Board of Directors and Board Committees
Our board of directors currently consists of four directors, a majority of whom are independent as such term is defined by the Nasdaq Capital Market. We expect that all current directors will continue to serve after this offering.
The directors will be re-elected at our general meeting of shareholders in 2018 and every three years thereafter.
A director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he is interested, provided, however that the nature of the interest of any director in any such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote on that matter. A general notice or disclosure to the directors or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of the directors or any committee thereof of the nature of a director’s interest shall be sufficient disclosure and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. A director may be counted for a quorum upon a motion in respect of any contract or arrangement which he shall make with our company, or in which he is so interested and may vote on such motion.
70
We do not have a lead independent director because of the foregoing reason and also because we believe our independent directors are encouraged to freely voice their opinions on a relatively small company board. We believe this leadership structure is appropriate because we are a relatively small company in the process of listing on a public exchange; as such we deem it appropriate to be able to benefit from the guidance of Mr. Jiang as our Chair of the Board and Mr. Tang as our principal executive officer. Our Board of Directors plays a key role in our risk oversight. The Board of Directors makes all relevant Company decisions. As a smaller company with a small board of directors, we believe it is appropriate to have the involvement and input of all of our directors in risk oversight matters.
Board Committees
We established three committees under the board of directors: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. We have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Copy of our committee charters are to be posted on our corporate investor relations website at http://www.agmprime.com prior to our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Each committee’s members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee consisted of Mr. Chuang Chen, Mr. Jialin Liu and Mr. Tingfu Xie. Mr. Chuang Chen is the chairman of our audit committee. We have determined that Mr. Chuang Chen, Mr. Jialin Liu and Mr. Tingfu Xie satisfy the “independence” requirements of NASDAQ Rule 5605 and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Chen qualifies as an audit committee financial expert and has the accounting or financial management expertise as required under Item 407(d)(5)(ii) and (iii) of Regulation S-K. The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:
• appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;
• reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;
• discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;
• reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;
• reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;
• meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and
• monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.
Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Mr. Jialin Liu, Mr. Chuang Chen and Mr. Tingfu Xie. Mr. Jialin Liu is the chairman of our compensation committee. We have determined that Mr. Jialin Liu, Mr. Chuang Chen and Mr. Tingfu Xie satisfy the “independence” requirements under NASDAQ Rule 5605. The compensation committee will assist the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:
• reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our chief executive officer and other executive officers;
• reviewing and recommending to the board for determination with respect to the compensation of our non-employee directors;
• reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements; and
71
• selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management.
Nominating Committee. Our nominating committee consists of Mr. Tingfu Xie, Mr. Chuang Chen and Mr. Jialin Liu. Mr. Tingfu Xie is the chairperson of our nominating committee. We have determined that Mr. Tingfu Xie, Mr. Chuang Chen and Mr. Jialin Liu satisfy the “independence” requirements under NASDAQ Rule 5605. The nominating committee will assist the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating committee will be responsible for, among other things:
• selecting and recommending to the board nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the board;
• reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, knowledge, skills, experience and diversity;
• making recommendations on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the board; and
• advising the board periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken.
Duties of Directors
Under British Virgin Islands law, our directors have a duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. See “Description of Share Capital — Differences in Corporate Law” for additional information on our directors’ fiduciary duties under British Virgin Islands law. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.
The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
• appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;
• authorizing the payment of donations to religious, charitable, public or other bodies, clubs, funds or associations as deemed advisable;
• exercising the borrowing powers of the company and mortgaging the property of the company;
• executing checks, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments on behalf of the company; and
• maintaining or registering a register of mortgages, charges or other encumbrances of the company.
Interested Transactions
A director may vote, attend a board meeting or sign a document on our behalf with respect to any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested. A director must promptly disclose the interest to all other directors after becoming aware of the fact that he or she is interested in a transaction we have entered into or are to enter into. A general notice or disclosure to the board or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of the board or any committee of the board that a director is a shareholder, director, officer or trustee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company will be sufficient disclosure, and, after such general notice, it will not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction.
72
Remuneration and Borrowing
The directors may receive such remuneration as our board of directors may determine from time to time. Each director is entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred in attending meetings of our board of directors or committees of our board of directors or shareholder meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his or her duties as a director. The compensation committee will assist the directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors. Our board of directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertakings and property or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.
Qualification
There are no membership qualifications for directors. Further, there are no share ownership qualifications for directors unless so fixed by us in a general meeting. There are no other arrangements or understandings pursuant to which our directors are selected or nominated.
Director Compensation
All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders at which they are re-elected and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Employee directors are entitled receive compensation for their services. Non-employee directors are entitled to receive a set amount of cash fee for serving as directors. In addition, non-employee directors are entitled to receive compensation for their actual travel expenses for each Board of Directors meeting attended.
Director Compensation — the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016 and the Period from Inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015
As indicated by the table below, during fiscal 2015, no members of our Board of Directors received compensation in their capacity as directors. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, Zhentao Jiang received $180,000 in his capacity as a director.
Director Compensation — Non-Employee Directors
We plan to pay our independent directors a set amount of annual cash retainer. We will also reimburse all directors for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with their services provided in such capacity. In addition, For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, we did not have any non-employee directors.
Name |
|
Fiscal Year |
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Stock
|
|
All
Other
|
|
Total
|
Zhentao Jiang |
|
2016 |
|
180,000 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
180,000 |
Chairman of the Board |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chuang Chen |
|
2016 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
Independent Director and Chairman of Audit Committee |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jialin Liu |
|
2016 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
Independent Director and Chairman of Compensation Committee |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tingfu Xie |
|
2016 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
Independent Director and Chairman of Nominating Committee |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
73
Limitation of Director and Officer Liability
Under British Virgin Islands law, each of our directors and officers, in performing his or her functions, is required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.
Under our memorandum and articles of association, we may indemnify our directors, officers and liquidators against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings to which they are party or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their acting as our director, officer or liquidator. To be entitled to indemnification, these persons must have acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, they must have had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Such limitation of liability does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. These provisions will not limit the liability of directors under United States federal securities laws.
We may indemnify any of our directors or anyone serving at our request as a director of another entity against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings. We may only indemnify a director if he or she acted honestly and in good faith with the view to our best interests and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The decision of our board of directors as to whether the director acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and as to whether the director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful, is in the absence of fraud sufficient for the purposes of indemnification, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entry of no plea does not, by itself, create a presumption that a director did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to our best interests or that the director had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. If a director to be indemnified has been successful in defense of any proceedings referred to above, the director is entitled to be indemnified against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with the proceedings.
We may purchase and maintain insurance in relation to any of our directors or officers against any liability asserted against the directors or officers and incurred by the directors or officers in that capacity, whether or not we have or would have had the power to indemnify the directors or officers against the liability as provided in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors, officers or persons controlling our company under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or officers has been convicted in a criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors, nor has any been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws, except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement. Except as set forth in our discussion below in “Related Party Transactions,” our directors and officers have not been involved in any transactions with us or any of our affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
74
Insider Trading Policy
The Board also adopted an insider trading policy that allows insiders to sell securities of the Company pursuant to pre-arranged trading plans.
This insider trading policy was put into place because effective October 23, 2000, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted rules related to insider trading. One of these rules, Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provides an exemption to the insider trading rules in the form of an affirmative defense. Rule 10b5-1 recognizes the creation of formal programs under which executives and other insiders may sell the securities of publicly traded companies on a regular basis pursuant to written plans that are entered into at a time when the plan participants are not aware of material non-public information and that otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other Corporate Governance Policies
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics as of the date of this prospectus that applies to our directors, officers and employees. Our standards are in writing and are to be posted on our website at www.agmprime.com prior to our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The following is a summation of the key points of the Code of Ethics we adopted:
• Honest and ethical conduct, including ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
• Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure reports and documents that a small business issuer files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by our Company;
• Full compliance with applicable government laws, rules and regulations;
• The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
• Accountability for adherence to the code.
75
Executive Compensation
Our board of directors determined the compensation to be paid to our executive officers based on our financial and operating performance and prospects, and contributions made by the officers’ to our success. And our compensation committee approved our salary and benefit plans. Each of the named officers will be measured by a series of performance criteria by the board of directors, or the compensation committee on a yearly basis. Such criteria will be set forth based on certain objective parameters such as job characteristics, required professionalism, management skills, interpersonal skills, related experience, personal performance and overall corporate performance.
Our board of directors has not adopted or established a formal policy or procedure for determining the amount of compensation paid to our executive officers. The board of directors will make an independent evaluation of appropriate compensation to key employees, with input from management. The board of directors has oversight of executive compensation plans, policies and programs.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents summary information regarding the total compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each of the named executive officers for services rendered to us for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015.
Name and Principal Position |
|
Fiscal Year |
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Stock
|
|
All
Other
|
|
Total
|
Wenjie Tang |
|
2016 |
|
144,000 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
144,000 |
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guofu Zhang |
|
2016 |
|
81,107 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
81,107 |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zhentao Jiang |
|
2016 |
|
180,000 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
180,000 |
Chairman of the Board |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chengchun Zhang |
|
2016 |
|
180,000 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
180,000 |
Chief Operating Officer |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yufeng Mi |
|
2016 |
|
102,142 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
102,142 |
Chief Technology Officer |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bin Liu |
|
2016 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
Chief Risk Officer |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chenxi Shi |
|
2016 |
|
40,000 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
40,000 |
Secretary of the Board |
|
2015 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
Employment Agreements
Our employment agreements with our officers generally provide for employment for a specific term and pay annual salary, health insurance, pension insurance, and paid vacation and family leave time. The agreement may be terminated by either party as permitted by law. In the event of a breach or termination of the agreement by our company, we may be obligated to pay the employee twice the ordinary statutory rate. In the event of a breach or termination causing loss to our company by the employee, the employee may be required to indemnify us against loss. We have executed employment agreements with Mr. Zhentao Jiang, Mr. Wenjie Tang, Mr. Yufeng Mi, Mr. Chengchun Zhang, Mr. Guofu Zhang, Mr. Bin Liu, and Mr. Chenxi Shi.
76
Related Party Transactions
In addition to the executive officer and director compensation arrangements discussed in “Executive Compensation,” below we describe transactions since April 27, 2015, to which we have been a participant, in which the amount involved in the transaction is material to our company and in which any of the following is a party: (a) enterprises that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or are controlled by, or are under common control with, our Company; (b) associates; (c) individuals owning, directly or indirectly, an interest in the voting power of our Company that gives them significant influence over our Company, and close members of any such individual’s family; (d) key management personnel, that is, those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of our Company, including directors and senior management of companies and close members of such individuals’ families; and (e) enterprises in which a substantial interest in the voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (c) or (d) or over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence.
The related parties consisted of the following:
Name of Related Party |
|
Nature of Relationship |
Zhentao Jiang |
|
Director and principal shareholder |
Wenjie Tang |
|
CEO and shareholder |
Yufeng Mi |
|
CTO and shareholder |
Bin Liu |
|
CRO |
Guofu Zhang |
|
CFO |
Chengchun Zhang |
|
COO and principal shareholder |
IIG LTD |
|
The entity is under common control of Zhentao Jiang |
i) Revenue from related parties and accounts receivable from related parties, net
The Company provides online trading platform application service to IIG LTD. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, the Company generated related party revenues from IIG LTD in the amount of $2,720,936 and $0, respectively. The net related party accounts receivable with IIG LTD amounted to $247,000 and $0 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company did not take allowance for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, and have no allowance balances as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 for the accounts receivable from related parties. Because the management was confident to collect the account receivable from the related party and the aging for a majority of the balance was less than 3 months.
ii) Due from related party
Subscription receivable of $1,170,000 as of December 31, 2016 was presented as contra account of ordinary shares, representing the Company’s outstanding stock subscription receivable owned from the Chengchun Zhang, the COO and principal shareholder, and other principal shareholders of the Company. This subscription receivable has been fully collected as of the filing date of the prospectus.
iii) Due to related parties
Due to related parties as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||
Zhentao Jiang (1) |
|
$ |
3,869,836 |
|
$ |
37,229 |
Total |
|
$ |
3,869,836 |
|
$ |
37,229 |
77
____________
(1) The balance of due to related party represents expenses totaling $129,810 (2015: $37,229) incurred in the ordinary course that were paid by Zhentao Jiang, Chairman of the Board of Directors and principal shareholder, on behalf of the Company as well as three loans totaling $3,740,026 that the Company obtained from Zhentao Jiang for working capital purpose.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into three advance agreements with Zhentao Jiang, allowing the Company to borrow unsecured and interest-free loans. The balances and material terms of the three loan advance agreements are summarizes below:
(i) Under the advance agreement between Zhentao Jiang (the “Lender”) and AGM Beijing (the “Borrower”), which dated January 1, 2016,
• The borrowed money shall be used for business activities of the Borrower only.
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed RMB 15,000,000 (USD 2,160,232).
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of the national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017.
• The repayment date is December 31, 2017.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $1,843,964 as of December 31, 2016.
(ii) Under the advance agreement between Zhentao Jiang the “Lender” and AGM Group Holdings Inc. (the “Borrower”), which dated July 3, 2016,
• The borrowed money shall be used for business activities of the Borrower only.
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed USD 1,200,000.
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from July 3, 2016 to July 2, 2018.
• The repayment date is July 2, 2018.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $1,003,166 as of December 31, 2016.
(iii) Under the advance agreement between Zhentao Jiang (the “Lender”) and AGM Shenzhen (the “Borrower”), which dated July 3, 2016,
• The borrowed money shall be used for business activities of the Borrower only.
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed RMB 8,000,000 (USD 1,152,124).
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from July 3, 2016 to July 2, 2018.
• The repayment date is July 2, 2018.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $892,896 as of December 31, 2016.
On May 4, 2017, the Company repaid $1,003,166 of its related party loan due to Zhentao Jiang. As of the date of the prospectus, the remaining balance due to Zhentao Jiang is $2,866,670.
On January 1, 2017, the Company entered into a 2-year term advance agreement with the Company’s CEO and shareholder, Wenji Tang, allowing the Company to borrow unsecured and interest-free loan up to the amount of RMB15,000,000 ($2,160,232) from the CEO during fiscal 2017. The Company shall repay the CEO for any amount outstanding at the maturity date of December 31, 2018. The Company has subsequently drawn down RMB8,413,548 ($1,247,117).
78
Principal Shareholders
The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of our Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares as of the date of the Prospectus by:
• Each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares;
• Each of our director, director nominees and named executive officers; and
• All directors and named executive officers as a group.
Our company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of $0.001 par value per share and 200,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of $0.001 par value per share. The number and percentage of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned before the offering are based on 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of $0.001 par value per share and 11,900,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of $0.001 par value per share issued and outstanding as of September 18, 2017. Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each director, officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Ordinary Shares. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally requires that such person have voting or investment power with respect to securities. In computing the number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by a person listed below and the percentage ownership of such person, Ordinary Shares underlying options, warrants or convertible securities held by each such person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of September 18, 2017 are deemed outstanding, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person. None of our shareholders as of the date of this prospectus is a record holder in the United States. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, or as required by applicable community property laws, all persons listed have sole voting and investment power for all Ordinary Shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, the address for each principal shareholder is in the care of our Company at 1 Jinghua South Road, Wangzuo Plaza East Tower, Room 2112, Beijing, P.R. China 100020. As of the date of the Prospectus, we have eighteen (18) shareholders of record.
79
Named Executive Officers and Directors |
|
Amount
of
|
|
Pre-
|
|
Post-
|
|
Post-
|
|
Amount
of
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Combined
|
|
Combined
|
|||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zhentao Jiang, Chairman of the Board (1) |
|
2,400,000 |
|
12 |
% |
|
11.4 |
% |
|
11.2 |
% |
|
2,400,000 |
|
20.2 |
% |
|
4,800,00 |
|
18.1 |
% |
Wenije Tang, Chief Executive Officer (2) |
|
1,500,000 |
|
7.5 |
% |
|
7.1 |
% |
|
7.0 |
% |
|
1,500,000 |
|
12.6 |
% |
|
3,000,000 |
|
11.3 |
% |
Guofu Zhang, Chief Financial Officer |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
Chengchun Zhang, Chief Operating Officer (2) |
|
2,400,000 |
|
12 |
% |
|
11.4 |
% |
|
11.2 |
% |
|
2,400,000 |
|
20.2 |
% |
|
4,800,000 |
|
18.1 |
% |
Yufeng Mi, Chief Technology Officer |
|
600,000 |
|
3 |
% |
|
2.9 |
% |
|
2.8 |
% |
|
600,000 |
|
5 |
% |
|
1,200,000 |
|
4.5 |
% |
Bin
Liu, Chief Risk
|
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
Chenxi Shi, Secretary of the Board |
|
10,000 |
|
0.05 |
% |
|
0.05 |
% |
|
0.05 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
10,000 |
|
0.01 |
% |
Chuang Chen, Independent Director and Chairman of Audit Committee |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
Jialin
Liu, Independent Director and Chairman of Compensation
|
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
Tingfu Xie, Independent Director and Chairman of Nominating Committee |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
|
— |
|
0 |
% |
All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons) |
|
6,910,000 |
|
34.55 |
% |
|
32.9 |
% |
|
32.3 |
% |
|
6,900,000 |
|
58 |
% |
|
13,810,000 |
|
52.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Beneficial Owners: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Firebull Holdings Limited (2) |
|
5,000,000 |
|
25 |
% |
|
23.8 |
% |
|
23.4 |
% |
|
5,000,000 |
|
42 |
% |
|
10,000,000 |
|
37.7 |
% |
____________
(1) Zhentao Jiang individually holds 2,400,000 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares and 2,400,000 shares of Class B Ordinary Shares, representing 12% and 20.2% of the total outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding and Class B Ordinary Shares respectively.
In addition, Zhentao Jiang indirectly holds and has sole voting and dispositive power of the 1,000,000 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Northnew Management Limited, a company formed under the laws of Seychelles. Northnew Management Limited may, from time to time, transfer shares of our company to our executive officers as equity incentive to retain their services.
(2) Wenjie Tang individually holds 1,500,000 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares and 1,500,000 shares of Class B Ordinary Shares, representing 7.5% and 12.6% of the total outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares respectively.
Chengchun Zhang individually holds 2,400,000 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares and 2,400,000 shares of Class B Ordinary Shares, representing 12% and 20.2% of the total outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares respectively.
In addition, Wenjie Tang and Chengchun Zhang jointly and indirectly hold the 5,000,000 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares and the 5,000,000 shares of Class B Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Firebull Holdings Limited, a company formed under the laws of Hong Kong SAR. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of AGM Holdings has the voting and dispositive power of the 5,000,000 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares and the 5,000,000 shares of Class B Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Firebull Holdings Limited. The dividend rights of the 5,000,000 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares owned by Firebull are reserved to our employees as equity incentive to retain talent.
(3) Eah Class B Ordinary Share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to five (5) votes at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company or on any resolution of shareholders. Holders of our Class B Ordinary Share will vote together with holders of our Class A Ordinary Share as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote approval.
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Description of Share Capital
AGM Holdings was incorporated on April 27, 2015 under the BVI Companies Act, 2004 as a company limited by shares. As of the date of this prospectus, we have authorized 200,000,000 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares, of $0.001 par value per share and 200,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of $0.001 par value per share. As a result of the equity interest transfer between Zhentao Jiang and Chenxi Shi and the recent private placement financing, there are 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 11,900,000 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.
Neither our Articles nor Memorandum of Association provides for the director’s power, in the absence of a quorum, to vote compensation to themselves. All decisions about director compensation will be recommended by the compensation committee, upon its formation, and approved by the Board of Directors as a whole, both acting only when a quorum of members is present.
The following are summaries of the material provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will be in force at the time of the closing of this offering and the BVI Business Companies Act, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our Class A Ordinary Shares. The forms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. As a convenience to potential investors, we provide the below description of BVI law and our memorandum and articles of association together with a comparison to similar features under Delaware law.
Class A Ordinary Shares
General
Each Class A Ordinary Share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to one vote per share at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company or on any resolution of shareholders. Holders of our Class A Ordinary Share will vote together with holders of our Class B Ordinary Share as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote approval.
Each Class A Ordinary Share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to an equal share in any dividend paid by the Company.
Each Class A Ordinary Share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company on its liquidation.
All of our issued Class A Ordinary Shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the Class A Ordinary Shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the British Virgin Islands may freely hold and vote their Class A Ordinary Shares.
At the completion of this offering, there will be between 21,010,000 (assuming the sale of 1,000,000 shares) and 21,410,000 (assuming the sale of 1,400,000 shares) Class A Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.
Class B Ordinary Shares
General
Each Class B Ordinary Share in the Company confers upon the shareholder the right to five votes at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company or on any resolution of shareholders. Holders of our Class B Ordinary Share will vote together with holders of our Class A Ordinary Share as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote approval.
Each Class B Ordinary Share may not be sold, assigned, transferred, alienated, commuted, anticipated, or otherwise disposed of (including by will or the laws of descent and distribution), or pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation, or be otherwise encumbered, and are not subject to attachment, garnishment, execution or other legal or equitable process, and any attempt to do so shall be null and void.
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Each Class B Ordinary Share shall only be issued to the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ employees or those entities of which its principal shareholder is an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries. Shareholder’s termination of employment with the Company or its subsidiaries shall immediately result in the cancellation of any and all issued and outstanding shares of Class B ordinary shares held by such shareholder on the date of termination.
Sale, assignment, transfer, alienation, or otherwise disposition of any Class A Ordinary Share by common shareholder of Class B Ordinary Shares shall immediately result in the cancellation of equal number of shares of Class B ordinary share on the date of such disposition.
Shareholder(s) of Class B ordinary share in the Company shall not:
• receive the right to any dividend paid by the Company;
• receive the right to any distribution of the surplus assets of the Company on its liquidation.
At the completion of this offering, there will be 11,900,000 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.
Listing
We plan to apply to list our Class A Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGMH.” We have not applied and cannot guarantee that we will be successful in listing on Nasdaq; however, we will not complete this offering unless we are so listed.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the Class A Ordinary Shares is expected to be VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Pace, Woodmere, NY 11598.
Distributions
The holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to the BVI Business Companies Act, as amended.
Voting rights
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the shareholders entitled to vote on such action and may be effected by a resolution in writing. At each general meeting, each shareholder who is present in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative) will have one vote for each Class A Ordinary Share or five votes for each Class B Ordinary Share. Holders of our Class A Ordinary Share will vote together with holders of our Class B Ordinary Share as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote approval.
Election of directors
Delaware law permits cumulative voting for the election of directors only if expressly authorized in the certificate of incorporation. The laws of the British Virgin Islands, however, do not specifically prohibit or restrict the creation of cumulative voting rights for the election of our directors. Cumulative voting is not a concept that is accepted as a common practice in the British Virgin Islands, and we have made no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association to allow cumulative voting for elections of directors.
Meetings
We must provide written notice of all meetings of shareholders, stating the time, place and, in the case of a special meeting of shareholders, the purpose or purposes thereof, at least 7 days before the date of the proposed meeting to those persons whose names appear as shareholders in the register of members on the date of the notice and are entitled to vote at the meeting. Our board of directors shall call a special meeting upon the written request of shareholders holding at least 30% of our outstanding voting shares. In addition, our board of directors may call a special meeting of shareholders on its own motion. A meeting of shareholders held in contravention of the requirement to give notice is valid if shareholders holding at least 90 percent of the total voting rights on all the
82
matters to be considered at the meeting have waived notice of the meeting and, for this purpose, the presence of a shareholder at the meeting shall constitute waiver in relation to all the shares which that shareholder holds.
The management of us is entrusted to our board of directors, who will make corporate decisions by board resolution. Our directors are free to meet at such times and in such manner and places within or outside the BVI as the directors determine to be necessary or desirable. A 3 days’ notice of a meeting of directors must be given. At any meeting of directors, a quorum will be present if half of the total number of directors is present, unless there are only 2 directors in which case the quorum is 2. If a quorum is not present, the meeting will be dissolved. If a quorum is present, votes of half of present directors are required to pass a resolution of directors.
