UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

March 26, 2019

 

Future FinTech Group Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida   000-34502   98-0222013
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

23F, China Development Bank Tower,

No. 2, Gaoxin 1st Road, Xi'an, China 710075

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(86-29) 8187-8277

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

On March 26, 2019, Future FinTech Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., a Utah limited partnership (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which the Company sold and issued to the Purchaser a Secured Convertible Promissory Note (the “Note”) in the principal amount of $1,070,000. The Purchaser purchased the Note with an original issue discount of $50,000, and the Company agreed to pay to the Purchaser $20,000 for fees and costs incurred by Purchaser in connection with the consummation of the Purchase Agreement. The Note was sold to the Purchaser pursuant to an exemption from registration under Regulation D, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The purchase price for the Note will be paid by the Purchaser through an initial cash payment of $500,000 and the issuance of an Investor note to the Company with a one-year term and an interest rate of 8% (the “Investor Note”), which the Purchaser agrees to prepay in full upon the satisfaction of certain conditions for pledged shares and transfer agent instruction letter pursuant to the Investor Note and Purchase Agreement.

 

The Note bears interest at the rate of 8% per annum. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note will become due and payable on March 26, 2020. The Company’s obligations under the Note may be prepaid at any time, provided that in such circumstance the Company would pay a 125% premium on any amounts outstanding under the Note. Amounts outstanding under the Note may be converted at any time, at the Purchaser’s option, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $3.00 per share. During the term of the Note, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, enter into or effect certain fundamental business transactions. The Company has the option to redeem the Note at any time after the six month anniversary of the date when the purchase price is delivered to the Company. The Company’s obligations under the Note are secured by a pledge of 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock by Mengyao Chan, an unrelated third party, in favor of the Purchaser.

 

The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Purchase Agreement, Investor Note and Note were made solely for the benefit of the parties to the Purchase Agreement. In addition, such representations, warranties and covenants (i) are intended as a way of allocating the risk between the parties to the Purchase Agreement, Investor Note and Note and not as statements of fact, and (ii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by shareholders of, or other investors in, the Company. Accordingly, the Purchase Agreement, Investor Note and Note are filed with this report only to provide investors with information regarding the terms of transactions, and not to provide investors with any other factual information regarding the Company. Shareholders should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Purchase Agreement, Investor Note and Note, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures.

  

The Purchase Agreement, form of Investor Note and Note are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The foregoing summaries of the terms of the Purchaser Agreement, Investor Note and Note are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the Purchase Agreement, Investor Note and Note, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

Please see the disclosure set forth under Item 1.01, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d) Exhibits

  

Exhibit No.   Exhibit Title or Description
     
10.1   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Future FinTech Group, Inc. and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., dated March 26, 2019.
     
10.2   Investor Note, issued by Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. to Future FinTech Group, Inc. dated March 26, 2019.
     
10.3   Secured Convertible Promissory Note, issued by Future FinTech Group, Inc. to Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., dated March 26, 2019.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  Future FinTech Group Inc.
   
Date: April 1, 2019 By: /s/ Yongke Xue
  Name: Yongke Xue
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of March 26, 2019 is entered into by and between Future FinTech Group Inc. , a Florida corporation (“ Company ”), and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. , a Utah limited partnership, its successors and/or assigns (“ Investor ”) (Company and Investor, each a “ Party ” and collectively, the “ Parties ”).

 

A. Company and Investor are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”).

 

B. Investor desires to purchase and Company desires to issue and sell, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, a Secured Convertible Promissory Note, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A , in the original principal amount of $1,070,000.00 (the “ Note ”), convertible into shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Company (the “ Common Stock ”), upon the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in such Note.

 

C. This Agreement, the Note, the Pledge Agreement (as defined below), the Investor Note (as defined below), and all other certificates, documents, agreements, resolutions and instruments delivered to any party under or in connection with this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, are collectively referred to herein as the “ Transaction Documents ”.

 

D. For purposes of this Agreement: “ Conversion Shares ” means all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of all or any portion of the Note; and “ Securities ” means the Note and the Conversion Shares.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Investor hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Purchase and Sale of Securities .

 

1.1. Purchase of Securities . Company shall issue and sell to Investor and Investor shall purchase from Company the Note. In consideration thereof, Investor shall pay (i) the amount designated as the initial cash purchase price on the signature page to this Agreement (the “ Initial Cash Purchase Price ”), and (ii) issue to Company the Investor Note (the sum of the initial principal amount of the Investor Note, together with the Initial Cash Purchase Price, the “ Purchase Price ”). The Purchase Price, the OID (as defined below), and the Transaction Expense Amount (as defined below) are allocated to the Tranches (as defined in the Note) of the Note as set forth in the table attached hereto as Exhibit B .