As few as one third of our outstanding shares may be sufficient to hold a shareholder meeting. Although our memorandum and articles of association require that holders of at least one-third of our outstanding shares appear in person or by proxy to hold a shareholder meeting, to the extent we fail to have quorum on this initial meeting date, we can reschedule the meeting for the next business day or later, at which second meeting the holders of one third or more of our outstanding shares will constitute a quorum. As mentioned, at the initial date set for any meeting of shareholders, a quorum will be present if there are shareholders present in person or by proxy representing not less than one-third of the issued Class A Ordinary Shares entitled to vote on the resolutions to be considered at the meeting. A quorum may comprise a single shareholder or proxy and then such person may pass a resolution of shareholders and a certificate signed by such person accompanied where such person be a proxy by a copy of the proxy instrument shall constitute a valid resolution of shareholder. If within two hours from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of shareholders, shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the next business day in the jurisdiction in which the meeting was to have been held at the same time and place or to such other time and place as the directors may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting there are present within one hour from the time appointed for the meeting in person or by proxy not less than one third of the votes of the shares or each class or series of shares entitle to vote on the matter to be considered by the meeting, those present shall constitute a quorum but otherwise the meeting shall be dissolved. No business may be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of business. If present, the chair of our board of directors shall be the chair presiding at any meeting of the shareholders.
A corporation that is a shareholder shall be deemed for the purpose of our memorandum and articles of association to be present in person if represented by its duly authorized representative. This duly authorized representative shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were our individual shareholder.
Protection of minority shareholders
We would normally expect British Virgin Islands courts to follow English case law precedents, which permit a minority shareholder to commence a representative action, or derivative actions in our name, to challenge (1) an act which is ultra vires or illegal, (2) an act which constitutes a fraud against the minority by parties in control of us, (3) the act complained of constitutes an infringement of individual rights of shareholders, such as the right to vote and pre-emptive rights and (4) an irregularity in the passing of a resolution which requires a special or extraordinary majority of the shareholders.
Pre-emptive rights
There are no pre-emptive rights applicable to the issue by us of new Class A Ordinary Shares under either British Virgin Islands law or our memorandum and articles of association.
Transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the restrictions in our memorandum and articles of association and applicable securities laws, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her Class A Ordinary Shares by written instrument of transfer signed by the transferor and containing the name and address of the transferee. Our board of directors may resolve by resolution to refuse or delay the registration of the transfer of any Ordinary Share. If our board of directors resolves to refuse or delay any transfer, it shall specify the reasons for such refusal in the resolution. Our directors may not resolve or refuse or delay the transfer of Ordinary Shares unless: (a) the person transferring the shares has failed to pay any amount due in respect of any of those shares; or (b) such refusal or delay is deemed necessary or
83
advisable in our view or that of our legal counsel in order to avoid violation of, or in order to ensure compliance with, any applicable, corporate, securities and other laws and regulations.
Liquidation
If we are wound up and the assets available for distribution among our shareholders are more than sufficient to repay all amounts paid to us on account of the issue of shares immediately prior to the winding up, the excess shall be distributable pari passu among those shareholders in proportion to the amount paid up immediately prior to the winding up on the shares held by them, respectively. If we are wound up and the assets available for distribution among the shareholders as such are insufficient to repay the whole of the amounts paid to us on account of the issue of shares, those assets shall be distributed so that, to the greatest extent possible, the losses shall be borne by the shareholders in proportion to the amounts paid up immediately prior to the winding up on the shares held by them, respectively. If we are wound up, the liquidator appointed by us may, in accordance with the BVI Business Companies Act, divide among our shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of our assets (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may, for such purpose, set such value as the liquidator deems fair upon any property to be divided and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders.
Calls on Class A Ordinary Shares and forfeiture of Class A Ordinary Shares
Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their Class A Ordinary Shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time of payment. The Class A Ordinary Shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the provisions of the BVI Business Companies Act, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our memorandum and articles of association and subject to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by, the BVI Business Companies Act, the SEC, The Nasdaq Capital Market, or by any recognized stock exchange on which our securities are listed.
Modifications of rights
All or any of the special rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of the BVI Business Companies Act, be amended only pursuant to a resolution passed at a meeting by a majority of the votes cast by those entitled to vote at a meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Changes in the number of shares we are authorized to issue and those in issue
We may from time to time by resolution of our board of directors:
• amend our memorandum of association to increase or decrease the maximum number of shares we are authorized to issue;
• subject to our memorandum, divide our authorized and issued shares into a larger number of shares; and
• subject to our memorandum, combine our authorized and issued shares into a smaller number of shares.
Untraceable shareholders
We are entitled to sell any shares of a shareholder who is untraceable, provided that:
• all checks or warrants in respect of dividends of these shares, not being less than three in number, for any sums payable in cash to the holder of such shares have remained uncashed for a period of twelve years prior to the publication of the notice and during the three months referred to in the third bullet point below;
84
• we have not during that time received any indication of the whereabouts or existence of the shareholder or person entitled to these shares by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and
• we have caused a notice to be published in newspapers in the manner stipulated by our memorandum and articles of association, giving notice of our intention to sell these shares, and a period of three months has elapsed since such notice.
The net proceeds of any such sale shall belong to us, and when we receive these net proceeds we shall become indebted to the former shareholder for an amount equal to the net proceeds.
Inspection of books and records
Under British Virgin Islands Law, holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled, upon giving written notice to us, to inspect (i) our memorandum and articles of association, (ii) the register of members, (iii) the register of directors and (iv) minutes of meetings and resolutions of members, and to make copies and take extracts from the documents and records. However, our directors can refuse access if they are satisfied that to allow such access would be contrary to our interests. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
Rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Issuance of additional Class A Ordinary Shares
Our memorandum and articles of association authorizes our board of directors to issue additional Class A Ordinary Shares from authorized but unissued shares, to the extent available, from time to time as our board of directors shall determine.
Differences in Corporate Law
The BVI Business Companies Act and the laws of the British Virgin Islands affecting British Virgin Islands companies like us and our shareholders differ from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the material differences between the provisions of the laws of the British Virgin Islands applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and similar arrangements
Under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, two or more companies may merge or consolidate in accordance with Section 170 of the BVI Business Companies Act. A merger means the merging of two or more constituent companies into one of the constituent companies and a consolidation means the uniting of two or more constituent companies into a new company. In order to merge or consolidate, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must be authorized by a resolution of shareholders.
While a director may vote on the plan of merger or consolidation even if he has an interest in the plan, the interested director must disclose the interest to all other directors of the company promptly upon becoming aware of the fact that he is interested in the merger or consolidation.
A transaction entered into by our company in respect of which a director is interested (including a merger or consolidation) is voidable by us unless the director’s interest was (a) disclosed to the board prior to the transaction or (b) the transaction is (i) between the director and the company and (ii) the transaction is in the ordinary course of the company’s business and on usual terms and conditions.
Notwithstanding the above, a transaction entered into by the company is not voidable if the material facts of the interest are known to the shareholders and they approve or ratify it or the company received fair value for the transaction.
85
Shareholders not otherwise entitled to vote on the merger or consolidation may still acquire the right to vote if the plan of merger or consolidation contains any provision which, if proposed as an amendment to the memorandum or articles of association, would entitle them to vote as a class or series on the proposed amendment. In any event, all shareholders must be given a copy of the plan of merger or consolidation irrespective of whether they are entitled to vote at the meeting held to approve the plan of merger or consolidation.
The shareholders of the constituent companies are not required to receive shares of the surviving or consolidated company but may receive debt obligations or other securities of the surviving or consolidated company, other assets, or a combination thereof. Further, some or all of the shares of a class or series may be converted into a kind of asset while the other shares of the same class or series may receive a different kind of asset. As such, not all the shares of a class or series must receive the same kind of consideration.
After the plan of merger or consolidation has been approved by the directors and authorized by a resolution of the shareholders, articles of merger or consolidation are executed by each company and filed with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands.
A shareholder may dissent from a mandatory redemption of his shares, an arrangement (if permitted by the court), a merger (unless the shareholder was a shareholder of the surviving company prior to the merger and continues to hold the same or similar shares after the merger) or a consolidation. A shareholder properly exercising his dissent rights is entitled to a cash payment equal to the fair value of his shares.
A shareholder dissenting from a merger or consolidation must object in writing to the merger or consolidation before the vote by the shareholders on the merger or consolidation, unless notice of the meeting was not given to the shareholder. If the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the company must give notice of this fact to each shareholder within 20 days who gave written objection. These shareholders then have 20 days to give to the company their written election in the form specified by the BVI Business Companies Act to dissent from the merger or consolidation, provided that in the case of a merger, the 20 days starts when the plan of merger is delivered to the shareholder.
Upon giving notice of his election to dissent, a shareholder ceases to have any shareholder rights except the right to be paid the fair value of his shares. As such, the merger or consolidation may proceed in the ordinary course notwithstanding his dissent.
Within seven days of the later of the delivery of the notice of election to dissent and the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a specified price per share that the company determines to be the fair value of the shares. The company and the shareholder then have 30 days to agree upon the price. If the company and a shareholder fail to agree on the price within the 30 days, then the company and the shareholder shall, within 20 days immediately following the expiration of the 30-day period, each designate an appraiser and these two appraisers shall designate a third appraiser. These three appraisers shall fix the fair value of the shares as of the close of business on the day prior to the shareholders’ approval of the transaction without taking into account any change in value as a result of the transaction.
Shareholders’ suits
There are both statutory and common law remedies available to our shareholders as a matter of British Virgin Islands law. These are summarized below:
Prejudiced members
A shareholder who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being, or are likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any act or acts of the company have been, or are, likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, can apply to the court under Section 184I of the BVI Business Companies Act, inter alia, for an order that his shares be acquired, that he be provided compensation, that the Court regulate the future conduct of the company, or that any decision of the company which contravenes the BVI Business Companies Act or our memorandum and articles of association be set aside.
86
Derivative actions
Section 184C of the BVI Business Companies Act provides that a shareholder of a company may, with the leave of the Court, bring an action in the name of the company to redress any wrong done to it.
Just and equitable winding up
In addition to the statutory remedies outlined above, shareholders can also petition for the winding up of a company on the grounds that it is just and equitable for the court to so order. Save in exceptional circumstances, this remedy is only available where the company has been operated as a quasi partnership and trust and confidence between the partners has broken down.
Indemnification of directors and executive officers and limitation of liability
British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any provision providing indemnification may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.
Under our memorandum and articles of association, we indemnify against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings for any person who:
• is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was our director; or
• is or was, at our request, serving as a director or officer of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another body corporate or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
These indemnities only apply if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Anti-takeover provisions in our memorandum and articles of association
Some provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that provide for a staggered board of directors and prevent shareholders from taking an action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. However, under British Virgin Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, as they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Directors’ fiduciary duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a transaction that is material to the company. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are
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presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
Under British Virgin Islands law, our directors owe the company certain statutory and fiduciary duties including, among others, a duty to act honestly, in good faith, for a proper purpose and with a view to what the directors believe to be in the best interests of the company. Our directors are also required, when exercising powers or performing duties as a director, to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in comparable circumstances, taking into account without limitation, the nature of the company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken. In the exercise of their powers, our directors must ensure neither they nor the company acts in a manner which contravenes the BVI Business Companies Act or our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and re-stated from time to time. A shareholder has the right to seek damages for breaches of duties owed to us by our directors.
Shareholder action by written consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. British Virgin Islands law provides that shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a written resolution without a meeting signed by or on behalf of shareholders sufficient to constitute the requisite majority of shareholders who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting; provided that if the consent is less than unanimous, notice must be given to all non-consenting shareholders. Our memorandum and articles of association permit shareholders to act by written consent.
Shareholder proposals
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings. British Virgin Islands law and our memorandum and articles of association allow our shareholders holding not less than 30% of the votes of the outstanding voting shares to requisition a shareholders’ meeting. We are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings, but our memorandum and articles of association do permit the directors to call such a meeting. The location of any shareholders’ meeting can be determined by the board of directors and can be held anywhere in the world.
Cumulative voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under British Virgin Islands law, our memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our memorandum and articles of association, directors can be removed from office, with cause, by a resolution of shareholders or by a resolution of directors passed at a meeting of directors called for the purpose of removing the director or for purposes including the removal of the director.
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Transactions with interested shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting shares within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware public corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors. British Virgin Islands law has no comparable statute.
Dissolution; Winding Up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under the BVI Business Companies Act and our memorandum and articles of association, we may appoint a voluntary liquidator by a resolution of the shareholders or by resolution of directors.
Variation of rights of shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our memorandum and articles of association, if at any time our shares are divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class may only be varied, whether or not our company is in liquidation, with the consent in writing of or by a resolution passed at a meeting by the holders of not less than 50 percent of the issued shares in that class.
Amendment of governing documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by British Virgin Islands law, our memorandum and articles of association may be amended by a resolution of shareholders and, subject to certain exceptions, by a resolution of directors. Any amendment is effective from the date it is registered at the Registry of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands.
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Shares Eligible for Future Sale
Before our initial public offering, there has not been a public market for our Class A Ordinary Shares. Future sales of substantial amounts of shares of our Class A Ordinary Shares in the public market after our initial public offering, or the possibility of these sales occurring, could cause the prevailing market price for our Class A Ordinary Shares to fall or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future.
The Class A Ordinary Shares that were not offered and sold in our initial public offering are “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities are eligible for public sale only if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, once we have been subject to public company reporting requirements for at least 90 days, a person who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates for purposes of the Securities Act at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, is entitled to sell those shares without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144, subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, then that person is entitled to sell those shares without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144.
In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are entitled to sell within any three-month period beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
• 1% of the number of Class A Ordinary Shares then outstanding, which will equal between 210,100 (assuming closing of a minimum offering) and 214,100 (assuming closing of a maximum offering) shares immediately after our initial public offering, or
• the average weekly trading volume of the Class A Ordinary Shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.
Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 as currently in effect, any of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchase shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement in a transaction before the effective date of our initial public offering that was completed in reliance on Rule 701 and complied with the requirements of Rule 701 will be eligible to resell such shares 90 days after the date of this prospectus in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with certain restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144.
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Summary of Shares Available for Future Sale
The following table summarizes the total shares potentially available for future sale. To the extent we sell a number of Class A Ordinary Shares between the minimum and maximum offering, the below tables will be adjusted proportionately as to numbers of shares available for sale (as to share incentive and underwriter shares) and dates on which such shares may be sold (as to currently outstanding shares).
Minimum Offering Shares |
|
Date Available for Sale |
Currently Outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares: 20,010,000 |
|
After 90 days from the date of effectiveness or commencement of sales of the public offering |
|
|
|
Shares Offered in this Offering: 1,000,000 |
|
After the date of this prospectus, these shares will be freely tradable. |
Maximum Offering Shares |
|
Date Available for Sale |
Currently Outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares: 20,010,000 |
|
After 90 days from the date of effectiveness or commencement of sales of the public offering |
|
|
|
Shares Offered in this Offering: 1,400,000 |
|
After the date of this prospectus, these shares will be freely tradable |
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Material Tax Consequences Applicable to U.S. Holders of Our Class A Ordinary Shares
The following sets forth the material British Virgin Islands, Chinese and U.S. federal income tax consequences related to an investment in our Class A Ordinary Shares. It is directed to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of our Class A Ordinary Shares and is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This description does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our Class A Ordinary Shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.
The following brief description applies only to U.S. Holders (defined below) that hold Class A Ordinary Shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This brief description is based on the tax laws of the United States in effect as of the date of this prospectus and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the date of this prospectus, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below. Unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, this section is the opinion of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP, our U.S. counsel, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law, and of East & Concord Partners, our PRC counsel, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of Chinese tax law.
The brief description below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to you if you are a beneficial owner of shares and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
• an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
• a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
• an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
• a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
WE URGE POTENTIAL
PURCHASERS OF OUR SHARES TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S.
TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR
SHARES.
Generally
AGM Holdings is a tax-exempt company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. AGM Holdings and AGM Software are subject to BVI law AGM Belize is subject to Belize law. AGM HK is subject to Hong Kong profits tax rate. AGM Shenzhen, AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing are governed by PRC laws. AGM UK and AGMClub is subject to the law of England and Wales. AGM Australia is subject to the law of Australia.
British Virgin Islands Taxation
Under the BVI Business Companies Act as currently in effect, a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares who is not a resident of the British Virgin Islands is exempt from British Virgin Islands income tax on dividends paid with respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares and all holders of Class A Ordinary Shares are not liable to the British Virgin Islands for income tax on gains realized during that year on sale or disposal of such shares. The British Virgin Islands does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Business Companies Act.
There are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the British Virgin Islands on companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Business Companies Act. In addition, shares of companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Business Companies Act are not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties or similar charges.
There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the British Virgin Islands or between China and the British Virgin Islands.
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Belize Taxation
Belize enacted the International Business Companies (IBC) Act, which allows international investors to establish offshore companies in Belize. IBCs are not allowed to own an interest in real property in Belize or to conduct business in banking or insurance with Belizean residents. However, IBCs benefit from tax exemptions on all income; dividends paid to persons resident in Belize or elsewhere; interest, rent, royalties, and compensation paid to persons who are not residents of Belize; and capital gains realized on shares, debt obligations, or other securities of an IBC by persons who are not resident in Belize. There are no currency restrictions for banking transactions, and no restrictions on citizenship or residency requirements for directors, officers, or shareholders. All IBCs must be registered through an authorized IBC agent of the International Business Companies Registry.
AGM Belize, though incorporated in Belize, neither conducts its operation nor owns any property in Belize. Therefore, AGM Belize qualifies as an IBC under Belize Law.
Hong Kong Taxation
According to the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO) of Hong Kong, a corporation is subject to a 16.5% profits tax if, (i) the corporation carries on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong; (ii) the trade, profession or business derives profits; and (iii) the profits are derived from Hong Kong (i.e., the profits are sourced in Hong Kong). For servicing business, the source of the income is the place where the services are performed. If services are performed in Hong Kong, the income has a source in Hong Kong. In the event that the service income is earned by a company carrying on a business in Hong Kong but the services are performed entirely outside Hong Kong, the service fee is not taxable in Hong Kong.
In addition, there is no withholding tax (“WHT”) on dividends, interest, or royalties. However, royalties paid or accrued to a non-resident for the use of or right to use in Hong Kong or outside Hong Kong (if the royalties are deductible in ascertaining the assessable profits of a person for Hong Kong profits tax purposes) a trademark, patent, design, copyright material, secret process, or other property of a similar nature, or for the use in Hong Kong of cinema or television tape or any sound recording, are deemed to be taxable in Hong Kong. The 4.95%/16.5% for corporations tax on royalties received by non-residents is, in effect, similar to a WHT.
PRC Taxation
Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management bodies” as establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting and properties of an enterprise. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “Resident Enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our Class A Ordinary Shares holders and shareholders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.”
Effective January 1, 2012, the PRC Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation launched a Business Tax to Value-Added Tax Transformation Pilot Program, or the VAT Pilot Program, which imposes VAT in lieu of business tax for certain “modern service industries” in certain regions and eventually expanded to nation-wide application in 2013. All entities and individuals that are engaged in the businesses of sales of goods, provision of repair and placement services and importation of goods into China are generally subject to a VAT at a rate of 17% (with the exception of certain goods which are subject to a rate of 13%) of the gross sales proceeds received, less any VAT already paid or borne by the taxpayer on the goods or services purchased by it and utilized in the production of goods or provisions of services that have generated the gross sales proceeds. According to the implementation circulars released by the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on the VAT Pilot Program, the “modern service industries” include research, development and technology services, information technology services, cultural innovation services, logistics support, lease of corporeal properties, attestation and consulting services. The Measures for the Implementation of the Pilot Scheme on Levying Value-added Tax in Place of Business Tax, or the VAT Measures, became effective on May 1, 2016. According to the VAT Measures, entities and individuals engaging in the sale of services, intangible assets or fixed assets within the territory of the PRC are required to pay VAT instead of business tax. Under this transition, the tax base for additional tax changes from the
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base amount under the business tax to the base amount under VAT. All of our PRC subsidiaries were subject to the VAT Pilot Program as of December 31, 2016, majority of which were subject to a rate of 6%, in lieu of business tax. With the adoption of the VAT Measures, our revenues are subject to VAT payable on goods sold or taxable services provided by a general VAT taxpayer for a taxable period is the net balance of the output VAT for the period after crediting the input VAT for the period. Hence, the amount of VAT payable does not result directly from output VAT generated from goods sold or taxable services provided. Therefore, we have adopted the net presentation of VAT.
According to the Sino-U.S. Tax Treaty which was effective on January 1, 1987 and aimed to avoid double taxation disadvantage, income that is incurred in one nation should be taxed by that nation and exempted from the other nation, but for the dividend that is generated in China and distributed to foreigner in other nations, a rate 10% tax will be charged.
Pursuant to applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We may be subject to adverse tax consequences and our consolidated results of operations may be adversely affected if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries and their shareholders are not on an arm’s length basis and therefore constitute favorable transfer pricing.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following does not address the tax consequences to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:
• bank;
• financial institutions;
• insurance companies;
• regulated investment companies;
• real estate investment trusts;
• broker-dealers;
• traders that elect to mark-to-market;
• U.S. expatriates;
• tax-exempt entities;
• persons liable for alternative minimum tax;
• persons holding our Class A Ordinary Shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction;
• persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting shares;
• persons who acquired our Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as consideration; or
• persons holding our Class A Ordinary Shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities.
Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the application of the U.S. Federal tax rules to their particular circumstances as well as the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Class A Ordinary Shares.
Tax Treaties
As above mentioned, according to the Sino-U.S. Tax Treaty which was effective on January 1 st , 1987 and aimed to avoid double taxation disadvantage, income that is incurred in one nation should be taxed by that nation and
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exempted from the other nation, but for the dividend that is generated in China and distributed to foreigners in other nations, a rate 10% tax will be charged.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of distributions made by us to you with respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will generally be includable in your gross income as dividend income on the date of receipt by you, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income, provided that (1) the Class A Ordinary Shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or we are eligible for the benefits of an approved qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program, (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) for either our taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, Class A Ordinary Shares are considered for purpose of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our Class A Ordinary Shares, including the effects of any change in law after the date of this prospectus.
Dividends will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are taxed as qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation will be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate divided by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to our Class A Ordinary Shares will constitute “passive category income” but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute “general category income.”
To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your Class A Ordinary Shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will be treated as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.
Taxation of Dispositions of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of a share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the Class A Ordinary Shares. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the Class A Ordinary Shares for more than one year, you will be eligible for reduced tax rates of 0% (for individuals in the 10% or 15% tax brackets), 20% (for individuals in the 39.6% tax brackets) or 15% for all other individuals. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize will generally be treated as United States source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
Based on our current and anticipated operations and the composition of our assets, we do not expect to be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2016. Our actual PFIC status for the current taxable year ending December 31, 2016 will not be determinable until the close of such taxable year and, accordingly, there is no guarantee that we will not be a PFIC
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for the current taxable year. Because PFIC status is a factual determination for each taxable year which cannot be made until the close of the taxable year. A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either:
• at least 75% of its gross income is passive income, defined as income from interest, dividends, rents, royalties, gains on property producing foreign personal holding company income and certain other income that does not involve the active conduct of a trade or business; or
• at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”).
We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock.
We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. As a result, our PFIC status may change. In particular, because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be determined based on the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the Class A Ordinary Shares may cause us to become a PFIC. In addition, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects and the composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in this offering. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold Class A Ordinary Shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold Class A Ordinary Shares. However, if we cease to be a PFIC, you may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a “deemed sale” election with respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold Class A Ordinary Shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the Class A Ordinary Shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the Class A Ordinary Shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
• the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the Class A Ordinary Shares;
• the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and
• the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.
The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the Class A Ordinary Shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the Class A Ordinary Shares as capital assets.
A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. If you make a mark-to-market election for the Class A Ordinary Shares, you will include in income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Class A Ordinary Shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such Class A Ordinary Shares. You are allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the Class A Ordinary Shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, deductions are allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the Class A Ordinary Shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the Class A Ordinary Shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the Class A Ordinary Shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the Class A Ordinary Shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the
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net mark-to-market gains previously included for such Class A Ordinary Shares. Your basis in the Class A Ordinary Shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income discussed above under “Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Class A Ordinary Shares” generally would not apply.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock”, which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations), including The Nasdaq Capital Market. If the Class A Ordinary Shares are regularly traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market and if you are a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may make a “qualified electing fund” election with respect to such PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. A U.S. Holder who makes a valid qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC will generally include in gross income for a taxable year such holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings and profits for the taxable year. However, the qualified electing fund election is available only if such PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not currently intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election. If you hold Class A Ordinary Shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the Class A Ordinary Shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the Class A Ordinary Shares.
You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in our Class A Ordinary Shares and the elections discussed above.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our Class A Ordinary Shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our Class A Ordinary Shares may be subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding at a current rate of 28%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.
Under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, certain United States Holders are required to report information relating to Class A Ordinary Shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for Class A Ordinary Shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions), by attaching a complete Internal Revenue Service Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, with their tax return for each year in which they hold Class A Ordinary Shares. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
97
Enforceability of Civil Liabilities
We are incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands with limited liability. We are incorporated in the British Virgin Islands because of certain benefits associated with being a British Virgin Islands corporation, such as political and economic stability, an effective judicial system, a favorable tax system, the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions and the availability of professional and support services. However, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides protections for investors to a lesser extent. In addition, British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.
Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, a majority of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons’ assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons or to enforce against them or against us, judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.
We have appointed Vcorp Agent Services, Inc. as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any State of the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.
East & Concord Partners, our counsel as to Chinese law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of China would (1) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof, or (2) be competent to hear original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction, against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.
East & Concord Partners has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the Chinese Civil Procedure Law. Chinese courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the Chinese Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or in reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other agreements with the British Virgin Islands or the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. As a result, it is uncertain whether a Chinese court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in either of these two jurisdictions.
We have been advised by Mourant Ozannes, our counsel as to British Virgin Islands law, that the United States and the British Virgin Islands do not have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts of the United States in civil and commercial matters and that a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any general or state court in the United States based on civil liability, whether or not predicated solely upon the U.S. federal securities laws, is unlikely to be enforceable in the British Virgin Islands. We have also been advised by Mourant Ozannes that a final and conclusive judgment obtained in U.S. federal or state courts under which a sum of money is payable as compensatory damages (i.e., not being a sum claimed by a revenue authority for taxes or other charges of a similar nature by a governmental authority, or in respect of a fine or penalty or multiple or punitive damages) may be the subject of an action on a debt in the court of the British Virgin Islands under the common law doctrine of obligation.
98
Underwriting
We have entered into an underwriting agreement with Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. (the “Underwriter”). The Underwriter is not purchasing or selling any securities offered by this prospectus, nor is it required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities, but rather it has agreed to use its best efforts to arrange for the sale of all of the securities offered hereby. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to issue and sell to the public through the Underwriter, and the Underwriter has agreed to offer and sell, on a best efforts basis, at the public offering price a minimum of 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and a maximum of 1,400,000 Class A Ordinary Shares. The Underwriter may retain other brokers or dealers to act as a sub-agents or selected dealers on their behalf in connection with this offering.
The Underwriter must sell the minimum number of securities offered (1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares) if any shares are sold. The Underwriter is required to use only its best efforts to sell the securities offered. The offering will close or terminate, as the case may be, upon the earlier of: (i) a date mutually acceptable to us and the Underwriter after the minimum offering amount of our offering is raised, or (ii) 90 days from the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement (and for a period of up to 60 additional days if extended by agreement of the Company and the Underwriter) (the “Termination Date”) . On the closing date, the following will occur:
• we will receive funds in the amount of the aggregate purchase price of the shares being sold by us on such closing date;
• we will cause to be delivered the Class A Ordinary Shares being sold on such closing date in book-entry form; and
• we will pay the Underwriter their commissions.
Pursuant to an escrow agreement among us, the Underwriter and Signature Bank (the “Escrow Agent”), as escrow agent, until at least 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares are sold, all funds received in payment for securities sold in this offering will be required to be submitted by subscribers to a non-interest bearing escrow account with the Escrow Agent and will be held by the Escrow Agent for such account. The Underwriter and we shall require all investor checks for payment for the securities to be made payable to “Signature Bank, as the Escrow Agent for AGM Group Holdings Inc.” All subscription agreements and checks should be delivered to 950 Third Ave, 9 th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Stephen Fay. Failure to do so will result in checks being returned to the investor who submitted the check. The investors will have sole claim to the proceeds held in trust prior to the receipt of the minimum offering proceeds. The funds are held for the benefit of the investors until the minimum is reached. Prior to reaching the minimum claims may not be reached by creditors of the Company. If the Underwriter do not sell at least 1,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares by the Termination Date, all funds will be returned to the investors in this offering by noon of the next business day after the termination of the offering without charge, interest or deduction. If this Offering completes, then on the closing date, net proceeds will be delivered to us and we will issue the Class A Ordinary Shares to purchasers. Unless purchasers instruct us otherwise, we will deliver the Class A Ordinary Shares electronically upon receipt of purchaser funds to the accounts of those purchasers who hold accounts at the Underwriter, or elsewhere, as specified by the purchaser, as soon as practical upon the closing of the Offering. Alternately, purchasers who do not carry an account at the Underwriter may request that the shares be held in book-entry at the Company’s transfer agent, or may be issued in book-entry at the Company’s transfer agent and subsequently delivered electronically to the purchasers’ respective brokerage account upon request of the purchasers.
Fees, Commissions and Expense Reimbursement
The Underwriter will collectively receive an underwriting commission equal to between $400,000 in the case of a minimum offering and $560,000 in the case of a maximum offering, representing eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds to be raised in this Offering.
The following table shows, for each of the minimum and maximum offering amounts, the per share and maximum total public offering price, underwriting fees and commissions to be paid to the Underwriter by us, and proceeds to us, before expenses and assuming a $5.00 per share offering price.
99
|
|
Per
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Maximum
|
|||
Public Offering Price |
|
$ |
5.00 |
|
$ |
5,000,000 |
|
$ |
7,000,000 |
Underwriting fees and commissions |
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
$ |
560,000 |
Proceeds to Us, Before Expenses |
|
$ |
4.60 |
|
$ |
4,600,000 |
|
$ |
6,440,000 |
Because the actual amount to be raised in this offering is uncertain, the actual total offering commissions are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the maximum amount set forth above.
Our obligation to issue and sell securities to the purchasers is subject to the conditions set forth in the subscription agreement, which may be waived by us at our discretion. A purchaser’s obligation to purchase securities is subject to the conditions set forth in the subscription agreement as well, which may also be waived.
Under the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to pay the Underwriter 1% of the gross proceeds of this offering for its non-accountable expenses. We have also agreed to pay the Underwriter’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and expenses of the Underwriter’s counsel) incurred by the Underwriter in connection with this offering of up to $75,000. The expenses may also include (i) all reasonable and documented fees and expenses for conducting a net road show presentation; (ii) the cost of any due diligence meetings; (iii) preparation of bound volumes and Lucite cube mementos in such quantities as the Underwriter may reasonably request; and (iv) transfer taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriter. We have paid $50,000 to the Underwriter as an advance to be applied towards the out-of-pocket expenses. Any unused portion of the advances shall be returned to the Company upon the termination date in the event that the advances are not expended.
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding Underwriter’ fees and commissions, will be approximately $536,000, all of which are payable by us.
The Underwriter intend to offer our Class A Ordinary Shares to their retail customers only in states in which we are permitted to offer our Class A Ordinary Shares. We have relied on an exemption to the blue sky registration requirements afforded to “covered securities.” Securities listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market are “covered securities.” If we were unable to meet the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing standards, then we would be unable to rely on the covered securities exemption to blue sky registration requirements and we would need to register the offering in each state in which we planned to sell shares. Consequently, we will not complete this offering unless we meet the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing requirements.
The foregoing does not purport to be a complete statement of the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and subscription agreement. The underwriting agreement and a form of subscription agreement are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Escrow Agent and Deposit of Offering Proceeds
The Underwriter and the Company have agreed in accordance with the provisions of SEC Rule 15c2-4 to cause all funds received by the Underwriters for the sale of the ordinary shares to be promptly deposited in a non-interest bearing escrow account (“Escrow Account”) maintained by Signature Bank (the “Escrow Agent”) as escrow agent for the investors in the offering. The purpose of the Escrow Account is for (i) the deposit of all subscription monies (checks or wire transfers) which are received by the underwriter from prospective purchasers of our offered Ordinary Shares and are delivered by the Underwriter to the Escrow Agent, (ii) the holding of amounts of subscription monies which are collected through the banking system, and (iii) the disbursement of collected funds. The Escrow Agent will exercise signature control on the escrow account and will act based on joint instructions from our Company and the Underwriter. On the closing date for the offering, and presuming that all conditions to closing have been attained (i.e. Nasdaq approval and other conditions described herein) proceeds in the escrow account maintained by the Escrow Agent will be delivered to our company. We will not be able to use such proceeds in China, however, until we complete certain remittance procedures in China, which may take as long as six months in the ordinary course.
The Underwriter shall promptly deliver to the Escrow Agent all funds in the form of checks or wire transfers which it receives from prospective purchasers of our Ordinary Shares by noon of the next business day following receipt where internal supervisory review is conducted at the same location at which subscription documents and funds are received. Simultaneously with each deposit to the Escrow Account, the Underwriter shall inform the Escrow Agent about the subscription information for each prospective purchaser. Upon the Escrow Agent’s receipt
100
of such monies, they shall be credited to the Escrow Account. All checks delivered to the Escrow Agent shall be made payable to “, as Escrow Agent for AGM Group Holdings, Inc.” The Escrow Agent shall not be required to accept for credit to the Escrow Account or for deposit into the Escrow Account checks which are not accompanied by the appropriate subscription information. Wire transfers representing payments by prospective purchasers shall not be deemed deposited in the Escrow Account until the Escrow Agent has received in writing the subscription information required with respect to such payments.
No interest will be available for payment to either us or the investors (since the funds are being held in a non-interest bearing account). All subscription funds will be held in trust pending the raising of the minimum offering amount and no funds will be released to us until the completion of the offering. Release of the funds to us is based upon the Escrow Agent reviewing the records of the depository institution holding the escrow to verify that the funds received have cleared the banking system prior to releasing the funds to us. All subscription information and subscription funds through checks or wire transfers should be delivered to the Escrow Agent. Failure to do so will result in subscription funds being returned to the investor. In event that the offering is terminated, all subscription funds from the escrow account will be returned to investors.
If we do not terminate this offering before the offering is terminated, all amounts will be promptly returned to the investors as described below. In the event of any dispute between us and the underwriters, including whether and how funds are to be reimbursed, the Escrow Agent is entitled to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to resolve any such dispute.
Investors must pay in full for Ordinary Shares at the time of investment. Payment for the shares may be made (i) by check, bank draft or money order made payable to “Signature Bank, as Escrow Agent for AGM Group Holdings Inc.” and delivered to the Underwriter no less than four business days before the date of closing, or (ii) by wire made payable to “Signature Bank, as Escrow Agent for AGM Group Holdings Inc.” The checks, bank drafts and money orders will be forwarded/returned by the Underwriter and their dealers to the Escrow Agent by noon of the following business day. The Underwriter will inform prospective purchasers of the anticipated date of closing.
Proceeds deposited in escrow with the Escrow Agent may not be withdrawn by investors prior to the earlier of the closing of the offering or the date the offering is terminated. If the offering is withdrawn or canceled or terminated and proceeds therefrom are not received by us on or prior to the date the offering is terminated, all proceeds will be promptly returned by the Escrow Agent without interest or deduction to the persons from which they are received by noon of the next business day after the termination of this offering without charge, deduction or interest in accordance with applicable securities laws. All such proceeds will be placed in a non-interest bearing account pending such time.
Lock-Up Agreements
We and each of our officers, directors, and all existing stockholders agree not to offer, issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any shares of our Class A Ordinary Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Ordinary Shares for a period of 180 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part without the prior written consent of the underwriter.
The underwriter may in its sole discretion and at any time without notice release some or all of the shares subject to lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period. When determining whether or not to release shares from the lock-up agreements, the underwriter will consider, among other factors, the security holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time.
Price Stabilization
The Underwriter will be required to comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including without limitation, Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of capital stock by the Underwriter acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, the Underwriter:
• may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and
101
• may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.
Determination of Offering Price
The public offering price of the shares we are offering was determined by us in consultation with the Underwriter based on discussions with potential investors in light of the history and prospects of our company, the stage of development of our business, our business plans for the future and the extent to which they have been implemented, an assessment of our management, the public stock price for similar companies, general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the Offering and such other factors as were deemed relevant.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Securities.
A prospectus in electronic format may be delivered to potential investors by the Underwriter. The prospectus in electronic format will be identical to the paper version of such prospectus. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the Underwriter’ website and any information contained in any other website maintained by the Underwriter is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
Foreign Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of our Shares
We have not taken any action to permit a public offering of our shares outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. People outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to this Offering of our shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against liabilities relating to the Offering arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and to contribute to payments that the underwriter may be required to make for these liabilities.
Application for Nasdaq Market Listing
We intent to apply to have our Class A Ordinary Shares approved for listing/quotation on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGMH.” We will not consummate and close this offering without a listing approval letter from the Nasdaq Capital Market. Our receipt of a listing approval letter is not the same as an actual listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The listing approval letter will serve only to confirm that, if we sell a number of shares in this “best efforts, mini-max” offering sufficient to satisfy applicable listing criteria, our Class A Ordinary Shares will in fact be listed.
If the application is approved, trading of our Class A Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market will begin within five days following the closing of this offering. If our Class A Ordinary Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be subject to continued listing requirements and corporate governance standards. We expect these new rules and regulations to significantly increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs.
Foreign Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of our Shares
We have not taken any action to permit a public offering of our shares outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. People outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to this offering of our shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
102
Expenses Relating to This Offering
Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding placement discounts and commissions, that we expect to incur in connection with this offering. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and the Nasdaq listing fee, all amounts are estimates.
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee |
|
$ |
811.30 |
Nasdaq Capital Market Listing Fee |
|
|
50,000 |
FINRA |
|
|
1,550 |
Legal Fees and Expenses |
|
|
263,638.70 |
Accounting Fees and Expenses |
|
|
150,000 |
Printing and Engraving Expenses |
|
|
45,000 |
Miscellaneous Expenses |
|
|
25,000 |
Total Expenses |
|
$ |
536,000 |
Under the Underwriting Agreement, we will pay our underwriter a fee and commission equal to 8% of the public offering price multiplied by the shares sold in the offering. In addition to the cash commission, we will also reimburse the Underwriter for the full amount of its reasonable, non-accountable expenses of up to 1% of the gross proceeds raised in the offering, in addition to its expenses relating to the Offering, including but not limited to (i) reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses, including clearing charges and (ii) legal expense, up to $75,000.
Legal Matters
Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP is acting as counsel to our company regarding U.S. securities law matters. The validity of the Class A Ordinary Shares offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Mourant Ozannes. Mei & Mark LLP is acting as counsel to the Underwriter. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by East & Concord Partners. Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP may rely upon East & Concord Partners with respect to matters governed by PRC law.
The current address of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP is 501 Madison Avenue, 14 th Floor, New York, NY 10022. The current address of Mourant Ozannes is Palm Grove House, PO Box 4857, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The current address of East & Concord Partners is Suite 13-121, 13 th Floor, Hang Seng Bank Tower, 1000# Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 200120, P.R.China.
Experts
The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, as set forth in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so included in reliance on the report of Anton& Chia, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The current address of Anton & Chia, LLP is 3501 Jamboree Rd, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
No expert or counsel named in this prospectus as having prepared or certified any part of this prospectus or having given an opinion upon the validity of the securities being registered or upon other legal matters in connection with the registration or offering of the Class A Ordinary Shares was employed on a contingency basis, or had, or is to receive, in connection with the offering, a substantial interest, direct or indirect, in the registrant. Nor was any such person connected with the registrant as a promoter, managing or principal Underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee.
Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us, we have been advised that it is the SEC’s opinion that such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
103
Where You Can Find Additional Information
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits filed therewith. For further information about us and the Class A Ordinary Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. However, statements in the prospectus contain the material provisions of such contracts, agreements and other documents. We currently do not file periodic reports with the SEC. Upon closing of our initial public offering, we will be required to file periodic reports and other information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits filed therewith may be inspected without charge at the public reference room maintained by the SEC, located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from that office. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is www.sec.gov.
104
Financial Statements
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (APRIL 27, 2015) TO DECEMBER 31,
2015
Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
|
F-2 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 |
|
F-3 |
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 and for the Period from Inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 |
|
F-4 |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 and for the Period from Inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 |
|
F-5 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 and for the Period from Inception (April 27,2015) to December 31, 2015 |
|
F-6 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
F-7 |
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AGM Group Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholder’s equity and cash flows for the year then ended December 31, 2016 and the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company was not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 2(q) to the consolidated financial statements, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 have been restated to correct a misstatement.
/s/ Anton & Chia, LLP
Newport Beach, California
July 20, 2017, except for Note 2(q) Restatement, as to which the date is August 16, 2017
F-2
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS
INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Stated in US Dollars)
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
4,244,353 |
|
|
$ |
8,989 |
|
Transaction monetary assets held for clients |
|
|
900,498 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
1,700,318 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Accounts receivable – related party |
|
|
247,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Advanced to suppliers |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,163 |
|
Prepaid expense |
|
|
124,392 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Other receivables, net |
|
|
203,548 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
Due from related party |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total Current Assets |
|
|
7,420,109 |
|
|
|
11,263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, net |
|
|
75,637 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
1,747,060 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Other assets and deposits |
|
|
52,090 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
$ |
9,294,896 |
|
|
$ |
11,263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
168,076 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Advance from customers |
|
|
201,827 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Accrued payroll |
|
|
261,960 |
|
|
|
110,458 |
|
Deposit payable |
|
|
900,498 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Tax payable |
|
|
20,627 |
|
|
|
7,987 |
|
Due to related party |
|
|
3,869,836 |
|
|
|
37,229 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
794,382 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total Current Liabilities |
|
|
6,217,206 |
|
|
|
155,674 |
|
Total Liabilities |
|
|
6,217,206 |
|
|
|
155,674 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’ Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Ordinary Shares (20,010,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016 with par value of $0.001, and 200,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2016) |
|
|
20,010 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Class B Ordinary Shares (11,900,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016 with par value of $0.001, and 200,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2016) |
|
|
11,900 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
1,968,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
Subscription receivable |
|
|
(1,170,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Retained earnings (deficit) |
|
|
2,199,528 |
|
|
|
(150,620 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
48,152 |
|
|
|
6,199 |
|
Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) |
|
|
3,077,690 |
|
|
|
(144,411 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |
|
|
9,294,896 |
|
|
|
11,263 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-3
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
For
the
|
|
For
the Period
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
4,599,385 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Revenues – trading |
|
|
384,499 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Revenues – related party |
|
|
2,720,936 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
7,704,820 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
1,301,696 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Gross profit (loss) |
|
|
6,403,124 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research & development expense |
|
|
1,283,103 |
|
|
|
111,135 |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
1,983,407 |
|
|
|
39,313 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
3,266,510 |
|
|
|
150,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations |
|
|
3,136,614 |
|
|
|
(150,448 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
599 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Bank service charge |
|
|
(3,597 |
) |
|
|
(174 |
) |
Other income (expense), net |
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
(3,084 |
) |
|
|
(172 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
3,133,530 |
|
|
|
(150,620 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
2,350,148 |
|
|
|
(150,620 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to AGM Group Holdings Inc. ordinary shares holders |
|
|
2,350,148 |
|
|
|
(150,620 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
41,953 |
|
|
|
6,199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
$ |
2,392,101 |
|
|
$ |
(144,421 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per ordinary share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted |
|
$ |
13.48 |
|
|
$ |
(15.06 |
) |
Diluted |
|
$ |
13.48 |
|
|
|
(15.06 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
174,384 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
174,384 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-4
AGM GROUP
HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Stated in US Dollars)
|
|
Number
of
|
|
Number
of
|
|
Ordinary
|
|
Additional
|
|
Subscription
|
|
Retained
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
Total |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|||
Balance, April 27, 2015 (Inception) |
|
10,000 |
|
— |
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
10 |
|
Net income |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(150,620 |
) |
|
— |
|
(150,620 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
6,199 |
|
6,199 |
|
Balance,
December 31,
|
|
10,000 |
|
— |
|
10 |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
(150,620 |
) |
|
6,199 |
|
(144,411 |
) |
Net income |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,350,148 |
|
|
— |
|
2,350,148 |
|
Issuance of ordinary shares for cash |
|
20,000,000 |
|
11,900,000 |
|
31,900 |
|
1,968,100 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
2,000,000 |
|
Subscription
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,170,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,170,000 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
41,953 |
|
41,953 |
|
Balance, December 31, 2016 (As restated) |
|
20,010,000 |
|
11,900,000 |
|
31,910 |
|
1,968,100 |
|
(1,170,000 |
) |
|
2,199,528 |
|
|
48,152 |
|
3,077,690 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-5
AGM GROUP
HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Stated in US Dollars)
|
|
For
the
|
|
For
the Period
|
||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
2,350,148 |
|
|
$ |
(150,620 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
10,638 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Amortization |
|
|
15,346 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Changes in non-cash working capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
(1,700,318 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Accounts receivable – related party |
|
|
(247,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Advances to suppliers |
|
|
2,114 |
|
|
|
(2,258 |
) |
Deferred assets |
|
|
(128,801 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Other receivables |
|
|
(208,118 |
) |
|
|
(116 |
) |
Long term prepaid expense |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Other assets – deposit |
|
|
(54,448 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
175,248 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Advance from customers |
|
|
201,828 |
|
|
|
|
|
Salary payable |
|
|
165,891 |
|
|
|
115,312 |
|
Tax payable |
|
|
13,756 |
|
|
|
8,338 |
|
Transaction monetary assets held for clients |
|
|
(900,498 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Deposit payable |
|
|
900,498 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
794,382 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided (used) in operating activities |
|
|
1,390,666 |
|
|
|
(29,344 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of office equipment |
|
|
(89,698 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Purchase of intangible assets |
|
|
(1,841,489 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(1,931,187 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds borrowed from related parties |
|
|
3,957,271 |
|
|
|
38,718 |
|
Capital contribution from shareholders |
|
|
830,000 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
4,787,271 |
|
|
|
38,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH |
|
|
(11,386 |
) |
|
|
(395 |
) |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH |
|
|
4,235,364 |
|
|
|
8,989 |
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
|
|
8,989 |
|
|
|
— |
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD |
|
|
4,244,353 |
|
|
|
8,989 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest expense, net of capitalized interest |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Cash paid for income tax |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-6
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
AGM Group Holdings Inc. (“AGM Holdings”) was incorporated on April 27 th , 2015 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. On May 21, 2015, AGM Holdings incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, AGM Technology Limited (“AGM HK”) in Hong Kong. On August 28, 2015, AGM Holdings incorporated AGM Group Ltd (“AGM Belize”), a Belize limited liability company, which AGM Holdings holds 100% interest. Other than the equity interest in AGM HK and AGM Belize, AGM Holdings did not conduct any operations or own any material assets or liabilities. AGM HK provide advanced online trading service for financial institutions in Asian areas. AGM Belize is a retail FX broker licensed by IFSC.
On October 13, 2015, AGM HK incorporated a Chinese limited liability subsidiary, Shenzhen AGM Financial Technology Services Co., Ltd (“AGM Shenzhen”), for the purpose of being a holding company for the equity interests in People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).
On November 13, 2015 and September 28, 2016, AGM Shenzhen incorporated two wholly owned Chinese limited liability subsidiaries, Beijing AGM Technology Service Co., Ltd. (“AGM Beijing”), and Nanjing Xingaomeng Software Technology Co., Ltd. (AGM Nanjing”), respectively. AGM Shenzhen did not conduct any operations or own any material assets or liabilities except for cash, insignificant expense and the 100% of the equity interests in AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing
As a result, AGM HK, AGM Belize, AGM Shenzhen, AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing are referred to as subsidiaries. AGM Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company”, “we” and “us”, unless specific reference is made to an entity.
The Company is a knowledge and technology intensive company with a vision of becoming a leading social trading platform service provider in the world over the next few years. Currently, The Company principally engaged in three service lines: (1) providing an integrated suite of software solution service for forex trading and option trading, including trading access application, software implementation service, solution service, maintenance and consulting service. (2) providing forex trading brokerage service. (3) providing wealth management service.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES
(a) Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
This basis of accounting differs in certain material respects from that used for the preparation of the books of account of the Company, which are prepared in accordance with the accounting principles and the relevant financial regulations applicable to enterprises with limited liabilities established in the PRC (“PRC GAAP”), the accounting standards used in the places of their domicile. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect necessary adjustments not recorded in the books of account of the Company to present them in conformity with U.S. GAAP.