 

1.2. Form of Payment . On the Closing Date (as defined below), (i) Investor shall pay the Purchase Price to Company by delivering the following at the Closing: (A) the Initial Cash Purchase Price, which shall be delivered by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to Company, in accordance with Company’s written wiring instructions; and (B) an Investor Note in the principal amount of $500,000.00 duly executed by Investor and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“ Investor Note ”); and (ii) Company shall deliver the duly executed Note on behalf of Company, to Investor, against delivery of such Purchase Price.

 

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1.3. Closing Date . Subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 below, the date of the issuance and sale of the Note pursuant to this Agreement (the “ Closing Date ”) shall be March 26, 2019, or another mutually agreed upon date. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall occur on the Closing Date by means of the exchange by email of signed .pdf documents, but shall be deemed for all purposes to have occurred at the offices of Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC in Lehi, Utah.

 

1.4. Collateral for the Note . The Note shall be secured by the collateral set forth in that certain Stock Pledge Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit D whereby Mengyao Chen, an individual (“ Pledgor ”), is pledging 2,500,000 shares of Company’s Common Stock (the “ Pledged Shares ”) as security for Company’s obligations under the Transaction Documents (the “ Pledge Agreement ”).

 

1.5. Collateral for Investor Note . Initially, the Investor Note will not be secured, but the Investor Note may become secured subsequent to the Closing by such collateral and at such time as determined by Investor in its sole discretion. In the event Investor desires to secure the Investor Note, Company shall timely execute any and all amendments and documents and take such other measures requested by Investor that are necessary or advisable in order for the Investor to properly secure the Investor Note for the benefit of the Company. The Initial Cash Purchase Price shall be the Purchase Price less the sum of the initial principal amounts of the Investor Note.

 

1.6. Original Issue Discount; Transaction Expense Amount . The Note carries an original issue discount of $50,000.00 (the “ OID ”). In addition, Company agrees to pay $20,000.00 to Investor to cover Investor’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities (the “ Transaction Expense Amount ”), all of which amount is included in the initial principal balance of the Note. The “ Purchase Price ”, therefore, shall be $1,000,000.00, computed as follows: $1,070,000.00 initial principal balance, less the OID, less the Transaction Expense Amount. The portions of the OID and the Transaction Expense Amount allocated to the Initial Cash Purchase Price are set forth on Exhibit B

 

2. Investor’s Representations and Warranties . Investor represents and warrants to Company that as of the Closing Date: (i) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized; (ii) Investor is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization; (iii) this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligations of Investor enforceable in accordance with its terms; (iv) Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act; and (v) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of Investor. Investor further represents and warrants to Company that Investor is aware of Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Investor acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to review all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by Company under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ 1934 Act ”), including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) and has been afforded (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and the merits and risks of investing in the Securities; (ii) access to information about Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment; and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the investment. Investor hereby confirms that Investor is purchasing the Securities for Investor’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that Investor has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Agreement, Investor further represents that Investor does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to the Securities. Investor has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities.

 