(b) Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 consolidate the financial statements of AGM Belize and AGM HK, its two 100% owned subsidiaries, AGM HK’s 100% owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen, and AGM Shengzhen’s two 100% owned subsidiaries of AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing. No minority interest was recognized and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
(c) Foreign Currency Translation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollar, which is the reporting currency of the Company. The functional currency of AGM Holdings, AGM Belize and AGM HK are United States dollar. The functional currency of AGM Beijing, AGM Shenzhen and AGM Nanjing are Renminbi
F-7
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
(“RMB”). For the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are RMB, results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period, and equity is translated at historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in determining other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of income.
The consolidated balance sheet balances, with the exception of equity at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were translated at RMB 6.9437 and RMB 6.4907 to $1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 were RMB 6.6430 and RMB 6.2175 to $1.00, respectively.
(d) Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions of future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. Significant estimates and assumptions by management include, among others, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, and income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.
(e) Fair Value of Financial instruments
ASC 825 requires the disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments including those financial instruments for which fair value option was not elected.
The Group’s financial instruments mainly include cash, transaction monetary assets, accounts receivable, account receivable — related parties, other receivable, accounts payable, other payable, amounts due from/(to) related parties.
The carrying values of cash, transaction monetary assets, accounts receivable, account receivable — related parties, accounts payable, and amounts due from/(to) related parties approximate their fair values due to short-term maturities.
The Company did not have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
(f) Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consists principally of amounts due from trade customers. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and collateral is not generally required.
The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the receivable amount that cannot be collected. The Company reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, a
F-8
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
customer’s historical payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. Accounts are written off after collection efforts are exhausted,
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had accounts receivable of $1,700,318 and $0, respectively.
The Company had no allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and had no bad debt expenses occurred for the years then ended.
(g) Property
Property are stated at cost less depreciation. Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the asset into its existing use. Maintenance, repairs and betterments, including replacement of minor items, are charged to expense.
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated based on cost, less their estimated residual value, if any, using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives are as follows:
Computer software |
|
3 years |
Electronic equipment |
|
3 years |
Office equipment |
|
5 years |
(h) Acquired Intangible Assets with Finite Lives, Net
Acquired intangible assets with finite lives, net are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated weighted average economic lives:
Management supporting system |
|
10 years |
User office management software |
|
10 years |
Multi account trading system |
|
10 years |
(i) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with ASC Topic 360, the Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, or at least annually. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and carrying amount. For year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, the Company did not record any impairment charges on long-lived assets.
(j) Revenue recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when the earnings process is complete, services have been rendered and accepted, the selling price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and collectability is reasonably assured.
The Company provides its services through three services lines: (i) online trading access software application services; (ii) forex trading brokerage service; and (iii) Expert advising service. Revenue from online trading access application services consists of service fees for usages of online trading application based on trading volumes of the forex trading transactions, initial trading application setup fees and ongoing service support fees. Revenue from brokerage service includes forex trading brokerage fee and commissions. Revenue from expert advising system refers to the commission on profit of client’s investment managed by our intelligent trading system. The revenues for
F-9
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
online trading access software application service, forex trading brokerage service and expert advising service for the year ended December 31, 2016 are $6,888,311, $384,499 and $437,478 respectively.
Online trading access application service
Revenue for usages of online trading application is recognized based on the monthly trading volumes incurred by the clients during the fiscal year. Revenue for Service support is recognized ratably over the contract term beginning on the commencement of date of each contact. Revenue for initial application setup is recognized when the physical work of the initial application setup has been completed.
The agreements we entered into with clients to deliver online trading access application services generally include multiple deliverables, including online multiple-account trading management services, initial trading application setup and ongoing service support. Each of these deliverables has a stated price in the service agreement with the client. These three service deliverables are separated into different units of accounting and their relative selling prices are based on their stated prices in the agreements. The Company determines the relative selling prices for the three deliverables based on their stated prices in the agreement because the online multiple-account trading management services and ongoing support services, which are the last two undelivered elements, will be both delivered on a monthly basis upon the commencement of the agreement. The initial setup service is the element that will be delivered first and whose consideration is insignificant compared to the last two elements. As such, the Company has determined that whether or not a Vendor Specific Objective Price (“VSOE”) is established and used for each of the deliverable will not have material impacts to the Company revenue recognition.
Forex trading brokerage service
The revenues of brokerage fee and commission are recognized when services have been rendered and accepted, the fee and commission are fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
Expert advising service
The revenue of expert advising service is recognized when services have been rendered and accepted, the commission is determinable based on the realized return of investment under management, and collectability is reasonably assured at the month end.
The Company reports revenues net of applicable sales taxes and the related surcharges
(k ) Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The costs primarily consist of the software purchased and salaries paid for the development and improvement of the Company’s services. Research and development costs of the year ended December 31, 2016 and of the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 were $1,283,103 and $111,135, respectively.
(l) Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provision of ASC 740-10, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The Company evaluates its uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. The Company initially recognize the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical
F-10
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold shall consider the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. The level of evidence that is necessary and appropriate to support the Company’s assessment of the technical merits of a tax position is a matter of judgment that depends on all available information. In making the assessment, the Company considers the potential outcomes of examinations by tax authorities in determining the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.
Tax positions are evaluated in a two-step process. The Company first determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or litigations based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Interests and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in in “ Income tax expense ” of the Consolidated Statement of Income.
(m) Comprehensive income/loss
ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income” established standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income/loss, its components and accumulated balances. Components of comprehensive income/loss include net income/loss and foreign currency translation adjustments. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, the only component of accumulated other comprehensive income/loss was foreign currency translation adjustments.
(n) Related Parties Transactions
A related party is generally defined as (i) any person and or their immediate family hold 10% or more of the company’s securities (ii) the Company’s management, (iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, or (iv) anyone who can significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties. The Company conducts business with its related parties in the ordinary course of business. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities.
Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s-length basis, as the requisite conditions of competitive, free market dealings may not exist. Representations about transactions with related parties, if made, shall not imply that the related party transactions were consummated on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s-length transactions unless such representations can be substantiated. It is not, however, practical to determine the fair value of amounts due from/to related parties due to their related party nature.
(o) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are financial assets that are either cash or highly liquid investments with an original maturity term of 90 days or less. At December 31, 2016, the Company’s cash equivalents primary consist of transaction monetary deposits made in the forex trading platforms for forex trading. These transaction monetary deposits can be converted into cash immediately without restriction. Cash equivalents are recorded at fair value.
(p) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. The core principle of the standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. It was originally effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting
F-11
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016, for public entities. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date ”. The amendments in ASU 2015-14 defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year. Public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “ Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes ”. The amendments in ASU 201517 eliminates the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments may be applied prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “ Financial Instruments Overall (Subtopic 82510): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ”. The amendments in ASU 201601, among other things, requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; Requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables) Eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The new guidance permits early adoption of the own credit provision. In addition, the new guidance permits early adoption of the provision that exempts private companies and not-for-profit organizations from having to disclose fair value information about financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “ Leases (Topic 842) ”. Among other things, in the amendments in ASU 2016-02, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short term leases) at the commencement date: A lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted for all public business entities and all nonpublic business entities upon issuance. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
F-12
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) ”. The amendments in this ASU are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations by amending certain existing illustrative examples and adding additional illustrative examples to assist in the application of the guidance. The effective date and transition of these amendments is the same as the effective date and transition of ASU 20140-9, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ”. Public entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2014-09 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing ”. The amendments add further guidance on identifying performance obligations and also to improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Topic 606. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients ”. The amendments, among other things: (1) clarify the objective of the collectability criterion for applying paragraph 606-10-25-7; (2) permit an entity to exclude amounts collected from customers for all sales (and other similar) taxes from the transaction price; (3) specify that the measurement date for noncash consideration is contract inception; (4) provide a practical expedient that permits an entity to reflect the aggregate effect of all modifications that occur before the beginning of the earliest period presented when identifying the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations, determining the transaction price, and allocating the transaction price to the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations; (5) clarify that a completed contract for purposes of transition is a contract for which all (or substantially all) of the revenue was recognized under legacy GAAP before the date of initial application, and (6) clarify that an entity that retrospectively applies the guidance in Topic 606 to each prior reporting period is not required to disclose the effect of the accounting change for the period of adoption. The effective date of these amendments is at the same date that Topic 606 is effective. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
(q) Restatement
The Company has noted certain errors in relation to its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception to December 31, 2015 that had been previously filed on May 15, 2017. These errors related to the corrections of the earning per share calculations and accrual of its uncertainty tax position (refer to Note 11). In addition, an amount of $2,414,999 monetary assets held by the Company was reclassified from Transaction Monetary Assets to Cash and Cash Equivalents to better reflect the nature of the monetary asset that it is held by the Company and to differentiate this amount from the amount of $900,498 that is held for the clients.
All the relevant notes to the consolidated financial statements have been restated to reflect the adjustments aforementioned.
F-13
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Adjustments |
|
December 31,
|
||||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
1,829,354 |
|
$ |
2,414,999 |
|
|
$ |
4,244,353 |
Transaction monetary assets (1) |
|
|
3,315,497 |
|
|
(2,414,999 |
) |
|
|
900,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
$ |
9,294,896 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
9,294,896 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
794,382 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities |
|
|
5,433,824 |
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
6,217,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’ Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings (deficit) |
|
|
2,982,910 |
|
|
(783,382 |
) |
|
|
2,199,528 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
48,152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,152 |
Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) |
|
|
3,861,072 |
|
|
(783,382 |
) |
|
|
3,077,690 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |
|
|
9,294,896 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9,294,896 |
____________
(1) The account is subsequently renamed to “Transaction Monetary Assets Held of Client” since the full balance is related to our client after the adjustment.)
F-14
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income
|
|
For
the Year
|
|
Adjustments |
|
For
the Year
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
4,599,385 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,599,385 |
|
Revenues – trading |
|
|
384,499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
384,499 |
|
Revenues – related party |
|
|
2,720,936 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,720,936 |
|
|
|
|
7,704,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,704,820 |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
1,301,696 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,301,696 |
|
Gross profit (loss) |
|
|
6,403,124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,403,124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
3,266,510 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,266,510 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations |
|
|
3,136,614 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,136,614 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
(3,084 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,084 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
3,133,530 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,133,530 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
3,133,530 |
|
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
2,350,148 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to AGM Group Holdings Inc. ordinary shares holders |
|
|
3,133,530 |
|
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
2,350,148 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
41,953 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,953 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
$ |
3,175,483 |
|
|
$ |
783,382 |
|
|
$ |
2,392,101 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per ordinary share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
13.46 |
|
|
$ |
13.48 |
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
13.46 |
|
|
$ |
13.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
20,010,000 |
|
|
|
(19,835,616 |
) |
|
|
174,384 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
20,010,000 |
|
|
|
(19,835,616 |
) |
|
|
174,384 |
|
F-15
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
|
|
For
the Period
|
|
Adjustments |
|
For
the Period
|
||||||
Total Comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(144,421 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(144,421 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per ordinary share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted |
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
(15.06 |
) |
|
$ |
(15.06 |
) |
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
(15.06 |
) |
|
|
(15.06 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
20,010,000 |
|
|
|
(20,000,000 |
) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
20,010,000 |
|
|
|
(20,000,000 |
) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
|
|
Ordinary
|
|
Additional
|
|
Subscription
|
|
Retained
|
|
Retained
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
Total
|
|
Total
|
|||
Net income |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,133,530 |
|
2,350,148 |
|
— |
|
3,133,530 |
|
|
2,350,148 |
|
Issuance of ordinary shares for cash |
|
31,900 |
|
1,968,100 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
Subscription receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
(1,170,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,170,000 |
) |
|
(1,170,000 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
41,953 |
|
41,953 |
|
|
41,953 |
|
Balance, December 31, 2016 |
|
31,910 |
|
1,968,100 |
|
(1,170,000 |
) |
|
2,982,910 |
|
2,199,528 |
|
48,152 |
|
3,861,072 |
|
|
3,077,690 |
|
F-16
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (cont.)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
|
|
For
the Year
|
|
Adjustments |
|
For the Year
|
|||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
3,133,530 |
|
|
(783,382 |
) |
|
$ |
2,350,148 |
|
Changes in non-cash working capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transaction monetary assets held for clients |
|
|
— |
|
|
(900,498 |
) |
|
|
(900,498 |
) |
Deposit payable |
|
|
900,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
900,498 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
|
794,382 |
|
Net cash provided (used) in operating activities |
|
|
2,291,164 |
|
|
(900,498 |
) |
|
|
1,390,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of office equipment |
|
|
(89,698 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(89,698 |
) |
Purchase of intangible assets |
|
|
(1,841,489 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1,841,489 |
) |
Transaction monetary assets investment |
|
|
(3,315,497 |
) |
|
3,315,497 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(5,246,684 |
) |
|
3,315,497 |
|
|
|
(1,931,187 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
4,787,271 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,787,271 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH |
|
|
(11,386 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(11,386 |
) |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH |
|
|
1,820,365 |
|
|
2,414,999 |
|
|
|
4,235,364 |
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
|
|
8,989 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,989 |
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD |
|
|
1,829,354 |
|
|
2,414,999 |
|
|
|
4,244,353 |
|
3. TRANSACTION MONETARY ASSETS HELD FOR CLIENTS
The balance represents the deposits for clients for forex trading in the forex trading platforms of London Multi Asset Exchange, Interactive Brokers and Saxo Bank. It consists of cash and securities held on behalf of clients to fund client liabilities in connection with the client’s trading positions. The balance will be adjusted according to the change in the value of open contracts, i.e. unrealized trading profit/loss, as well as the realized trading profit/loss. Included in this balance are funds deposited by clients and funds accruing to clients as a result of trades or contracts. The Company records a corresponding liability in connection with this amount in Deposit Payable to clients. Usually this balance can be converted into cash immediately without restriction.
4. ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE
The net book value of accounts receivable consisted of the following as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||
Accounts receivable |
|
$ |
1,700,318 |
|
$ |
— |
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Accounts receivable, net |
|
$ |
1,700,318 |
|
$ |
— |
The Company did not provide allowance for account receivable as the aging of account receivable was less than 3 months.
F-17
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. Prepaid expense
Prepaid expense of $124,392 mainly represent the prepaid rent for offices and employee dormitories in Beijing City. Because the rents was paid in advance quarterly.
6. OTHER RECEIVABLE
The net book value of other receivable consisted of the following as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||
Rent deposit |
|
$ |
99,751 |
|
$ |
— |
Belize AGM License deposit |
|
|
100,200 |
|
|
— |
Others |
|
|
3,597 |
|
|
111 |
Total |
|
$ |
203,548 |
|
$ |
111 |
Rent deposit of $90,975 represents deposit for offices and employee dormitories in Beijing City. Usually the Company paid deposit equivalent to one or two months’ rent amount before the leasing. This rent deposit will be fully refundable upon the end of leasing period.
7. PROPERTY, NET
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, property consisted of the following:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|||
Electronic equipment |
|
$ |
75,706 |
|
|
$ |
— |
Office equipment |
|
|
10,108 |
|
|
|
— |
Total property |
|
|
85,814 |
|
|
|
— |
Less: accumulated depreciation |
|
|
(10,177 |
) |
|
|
— |
Total Property, net |
|
$ |
75,637 |
|
|
$ |
— |
Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015 was $10, 638 and $0, respectively
8. INTANGIBLE ASSET
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, intangible assets represent the software patent copyrights, which consist of the following:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|||
Management supporting system |
|
$ |
587,247 |
|
|
$ |
— |
User office management software |
|
|
531,319 |
|
|
|
— |
Multi account trading system |
|
|
643,176 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,761,742 |
|
|
|
|
Accumulated amortization |
|
|
(14,682 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
1,747,060 |
|
|
$ |
— |
For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, amortization expense amounted to $15,346 and $0, respectively. There is no impairment provided for these intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2016.
F-18
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. DEPOSIT PAYABLE
Deposit payable balance of $900,498 represents the deposit provided by clients who conduct their forex transactions with our forex trading platform. The balance of deposit payable will be adjusted according to the change in the value of customers’ open contracts, i.e. customers’ unrealized trading profit/loss, as well as the realized trading profit/loss.
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The related parties consisted of the following:
Name of Related Party |
|
Nature of Relationship |
Zhentao Jiang |
|
Director and principal shareholder |
Wenjie Tang |
|
CEO and shareholder |
Yufeng Mi |
|
CTO and shareholder |
Bin Liu |
|
CRO |
Guofu Zhang |
|
CFO |
Chengchun Zhang |
|
COO and principal shareholder |
IIG LTD |
|
The entity under common control of Zhentao Jiang |
i) Revenue from related parties and accounts receivable from related parties, net
The Company provides Online trading access software application service to IIG LTD. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, the Company generated related party revenues from IIG LTD in the amount of $2,720,936 and $0, respectively. The net related party accounts receivable with IIG LTD amounted to $247,000 and $0 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company did not take allowance for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015, and have no allowance balances as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 for the accounts receivable from related parties. Because the management was confident to collect the account receivable from the related party and the aging for a majority of the balance was less than 3 months.
ii) Due from related party
Subscription receivable of $1,170,000 as of December 31, 2016 was presented as contra account of ordinary shares, representing the Company’s outstanding stock subscription receivable owned from the Chengchun Zhang, the COO and principal shareholder, and other principal shareholders of the Company. This subscription receivable has been fully collected as of the filing date (refer to Note 15).
iii) Due to related party
Due to related party consisted of the following:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||
Zhentao Jiang (1) |
|
$ |
3,869,836 |
|
$ |
37,229 |
Total |
|
$ |
3,869,836 |
|
$ |
37,229 |
____________
(1) The balance of due to related party represents expenses totaling $129,810 (2015: $37,229) incurred in the ordinary course that were paid by Zhentao Jiang, Chairman of the Board of Directors and principal shareholder, on behalf of the Company as well as three loans totaling $3,740,026 that the Company obtained from Zhentao Jiang for working capital purpose.
F-19
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (cont.)
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into three advance agreements with Zhentao Jiang, allowing the Company to borrow unsecured and interest-free loans. The balances and material terms of the three loan advance agreements are summarizes below:
(i) Under the advance agreement dated January 1, 2016,
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed RMB 15,000,000 (USD 2,160,232).
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of the national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017.
• The repayment date is December 31, 2017.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $1,843,964 as of December 31, 2016.
(ii) Under the advance agreement dated July 3, 2016,
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed USD 1,200,000.
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from July 3, 2016 to July 2, 2018.
• The repayment date is July 2, 2018.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $1,003,166 as of December 31, 2016.
(iii) Under the advance agreement dated July 3, 2016,
• The amount of the loan authorized for borrowing for 2016 shall not exceed RMB 8,000,000 (USD 1,152,124).
• The loan is interest free and will not change with the changes of national interest rate.
• The term of the loan is two years from July 3, 2016 to July 2, 2018.
• The repayment date is July 2, 2018.
• The balance drawn down from the advance agreement is $892,896 as of December 31, 2016.
11. INCOME TAX
Income (loss) before income taxes includes the following components:
|
|
For
the
|
|
For
the Period
|
||||
Domestic (AMG Holdings) |
|
$ |
(801,980 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,601 |
) |
Foreign (subsidiaries located outside BVI) |
|
|
3,935,510 |
|
|
|
(149,019 |
) |
Total |
|
$ |
3,133,530 |
|
|
$ |
(150,620 |
) |
Income tax (benefit)/expense includes the following components:
|
|
For the
|
|
For the Period
|
||
Current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic (AMG Holdings) |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
Foreign (subsidiaries located outside BVI) |
|
|
783,382 |
|
|
— |
Total current income tax (benefit)/expense |
|
$ |
783,382 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic (AMG Holdings) |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
Foreign (subsidiaries located outside BVI) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Total deferred income tax (benefit)/expense |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
Total |
|
$ |
783,382 |
|
$ |
— |
F-20
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. INCOME TAX (cont.)
British Virgin Islands (“BVI”)
Under the current laws of BVI, AGM Holdings is not subject to tax on income or capital gain. In addition, payments of dividends by the Company to their shareholders are not subject to withholding tax in the BVI.
Belize
Under the current laws of Belize, AGM Belize is not subject to tax on income or capital gain. In addition, payments of dividends by the Company to their shareholders are not subject to withholding tax in the Belize.
Hong Kong
The Company’s subsidiary, AGM HK, is incorporated in Hong Kong and had incurred net loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015. AGM HK is subject to tax at 16.5% on the assessable profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong.
PRC
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress passed the Enterprise Income Tax Law (“the China EIT Law”), which was effective as of January 1, 2008.
AGM Beijing, AGM Shenzhen and AGM Nanjing are incorporated in the PRC and subject to 25% China statutory tax rate. AGM Beijing, AGM Shenzhen and AGM Nanjing incurred net loss, for income tax purpose, for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015.
The China EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of foreign countries or regions but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purpose and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its worldwide income. The Implementing Rules of the China EIT Law merely defines the location of the “de facto management body” as “the place where the exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties, etc., of a non-PRC company is located.” On April 22, 2009, the PRC State Administration of Taxation further issued a notice entitled “Notice regarding Recognizing Offshore-Established Enterprises Controlled by PRC Shareholders as Resident Enterprises Based on Their place of Effective Management.” Under this notice, a foreign company controlled by a PRC company or a group of PRC companies shall be deemed as a PRC resident enterprise, if (i) the senior management and the core management departments in charge of its daily operations mainly function in the PRC; (ii) its financial decisions and human resource decisions are subject to decisions or approvals of persons or institutions in the PRC; (iii) its major assets, accounting books, company sales, minutes and files of board meetings and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (iv) more than half of the directors or senior management personnel with voting rights reside in the PRC. Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the Company believe that there is an uncertain tax position as to whether its operations outside of the PRC will be considered a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes due to limited guidance and implementation history of the China EIT Law. Should the Company be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, the Company will be subject to PRC tax on worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%. The Company has evaluated this uncertain tax position and recorded a tax liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (see “ Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ” sub-section below).
The China EIT Law also imposes a withholding income tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside of China, if such immediate holding company is considered as a non-resident enterprise without any establishment or place within China or if the received dividends have no connection with the establishment or place of such immediate holding company within China, unless such immediate holding company’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. Such withholding income tax was exempted under the previous income tax regulations. The British Virgin Islands, where the Company is incorporated, did not has such tax treaty with China.
F-21
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. INCOME TAX (cont.)
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
|
|
For
the
|
|
For
the Period
|
||
Current |
|
$ |
783,382 |
|
$ |
— |
Deferred |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Total income tax (benefit)/expense |
|
$ |
783,382 |
|
$ |
— |
The reconciliations of the statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective income tax rate are as follows:
|
|
For
the
|
|
For
the Period
|
||
HK statutory income tax rate |
|
16.50 |
% |
|
16.50 |
% |
Valuation allowance recognized with respect to the loss in the HK company |
|
(16.50 |
)% |
|
(16.50 |
)% |
PRC statutory income tax rate |
|
25.00 |
% |
|
25.00 |
% |
Uncertain tax positions |
|
25.00 |
% |
|
— |
% |
Changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax asset |
|
(25.00 |
)% |
|
(25.00 |
)% |
Total |
|
25.00 |
% |
|
0.00 |
% |
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries had net taxable operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $903,529 and $147,286 respectively. The PRC Income Tax allows the enterprises to offset their future taxable income with taxable operating losses carried forward in a 5-year period. Which means the deductible amount of $756,243 and $147,286 is supposed to expire in years of 2021 and 2020 respectively. The Management believes that the Company’s cumulative losses arising from recurring business of subsidiaries in China in recent years constituted significant strong evidence that most of the deferred tax assets would not be realizable and this evidence outweighed the expectations that the Company would generate future taxable income. The valuation allowance of $225,882 and $36,822 was recorded as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets are set forth below:
|
|
December 31, |
||||||
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
||||
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carry-forwards |
|
$ |
225,882 |
|
|
$ |
36,822 |
|
Total of deferred tax assets |
|
|
225,882 |
|
|
|
36,822 |
|
Less: valuation allowance |
|
|
(225,882 |
) |
|
|
(36,822 |
) |
Net deferred assets |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
The tax authority of the PRC Government conducts periodic and ad hoc tax filing reviews on business enterprises operating in the PRC after those enterprises complete their relevant tax filings. Therefore, the Company’s PRC entities’ tax filings results are subject to change. It is therefore uncertain as to whether the PRC tax authority may take different views about the Company’s PRC entities’ tax filings, which may lead to additional tax liabilities.
ASC 740 requires recognition and measurement of uncertain income tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” approach. The management evaluated the Company’s tax position and recorded a liability of $783,382 related to uncertain tax positions as at December 31, 2016. This liability is recorded in “ Other liabilities ” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and it is related to the provision for the uncertain tax position with respect to whether the Company’s non-PRC entities are deemed PRC resident enterprises for income tax purpose.
F-22
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. INCOME TAX (cont.)
The activity of the unrecognized tax benefits related to the Company’s uncertain tax positions is summarized as follows:
|
|
December 31, |
||||
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
||
Gross beginning balance |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
Gross increase to tax positions in the current period |
|
$ |
783,382 |
|
|
— |
Gross increase to tax position in the prior period |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Gross decrease to tax position in the prior period |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Lapse of statute limitations |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Gross ending balance |
|
$ |
783,382 |
|
$ |
— |
There were no interests and penalties in relation to the Company uncertain tax positions for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended December 31, 2015.
12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair values
The Company’s financial instruments include cash, transaction monetary assets, accounts receivable, account receivable — related parties, other receivable, accounts payable, other payable, amounts due from/(to) related parties. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of their current nature.
The following table summarizes the carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
4,244,353 |
|
$ |
8,989 |
Transaction monetary assets held for clients |
|
|
900,498 |
|
|
|
Loans and receivables (i) |
|
|
1,947,318 |
|
|
|
Other receivable (ii) |
|
|
203,548 |
|
|
111 |
Other financial liabilities (iii) |
|
$ |
4,832,294 |
|
$ |
37,229 |
____________
(i) Account receivable and account receivable — related parties.
(ii) Other receivable and due from related parties
(iii) Accounts payable, other liabilities and due to related parties.
The Company classifies its fair value measurements in accordance with the three level fair value hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices), and
Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data.
F-23
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (cont.)
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy as follows:
|
|
Level 1 |
|
Level 2 |
|
Level 3 |
|
Total |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2016 |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
4,244,353 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
4,244,353 |
Transaction monetary assets held for clients |
|
|
900,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
900,498 |
Total balance, end of year |
|
$ |
5,144,851 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
5,144,851 |
Interest rate and credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risks consist principally of cash and transaction monetary assets. The Company minimizes the interest rate and credit risk of cash by placing deposit with financial institutions located in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Credit risk of cash is managed by depositing cash at global or PRC state-owned financial institutions where certain government regulations are in place to protect clients’ cash balances. Credit risk from transaction monetary assets encompasses the default risk of forex trading transaction. Management believes that there is no significant credit risk arising from the Company’s transaction monetary assets
Financial assets past due
The following table provides information regarding the aging of financial assets that are past due, but which are not impaired at December 31, 2016:
|
|
Less
than
|
|
90
days to
|
|
Over
|
|
Carrying
|
||||
Accounts receivable |
|
$ |
1,700,318 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
1,700,318 |
Accounts receivable – related party |
|
$ |
247,000 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
$ |
247,000 |
The Company determines past due amounts by reference to terms agreed with individual clients. None of the amounts outstanding have been challenged by the respective client(s) and the Company continues to conduct business with them on an ongoing basis and does not consider its current accounts receivable to be past due.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
On December 27, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Ziru living assets management Co., Ltd to lease a room for dormitory, located at Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 27, 2016 with a term of one year. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 6,290 per month.
On December 25, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Jinqiao Lida investment consulting Co., Ltd to lease a 377 square meters office space, located at Room 2211 and 2212, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 25, 2016 with a term of six months. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 50,000 per month.
On November 15, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Gang Liu to lease a 186 square meters office space, located at Room 2111, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from December 5, 2016 with a term of six months. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 27,500 per month.
On August 16, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Shulin Liu to lease a 124 square meters office space, located at Room 2103, Block 6, No.93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018. According to the lease, the rent is RMB22,500 per month.
F-24
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (cont.)
On April 15, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Beijing Terry Henderson real estate brokerage Co., Ltd. to lease a 187 square-meter office space, located at Room 2112, East Tower, VanPalace, No.2, Jinghua south street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from April 15, 2016 with a term of one year. According to the agreement, the rent is RMB 25,000 per month.
At the end of 2016, the Company signed six dormitories lease contracts, five of the dormitories located in Nanjing city and the other one located in Beijing city, for its employees with total rent of RMB54,200 per months. These leases cover lease terms from six months to 1 year.
On March 18, 2016 and June 3, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement and a supplementary lease agreement with Beijing oriental media properties Limited respectively, to lease a 479 square meters office space, located at Room 2605, 2606, and 2607, Block C Media Center, No.4 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2018. According to the lease, the rent is RMB161,620 per month.
On March 6, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Zhumian Gong to lease a 420 square meters office space, located at No.8 Ronghua zhong Road, Beijing Economic and Technology Development Zone, Beijing City, PRC. The lease is valid from March 6, 2016 to March 5, 2019. According to the lease, the rent is RMB56,162 per month.
In addition, the Company committed to bear the dormitories expenses, which were leased for the employees.
The above operating lease commitments are summarized as follows.
|
|
Commitment amount |
|||
|
|
RMB |
|
USD |
|
Year of 2017 |
|
RMB3,751,025 |
|
$ |
540,206 |
Year of 2018 |
|
1,338,804 |
|
|
192,808 |
Year of 2019 |
|
112,324 |
|
|
16,176 |
|
|
RMB5,202,153 |
|
$ |
749,190 |
14. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On April 27, 2015, AGM Holdings was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. On the same day, the Company issued 10,000 ordinary shares at $0.001 per share to its incorporator for a consideration of $10.
On December 28, 2016, a total of 8,100,000 class A shares were issued at $0.1 per share to eleven individuals and one company with cash proceeds of $380,000 received at the end of 2016 and the remaining cash proceeds of $430,000 received as of the filing date of this prospectus.
On December 28, 2016, a total of 11,900,000 class A shares were issued at $0.099 per share to Firebull Holdings Limited, a third party company, and four senior management member, Zhentao Jiang, Chengchun Zhang, Wenjie Tang and Yufeng Mi, with cash proceeds of $445,500 received at the end of 2016 and cash proceeds of $732,600 received as of the filing date.
On December 28, 2016, a total of 11,900,000 class B shares were issued at $0.001 per share to Firebull Holdings Limited, a third party company, and four senior management member, Zhentao Jiang, Chengchun Zhang, Wenjie Tang and Yufeng Mi, with cash proceeds of $4,500 received at the end of 2016 and cash proceeds of $7,400 received as of the filing date. The Class B shares carry five votes for each share for these shareholders. The Class B Ordinary Shares are not participating securities in the distributions of the dividends of the Company and cannot be transferred to other person or company.
F-25
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (cont.)
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has a total of 20,010,000 and 10,000 Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding, respectively.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has a total of 11,900,000 and 0 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding, respectively.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company is authorized to issue 400,000,000 ordinary shares. Of which, 200,000,000 has been designated as class A Ordinary Shares and 200,000,000 has been designated as class B Ordinary Shares.
15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events through July 20, 2017, the date the financial statements were available to issue, and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, except as follows:
On January 1, 2017, the Company entered into a 2-year term advance agreement with the Company’s CEO and Shareholder, Wenji Tang, allowing the Company to borrow interest-free loan up to the amount of RMB15,000,000 ($2,160,232) from the CEO during fiscal 2017. The Company shall repay the CEO for any amount outstanding at the maturity date of December 31, 2018. The Company has subsequently drawn down RMB8,413,548 ($1,247,117).
On May 4, 2017, the Company repaid $1,003,166 of its related party loan due to Zhentao Jiang, director and principal shareholder of the Company. The remaining balance due to Zhentao Jiang became $2,866,670 after the repayment.
In January and May 2017, the Company fully collected the $1,170,000 subscription receivable from the subscribers of its common shares.
On June 14, 2017, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, AGM Software Service LTD in British Virgin Islands.
On July 18, 2017, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, AGMTRADE UK LTD in the United Kingdom.
F-26
1,000,000
Class A Ordinary Shares
(minimum offering amount)
1,400,000
Class A Ordinary Shares
(maximum offering amount)
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
, 2017
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Under the memorandum and articles of association of the Registrant, the Registrant may indemnify its directors, officers and liquidators against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings to which they are party or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their acting as our director, officer or liquidator. To be entitled to indemnification, these persons must have acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the Registrant and, in the case of criminal proceedings, they must have had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful.
The Underwriting Agreement, the form of which will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will also provide for indemnification of the Registrant and its officers and directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Below describes in detail our sale of unregistered securities in the last past three (3) years.
Founding Transactions
AGM Group Holdings Inc. was formed on April 27, 2015, with Zhentao Jiang as the founder and sole shareholder. Mr. Jiang received 10,000 founder shares of our company upon incorporation. On November 18, 2016, Mr. Jiang entered into certain equity interest transfer agreements with Chenxi Shi and transferred to Mr. Shi 10,000 ordinary shares.
Private Placement Financings
On December 28, 2016, we sold to 17 non-U.S. investors, a total of 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares for a total subscription proceeds of $1,988,100.
On December 28, 2016, we sold to 5 non-U.S. investors a total of 11,900,000 Class B Ordinary Shares for a total subscription proceeds of $11,900.
The above transactions were not registered under the Securities Act in reliance on an exemption from registration set forth in Section 4(2) thereof, Regulation D and/or Regulation S promulgated hereunder as a transaction by the Company not involving any public offering. The securities were sold in an offshore transaction by a foreign issuer, to foreign investors, not using any directed selling efforts in the United States. Moreover, the purchasers met the “accredited investor” criteria and had adequate information about the Company as required by the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act. These securities may not be offered or sold in the United States in the absence of an effective registration statement or exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act.
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Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits. The following exhibits are included herein or incorporated herein by reference:
The following documents are filed as part of this registration statement:
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* To be filed by amendment
† Filed herewith.
** Previously filed.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules. All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the information is included in the Registrant’s consolidated financial statements or related notes.
Item 9. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriter at the closing specified in the placement agreements certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission 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
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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.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of 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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (§ 230.424(b) of this chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(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;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by “Item 8.A. of Form 20-F (17 CFR 249.220f)” at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering and such other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§ 230.424 of this chapter);
(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.
(6) That, 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.
(7) That, 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.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Beijing, People’s Republic of China, on September 19, 2017.
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AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC. |
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By: |
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/s/ Wenjie Tang |
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Wenjie Tang |
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Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
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By: |
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/s/ Guofu Zhang |
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Guofu Zhang |
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Date |
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/s/ Zhentao Jiang |
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Chairman of the Board |
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September 19, 2017 |
Zhentao Jiang |
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/s/ Chuang Chen |
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Director |
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September 19, 2017 |
Chuang Chen |
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/s/ Jialin Liu |
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Director |
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September 19, 2017 |
Jialin Liu |
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/s/ Tingfu Xie |
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Director |
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September 19, 2017 |
Tingfu Xie |
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Authorized Representative
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant’s duly authorized representative has signed this registration statement on Form F-1, in the City of New York, New York, on September 19, 2017.
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By: |
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/s/ Mengyi “Jason” Ye, Esq. |
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Mengyi “Jason” Ye, Esq., Counsel |
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Exhibit 1.1
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
between
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
(a British Virgin Islands company limited by ordinary shares)
and
NETWORK 1 FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC.
as Underwriter
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC.
Minimum Offering: $5,000,000
Maximum Offering: $7,000,000
($5.00 per Class A ordinary share)
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[ ], 2017
Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.
2 Bridge Avenue, Penthouse
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, AGM Group Holdings Inc. , a British Virgin Islands company (collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, all entities disclosed or described in the Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined) as being subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company, the “ Company ”), hereby confirms its agreement with Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “ you ” (including its correlatives) or the “ Underwriter ”) as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Securities .
1.1 Purchase of Securities .
1.1.1 Nature and Purchase of Securities .
(i) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell through the Underwriter, an aggregate of between 1,000,000 (the “ Minimum Offering ”) and 1,400,000 Class A ordinary share (the “ Maximum Offering ”), par value $0.001 per share (the “ Ordinary Shares ”). All Ordinary Shares to be offered and sold in the offering shall be issued and sold through the Underwriter, as agent for the Company, to the public, and the Underwriter agrees to use its best efforts to sell the Ordinary Shares as agents for the Company. The Ordinary Shares are referred to herein as the “ Securities .”
(ii) The Securities are to be offered to the public (the “ Offering ”) at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (the “ Public Offering Price ”).
1.1.2. Offering Period . Your appointment shall commence upon the date of the execution of this Agreement, and shall continue for a period (such period, including any extension thereof as hereinafter provided, being herein called the “ Offering Period ”) of 90 days from the effective date (the “ Effective Date ”) of the Registration Statement (and for a period of up to 60 additional days if extended by agreement of the Company and you), unless all of the Securities have previously been subscribed for. The Offering will terminate and all amounts paid by applicants to purchase Securities will be promptly returned to them without charge, deduction or interest as provided in the Prospectus and the Escrow Agreement (as hereinafter defined) (i) if subscriptions for at least $5,000,000 have not been received within the Offering Period, (ii) at any time by agreement of the Company and you or (iii) this Agreement shall be terminated as provided herein.
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1.1.3. Payment and Delivery .
(i) Subject to the penultimate sentence of this paragraph, the Securities, in the form of Ordinary Shares, will be delivered by the Company to the Underwriter against payment of the purchase price therefor at the offices of Mei & Mark LLP, counsel to the Underwriter (“ Mei & Mark ”), at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, on the third (3 rd ) (or if the Securities are priced, as contemplated by Rule 15c6-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), after 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, the fourth) Business Day after the date (the “ Closing Date ”) on which notice (the “ Closing Notice ”) requesting that the Offering be closed has been delivered to the Company by the Underwriter. The Closing Notice may be delivered at any time after notice has been delivered to the Company by the Underwriter that conditions for the Minimum Offering have been met. The Closing Date shall be no later than 150 days from the Effective Date (the “ Offering Termination Date ”). If the Underwriter so elects, delivery of the Securities, each in the form of Ordinary Shares, may be made, for the accounts of the respective investors, by credit through full FAST transfer to the account at The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) designated by the Underwriter. Certificates representing the Ordinary Shares, in definitive form and in such denominations and registered in such names as the Underwriter may reasonably request upon at least two Business Days’ prior written notice to the Company, will be made available for checking and packaging not later than 10:00 a.m. EST on the business day next preceding the Closing Date at the above addresses, or such other location as may be mutually acceptable. The term “ Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.
(ii) Prior to the sale of all of the Securities, all funds received from purchasers of the Securities shall be placed in an escrow account (the “ Escrow Account ”) with Signature Bank, as escrow agent (“ Escrow Agent ”), in accordance with the escrow agreement entered into by and among the Underwriter, the Company and the Escrow Agent dated August 23, 2017 (the “ Escrow Agreement ”), the form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The Underwriter shall promptly deliver to the Escrow Agent all monies in the form of checks or wire transfers which it receives from prospective purchasers of the Securities by noon of the next business day following receipt where internal supervisory review is conducted at the same location at which subscription documents and monies are received. Upon the Escrow Agent’s receipt of such monies, they shall be credited to the Escrow Account. All checks delivered to the Escrow Agent shall be made payable to “Signature Bank, as escrow agent for AGM Group Holdings Inc.” Upon delivery of the certificates (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter) representing the Securities (or through the facilities of the DTC), the Escrow Agent shall release such funds to the Company, in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement. In the event that the Minimum Offering amount is not sold on or before the Offering Termination Date, as determined by the Escrow Agent in its sole discretion and in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, all funds then held in the Escrow Account shall be returned promptly to the respective purchasers as provided in the Escrow Agreement.
1.2 Nature of Underwriting.
The offering is being made without a firm commitment by the Underwriter, with no obligation or commitment on the part of the Underwriter to sell any of the Ordinary Shares. The Underwriter must sell the minimum number of securities offered (1,000,000 Ordinary Shares), if any are sold, and are required to use only their best efforts to sell the Securities offered.
1.3 Underwriter’s Remuneration .
The Company agrees to provide to the Underwriter a commission of eight percent (8%) of the Offering at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus for the Ordinary Shares.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriter as of the Applicable Time (as defined below) and as of the Closing Date, as follows:
2.1 Filing of Registration Statement .
2.1.1. Pursuant to the Act .
(i) The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form F-1 (File No. 333-218020), including any related prospectus or prospectuses, for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company and conform, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act (the “ Regulations ”). Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration statement on file with the Commission at the time the registration statement becomes effective (including the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of the Effective Date pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Regulations), is referred to herein as the “ Registration Statement .”
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2.1.2. Pursuant to the Exchange Act . The Company will file with the Commission a Form 8-A providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), of the Ordinary Shares prior to the Closing Date. The registration of the Ordinary Shares under the Exchange Act has been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the date hereof.
2.1.3. Registration under the Exchange Act . The Securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Securities under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration except as described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.
2.1.4. Listing on Nasdaq . The Ordinary Shares will be approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“ Nasdaq ”) by the Closing Date, subject to official notice of issuance, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the listing of the Securities on Nasdaq nor has the Company received any notification that Nasdaq is contemplating revoking or withdrawing approval for listing of the Securities.
2.2 No Stop Orders, etc . Neither the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary Prospectus (“ Preliminary Prospectus ”), the Prospectus or the Registration Statement or has instituted or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.
2.3 Disclosures in Registration Statement .
2.3.1. 10b-5 Representation .
(i) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments thereto will in all material respects comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations.
(ii) (a) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, and any amendment or supplement thereto, did not contain and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and (b) the Prospectus does not contain, and at the Closing Date, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representation and warranty made in this Section 2.3.1(ii) does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to the Underwriter furnished to the Company by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto. The parties acknowledge and agree that such information provided by or on behalf of any of the Underwriter consists solely of the disclosure contained in the “Plan of Distribution” section of the Prospectus (collectively, the “ Underwriter’s Information ”).
(iii) The road show presentation and materials, when taken together as a whole with this Agreement and schedules (collectively, the “ Disclosure Materials ”), do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Materials based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Underwriter specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the Underwriter’s Information described as such in Section 2.3.1(ii) hereof.
2.3.2. Disclosure of Agreements . There are no agreements or other documents required by the Act and the Regulations to be described in the Prospectus or the Registration Statement or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed.
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2.4 Changes After Dates in Registration Statement .
2.4.1. No Material Adverse Change . Since the end of the period covered by the latest audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as otherwise specifically stated therein: (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or business prospects of the Company; (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) no executive officer or director of the Company has resigned from his or her position with the Company.
2.4.2. Recent Securities Transactions, etc . Since the end of the period covered by the latest audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has not, other than with respect to options to purchase Ordinary Shares at an exercise price equal to the then fair market price of the Ordinary Shares, as determined by the Company’s board of directors, granted to employees, consultants or service providers: (i) issued any securities or incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money other than in the ordinary course of business; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.
2.5 Independent Accountants . To the best of the Company’s knowledge, Anton & Chia, LLP (“ Anton ”), whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement, are independent registered public accountants as required by the Act and the Regulations. Anton has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
2.6 Financial Statements, etc . The financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus fairly present the financial position and the results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”), consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as disclosed therein; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein. The Registration Statement discloses all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (a) neither the Company nor any of its operating subsidiaries (each a “ Subsidiary ” and together the “ Subsidiaries ”), has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any material transactions other than in the ordinary course of business, (b) the Company has not declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock; (c) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any grants under any stock compensation plan and, (d) there has not been any material adverse change in the Company’s long-term or short-term debt. Since the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the Registration Statement, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has incurred or undertaken any liabilities or obligations, whether direct or indirect, liquidated or contingent, matured or unmatured, or entered into any transactions, including any acquisition or disposition of any business or asset, which are material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except for liabilities, obligations and transactions which are disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
2.7 Authorized Capital; Options, etc . The Company had the duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date, there will be no options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued capital stock of the Company or any security convertible into capital stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell capital stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.
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2.8 Valid Issuance of Securities, etc.
2.8.1. Outstanding Securities . All issued and outstanding securities of the Company issued prior to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company.
2.8.2. Securities Sold Pursuant to this Agreement . The Ordinary Shares underlying the Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale and, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the Securities, and their underlying Ordinary Shares, are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the foregoing Securities has been duly and validly taken. The Securities, and the underlying Ordinary Shares, conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement.
2.9 Registration Rights of Third Parties . Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration statement to be filed by the Company.
2.10 Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements . This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and, when executed and delivered, will constitute, the valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.
2.11 No Conflicts The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and all ancillary documents, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a material breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Charter ”); or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or business constituted as of the date hereof, except such violation or breach that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the assets, business, conditions, financial position or results of operations of the Company (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).
2.12 No Defaults; Violations . No material default exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other material agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not in violation of any material term or provision of its Charter, or in violation in any material respect of any franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or businesses.
2.13 Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents .
2.13.1. Conduct of Business . Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business purpose as described in the Prospectus except, in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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2.13.2. Transactions Contemplated Herein . The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof and thereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities and the consummation by the Company of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”).
2.14 D &O Questionnaires . To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires (the “ Questionnaires ”) completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers immediately prior to the Offering (the “ Insiders ”) as well as in the Lock-Up Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided to the Underwriter is true and correct in all respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the questionnaires completed by each Insider to become inaccurate and incorrect.
2.15 Litigation; Governmental Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any executive officer or director that is required to be and has not been disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in connection with the Company’s listing application for the listing of the Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq.
2.16 Good Standing . The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands as of the date hereof, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.17 Transactions Affecting Disclosure to FINRA .
2.17.1. Finder’s Fees . Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company or any Insider with respect to the sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any of its shareholders that may affect the Underwriter’ compensation, as determined by FINRA.
2.17.2. Payments Within Twelve Months . Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) to any FINRA member; or (iii) to any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve months prior to the Effective Date, other than the prior payment of $50,000 to Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc., the Underwriter, as provided hereunder in connection with the Offering.
2.17.3. FINRA Affiliation . To the best of the Company’s knowledge, and except as may have been previously disclosed in writing to the Underwriter, no Insider or any beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA).
2.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any of the Insiders or employees of the Company or any other person authorized to act on behalf of the Company has, directly or indirectly, knowingly given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding.
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2.19 Officers’ Certificate . Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to you or to Mei & Mark shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
2.20 Lock-Up Period.
2.20.1. Each officer and director (each an “ Insider ”) and each beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Company holding outstanding Ordinary Shares (or securities convertible into Ordinary Shares) (together with the Insiders, the “ Lock-Up Parties ”) have agreed pursuant to executed Lock-Up Agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A that for a period ending 180 days after the Closing Date (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), such persons and their affiliated parties shall not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Ordinary Shares or capital stock of the Company, including Ordinary Shares, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for such Ordinary Shares or capital stock, without the consent of the Underwriter, with certain exceptions. The Underwriter may consent to an early release from the applicable Lock-Up period if, in its opinion, the market for the Ordinary Shares would not be adversely impacted by sales and in cases of financial emergency of an Insider or other stockholder.
2.20.2. The Company, on behalf of itself and any successor entity, has agreed that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will not, for a period ending 180 days after the Closing Date, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (ii) file or cause to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company or (iii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The restrictions contained in this paragraph 2.19.2 shall not apply to (i) the Ordinary Shares to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of, provided that the Underwriter has been advised in writing of such issuance prior to the date hereof or (iii) the issuance by the Company of option to purchase or shares of capital stock or restricted stock of the Company under any stock compensation plan of the Company outstanding on the date hereof. For purposes of subclause (ii) in this paragraph, the Underwriter acknowledges that disclosure in the Registration Statement filed prior to the date hereof of any outstanding option or warrant shall be deemed to constitute prior written notice to the Underwriter.
2.20.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) the Company issues an earnings release or material news, or a material event relating to the Company occurs, during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by paragraph 2.20 shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, unless the Underwriter waives such extension.
2.21 Issuance of Additional Shares . The Company agrees that it will not issue additional Ordinary Shares or any underlying Ordinary Shares during the offering period. It further agrees that it will not issue additional shares for a period ending 180 days after the Closing Date without the Underwriter’s written consent.