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3. Company’s Representations and Warranties . Company represents and warrants to Investor that as of the Closing Date: (i) Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted; (ii) Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary; (iii) Company has registered its Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the 1934 Act, and is obligated to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act; (iv) each of the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by Company and all necessary actions have been taken; (v) this Agreement, the Note, and the other Transaction Documents have been duly executed and delivered by Company and constitute the valid and binding obligations of Company enforceable in accordance with their terms; (vi) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by Company, the issuance of Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, and the consummation by Company of the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach by Company of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (a) Company’s formation documents or bylaws, each as currently in effect, (b) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other material agreement or instrument to which Company is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are bound, including, without limitation, any listing agreement for the Common Stock, or (c) any existing applicable law, rule, or regulation or any applicable decree, judgment, or order of any court, United States federal, state or foreign regulatory body, administrative agency, or other governmental body having jurisdiction over Company or any of Company’s properties or assets; (vii) no further authorization, approval or consent of any court, governmental body, regulatory agency, self-regulatory organization, or stock exchange or market or the stockholders or any lender of Company is required to be obtained by Company for the issuance of the Securities to Investor or the entering into of the Transaction Documents; (viii) none of Company’s filings with the SEC contained, at the time they were filed, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (ix) Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by Company with the SEC under the 1934 Act on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such report, schedule, form, statement or other document prior to the expiration of any such extension during the past twelve (12) months; (x) except as set forth in Company’s SEC filings and included in information already disclosed to Investor by Company, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board or body pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against or affecting Company before or by any governmental authority or non-governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality or any other person, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would have a material adverse effect on Company or which would adversely affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability of Company to perform its obligations under, any of the Transaction Documents; (xi) Company has not consummated any financing transaction that has not been disclosed in a periodic filing or current report with the SEC under the 1934 Act; (xii) Company is not, nor has it been at any time in the previous twelve (12) months, a “Shell Company,” as such type of “issuer” is described in Rule 144(i)(1) under the 1933 Act; (xiii) with respect to any commissions, placement agent or finder’s fees or similar payments that will or would become due and owing by Company to any person or entity as a result of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“ Broker Fees ”), any such Broker Fees will be made in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and only to a person or entity that is a registered investment adviser or registered broker-dealer; (xiv) Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any Broker Fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other persons for fees of a type contemplated in this subsection that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each of Investor, Investor’s employees, officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, agents, and partners, and their respective affiliates, from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs (including the costs of preparation and attorneys’ fees) and expenses suffered in respect of any such claimed Broker Fees; (xv) when issued, the Conversion Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid for and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances; (xvi) neither Investor nor any of its officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives has made any representations or warranties to Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents and, in making its decision to enter into the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, Company is not relying on any representation, warranty, covenant or promise of Investor or its officers, directors, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives other than as set forth in the Transaction Documents; (xvii) Company acknowledges that the State of Utah has a reasonable relationship and sufficient contacts to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and any dispute that may arise related thereto such that the laws and venue of the State of Utah, as set forth more specifically in Section 9.2 below, shall be applicable to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated therein; and (xviii) Company will not use its own lack of due diligence with respect to the background and history of John M. Fife or Investor or any of the representations and warranties made by Investor in Section 3 above as a defense to or justification of its failure to perform any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or in any attempt to avoid, modify or reduce such obligations.

 

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4. Company Covenants . Until all of Company’s obligations under all of the Transaction Documents are paid and performed in full, or within the timeframes otherwise specifically set forth below, Company will at all times comply with the following covenants: (i) so long as Investor beneficially owns any of the Securities and for at least twenty (20) Trading Days (as defined in the Note) thereafter, Company will timely file on the applicable deadline all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, and will take all reasonable action under its control to ensure that adequate current public information with respect to Company, as required in accordance with Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, is publicly available, and will not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would permit such termination; (ii) the Common Stock shall be listed or quoted for trading on any of (a) NYSE, (b) NASDAQ, (c) OTCQX, or (d) OTCQB; (iii) when issued, the Conversion Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid for and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances; (iv) trading in Company’s Common Stock will not be suspended, halted, chilled, frozen, reach zero bid or otherwise cease on Company’s principal trading market for a period of more than two (2) consecutive Trading Days except as trading may be generally suspended on such principal market; (v) Company will not transfer, assign, sell, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise alienate or encumber the Investor Note in any way without the prior written consent of Investor, which consent may be given or withheld in Investor’s sole and absolute discretion; and (vi) Company will not make any Variable Security Issuance (as defined below) where Company receives net proceeds of less than $1,000,000.00 from such Variable Security Issuance, without Investor’s prior written consent, which consent may be granted or withheld in Investor’s sole and absolute discretion. For purposes hereof, the term “ Variable Security Issuance ” means any issuance of any Company securities that (A) have or may have conversion rights of any kind, contingent, conditional or otherwise, in which the number of shares that may be issued pursuant to such conversion right varies with the market price of the Common Stock, or (B) are or may become convertible into Common Stock (including without limitation convertible debt, warrants or convertible preferred stock), with a conversion price that varies with the market price of the Common Stock, even if such security only becomes convertible following an event of default, the passage of time, or another trigger event or condition. For avoidance of doubt, the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, pursuant to, in exchange for or in connection with any contract or instrument, whether convertible or not, is deemed a Variable Security Issuance for purposes hereof if the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued is based upon or related in any way to the market price of the Common Stock, including, but not limited to, Common Stock issued in connection with a Section 3(a)(9) exchange, a Section 3(a)(10) of the 1933 Act settlement, or any other similar settlement or exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no issuance of Company equities or securities under existing equity incentive plans shall be deemed to be a Restricted Issuance.