2.22 Subsidiaries . Exhibit 21.1 of the Registration Statement lists each Subsidiary and consolidated entity of the Company and sets forth the ownership of all of the Subsidiaries. The Subsidiaries are duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the place of organization or incorporation, and each such Subsidiary is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company’s ownership and control of each Subsidiary and each Subsidiary’s ownership and control of other Subsidiaries, is as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Materials and the Prospectus. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or entity other than AGM Group Holdings Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (“ AGM BVI ”), AGM Group, Ltd., a Belize company and wholly owned subsidiary of AGM BVI (“ AGM Belize ”), AGM Technology, Limited, a limited liability company established under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM BVI (“ AGM HK ”), Shenzhen AnGaoMeng Financial Technology Service Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign owned enterprise established under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “ PRC ”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of AGM HK (“ AGM Shenzhen ”), Beijing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign owned enterprise established under the laws of the PRC and a wholly owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen (“ AGM Beijing ”), Nanjing AnGaoMeng Technology Service Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign owned enterprise established under the laws of the PRC and a wholly owned subsidiary of AGM Shenzhen (“ AGM Nanjing ”), AGM Software Service LTD, a British Virgin Islands company limited by shares and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings (“ AGM Software ”), AGMTrade UK LTD. a company incorporated under the law of England and Wales, limited by shares and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings (“ AGM UK ”), AGM Trade Global PTY LTD. an Australia company, limited by shares and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings (“ AGM Australia ”), and AGMClub Service Limited, a Hong Kong SAR limited company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGM Holdings (“ AGMClub ”). Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Materials and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification.
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2.23 Related Party Transactions . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Prospectus that have not been described as required.
2.24 Board of Directors . The Board of Directors of the Company is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Prospectus captioned “Directors.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the board comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and the rules of Nasdaq. At least one member of the Board of Directors of the Company qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and the rules of Nasdaq. In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as “independent” as defined under the rules of Nasdaq.
2.25 Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance .
2.25.1. Disclosure Controls . The Company has developed and currently maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that all material information concerning the Company will be made known on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of the Company’s Exchange Act filings and other public disclosure documents.
2.25.2. Compliance . The Company is, or on the Effective Date will be, in material compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 applicable to it and has implemented or will implement such programs and taken reasonable steps to ensure the Company’s future compliance (not later than the relevant statutory and regulatory deadlines therefor) with all the material provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
2.26 No Investment Company Status . The Company is not and, after giving effect to the Offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the net proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
2.27 No Labor Disputes . No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, is imminent.
2.28 Intellectual Property . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses or has valid rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and similar rights (“ Intellectual Property ”) necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except for such Intellectual Property, the failure of which to own or possess, as the case may be, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no action or use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will involve or give rise to any infringement of, or material license or similar fees for, any Intellectual Property of others, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging any such infringement or fee.
2.29 Taxes . Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed all returns (as hereinafter defined) required to be filed with taxing authorities prior to the date hereof or has duly obtained extensions of time for the filing thereof. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, Prospectus and the financial statements therein, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has paid all taxes (as hereinafter defined) shown as due on such returns that were filed and has paid all taxes imposed on or assessed against the Company or such subsidiary. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. Except as disclosed in writing to the Underwriter, (i) no issues have been raised (and are currently pending) by any taxing authority in connection with any of the returns or taxes asserted as due from the Company or its Subsidiaries, and (ii) no waivers of statutes of limitation with respect to the returns or collection of taxes have been given by or requested from the Company or its Subsidiaries. The term “ taxes ” mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “ returns ” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be filed with relevant taxing authorities in respect to taxes.
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2.30 Data . The statistical, industry-related and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources which the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived. The Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent necessary.
2.31 The Company’s Board of Directors has validly appointed an audit committee whose composition satisfies the requirements of the rules and regulations of NASDAQ and the Board of Directors and/or audit committee has adopted a charter that satisfies the requirements of the rules and regulations of NASDAQ. The audit committee has reviewed the adequacy of its charter within the past twelve months. Neither the Board of Directors nor the audit committee has been informed, nor is any director of the Company aware, of: (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
2.32 Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries has, prior to the date hereof, made any offer or sale of any securities which are required to be “integrated” pursuant to the Act or the Regulations with the offer and sale of the Underwriter pursuant to the Registration Statement. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries has sold or issued any Ordinaries Shares or any securities convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares, or other equity securities, or any rights to acquire any Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of the Company or any of the Operating Entities, during the six-month period preceding the date of the Prospectus, including but not limited to any sales pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation D or S under the Securities Act, other than Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or the employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants as described in the Registration Statement.
2.33 No director or officer of the Company is subject to any non-competition agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or prior employer which could materially affect his ability to be and act in his respective capacity of the Company.
2.34 The conditions for use of Form F-1 to register the Offering under the Act, as set forth in the General Instructions to such Form, have been satisfied.
2.35 PRC Representation and Warranties .
2.35.1. Organization .
(i) Each of AGM Shenzhen, AGM Beijing and AGM Nanjing (“ PRC Subsidiaries ”) has been duly organized and is validly existing as a company under the laws of the PRC, and its business license is in full force and effect; AGM Shenzhen has been duly qualified as a foreign invested enterprise with the following approvals and certificates: (A) Certificate of Approval, (B) Business License, (C) Tax Registration Certificate, (D) Organization Code Certificate, and (E) State Administration for Foreign Exchange (“ SAFE ”) Registration Card. 100% of the equity interests of the PRC Subsidiaries are owned by the Company as described in the Prospectus, and such equity interests are free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims; the articles of association, the business license and other constituent documents of the PRC Subsidiaries comply in all material respects with the requirements of applicable laws of the PRC and are in full force and effect; the PRC Subsidiaries have full power and authority (corporate and other) and all consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, licenses, orders, registrations, clearances and qualifications of or with any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the PRC Subsidiaries or any of its properties required for the ownership or lease of property by it and the conduct of its business in accordance with its registered business scope except for such that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and has the legal right and authority to own, use, lease and operate its assets and to conduct its business in the manner presently conducted and as described in the Prospectus; and all of the registered capital of PRC Subsidiaries has been paid.
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(ii) Each of the PRC Subsidiaries has legal and valid title to all of its properties and assets, free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances, equities, claims, options and restrictions; each lease agreement to which it is a party is duly executed and legally binding; its leasehold interests are set forth in and governed by the terms of any lease agreements, and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge such agreements are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms under PRC law; and, none of the PRC Subsidiaries owns, operates, manages or has any other right or interest in any other material real property of any kind, except as described in the Prospectus.
2.35.2. PRC Taxes . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Materials and Prospectus, including the risk factor set forth in “ Risk Factors— Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “Resident Enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders, ” no transaction, stamp, capital or other issuance, registration, transaction, transfer or withholding taxes or duties are payable in China, Hong Kong or the British Virgin Islands to any Chinese, Hong Kong or British Virgin Islands taxing authority in connection with (A) the issuance, sale and delivery of the Ordinary Shares represented by the Ordinary Shares and the delivery of the Securities to or for the account of the purchasers, (B) the purchase from the Company and the sale and delivery of the Securities to purchasers thereof, or (C) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Underwriter.
2.35.3. Dividends and Distributions . Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited or restricted, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company.
2.35.4. Money Laundering . The operations of the Company, its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in all material respects in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of money laundering statutes and the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company, any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened.
2.35.5. Office of Foreign Assets Control . None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries has conducted or entered into a contract to conduct any transaction with the governments or any of subdivision thereof, agents or the Underwriter, residents of, or any entity based or resident in the countries that are currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”); none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC (including but not limited to the designation as a “specially designated national or blocked person” thereunder), Her Majesty’s Treasury, the United Nations Security Council, or the European Union or is located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of OFAC-administered sanctions, including, without limitation, Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria; and the Company will not knowingly directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
2.35.6. Lending Relationships . Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company (i) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of the Underwriter and (ii) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of the Underwriter.
2.35.7. No Immunity . None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of its or their properties or assets has any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution or otherwise) under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, the PRC, New York or United States federal law; and, to the extent that the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to any such right of immunity in any such court in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, each of the Company, its Subsidiaries waives or will waive such right to the extent permitted by law and has consented to such relief and enforcement under New York law as provided under this Agreement.
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2.35.8. Free Transferability of Dividends or Distributions . Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, Registration Statement and Prospectus all dividends and other distributions declared and payable on the Ordinary Shares may under current British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and PRC law and regulations be paid to the holders of Securities, as the case may be, in United States dollars and may be converted into foreign currency that may be transferred out of the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC, and all such payments made to holders thereof or therein who are non-residents of the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong or the PRC, will not be subject to income, withholding or other taxes under laws and regulations of the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC, or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein and will otherwise be free and clear of any other tax, duty, withholding or deduction in the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein and without the necessity of obtaining any governmental authorization in the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein.
2.35.9. Not a PFIC . Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, Registration Statement and Prospectus, the Company does not expect that it will be treated as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“ PFIC ”) within the meaning of Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for its current taxable year. The Company has no plan or intention to operate in such a manner that would reasonably be expected to result in the Company becoming a PFIC in future taxable years.
2.35.10. Compliance with SAFE Regulations . The Company has taken all reasonable steps to cause all of the Company’s shareholders and option holders who are residents or citizens of the PRC, to comply with any applicable rules and regulations of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange ( SAFE ) relating to such shareholders’ and optionholders’ shareholding with the Company (the “ SAFE Rules and Regulations ”), including, without limitation, taking reasonable steps to require each shareholder or option holder that is, or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, a resident or citizen of the PRC to complete any registration and other procedures required under applicable SAFE Rules and Regulations.
2.35.11. M&A and CSRC Rules . The Company is aware of and has been advised as to the content of the Rules on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Tax Administration, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory Commission ( CSRC ) and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of China (SAFE) on August 8, 2006 (the “ M&A Rules ”), in particular the relevant provisions thereof that purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles formed for the purpose of obtaining a stock exchange listing outside of the PRC and controlled directly or indirectly by companies or natural persons of the PRC, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of their securities on a stock exchange located outside of the PRC; the Company has received legal advice specifically with respect to the M&A Rules from its PRC counsel and based on such legal advice, the Company confirms with the Underwriter:
(i) Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the issuance and sale of the Ordinary Shares and the Ordinary Shares, the listing and trading of the Securities on Nasdaq and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not and will not be, as of the date hereof, at the Closing Date or on each settlement date, affected by the M&A Rules or any official clarifications, guidance, interpretations or implementation rules in connection with or related to the M&A Rules, including the guidance and notices issued by the CSRC on September 8 and September 21, 2006, as amended (collectively, the “ M&A Rules and Related Clarifications ”).
(ii) Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of the date hereof, the M&A Rules and Related Classifications did not and do not require the Company to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the issuance and sale of the Ordinary Shares and the Ordinary Shares, the listing and trading of the Securities on Nasdaq, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.35.12. Foreign Private Issuer Status . The Company is a “foreign private issuer” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act.
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2.35.13. Choice of Law . Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the choice of law provision set forth in Section 8.6 of this Agreement, each constitutes a legal and valid choice of law under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC and will be honored by courts in the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC, subject to compliance with relevant civil procedural requirements (that do not involve a re-examination of the merits of the claim) in the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC. The Company has the power to submit, and pursuant to Section 8.6 of this Agreement, has legally, validly, effectively and submitted, to the personal jurisdiction of each of the New York Courts, and the Company has the power to designate, appoint and authorize, and pursuant to Section 8.6 of this Agreement, has legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably designated, appointed an authorized agent for service of process in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Securities in any New York Court, and service of process effected on such authorized agent will be effective to confer valid personal jurisdiction over the Company as provided in Section 8.6 of this Agreement.
2.35.14. Recognition of Judgments . Any final judgment for a fixed sum of money rendered by a New York Court having jurisdiction under New York law in respect of any suit, action or proceeding against the Company based upon this Agreement would be recognized and enforced against the Company by British Virgin Islands courts without re-examining the merits of the case under the common law doctrine of obligation; provided that such judgment is (A) given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction; (B) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given; (C) is final; (D) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and (E) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the British Virgin Islands.
2.36 MD&A . The section entitled “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ” in the Preliminary Prospectus included in the Disclosure Materials and the Prospectus accurately and fully describes in all material respects (A) accounting policies that the Company believes are the most important in the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments (“ Critical Accounting Policies ”); (B) judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of the Critical Accounting Policies; and (C) the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions and an explanation thereof; and the Company’s management have reviewed and agreed with the selection, application and disclosure of the Critical Accounting Policies as described in the Disclosure Materials and the Prospectus and have consulted with its independent accountants with regard to such disclosure.
3. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants and agrees as follows:
3.1 Amendments to Registration Statement . The Company will deliver to the Underwriter, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Underwriter shall reasonably object in writing.
3.2 Federal Securities Laws .
3.2.1. Compliance . During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations under the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriter, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Underwriter promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the Act.
3.2.2. Filing of Final Prospectus . The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424 of the Regulations.
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3.2.3. Free Writing Prospectuses . The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act, without the prior consent of the Underwriter.
3.3 Delivery to the Underwriter of Prospectuses . The Company will deliver to the Underwriter, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Prospectus as the Underwriter may reasonably request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to the Underwriter two copies of the executed Registration Statements and all post-effective amendments thereto.
3.4 Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Underwriter . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus the earlier of 90 days from the Applicable Time or until the closing of the Offering and will promptly notify the Underwriter and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the filing with the Commission of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in this Section 3.4 hereof that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.
3.5 Review of Financial Statements. For a period of two (2) years from the Effective Date, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for such interim periods as the Company is required to furnish reports.
3.6 Reports to the Underwriter .
3.6.1 Periodic Reports, etc . For a period of one year from the Effective Date, the Company will furnish to the Underwriter copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities and also promptly furnish or make available to the Underwriter: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of each Form 6-K prepared and filed by the Company; (iii) a copy of each registration statement filed by the Company under the Act; (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the affairs of any future Subsidiaries of the Company as the Underwriter may from time to time reasonably request; provided the Underwriter shall sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter and Mei & Mark in connection with the Underwriter’s receipt of such information. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its EDGAR system shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Underwriter pursuant to this Section.
3.7 Payment of Expenses .
3.7.1. General Expenses Related to the Offering . The Company hereby agrees to pay on the Closing Date all expenses incident to the preparation of, and performance of the obligations of, the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees relating to the registration of the Ordinary Shares to be sold in the Offering with the Commission; (b) all COBRADesk filing fees associated with the review of the Offering by FINRA; all fees and expenses relating to the listing of such Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq and such other stock exchanges as the Company and the Underwriter together determine; (c) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of such Ordinary Shares under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the Underwriter may reasonably designate; (d) the costs of all mailing and printing of the offering documents, Registration Statements, , Prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final Prospectuses as the Underwriter may reasonably deem necessary, (e) the costs of preparing, authenticating, issuing, printing and delivering certificates representing the Ordinary Shares; (f) stock transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriter; (g) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (h) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel and other agents; (i) the costs associated with post-Closing advertising of the Offering in the national editions of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times except that that Company shall only reimburse the Underwriter for the costs of this subsection (j) if the Company gives its prior written consent to such advertisements; and (k) actual “road show” expenses for the Offering incurred by the Company; . The Underwriter may also deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date the expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Underwriter. Such expenses shall include reimbursement of up to $75,000 of the Underwriter’s actual expenses including but not limited to (a) reasonable clearing charges; (b) travel and out-of pocket expense in connection with the Offering; and (c) reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel incurred by the Underwriter in connection with the Offering. Any remaining costs and expenses of the Underwriter shall be borne by the Underwriter. The Underwriter acknowledges that $50,000 of this allowance has been paid by the Company and shall be deducted from the accountable expense allowance payable pursuant to this Section 3.7.1.
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3.7.2. Non-accountable Expenses . The Company further agrees that, in addition to the expenses payable pursuant to Section 3.7.1, on the Closing Date it will pay to the Underwriter a non-accountable expense allowance of 1% of the Offering by deduction from the proceeds of the Offering contemplated herein.
3.8 Application of Net Proceeds . The Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.
3.9 Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders . The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the Effective Date.
3.10 Stabilization . The Company, will not, and will use its best efforts to ensure that, any of its employees, directors or shareholders (without the consent of the Underwriter) will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Ordinary Shares.
3.11 Internal Controls . Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
3.12 Accountants . After the Effective Date, the Company shall retain independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter, and the Company shall continue to retain a nationally recognized independent certified public accounting firm for a period of at least two years after the Effective Date. The Underwriter acknowledges that Anton is acceptable to the Underwriter.
3.13 FINRA . The Company shall advise the Underwriter (who shall make an appropriate filing with FINRA) if it becomes aware that any 5% or greater shareholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of an FINRA member participating in the distribution of the Securities.
3.14 No Fiduciary Duties . The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriter responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and that none of the Underwriter of its affiliates shall be deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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3.15 Compliance with SAFE Regulations . The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause its shareholders and option holders that are, or that are directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, residents or citizens of the PRC, to comply with the SAFE Rules and Regulations applicable to them, including without limitation, requesting each such shareholder and option holder to complete any registration and other procedures required under applicable SAFE Rules and Regulations.
3.16 Maintenance of Transfer Restrictions . The Company shall at all times after the Closing Date maintain transfer restrictions with respect to the Company’s Ordinary Shares that are subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to this Agreement and the Lock-Up Agreements (as defined below) and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such restrictions on transfer of restricted Ordinary Shares.
3.17 Maintenance of Ordinary Shares Listing . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect and maintain the listing of the Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq.
3.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Company will take reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
4. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the Underwriter hereunder shall be subject to (i) the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date; (ii) the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and (iii) the following conditions:
4.1 Regulatory Matters .
4.1.1. Effectiveness of Registration Statement . The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by you, and, at the Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of Mei & Mark LLP.
4.1.2. FINRA Clearance . By the Effective Date, the Underwriter shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriter as described in the Registration Statement.
4.1.3. Nasdaq Stock Market Clearance . On or prior to the Closing Date, the Securities shall have been approved for listing on Nasdaq, subject only to written confirmation of the Closing by the Company.
4.1.4. Free Writing Prospectuses . The Underwriter covenants with the Company that the Underwriter will not use, authorize the use of, refer to, or participate in the planning for the use of a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Act, which term includes use of any written information furnished by the Commission to the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, without the prior written consent of the Company.
4.2 Company Counsel Matters .
4.2.1. Closing Date Opinion of Counsel . On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP, U.S. securities counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Underwriter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.
4.2.2. BVI Opinion . On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of Mourant Ozannes, British Virgin Islands counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.
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4.2.3. Belize Opinion . On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of Belize counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.
4.2.4. PRC Opinion and HK Opinion . On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of East & Concord Partners, PRC counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of Hong Kong counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.
4.2.5. Reliance . In rendering such opinions, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter, familiar with the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to Me& Mark if requested. The opinions referenced in Sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for the Underwriter in its opinion delivered to the Underwriter.
4.3 Cold Comfort Letter . At the time this Agreement is executed, the Underwriter shall have received (i) a cold comfort letter, addressed to the Underwriter and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter and to Mei & Mark from Anton, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and (ii) an officer’s certificate from the chief financial officer of the Company dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter, to the effect set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto.
4.4 Bring-down Comfort Letter and CFO Certificate. At the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received (i) from Anton a letter with respect to the Company, dated as of Closing Date, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to Section 4.3(i) to the extent permitted by the AICPA auditing standards, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Date and (ii) from the Company a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the chief financial officer of the Company reaffirms the statements made in the certificate furnished pursuant to Section 4.3 (ii).
4.5 Officers’ Certificates .
4.5.1. Officers’ Certificate . At the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants and complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, and that the conditions set forth in Section 4.4 hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct in all material respects.
4.5.2. Secretary’s Certificate . At the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date, respectively, certifying: (i) that the Charter is true and complete, have not been modified and are in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the public offering contemplated by this Agreement are in full force and effect and have not been modified; (iii) as to the accuracy and completeness of all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; and (iv) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.
4.6 No Material Changes . Prior to and on the Closing Date: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may material adverse change in the condition or prospects of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.
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4.7 Delivery of Agreements and Certificates .
4.7.1. Pricing Date Deliveries . On the date hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Underwriter executed copies of this Agreement and the Lock-Up Agreements.
4.7.2. Delivery of Share Certificates . Delivery of the certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Placement Agent) representing the Total Shares (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the account of the Placement Agent, on such date as the Placement Agent may request (the “Date of Delivery”). The certificates representing the Shares shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as you may request in writing at least three full business days before the Date of Delivery. The certificates representing the Placement Shares will be made available for examination and packaging at the offices of the Placement Agent or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Company and you, not later than at least two (2) full business days prior to each Date of Delivery.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriter and counsel for the Underwriter, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriter under this Agreement may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Underwriter, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 8.3 and except that Section 5 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.
The documents required to be provided by this Section 4 shall be provided to Mei & Mark LLP, counsel for the Underwriter, whose address is at 818 18 th Street NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20006 on or prior to the Closing Date.
5. Indemnification .
5.1 Indemnification of the Underwriter .
5.1.1. General . Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter (“ Controlling Person ”) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of the Underwriter and the Company, or between any of the Underwriter and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Disclosure Materials, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Disclosure Materials, the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 5.1.1 shall not inure to the benefit of the Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of the Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such person as required by the Act and the Regulations, if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the or any of its officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
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5.1.2. Procedure . If any action is brought against the Underwriter or a Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter or Controlling Person, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of the Underwriter) and payment of actual expenses. The Underwriter or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or Controlling Person unless (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in advance in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by such Underwriter (in addition to local counsel) and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Underwriter or any Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
5.2 Indemnification of the Company . The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the Underwriter, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Underwriter, the Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the Underwriter by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.
5.3 Contribution .
5.3.1. Contribution Rights . In order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Act in any case in which (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this Section 5 makes claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and in each such case, the Company and the Underwriter shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriter, as incurred, in such proportions that the Underwriter are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the commission appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, that, no person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 (f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1, the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that the Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of the Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriter or the Company, as applicable.
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5.3.2. Contribution Procedure . Within fifteen days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or the Underwriter) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“ contributing party ”), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing party or its Underwriter of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section 5.3.2 are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. The Underwriter’s obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5.3 are several and not joint.
6. Additional Covenants .
6.1 Board Composition and Board Designations . For so long as the Company’s Ordinary Shares remain listed on Nasdaq, the Company shall ensure that: (i) the qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the board comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and with the listing requirements of Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange or national securities association, as the case may be, in the event the Company seeks to have its Securities listed on another exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system, and (ii) if applicable, at least one member of the board of directors qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
6.2 Prohibition on Press Releases and Public Announcements . The Company will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Underwriter’s prior written consent, for a period ending at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the first business day following the 40th day following the Closing Date, other than normal and customary releases issued in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.
7. Effective Date of this Agreement and Termination Thereof .
7.1 Effective Date . This Agreement shall become effective when both the Company and the Underwriter have executed the same and delivered counterparts of such signatures to the other party.
7.2 Termination . You shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the Closing Date, (i) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction, or (ii) if the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities, which, in the Underwriter’s reasonable judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the Offering, sale and/or delivery of the securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriter for the sale of the securities, or (iii) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (iv) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets, or (v) if the Underwriter shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in general market conditions as in the Underwriter’s reasonable judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the Offering, sale and/or delivery of the securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriter for the sale of the securities.
7.3 Indemnification . Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not be in any way effected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.
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8. Miscellaneous .
8.1 Notices . All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed (registered or certified mail, return receipt requested), personally delivered or sent by facsimile transmission and confirmed and shall be deemed given when so delivered or faxed and confirmed or if mailed, two days after such mailing.
To the Company:
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
1 Jinghua South Road
Wangzuo Plaza East Tower Room 2112
Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100020
Facsimile: +1-010-5131-6301
E-mail: wj.tang@angaomeng.com
with a copy to:
Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP
501 Madison Avenue, 14 th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Jason Ye, Esq.
Facsimile: 212-826-9307
E-mail: jye@ortolirosenstadt.com
To you:
Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.
2 Bridge Avenue, Penthouse
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Attention: Damon Testaverde
Facsimile: 732-758-6671
E-mail: ddtestaverde@netw1.com
with a copy to:
Mei & Mark LLP
818 18 th Street NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20006
Attention: Fang Liu
Facsimile: 888-706-1173
Email: fliu@meimark.com
8.2 Headings . The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
8.3 Amendment . This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.
8.4 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
8.5 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Underwriter, the Company and the Controlling Persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective successors, legal Underwriters and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained. The term “successors and assigns” shall not include a purchaser, in its capacity as such, of securities from any of the Underwriter.