 

5. Conditions Precedent to Company’s Obligation to Sell . The obligation of Company hereunder to issue and sell the Securities to Investor at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:

 

5.1. Investor shall have executed this Agreement and the Investor Note and delivered the same to Company.

 

5.2. Investor shall have delivered the Initial Cash Purchase Price to Company in accordance with Section 1.2 above.

 

6. Conditions Precedent to Investor’s Obligation to Purchase . The obligation of Investor hereunder to purchase the Securities at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for Investor’s sole benefit and may be waived by Investor at any time in its sole discretion:

 

6.1. Company shall have executed this Agreement, the Note and the Pledge Agreement and delivered the same to Investor.

 

6.2. Pledgor shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed copy of the Pledge Agreement.

 

6.3. Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Irrevocable Letter of Instructions to Transfer Agent (the “ TA Letter ”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E acknowledged and agreed to in writing by Company’s transfer agent (the “ Transfer Agent ”).

 

6.4. Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Secretary’s Certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F evidencing Company’s approval of the Transaction Documents.

 

6.5. Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Share Issuance Resolution substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G to be delivered to the Transfer Agent.

 

6.6. Company shall have delivered to Investor fully executed copies of all other Transaction Documents required to be executed by Company herein or therein.

 

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7. Reservation of Shares; Restricted Securities

 

7.1. Reservation of Shares. On the date hereof, Company will reserve 1,100,000 shares of Common Stock from its authorized and unissued Common Stock to provide for all issuances of Common Stock under the Note (the “ Share Reserve ”). Company further agrees to add additional shares of Common Stock to the Share Reserve in increments of 100,000 shares as and when requested by Investor if as of the date of any such request the number of shares being held in the Share Reserve is less than three (3) times the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Outstanding Balance (as defined in the Note) as of the date of the request by the Conversion Price (as defined in the Note) Company shall further require the Transfer Agent to hold the shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to the Share Reserve exclusively for the benefit of Investor and to issue such shares to Investor from the Share Reserve promptly upon Investor’s delivery of a conversion notice under the Note.

 

7.2. Restricted Securities and Legends .

 

(a) Investor understands that the Securities have not been, and may not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of Investor’s representations as expressed herein. Investor understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, Investor must hold the Securities indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Investor acknowledges that Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Securities for resale. Investor further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Securities, and on requirements relating to Company which are outside of Investor’s control, and which Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.

 

(b) Investor understands that the Securities, and any securities issued in respect thereof or exchange therefor, may, if the Securities are not registered or exempt from registration, bear one or all of the following legends:

 

(i) “THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISTRIBUTION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.”

 

(ii) Any legend required by the blue sky laws of any state to the extent such laws are applicable to the shares represented by the certificate so legended.

 

8. OFAC; Patriot Act .

 

8.1. OFAC Certification . Company certifies that (i) it is not acting on behalf of any person, group, entity, or nation named by any Executive Order or the United States Treasury Department, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ”) or otherwise, as a terrorist, “Specially Designated Nation”, “Blocked Person”, or other banned or blocked person, entity, nation, or transaction pursuant to any law, order, rule or regulation that is enforced or administered by OFAC or another department of the United States government, and (ii) Company is not engaged in this transaction on behalf of, or instigating or facilitating this transaction on behalf of, any such person, group, entity or nation.

 

8.2. Foreign Corrupt Practices . Neither Company, nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other person acting on behalf of Company or any subsidiary has, in the course of his actions for, or on behalf of, Company, used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.

 

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8.3. Patriot Act . Company shall not (i) be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation, or list of any government agency (including, without limitation, the OFAC) that prohibits or limits Investor from making any advance or extension of credit to Company or from otherwise conducting business with Company, or (ii) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of Company’s identity as may be requested by Investor at any time to enable Investor to verify Company’s identity or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of 2001, 31 U.S.C. Section 5318. Company shall comply with all requirements of law relating to money laundering, anti-terrorism, trade embargos and economic sanctions, now or hereafter in effect. Upon Investor’s request from time to time, Company shall certify in writing to Investor that Company’s representations, warranties and obligations under this Section 8.3 remain true and correct and have not been breached. Company shall immediately notify Investor in writing if any of such representations, warranties or covenants are no longer true or have been breached or if Company has a reasonable basis to believe that they may no longer be true or have been breached. In connection with such an event, Company shall comply with all requirements of law and directives of governmental authorities and, at Investor’s request, provide to Investor copies of all notices, reports and other communications exchanged with, or received from, governmental authorities relating to such an event. Company shall also reimburse Investor any expense incurred by Investor, in obtaining any necessary license from governmental authorities as may be necessary for Investor to enforce its rights under the Transaction Documents, and in complying with all requirements of law applicable to Investor as the result of the existence of such an event and for any penalties or fines imposed upon Investor as a result thereof.