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8.6 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 8.1 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefore.
8.7 Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or email/pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.
8.8 Waiver, etc . The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriter and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.
Very truly yours, | ||
AGM GROUP HOLDINGS INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Accepted on the date first above written. |
NETWORK 1 FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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EXHIBIT A
Lock-Up Agreement
___________ __, 20__
Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.
2 Bridge Avenue, Penthouse
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned understands that Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. (the “ Underwriter ”) proposes to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) with AGM Group Holdings Inc. , a British Virgin Islands exempted limited liability company (the “ Company ”), providing for the public offering (the “ Public Offering ”) by the Underwriter named in the Underwriting Agreement of minimum of 1,000,000 and maximum of 1,400,000 Class A ordinary shares (“ Ordinary Shares ”), par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.
To induce the Underwriter to continue its efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 180 days after the Closing Date (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Ordinary Shares or capital stock of the Company including Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for such Ordinary Shares or capital stock, or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such Ordinary Shares or capital stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Company capital stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer Ordinary Shares held by the undersigned without the prior consent of the Underwriter in connection with (a) transfers of Shares or any security convertible into Ordinary Shares as a bona fide gift, by will or intestacy or to a family member or trust for the benefit of a family member; provided that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (a), (i) each donee or distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter agreement and (ii) no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Ordinary Shares (or Ordinary Shares representing the same), shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-up Period, (b) transfer of Ordinary Shares to a charity or educational institution, or (c) if the undersigned, directly or indirectly, controls a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfers of Ordinary Shares to any shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of similar equity interests in, the undersigned, as the case may be, if, in any such case, such transfer is not for value. In addition, the undersigned agrees that during the Lock-Up Period, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will not make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for such Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Shares. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent(s) and/or registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s securities or Ordinary Shares except in compliance with this Agreement.
If (i) the Company issues an earnings release or material news, during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by this agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release, unless the Underwriter waives such extension.
No provision in this agreement shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the exercise or exchange by the undersigned of any option or warrant to acquire Ordinary Shares, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Ordinary Shares, provided that the undersigned does not transfer the Ordinary Shares acquired on such exercise or exchange during the Lock-Up Period, unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this letter agreement. In addition, no provision herein shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the entry into or modification of a so-called “10b5-1” plan at any time (other than the entry into or modification of such a plan in such a manner as to cause the sale of any Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares within the Lock-Up Period).
A-1
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriter are relying upon this letter agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal Underwriters, successors and assigns.
The undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by the Company, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Ordinary Shares to be sold thereunder this agreement shall be void and of no further force or effect.
Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and the Underwriter.
Very truly yours, | |
(Name): | |
(Address) |
A-2
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CFO
CERTIFICATE
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.3(ii)
I, Guofu Zhang, Chief Financial Officer of AGM Group Holdings Inc., a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (the “ Company ”), pursuant to SECTION 4.3(ii) of the Underwriting Agreement, dated ______________, 2017 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), by and between the Company and the Underwriter, hereby certify, solely in the capacity as an officer of the Company for and on behalf of the Company, that I am familiar with the accounting, operations, records systems and internal controls of the Company, I have participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, I have reviewed the disclosure in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and I have performed the following procedures on the financial and operating information and data identified and circled by you in the preliminary prospectus dated [ ], 2017 attached hereto as Annex A and the Prospectus, dated _____________, 2017 attached hereto as Annex B :
(A) Compared the amount or ratio with a corresponding amount or ratio included in a schedule prepared by Company’s accounting personnel and derived from the Company’s accounting records and found them to be in agreement (giving effect to rounding where applicable), proved the arithmetic accuracy of such schedule, compared the amounts appearing in such schedule with the accounting records of the Company and found them to be in agreement (giving effect to rounding where applicable); and
(B) Compared the amount or percentage to, or computed the amount or percentage from, the corresponding data and other records maintained by the Company for the periods, or as of the dates, indicated and found such information to be in agreement (giving effect to rounding where applicable).
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Underwriting Agreement. This certificate is to assist the Underwriters in conducting and documenting their investigation of the affairs of the Company in connection with the offering.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name.
Dated as of
By: | ||
Name: Guofu Zhang | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
B-1
Exhibit 4.1
Exhibit 8.1
September 19, 2017
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
1 Jinghua South Road
Wangzuo Plaza East Tower, Room 2112
Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100020
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are acting as United States counsel to AGM Group Holdings Inc., a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (the “ Company ”), in connection with the preparation of the registration statement on Form F-1, File No. 333-218020, (the “ Registration Statement ”) and the related prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”) with respect to the Company’s public offering of its Class A ordinary shares. The Company is filing the Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This opinion is being furnished to you in connection with the Registration Statement.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and such other documents and corporate records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate in order to enable us to render the opinion below. For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) the validity and accuracy of the documents and corporate records that we have examined, (ii) the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such documents and (iii) that all relevant documents have been, or will be, validly authorized, executed, delivered and performed by all of the relevant parties. As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and have assumed that such statements and representations are true, correct and complete without regard to any qualification as to knowledge or belief. Our opinion is conditioned upon, among other things, the initial and continuing truth, accuracy, and completeness of the items described above on which we are relying.
In rendering the opinion, we have considered the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, pertinent judicial authorities, interpretive rulings and other administrative guidance of the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”), and such other authorities as we have considered relevant, all as of the date hereof. It should be noted that statutes, regulations, judicial decisions and administrative guidance are subject to change at any time and that any such changes may be effective retroactively. A change in the authorities or in the truth, accuracy or completeness of any of the facts, information, documents, corporate records, covenants, statements, representations or assumptions on which our opinion is based could affect our conclusions.
Subject to the foregoing and the qualifications set forth in the Registration Statement, the discussion set forth in the Registration Statement under the caption “Taxation — Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as such discussion sets forth legal conclusions on U.S. federal income tax law, constitutes our opinion as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Investors (as such term is defined in the Registration Statement) of the ownership and sale, exchange or other disposition of the Company’s ordinary shares.
Our opinion is limited to the application of the federal income tax laws of the United States only and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability of other federal laws, the laws of other countries, the laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within any state. No opinion is expressed as to any federal income tax laws except as specifically set forth herein. Our opinion represents only our interpretation of the law and has no binding, legal effect on, without limitation, the service or any court. It is possible that contrary positions may be asserted by the service and that one or more courts may sustain such contrary positions. Our opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise this opinion to reflect any changes, including changes which have retroactive effect (i) in applicable law, or (ii) in any fact, information, document, corporate record, covenant, statement, representation, or assumption stated herein that becomes untrue, incorrect or incomplete.
This letter is furnished to you for use in connection with the Registration Statement and is not to be used, circulated, quoted, or otherwise referred to for any other purpose without our express written permission. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Registration Statement wherever it appears. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP |
Exhibit 10.1
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Class A Ordinary Shares
of
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
This subscription (this “Subscription”) is dated , 2017, by and between the investor identified on the signature page hereto (the “Investor”) and AGM Group Holdings Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), whereby the parties agree as follows:
1. Subscription
Investor agrees to buy and the Company agrees to sell and issue to Investor such number of shares (the “ Shares ”) of the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.001 per share, as set forth on the signature page hereto, for an aggregate purchase price (the “ Purchase Price ”) equal to the product of (x) the aggregate number of Shares the Investor has agreed to purchase and (y) the purchase price per share as set forth on the signature page hereto. The Purchase Price is set forth on the signature page hereto.
The Shares are being offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1, File No. 333-218020 (the “ Registration Statement ”). The Registration Statement will have been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) prior to issuance of any Shares and acceptance of Investor’s subscription. The offering prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”) which forms a part of the Registration Statement, however, is subject to change. A final prospectus and/or supplement to the Prospectus will be delivered to the Investor as required by law.
The Shares are being offered by Network 1 Financial Securities Inc. (the “ Underwriter ”) as underwriter on a “best efforts, minimum/maximum” basis. The completion of the purchase and sale of the Shares (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at a place and time (the “ Closing Date ”) to be specified by the Company and Underwriters in accordance with Rule 15c6-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”). Upon satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions to closing set forth in the Underwriting Agreement and Registration Statement, at the Closing, (i) the Investor shall pay the Purchase Price by check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company’s escrow account per wire instructions as provided on the signature line below, and (ii) the Company shall cause the Shares to be delivered to the Investor with the delivery of the Shares to be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC system in accordance with the instructions set forth on the signature page attached hereto under the heading “DWAC Instructions” (or, if requested by the Investor on the signature page hereto, through the issuance of an electronic certificate evidencing the Shares being held by the Transfer Agent for the benefit of the Investor in Direct Registration Statement format “DRS”).
The Underwriters and any participating broker dealers (the “ Members ”) shall confirm, via the selected dealer agreement or master selected dealer agreement that it will comply with Exchange Act Rule 15c2-4. As per Exchange Act Rule 15c2-4 and FINRA Notice to Members Rule 84-7 (the “ Rule ”), all checks that are accompanied by a subscription agreement will be promptly sent along with the subscription agreements to the escrow account by noon the next business day. With regards to monies being wired from an investor’s bank account, the Members shall request the investors send their wires by the next business day, however, the Company cannot insure the investors will forward their respective monies as per the Rule. With regards to monies being sent from an investor’s account held at the participating broker, the funds will be “promptly transmitted” to the escrow agent following the receipt of a completed subscription document and completed wire instructions by the investor to send funds to the escrow account. Absent unusual circumstances, funds in customer accounts will be transmitted by noon of the next business day. In the event that funds are sent in and the offering does not close for any reason prior to the Termination Date set forth in the final Registration Statement, all funds will be returned to investors promptly in accordance with the escrow agreement terms and applicable law.
2. Miscellaneous
This Subscription Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other parties hereto, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Execution may be made by delivery by facsimile or via electronic format.
All communications hereunder, except as may be otherwise specifically provided herein, shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered, sent by a recognized overnight courier service such as FedEx, or sent via facsimile and confirmed by letter, to the party to whom it is addressed at the following addresses or such other address as such party may advise the other in writing:
To the Company: as set forth on the signature page hereto.
To the Investor: as set forth on the signature page hereto.
All notices hereunder shall be effective upon receipt by the party to which it is addressed.
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the parties’ agreement, please confirm this by signing and returning to the Company the duplicate copy of this Subscription Agreement.
3. FINRA Rules 5130 and 5131
This rule states that “restricted persons” are prohibited from participating in Syndicate or new issue offerings. Please review the following definition of a “restricted person” on Schedule A prior to signing this form acknowledging you do not fall into '“restricted person” status.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants as of the date set forth below that:
i. | The undersigned is the holder of the account identified below or is authorized to represent the beneficial holders of the account; |
ii. | Neither the undersigned nor any beneficial holder of the account is a “restricted person” as that term is described in FINRA Rule 5130 (described in Schedule A); and |
iii. | The undersigned understands FINRA. Rule 5130 and the account is eligible to purchase new issues in compliance with such rule. |
Please email back the completed Subscription Agreement to [EMAIL] or fax to +1 (732) 758-6671
[Signature Page to Investor Subscription Agreement for AGM Group Holdings Inc.]
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the parties agreement, please confirm this by signing and returning to us the duplicate copy of this Subscription Agreement.
AGM Group Holdings Inc.
|
||||
Number of Shares:________________________ | By: | |||
Purchase Price per Share: $5.00 per share __________ | Name: | |||
Aggregate Purchase Price: $ ____________________ | Title: | |||
Address Notice: | ||||
INVESTOR Name:__________________________ | AGM Group Holdings Inc. | |||
1 Jinghua South Road, Wangzuo Plaza East Tower Room 2112 Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100020 |
||||
Signature: | Address: | |||
Signor Name: | ||||
Title: | Phone: | |||
Date: | SSN or EIN: |
¨ Check Method of Payment: Check enclosed______ or
¨ Please wire $____________________from my account held at:________________________
Account Title:_______________________________; Account Number:_____________________
To the following instructions:
Signature Bank; 950 Third Avenue, 9th Floor New York, New York 10022
ABA/Routing # 026013576
Swift #: SIGNUS33
Account #:
Account Title: Signature Bank as Escrow Agent for AGM Group Holdings Inc.
Telephone No. +1 (646) 822 1501
Fax No. +1 (646) 822 1520
By: | Date:_______________ , 2017 | ||
Name: | |||
Title: |
Select method of delivery of Shares:
¨ DWAC DELIVERY
DWAC Instructions:
1. | ||
Name of DTC Participant (broker dealer at which the account or accounts to be credited with the Shares are maintained) | ||
2. | ||
DTC Participant Number | ||
3. | ||
Name of Account at DTC Participant being credited with the Shares | ||
4. | ||
Account Number of DTC Participant being credited with the Shares |
¨ DRS Electronic Book Entry Delivery Instructions:
Name in which Shares should be issued:_______________________________________
Address: | Telephone No.: |
Please email back the completed Subscription Agreement to [EMAIL] or fax to +1 (732) 758-6671.
SCHEDULE A
a) | FINRA Member Firms or other Broker/Dealers |
b) | Broker-Dealer Personnel |
• | Any officer, director, General partner, associated person or employee of a member firm or any other Broker/dealer. |
• | Any agent of a member firm or any other Broker/dealer that is engaged in the investment banking or securities business |
• | Any immediate family member of a person specified above. Immediate family members include a person's parents, mother-in-law or father-in-law, spouse, brother or sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in law, and children. |
i. | Person that materially supports or receives material support from the immediate family member. |
ii. | Person employed by or associated with the member, or an affiliate of the member, selling the new issue to the immediate family member. |
iii. | Person that has an ability to control the allocation of the new issue. |
c) | Finders and Fiduciaries . With respect to the security being offered, a finder or any person acting in a fiduciary capacity to the managing underwriter, including, but not limited to, attorneys, accountants, and financial consultants; and any immediate family members (or person(s) receiving material support or receives material support from the family member) of a person identified as a Finder or Fiduciary. |
d) | Portfolio Managers |
a. | Any person who has authority to buy or sell securities for a bank, savings and loan institution, insurance company, investment company, investment advisor, or collective investment account. |
b. | Any immediate family member of a person specified under portfolio Managers that materially supports, or receives material support from such person. |
e) | Persons Owning a Broker/Dealer |
a. | Any person listed, or required to be listed, in Schedule A of a Form BD , except persons identified by ownership of less than 10%. |
b. | Any person listed, or required to be listed, in Schedule B of a Form BD , except persons identified by ownership of less than 10%. |
c. | Any person listed, or required to be listed, in Schedule C of a Form BD that meets the criteria of (e)(bullet point 1) or (e) (bullet point 2) above. |
d. | Any person that directly or indirectly owns 10% or more of a public reporting company listed, or required to be listed, in Schedule B of a Form BD . |
e. | Any person that directly or indirectly owns 25% or more of a public reporting company listed, or required to be listed, in Schedule B of a Form BD . |
f. | Any immediate family member of a person specified in (5) (bullet points 1-5) unless the person owning the Broker/dealer: |
i. | Does not materially support, or receive material support from the immediate family member. |
ii. | Is not an owner of the member, or an affiliate of the member, selling the new issue to the immediate family member. |
iii. | Has no ability to control the allocation of the new issue. |
Exhibit 14.1
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
PURSUANT TO NASDAQ RULE 5600 Sec(c)(1)
Adopted by AGM Group Holdings Inc. Board of Directors on this 15 th day of September 2017.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION | 1 |
II. COMPLIANCE IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS | 2 |
III. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CORPORATION AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS | 3 |
A. General Standards of Conduct | 3 |
B. Applicable Laws | 3 |
C. Conflicts of Interest | 3 |
(i) Employment/Outside Employment | 4 |
(ii) Outside Directorships | 4 |
(iii) Business Interests | 4 |
(iv) Related Parties | 4 |
(v) Other Situations | 5 |
D. Corporate Opportunities | 5 |
E. Protecting the Corporation's Confidential Information | 5 |
(i) Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement | 6 |
(ii) Disclosure of Corporate Confidential Information | 6 |
(iii) Requests by Regulatory Authorities | 7 |
(iv) Corporate Spokespeople | 7 |
F. Obligations under Securities Laws-” Insider” Trading | 7 |
G. Prohibition against Short Selling of Corporate Stock | 8 |
H. Use of Corporation's Assets | 8 |
(i) General | 8 |
(ii) Physical Access Control | 9 |
(iii) Corporate Funds | 9 |
(iv) Computers and Other Equipment | 9 |
(v) Software | 9 |
(vi) Electronic Usage | 10 |
I. Maintaining and Managing Records | 10 |
J. Records on Legal Hold | 10 |
K. Payment Practices | 11 |
(i) Accounting Practices | 11 |
(ii) Political Contributions | 11 |
(iii) Prohibition of Inducements | 11 |
L. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act | 12 |
M. Export Controls | 12 |
i
ii
I. | INTRODUCTION |
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) helps ensure compliance with legal requirements and our standards of business conduct. This Code applies to directors, officers, and employees of AGM Group Holdings Inc. (the “Corporation”). Therefore, all directors, officers and employees of the Corporation are expected to read and understand this Code, uphold these standards in day-to-day activities, comply with all applicable policies and procedures, and ensure that all agents and contractors are aware of, understand and adhere to these standards.
Because the principles described in this Code are general in nature, all corporate directors, officers, and employees should also review all applicable corporate policies and procedures for more specific instruction, and contact the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) with any questions.
The Corporation is committed to continuously reviewing and updating its policies and procedures.
Therefore, this Code is subject to modification. This Code supersedes all other such codes, policies, procedures, instructions, practices, rules or written or verbal representations to the extent they are inconsistent.
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II. | COMPLIANCE IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS |
Ethical business conduct is critical to the business of the Corporation. Each director, officer or employee has a responsibility is to respect and adhere to these practices. Many of these practices reflect legal or regulatory requirements. Violations of these laws and regulations can create significant liability for the violator, the Corporation, its directors, officers, and other employees.
Part of the job and ethical responsibility of each director, officer and employee is to help enforce this Code. Each director, officer and employee should be alert to possible violations and report possible violations to the CFO.
Each director, officer and employee must cooperate in any internal or external investigations of possible violations.
Reprisal, threats, retribution, or retaliation against any person who has in good faith reported a violation or a suspected violation of law, this Code or other corporate policies, or against any person who is assisting in any investigation or process with respect to such a violation, is prohibited.
Violations of law, this Code, or other corporate policies or procedures should be reported to the CFO.
Violations of law, this Code or other corporate policies or procedures by corporate directors, officers or employees can lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
In trying to determine whether any given action is appropriate, use the following test.
Imagine that the words you are using or the action you are taking is going to be fully disclosed in the media with all the details, including your photo. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of this information being made public, perhaps you should think again about your words or your course of action.
In all cases, if you are unsure about the appropriateness of an event or action, please seek assistance in interpreting the requirements of these practices by contacting the CFO.
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III. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CORPORATION AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS
A. General Standards of Conduct
The Corporation expects all directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors to exercise good judgment to ensure the safety and welfare of employees, agents, and contractors and to maintain a cooperative, efficient, positive, harmonious, and productive work environment and business organization. These standards apply while working on our premises, at offsite locations where our business is being conducted, at Corporate-sponsored business and social events, or at any other place where any director, officer or employee is acting as a representative of the Corporation. Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors who engage in misconduct or whose performance is unsatisfactory may be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination. Each director, officer and employee should review the employment handbook for more detailed information.
B. Applicable Laws
All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, and regulatory orders. Corporate directors, officers and employees located outside of the United States must comply with laws, regulations, rules, and regulatory orders of the United States, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.S. Export Control Act, in addition to applicable local laws. Each director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must acquire appropriate knowledge of the requirements relating to his or her duties sufficient to enable him or her to recognize potential dangers and to know when to seek advice from the CFO on specific Corporate policies and procedures. Violations of laws, regulations, rules, and orders may subject the director, officer, employee, agent or contractor to individual criminal or civil liability, as well as to discipline by the Corporation. Such individual violations may also subject the Corporation to civil or criminal liability or the loss of business.
C. Conflicts of Interest
Each director, officer and employee has a responsibility to the Corporation, the stockholders and each other.
Although this duty does not prevent any director, officer, and employee from engaging in personal transactions and investments, it does demand avoiding situations where a conflict of interest might occur or appear to occur. The Corporation is subject to scrutiny from many different individuals and organizations.
Each director, officer and employee should always strive to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
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What constitutes conflict of interest? A conflict of interest exists where the interests or benefits of one person or entity conflict with the interests or benefits of the Corporation.
Examples include:
(i) Employment/Outside Employment . In consideration of the appointment or employment with the Corporation, each director, officer, and employee is expected to devote full attention to the business interests of the Corporation. Engaging in any activity that interferes with one’s performance or responsibilities to the Corporation or is otherwise in conflict with or prejudicial to the Corporation is prohibited. The Corporation’s policies prohibit any director, officer, or employee from accepting simultaneous employment with a Corporate supplier, customer, developer, or competitor, or from taking part in any activity that enhances or supports a competitor's position. Additionally, each director, officer and employee must disclose to the Corporation any interest that may conflict with the business of the Corporation. Any questions on this requirement should be directed to a supervisor or the CFO.
(ii) Outside Directorships . It is a conflict of interest to serve as a director of any company that competes with the Corporation. Although a director, officer and employee may serve as a director of a Corporate supplier, customer, developer, or other business partner, the Corporation’s policy requires that approval first be obtained from the Corporation's Board of Directors (the “Board”) before accepting a directorship. Any compensation received should be commensurate to the responsibilities of holding such position.
Such approval may be conditioned upon the completion of specified actions.
(iii) Business Interests . If a director, officer, and employee is considering investing in a Corporate customer, supplier or competitor, great care must be taken to ensure that these investments do not compromise any responsibilities owed to the Corporation. Many factors should be considered in determining whether a conflict exists, including the size and nature of the investment; the ability to influence the Corporation’s decisions; access to confidential information of the Corporation or of the other company; and the nature of the relationship between the Corporation and the other company.
(iv) Related Parties . As a rule, conducting Corporate business with a relative or significant other, or with a business in which a relative or significant other is associated in any significant role, should be avoided. Relatives include spouse, sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, step relationships, and in-laws. Significant others include persons living in a spousal (including same sex) or familial fashion with an employee.
If such a related party transaction is unavoidable, the nature of the related party transaction must be fully disclosed to the CFO. If determined to be material to the Corporation by the CFO, the Corporation's Audit Committee must review and approve in writing in advance such related party transactions. The most significant related party transactions, particularly those involving the Corporation's directors or executive officers, must be reviewed, and approved in writing in advance by the Corporation's Board. The Corporation must report all such material related party transactions under applicable accounting rules, federal securities laws, and SEC rules and regulations, and securities market rules. Any dealings with a related party must be conducted in such a way that no preferential treatment is given to this business.
4
The Corporation discourages the employment of relatives and significant others in positions or assignments within the same department and prohibits the employment of such individuals in positions that have a financial dependence or influence (e.g., an auditing or control relationship, or a supervisor/subordinate relationship). The purpose of this policy is to prevent the organizational impairment and conflicts that are a likely outcome of the employment of relatives or significant others, especially in a supervisor/subordinate relationship. If a question arises about whether a relationship is covered by this policy, the CFO is responsible for determining whether this policy covers an applicant or transferee’s acknowledged relationship. The CFO shall advise all affected applicants and transferees of this policy. Willful withholding of information regarding a prohibited relationship/reporting arrangement may be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination. If a prohibited relationship exists or develops between two employees, the employee in the senior position must bring this to the attention of his/her supervisor. The Corporation retains the prerogative to separate the individuals at the earliest possible time, either by reassignment or by termination, if necessary.
(v) Other Situations . Because other conflicts of interest may arise, it would be impractical to attempt to list all possible situations. Directors, officers, and employees should consult the CFO if a proposed transaction or situation raises any questions or doubts.
D. Corporate Opportunities
Employees, officers, and directors may not exploit for their own personal gain opportunities that are discovered using corporate property, information, or position unless the opportunity is disclosed fully in writing to the Corporation’s Board and the Board declines to pursue such opportunity.
E. Protecting the Corporation's Confidential Information
The Corporation's confidential information is an asset. The Corporation’s confidential information includes our database of customer contacts; details regarding our equipment procurement sources; names and lists of customers, suppliers, and employees; and financial information. This information is the property of the Corporation and may be protected by patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret laws. All confidential information must be used for Corporate business purposes only. Every director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must safeguard it.