 

9. Miscellaneous . The provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall apply to this Agreement, as well as all other Transaction Documents as if these terms were fully set forth therein; provided, however, that in the event there is a conflict between any provision set forth in this Section 9 and any provision in any other Transaction Document, the provision in such other Transaction Document shall govern.

 

9.1. Arbitration of Claims . The Parties shall submit all Claims (as defined in Exhibit H ) arising under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any other agreement between the parties and their affiliates or any Claim relating to the relationship of the parties to binding arbitration pursuant to the arbitration provisions set forth in Exhibit H attached hereto (the “ Arbitration Provisions ”). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that the injunction described in Section 9.3 below may be pursued in an arbitration that is separate and apart from any other arbitration regarding all other Claims arising under the Transaction Documents. The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Arbitration Provisions are unconditionally binding on the parties hereto and are severable from all other provisions of this Agreement. By executing this Agreement, each Party represents, warrants and covenants that it has reviewed the Arbitration Provisions carefully, consulted with legal counsel about such provisions (or waived its right to do so), understands that the Arbitration Provisions are intended to allow for the expeditious and efficient resolution of any dispute hereunder, agrees to the terms and limitations set forth in the Arbitration Provisions, and that neither Party will take a position contrary to the foregoing representations. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that the other Party may rely upon the foregoing representations and covenants regarding the Arbitration Provisions.

 

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9.2. Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Utah, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Utah or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Utah. Each party consents to and expressly agrees that the exclusive venue for arbitration of any dispute arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document or the relationship of the parties or their affiliates shall be in Salt Lake County, Utah. Without modifying the parties’ obligations to resolve disputes hereunder pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions, for any litigation arising in connection with any of the Transaction Documents (and notwithstanding the terms (specifically including any governing law and venue terms) of any transfer agent services agreement or other agreement between the Transfer Agent and Company, such litigation specifically includes, without limitation any action between or involving Company and the Transfer Agent under the TA Letter or otherwise related to Investor in any way (specifically including, without limitation, any action where Company seeks to obtain an injunction, temporary restraining order, or otherwise prohibit the Transfer Agent from issuing shares of Common Stock to Investor for any reason)), each party hereto hereby (i) consents to and expressly submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, (ii) expressly submits to the exclusive venue of any such court for the purposes hereof, (iii) agrees to not bring any such action (specifically including, without limitation, any action where Company seeks to obtain an injunction, temporary restraining order, or otherwise prohibit the Transfer Agent from issuing shares of Common Stock to Investor for any reason) outside of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, and (iv) waives any claim of improper venue and any claim or objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or any other claim, defense or objection to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdiction or to any claim that such venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Finally, Company covenants and agrees to name Investor as a party in interest in, and provide written notice to Investor in accordance with Section 9.9 below prior to bringing or filing, any action (including without limitation any filing or action against any person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement, including without limitation the Transfer Agent) that is related in any way to the Transaction Documents or any transaction contemplated herein or therein, including without limitation any action brought by Company to enjoin or prevent the issuance of any shares of Common Stock to Investor by the Transfer Agent, and further agrees to timely name Investor as a party to any such action. Company acknowledges that the governing law and venue provisions set forth in this Section 9.2 are material terms to induce Investor to enter into the Transaction Documents and that but for Company’s agreements set forth in this Section 9.2 Investor would not have entered into the Transaction Documents.

 

9.3. Specific Performance . Each Party acknowledges and agrees that irreparable damage may occur to the other Party (the “ Non-defaulting Party ”) in the event that either Party (“ Defaulting Party ”) fails to perform any material provision of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents in accordance with its specific terms. It is accordingly agreed that the Non-defaulting Party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement or such other Transaction Document and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof or thereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which the Non-defaulting Party may be entitled under the Transaction Documents, at law or in equity. Company specifically agrees that following an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) for failure to deliver Conversion Shares or failure to pay any amount when due under the Note (following expiration of any applicable cure periods), Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or an arbitrator prohibiting Company from issuing any of its common or preferred stock to any party unless the Note is being paid in full simultaneously with such issuance. Each Party specifically acknowledges that a Non-Defaulting Party’s right to obtain specific performance constitutes bargained for leverage and that the loss of such leverage would result in irreparable harm to the Non-defaulting Party. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Non-defaulting Party seeks to obtain an injunction from a court or an arbitrator against the Defaulting Party or specific performance of any provision of any Transaction Document, such action shall not be a waiver of any right of the Non-defaulting Party under any Transaction Document, at law, or in equity, including without limitation its rights to arbitrate any Claim pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents, nor shall the Non-defaulting Party’s pursuit of an injunction prevent the Non-defaulting Party, under the doctrines of claim preclusion, issues preclusion, res judicata or other similar legal doctrines, from pursuing other Claims in the future in a separate arbitration.

 

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9.4. Counterparts . Each Transaction Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. The parties hereto confirm that any electronic copy of another party’s executed counterpart of a Transaction Document (or such party’s signature page thereof) will be deemed to be an executed original thereof.

 

9.5. Headings . The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

9.6. Severability . In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform to such statute or rule of law. Any provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.

 

9.7. Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with the other Transaction Documents, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither Company nor Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. For the avoidance of doubt, all prior term sheets or other documents between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, related to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (collectively, “ Prior Agreements ”), that may have been entered into between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, are hereby null and void and deemed to be replaced in their entirety by the Transaction Documents. To the extent there is a conflict between any term set forth in any Prior Agreement and the term(s) of the Transaction Documents, the Transaction Documents shall govern.

 

9.8. Amendments . No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto.

 

9.9. Notices . Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing (unless otherwise specified herein) and shall be deemed effectively given on the earliest of: (i) the date delivered, if delivered by personal delivery as against written receipt therefor or by email to an executive officer, or by facsimile), (ii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after deposit, postage prepaid, in the United States Postal Service by certified mail, or (iii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after mailing by express courier, with delivery costs and fees prepaid, in each case, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as such party may designate by five (5) calendar days’ advance written notice similarly given to each of the other parties hereto):

 

If to Company:

 

Future FinTech Group Inc.

Attn: Yongke Xue

23F, China Development Bank Tower

No. 2, Gaoxin 1st Road

Xi'an, China 710075

 

8

 

 

If to Investor:

 

Iliad Research and Trading, L.P.

Attn: John Fife

303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1040

Chicago, Illinois 60601

 

With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

 

Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC

Attn: Jonathan Hansen

3051 West Maple Loop Drive, Suite 325

Lehi, Utah 84043

 

9.10. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement or any of the severable rights and obligations inuring to the benefit of or to be performed by either party hereunder may not be assigned to a third party, including its affiliates, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the other party. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement or delegate its duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

9.11. Survival . The representations and warranties of Company and the agreements and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder notwithstanding any due diligence investigation conducted by or on behalf of Investor. Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Investor and all its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents for loss or damage arising as a result of or related to any breach or alleged breach by Company of any of its representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement or any of its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, including advancement of expenses as they are incurred.

 

9.12. Further Assurances . Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

9.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative . All rights, remedies, and powers conferred in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies, and shall be in addition to every other right, power, and remedy that a Party may have, whether specifically granted in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or existing at law, in equity, or by statute, and any and all such rights and remedies may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as the Party may deem expedient.

 

9.14. Attorneys’ Fees and Cost of Collection . In the event of any arbitration or action at law or in equity to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, the parties agree that the prevailing party shall be entitled to full recovery of its reasonable attorneys’ fees, deposition costs, and expenses in connection with the arbitration or litigation. Nothing herein shall restrict or impair an arbitrator’s or a court’s power to award fees and expenses for frivolous or bad faith pleading. If there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of Company or other proceedings affecting Company’s creditors’ rights and involving a claim under the Note; Company shall pay the direct costs incurred by Investor for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, Investor’s reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, deposition costs, and disbursements.

 

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9.15. Waiver . No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.

 

9.16. Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO DEMAND THAT ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PARTIES HERETO BE TRIED BY JURY. THIS WAIVER EXTENDS TO ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY ARISING UNDER COMMON LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE, LAW, RULE OR REGULATION. FURTHER, EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH PARTY IS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING SUCH PARTY’S RIGHT TO DEMAND TRIAL BY JURY.

 

9.17. Time is of the Essence . Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

9.18. Voluntary Agreement . Each Party has carefully read this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and has asked any questions needed for it to understand the terms, consequences and binding effect of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and fully understand them. Each Party has had the opportunity to seek the advice of an attorney of its choosing, or has waived the right to do so, and is executing this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by the other Party or anyone else.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Investor and Company have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

SUBSCRIPTION AMOUNT :

 

Principal Amount of Note:   $ 1,070,000.00  
         
Initial Cash Purchase Price:   $ 500,000.00  

 

 

  INVESTOR:
   
  Iliad Research and Trading, L.P.
         