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THIS RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES NOT DISCLOSING THE CORPORATION’S CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SUCH AS INFORMATION REGARDING THE CORPORATION'S PRODUCTS OR BUSINESS OVER THE INTERNET .
Each director, officer and employee is also responsible for properly labeling all documentation shared with or correspondence sent to the CFO or outside counsel as “Attorney-Client Privileged.” This responsibility includes the safeguarding, securing and proper disposal of confidential information in accordance with the Corporation's policy on Maintaining and Managing Records set forth in Section III.I of this Code. This obligation extends to confidential information of third parties, which the Corporation has rightfully received under Non-Disclosure Agreements. See the Corporation's policy dealing with Handling Confidential Information of Others set forth in Section IV.D of this Code.
(i) Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement . Upon joining the Corporation, each director, officer, and employee signed an agreement to protect and hold confidential the Corporation's proprietary information. This agreement remains in effect for the entire term of employment with the Corporation and remains in effect thereafter. Under this agreement, the Corporation's confidential information may not be disclosed to anyone or used to benefit anyone other than the Corporation without the prior written consent of an authorized Corporate officer.
(ii) Disclosure of Corporate Confidential Information . To further the Corporation's business from time to time, confidential information of the Corporation may be disclosed to potential business partners. However, such disclosure should never be done without careful consideration of its potential benefits and risks. If, in consultation with a manager and other appropriate Corporate management, it is determined that disclosure of confidential information is necessary, the CFO should be contacted to ensure that an appropriate written nondisclosure agreement is signed prior to the disclosure. The Corporation has standard nondisclosure agreements suitable for most disclosures. A third party's nondisclosure agreement must not be signed and no changes should be accepted to the Corporation's standard nondisclosure agreements without review and approval by the CFO. In addition, all Corporate materials that contain Corporate confidential information, including presentations, must be reviewed, and approved by the CFO prior to publication or use.
Furthermore, any employee publication or publicly made statement that might be perceived or construed as attributable to the Corporation, made outside the scope of his or her employment with the Corporation, must be reviewed in advance and approved in writing by the CFO and must include the Corporation's standard disclaimer that the publication or statement represents the views of the specific author and not of the Corporation.
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(iii) Requests by Regulatory Authorities . The Corporation and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must cooperate with appropriate government inquiries and investigations. In this context, however, it is important to protect the legal rights of the Corporation with respect to its confidential information. All government requests for information, documents or investigative interviews must be referred to the CFO. No financial information may be disclosed without the prior approval of the CFO.
(iv) Corporate Spokespeople . Specific policies have been established regarding who may communicate information to the press and the financial analyst community. All inquiries or calls from the press and financial analysts should be referred to the CFO. The Corporation has designated its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and CFO as official Corporate spokespeople for financial matters. These designees are the only people who may communicate with the press on behalf of the Corporation.
F. Obligations under Securities Laws-” Insider” Trading
Obligations under the U.S. securities laws apply to everyone. In the normal course of business, officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, and consultants of the Corporation may come into possession of significant, sensitive information. This information is the property of the Corporation, and any director, officer, or employee in possession of such information has been entrusted with it. No director, officer or employee may profit from it by buying or selling securities on their own behalf, or passing on the information to others to enable them to profit or for them to profit on behalf of such director, officer, or employee. The purpose of this policy is both to inform all Corporate employees of the legal responsibilities and to make clear that the misuse of sensitive information is contrary to Corporate policy and U.S. securities laws.
Insider trading is a crime, penalized by fines of up to $5,000,000 and 20 years in jail for individuals. In addition, the SEC may seek the imposition of a civil penalty of up to three times the profits made or losses avoided from the trading. Insider traders must also disgorge any profits made, and are often subjected to an injunction against future violations. Finally, insider traders may be subjected to civil liability in private lawsuits.
Employers and other controlling persons (including supervisory personnel) are also at risk under U.S. securities laws. Controlling persons may, among other things, face penalties of the greater of $5,000,000 or three times the profits made or losses avoided by the trader if they recklessly fail to take preventive steps to control insider trading.
Thus, it is important that insider-trading violations not occur. Stock market surveillance techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the chance that U.S. federal or other regulatory authorities will detect and prosecute even small-level trading is significant. Insider trading rules are strictly enforced, even in instances when the financial transactions seem small. Any questions about the ability to trade should be directed to the CFO.
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The Corporation has imposed a trading blackout period on members of the Board, executive officers, and certain designated employees who, because of their position with the Corporation, are more likely to be exposed to material nonpublic information about the Corporation. These directors, executive officers and employees generally may not trade in Corporate securities during the blackout periods.
For more details, and to determine whether a trade restriction applies during trading Blackout periods, each director, officer, and employee should review the Corporation’s Insider Trading Compliance Program carefully, paying attention to the specific policies and the potential criminal and civil liability and disciplinary action for insider trading violations. Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors of the Corporation who violate this policy are also be subject to disciplinary action by the Corporation, which may include termination of employment or of business relationship. All questions regarding the Corporation's Insider Trading Compliance Program should be directed to the Corporation's CFO.
G. Prohibition against Short Selling of Corporate Stock
No Corporate director, officer or other employee, agent or contractor may, directly or indirectly, sell any equity security, including derivatives, of the Corporation (1) if he or she does not own the security sold, or (2) if he or she owns the security, does not deliver it against such sale (a “short sale against the box”) within twenty days thereafter, or does not within five days after such sale deposit it in the mails or other usual channels of transportation. No Corporate director, officer or other employee, agent or contractor may engage in short sales. A short sale, as defined in this policy, means any transaction whereby one may benefit from a decline in the Corporation's stock price. While law from engaging in short sales of Corporation’s securities does not prohibit employees who are not executive officers or directors, the Corporation has adopted as policy that employees may not do so.
H. Use of Corporation’s Assets
(i) General. Protecting the Corporation's assets is a key fiduciary responsibility of every director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor. Care should be taken to ensure that assets are not misappropriated, loaned to others, or sold or donated, without appropriate authorization. All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors are responsible for the proper use of Corporate assets, and must safeguard such assets against loss, damage, misuse, or theft.
Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors who violate any aspect of this policy or who demonstrate poor judgment in the way they use any Corporate asset may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation's sole discretion. Corporate equipment and assets are to be used for Corporate business purposes only. Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors may not use Corporate assets for personal use, nor may they allow any other person to use Corporate assets. All questions regarding this policy should be brought to the attention of the CFO.
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(ii) Physical Access Control . The Corporation has and will continue to develop procedures covering physical access control to ensure privacy of communications, maintenance of the security of the Corporation communication equipment, and safeguard Corporate assets from theft, misuse, and destruction. Each director, officer and employee is personally responsible for complying with the level of access control that has been implemented in the facility where such director, officer and employee works on a permanent or temporary basis and must not defeat or cause to be defeated the purpose for which the access control was implemented.
(iii) Corporate Funds . Every Corporate director, officer or employee is personally responsible for all Corporate funds over which he or she exercises control. Corporate agents and contractors should not be allowed to exercise control over Corporate funds. Corporate funds must be used only for Corporate business purposes. Every Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must take reasonable steps to ensure that the Corporation receives good value for Corporate funds spent, and must maintain accurate and timely records of each expenditure. Expense reports must be accurate and submitted in a timely manner. Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must not use Corporate funds for any personal purpose.
(iv) Computers and Other Equipment . The Corporation strives to furnish directors, officers, and employees with the equipment necessary to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Each director, officer and employee must care for that equipment and use it responsibly only for Corporate business purposes. If Corporate equipment is used at home or off site, precautions must be taken to protect it from theft or damage. All Corporate equipment must be returned immediately upon termination of employment. While computers and other electronic devices are made accessible to directors, officers and employees to assist them to perform their jobs and to promote the Corporation's interests, all such computers and electronic devices, whether used entirely or partially on the Corporation's premises or with the aid of the Corporation's equipment or resources, must remain fully accessible to the Corporation and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, will remain the sole and exclusive property of the Corporation.
Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors should not maintain any expectation of privacy with respect to information transmitted over, received by, or stored in any electronic communications device owned, leased, or operated in whole or in part by or on behalf of the Corporation. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation retains the right to gain access to any information received by, transmitted by, or stored in any such electronic communications device, by and through its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or representatives, at any time, either with or without a director’s, officer’s, employee's or third party's knowledge, consent, or approval.
(v) Software . All software used by directors, officers, and employees to conduct Corporate business must be appropriately licensed. Directors, officers, and employees should never make or use illegal or unauthorized copies of any software, whether in the office, at home, or on the road, since doing so may constitute copyright infringement and may expose such director, officer, employee and the Corporation to potential civil and criminal liability. In addition, use of illegal or unauthorized copies of software may subject the director, officer, and employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. The Corporation's Information Technology Department will inspect Corporate computers periodically to verify that only approved and licensed software has been installed. Any non-licensed/supported software will be removed.
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(vi) Electronic Usage . The purpose of this policy is to make certain that directors, officers, and employees utilize electronic communication devices in a legal, ethical, and appropriate manner. This policy addresses the Corporation's responsibilities and concerns regarding the fair and proper use of all electronic communications devices within the organization, including computers, e-mail, connections to the Internet, intranet and extranet and any other public or private networks, voice mail, video conferencing, facsimiles, and telephones. Posting or discussing information concerning the Corporation's products or business on the Internet without the prior written consent of the Corporation's CFO is prohibited. Any other form of electronic communication used by directors, officers, or employees currently or in the future is also intended to be encompassed under this policy. It is not possible to identify every standard and rule applicable to the use of electronic communications devices. Directors, officers, and employees are therefore encouraged to use sound judgment whenever using any feature of our communications systems and are expected to review, understand and follow such policies and procedures.
I. Maintaining and Managing Records
The purpose of this policy is to set forth and convey the Corporation's business and legal requirements in managing records, including all recorded information regardless of medium or characteristics. Records include paper documents, CDs, computer hard disks, email, floppy disks, microfiche, microfilm, or all other media. Local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations require the Corporation to retain certain records and to follow specific guidelines in managing its records. Civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with such guidelines can be severe for directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors and the Corporation, and failure to comply with such guidelines may subject the director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation's sole discretion. All original executed documents that evidence contractual commitments or other obligations of the Corporation must be forwarded to the CFO promptly upon completion. Such documents will be maintained and retained in accordance with the Corporation’s record retention policies.
J. Records on Legal Hold.
A legal hold suspends all document destruction procedures to preserve appropriate records under special circumstances, such as litigation or government investigations. The CFO determines and identifies what types of Corporate records or documents are required to be placed under a legal hold. Every Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must comply with this policy. Failure to comply with this policy may subject the director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation's sole discretion.
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The CFO will notify any director, officer, or employee if a legal hold is placed on records for which that person is responsible. The necessary records must thereafter be preserved and protected in accordance with instructions from the CFO.
RECORDS OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED UNDER A LEGAL HOLD MUST NOT BE DESTROYED, ALTERED, OR MODIFIED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES .
A legal hold remains effective until it is officially released in writing by the CFO.
Any questions about whether a document has been placed under a legal hold should be directed to the CFO and the document should be preserved and protected until the CFO provides clarification.
K. Payment Practices
(i) Accounting Practices. The Corporation's responsibilities to its stockholders and the investing public require that all transactions be fully and accurately recorded in the Corporation's books and records in compliance with all applicable laws. False or misleading entries, unrecorded funds or assets, or payments without appropriate supporting documentation and approval are strictly prohibited and violate Corporate policy and the law.
Additionally, all documentation supporting a transaction should fully and accurately describe the nature of the transaction and be processed in a timely fashion.
(ii) Political Contributions . The Corporation reserves the right to communicate its position on important issues to elected representatives and other government officials. It is the Corporation's policy to comply fully with all local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding political contributions. The Corporation's funds or assets must not be used for, or be contributed to, political campaigns or political practices under any circumstances without the prior written approval of the CFO and, if required, the Board.
(iii) Prohibition of Inducements . Under no circumstances may directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors offer to pay, make payment, promise to pay, or issue authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value to customers, vendors, consultants, or other party that is perceived as intending, directly or indirectly, to improperly influence any business decision, any act or failure to act, any commitment of fraud, or opportunity for the commission of any fraud. Inexpensive gifts, infrequent business meals, celebratory events, and entertainment, provided that they are not excessive or create an appearance of impropriety, do not violate this policy.
Questions regarding whether a payment or gift violates this policy should be directed to the CFO.
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L. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act .
The Corporation requires full compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by all its directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors.
The anti-bribery and corrupt payment provisions of the FCPA make illegal any corrupt offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value to any foreign official, or any foreign political party, candidate or official, for the purpose of influencing any act or failure to act in the official capacity of that foreign official or party; or inducing the foreign official or party to use influence to affect a decision of a foreign government or agency, in order to obtain or retain business for anyone, or direct business to anyone.
All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors, whether located in the United States or abroad, are responsible for FCPA compliance and the procedures to ensure FCPA compliance.
All managers and supervisory personnel are expected to monitor continued compliance with the FCPA to ensure compliance with the highest moral, ethical, and professional standards of the Corporation. FCPA compliance includes the Corporation's policy on Maintaining and Managing Records in Section III.I of this Code.
Laws in most countries outside of the United States also prohibit or restrict government officials or employees of government agencies from receiving payments, entertainment, or gifts for winning or keeping business. No contract or agreement may be made with any business in which a government official or employee holds a significant interest, without the prior approval of the CFO.
M. Export Controls
Several countries maintain controls on the destinations to which products or software may be exported. Some of the strictest export controls are maintained by the United States against countries that the U.S. government considers unfriendly or as supporting international terrorism. The U.S. regulations are complex and apply both to exports from the United States and to exports of products from other countries, when those products contain components or technology of U.S. origin. Software created in the United States is subject to these regulations even if duplicated and packaged abroad. In some circumstances, an oral presentation containing technical data made to foreign nationals in the United States may constitute a controlled export. The CFO can provide guidance on which countries are prohibited destinations for Corporate products or whether a proposed technical presentation to foreign nationals may require a U.S. Government license.
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IV. RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR SUPPLIERS
A. Customer Relationships
Each time a director, officer or employee meets any Corporate customers or potential customers, that director, officer, or employee represents the Corporation and should therefore act in a manner that creates value for the Corporation’s customers and helps to build a relationship based upon trust. The Corporation and its employees have provided products and services for many years and have built up significant goodwill over that time. This goodwill is one of our most important assets, and the Corporation employees, agents and contractors must act to preserve and enhance our reputation.
B. Payments or Gifts from Others
Under no circumstances may directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors accept any offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value from customers, vendors, consultants, or other party that is perceived as intended, directly or indirectly, to influence any business decision, any act or failure to act, any commitment of fraud, or opportunity for the commission of any fraud. Inexpensive gifts, infrequent business meals, celebratory events, and entertainment, if they are not excessive or create an appearance of impropriety, do not violate this policy. Questions regarding whether a payment or gift violates this policy are to be directed to the CFO.
Gifts given by the Corporation to suppliers or customers or received from suppliers or customers should always be appropriate to the circumstances and should never be of a kind that could create an appearance of impropriety. The nature and cost must always be accurately recorded in the Corporation's books and records.
C. Publications of Others
The Corporation subscribes to many publications that help directors, officers and employees do their jobs better. These include newsletters, reference works, online reference services, magazines, books, and other digital and printed works. Copyright law generally protects these works, and their unauthorized copying and distribution constitute copyright infringement. Consent of the publisher of a publication must be obtained before copying publications or significant parts of them. Any questions about whether a publication may be copied should be directed to the CFO.
D. Handling the Confidential Information of Others
The Corporation has many kinds of business relationships with many companies and individuals. Sometimes such other companies and individuals will volunteer confidential information about their products or business plans to induce the Corporation to enter a business relationship with them. At other times, the Corporation may request that a third party provide confidential information to permit the Corporation to evaluate a potential business relationship with that party. The Corporation must take special care to handle the confidential information of others responsibly, regardless of how it was obtained. Such confidential information should be handled in accordance with the agreements with such third parties. See also the Corporation's policy on Maintaining and Managing Records in Section III.I of this Code.
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(i) Appropriate Nondisclosure Agreements . Confidential information may take many forms, including an oral presentation about a company's product development plans, which may contain protected trade secrets; a customer list or employee list; or a demo of an alpha version of a company's new software, which may contain information protected by trade secret and copyright laws.
Employees, officers, and directors should never accept information offered by a third party that is represented as confidential, or which appears from the context or circumstances to be confidential, unless an appropriate nondisclosure agreement has been signed with the party offering the information.
THE CFO CAN PROVIDE NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS TO FIT ANY SITUATION, AND WILL COORDINATE APPROPRIATE EXECUTION OF SUCH AGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION.
Even after a nondisclosure agreement is in place, directors, officers, and employees should accept only the information necessary to accomplish the purpose of receiving it, such as a decision on whether to proceed to negotiate a deal. If more detailed or extensive confidential information is offered and it is not necessary for immediate purposes, it should be refused.
(ii) Need to Know . Once a third party's confidential information has been disclosed to the Corporation, the Corporation has an obligation to abide by the terms of the relevant nondisclosure agreement and limit its use to the specific purpose for which it was disclosed and to disseminate it only to other Corporate employees with a need to know the information. Every director, officer, employee, agent and contractor involved in a potential business relationship with a third party must understand and strictly observe the restrictions on the use and handling of confidential information. Any questions about how to handle any such information should be directed to the CFO.
(iii) Notes and Reports . Any notes taken while reviewing the confidential information of a third party under a nondisclosure agreement, or any reports summarizing the results of the review or drawing conclusions about the suitability of a business relationship, can include confidential information disclosed by the other party and should be retained only long enough to complete the evaluation of the potential business relationship. Subsequently, they should be either destroyed or turned over to the CFO for safekeeping or destruction. As with any other disclosure of confidential information, these notes or reports should be marked as confidential and distributed only to those the Corporation employees with a need to know.
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(iv) Competitive Information . No director, officer or employee should attempt to obtain a competitor's confidential information by improper means, and should never contact a competitor regarding their confidential information. While the Corporation may, and does, employ former employees of competitors, it recognizes and respects the obligations of those employees not to use or disclose the confidential information of their former employers.
E. Selecting Suppliers
The Corporation's suppliers make significant contributions to the success of the Corporation. To create an environment where Corporate suppliers have an incentive to work with the Corporation, they must be confident that they will be treated lawfully and in an ethical manner. The Corporation's policy is to purchase supplies based on need, quality, service, price and terms and conditions. The Corporation's policy is to select significant suppliers or enter significant supplier agreements though a competitive bid process where possible. Under no circumstances should any Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor attempt to coerce suppliers in any way. The confidential information of a supplier is entitled to the same protection as that of any other third party and must not be received before an appropriate nondisclosure agreement has been signed. A supplier's performance should never be discussed with anyone outside the Corporation. A supplier to the Corporation is generally free to sell its products or services to any other party, including competitors of the Corporation. In some cases where the products or services have been designed, fabricated, or developed to our specifications the agreement between the parties may contain restrictions on sales.
F. Government Relations
It is the Corporation's policy to comply fully with all applicable laws and regulations governing contact and dealings with government employees and public officials, and to adhere to high ethical, moral, and legal standards of business conduct. This policy includes strict compliance with all local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Any questions concerning government relations should be directed to the CFO.
G. Lobbying
Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors whose work requires lobbying communication with any member or employee of a legislative body or with any government official or employee in the formulation of legislation must have prior written approval of such activity from the CFO. Activity covered by this policy includes meetings with legislators or members of their staffs or with senior executive branch officials. Preparation, research, and other background activities that are done in support of lobbying communication are also covered by this policy even if the communication ultimately is not made.
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H. Government Contracts
It is the Corporation's policy to comply fully with all applicable laws and regulations that apply to government contracting. It is also necessary to strictly adhere to all terms and conditions of any contract with local, state, federal, foreign, or other applicable governments.
The CFO must review and approve all contracts with any government entity.
I. Free and Fair Competition
Most countries have well-developed bodies of law designed to encourage and protect free and fair competition. The Corporation is committed to obeying both the letter and spirit of these laws. The consequences of not doing so can be severe.
These laws often regulate the Corporation's relationships with its distributors, resellers, dealers, and customers. Competition laws generally address the following areas: pricing practices (including price discrimination), discounting, terms of sale, credit terms, promotional allowances, secret rebates, exclusive dealerships or distributorships, product bundling, restrictions on carrying competing products, termination, and many other practices.
Competition laws also govern, usually quite strictly, relationships between the Corporation and its competitors. As a rule, contacts with competitors should be limited and should always avoid subjects such as prices or other terms and conditions of sale, customers, and suppliers.
Employees, agents, or contractors of the Corporation may not knowingly make false or misleading statements regarding its competitors or the products of its competitors, customers, or suppliers. Participating with competitors in a trade association or in a standards creation body is acceptable when the association has been properly established, has a legitimate purpose, and has limited its activities to that purpose.
No director, officer, employee, agent or contractor shall at any time or under any circumstances enter into an agreement or understanding, written or oral, express or implied, with any competitor concerning prices, discounts, other terms or conditions of sale, profits or profit margins, costs, allocation of product or geographic markets, allocation of customers, limitations on production, boycotts of customers or suppliers, or bids or the intent to bid or even discuss or exchange information on these subjects. In some cases, legitimate joint ventures with competitors may permit exceptions to these rules, as may bona fide purchases from or sales to competitors on non-competitive products, but the CFO must review all such proposed ventures in advance. These prohibitions are absolute and strict observance is required.
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Collusion among competitors is illegal, and the consequences of a violation are severe. Although the spirit of these laws, known as “antitrust,” “competition,” “consumer protection” or unfair competition laws, is straightforward, their application to situations can be quite complex. To ensure that the Corporation complies fully with these laws, each director, officer, and employee should have a basic knowledge of them and should involve the CFO early on when questionable situations arise.
J. Industrial Espionage
It is the Corporation's policy to lawfully compete in the marketplace. This commitment to fairness includes respecting the rights of competitors and abiding by all applicable laws during competing. The purpose of this policy is to maintain the Corporation's reputation as a lawful competitor and to help ensure the integrity of the competitive marketplace. The Corporation expects its competitors to respect the rights of the Corporation to compete lawfully in the marketplace, and the Corporation must respect the competitors’ rights equally. Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors may not steal or unlawfully use the information, material, products, intellectual property, or proprietary or confidential information of anyone including suppliers, customers, business partners or competitors.
V. WAIVERS
Any waiver of any provision of this Code for a member of the Corporation’s Board or an executive officer must be approved in writing by the Corporation’s Board and promptly disclosed. Any waiver of any provision of this Code with respect any other employee, agent or contractor must be approved in writing by the CFO.
VI. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
The matters covered in this Code are of the utmost importance to the Corporation, its stockholders, and its business partners, and are essential to the Corporation's ability to conduct its business in accordance with its stated values. The Corporation expects all its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, and consultants to adhere to these rules in carrying out their duties for the Corporation.
The Corporation will take appropriate action against any director, officer, employee, agent, contractor, or consultant whose actions are found to violate these policies or any other policies of the Corporation. Disciplinary actions may include immediate termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation's sole discretion. Where the Corporation has suffered a loss, it may pursue its remedies against the individuals or entities responsible. Where laws have been violated, the Corporation will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities.
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VII. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
I have received and read the Corporation's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. I understand the standards and policies contained in the Code and understand that there may be additional policies or laws specific to my job. I further agree to comply with the Code.
If I have questions concerning the meaning or application of the Code, any Corporation policies, or the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to my job, I know I can consult my manager or the CFO, knowing that my questions or reports to these sources will be maintained in confidence. I acknowledge that I may report violations of the Code to the CFO.
/s/ Zhentao Jiang |
Zhentao Jiang
Chairman of the Board
Date: September 15, 2017
/s/ Chuang Chen |
Chuang Chen
Director
Date: September 15, 2017
/s/ Jialin Liu |
Jialin Liu
Director
Date: September 15, 2017
/s/ Tingfu Xie |
Tingfu Xie
Director
Date: September 15, 2017
Company Seal (seal)
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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of AGM Group Holdings Inc.:
We consent to the inclusion in the foregoing Registration Statement of AGM Group Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) on Form F-1A, of our report dated July 20, 2017, except for Note 2(q) Restatement, as to which the date is August 16, 2017, relating to our audits of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AGM Group Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholder’s equity and cash flows for the year then ended December 31, 2016 and the period from inception (April 27, 2015) to December 31, 2015.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement.
/s/ Anton & Chia, LLP | |
Newport Beach, California | |
September 19, 2017 |