  By: Iliad Management, LLC, its General Partner
         
    By: Fife Trading, Inc., its Manager
         
      By:
        John M. Fife, President
         
  COMPANY:
   
  Future FinTech Group Inc.
         
  By:      
  Printed Name:  
  Title:      

 

ATTACHED EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A Note
Exhibit B Allocation of Purchase Price
Exhibit C Investor Note
Exhibit D Pledge Agreement
Exhibit E Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions
Exhibit F Secretary’s Certificate
Exhibit G Share Issuance Resolution
Exhibit H Arbitration Provisions

 

 

 

 

Exhibit H

 

ARBITRATION PROVISIONS

 

1. Dispute Resolution . For purposes of this Exhibit H , the term “ Claims ” means any disputes, claims, demands, causes of action, requests for injunctive relief, requests for specific performance, liabilities, damages, losses, or controversies whatsoever arising from, related to, or connected with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents and any communications between the parties related thereto, including without limitation any claims of mutual mistake, mistake, fraud, misrepresentation, failure of formation, failure of consideration, promissory estoppel, unconscionability, failure of condition precedent, rescission, and any statutory claims, tort claims, contract claims, or claims to void, invalidate or terminate the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions (defined below)) or any of the other Transaction Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, a party’s pursuit of an injunction or other Claim pursuant to these Arbitration Provisions or with a court will not later prevent the party under the doctrines of claim preclusion, issue preclusion, res judicata or other similar legal doctrines from pursuing other Claims in a separate arbitration in the future. The parties to this Agreement (the “ parties ”) hereby agree that the Claims may be arbitrated in one or more Arbitrations pursuant to these Arbitration Provisions (one for an injunction or injunctions and a separate one for all other Claims). The term “Claims” specifically excludes a dispute over Calculations. The parties to the Agreement hereby agree that the arbitration provisions set forth in this Exhibit H (“ Arbitration Provisions ”) are binding on each of them. As a result, any attempt to rescind the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions) or declare the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions) or any other Transaction Document invalid or unenforceable for any reason is subject to these Arbitration Provisions. These Arbitration Provisions shall also survive any termination or expiration of the Agreement. Any capitalized term not defined in these Arbitration Provisions shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

 

2. Arbitration . Except as otherwise provided herein, all Claims must be submitted to arbitration (“ Arbitration ”) to be conducted exclusively in Salt Lake County, Utah and pursuant to the terms set forth in these Arbitration Provisions. Subject to the arbitration appeal right provided for in Paragraph 5 below (the “ Appeal Right ”), the parties agree that the award of the arbitrator rendered pursuant to Paragraph 4 below (the “ Arbitration Award ”) shall be (a) final and binding upon the parties, (b) the sole and exclusive remedy between them regarding any Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded to the arbitrator, and (c) promptly payable in United States dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset (with respect to monetary awards). Subject to the Appeal Right, any costs or fees, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with or incident to enforcing the Arbitration Award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement. The Arbitration Award shall include default interest (as defined or otherwise provided for in the Note, “ Default Interest ”) (with respect to monetary awards) at the rate specified in the Note for Default Interest both before and after the Arbitration Award. Judgment upon the Arbitration Award will be entered and enforced by any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah.

 

3. The Arbitration Act . The parties hereby incorporate herein the provisions and procedures set forth in the Utah Uniform Arbitration Act, U.C.A. § 78B-11-101 et seq. (as amended or superseded from time to time, the “ Arbitration Act ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to, and to the maximum extent permitted by, Section 105 of the Arbitration Act, in the event of conflict or variation between the terms of these Arbitration Provisions and the provisions of the Arbitration Act, the terms of these Arbitration Provisions shall control and the parties hereby waive or otherwise agree to vary the effect of all requirements of the Arbitration Act that may conflict with or vary from these Arbitration Provisions.

 

4. Arbitration Proceedings . Arbitration between the parties will be subject to the following:

 

4.1 Initiation of Arbitration . Pursuant to Section 110 of the Arbitration Act, the parties agree that a party may initiate Arbitration by giving written notice to the other party (“ Arbitration Notice ”) in the same manner that notice is permitted under Section 9.9 of the Agreement; provided, however , that the Arbitration Notice may not be given by email or fax. Arbitration will be deemed initiated as of the date that the Arbitration Notice is deemed delivered to such other party under Section 9.9 of the Agreement (the “ Service Date ”). After the Service Date, information may be delivered, and notices may be given, by email or fax pursuant to Section 9.9 of the Agreement or any other method permitted thereunder. The Arbitration Notice must describe the nature of the controversy, the remedies sought, and the election to commence Arbitration proceedings. All Claims in the Arbitration Notice must be pleaded consistent with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.

 

Ex-H- 1

 

 

4.2 Selection and Payment of Arbitrator .

 

(a) Within ten (10) calendar days after the Service Date, Investor shall select and submit to Company the names of three (3) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Services ( http://www.utahadrservices.com ) (such three (3) designated persons hereunder are referred to herein as the “ Proposed Arbitrators ”). For the avoidance of doubt, each Proposed Arbitrator must be qualified as a “neutral” with Utah ADR Services. Within five (5) calendar days after Investor has submitted to Company the names of the Proposed Arbitrators, Company must select, by written notice to Investor, one (1) of the Proposed Arbitrators to act as the arbitrator for the parties under these Arbitration Provisions. If Company fails to select one of the Proposed Arbitrators in writing within such 5-day period, then Investor may select the arbitrator from the Proposed Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to Company.

 

(b) If Investor fails to submit to Company the Proposed Arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days after the Service Date pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, then Company may at any time prior to Investor so designating the Proposed Arbitrators, identify the names of three (3) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Service by written notice to Investor. Investor may then, within five (5) calendar days after Company has submitted notice of its Proposed Arbitrators to Investor, select, by written notice to Company, one (1) of the Proposed Arbitrators to act as the arbitrator for the parties under these Arbitration Provisions. If Investor fails to select in writing and within such 5-day period one (1) of the three (3) Proposed Arbitrators selected by Company, then Company may select the arbitrator from its three (3) previously selected Proposed Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to Investor.

 

(c) If a Proposed Arbitrator chosen to serve as arbitrator declines or is otherwise unable to serve as arbitrator, then the party that selected such Proposed Arbitrator may select one (1) of the other three (3) Proposed Arbitrators within three (3) calendar days of the date the chosen Proposed Arbitrator declines or notifies the parties he or she is unable to serve as arbitrator. If all three (3) Proposed Arbitrators decline or are otherwise unable to serve as arbitrator, then the arbitrator selection process shall begin again in accordance with this Paragraph 4.2.

 

(d) The date that the Proposed Arbitrator selected pursuant to this Paragraph 4.2 agrees in writing (including via email) delivered to both parties to serve as the arbitrator hereunder is referred to herein as the “ Arbitration Commencement Date ”. If an arbitrator resigns or is unable to act during the Arbitration, a replacement arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with this Paragraph 4.2 to continue the Arbitration. If Utah ADR Services ceases to exist or to provide a list of neutrals and there is no successor thereto, then the arbitrator shall be selected under the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

(e) Subject to Paragraph 4.10 below, the cost of the arbitrator must be paid equally by both parties. Subject to Paragraph 4.10 below, if one party refuses or fails to pay its portion of the arbitrator fee, then the other party can advance such unpaid amount (subject to the accrual of Default Interest thereupon), with such amount being added to or subtracted from, as applicable, the Arbitration Award.

 

4.3 Applicability of Certain Utah Rules . The parties agree that the Arbitration shall be conducted generally in accordance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure and the Utah Rules of Evidence. More specifically, the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply, without limitation, to the filing of any pleadings, motions or memoranda, the conducting of discovery, and the taking of any depositions. The Utah Rules of Evidence shall apply to any hearings, whether telephonic or in person, held by the arbitrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the parties’ intent that the incorporation of such rules will in no event supersede these Arbitration Provisions. In the event of any conflict between the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure or the Utah Rules of Evidence and these Arbitration Provisions, these Arbitration Provisions shall control.

 

4.4 Answer and Default . An answer and any counterclaims to the Arbitration Notice shall be required to be delivered to the party initiating the Arbitration within twenty (20) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date. If an answer is not delivered by the required deadline, the arbitrator must provide written notice to the defaulting party stating that the arbitrator will enter a default award against such party if such party does not file an answer within five (5) calendar days of receipt of such notice. If an answer is not filed within the five (5) day extension period, the arbitrator must render a default award, consistent with the relief requested in the Arbitration Notice, against a party that fails to submit an answer within such time period.

 

Ex-H- 2

 

 

4.5 Related Litigation . The party that delivers the Arbitration Notice to the other party shall have the option to also commence concurrent legal proceedings with any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah (“ Litigation Proceedings ”), subject to the following: (a) the complaint in the Litigation Proceedings is to be substantially similar to the claims set forth in the Arbitration Notice, provided that an additional cause of action to compel arbitration will also be included therein, (b) so long as the other party files an answer to the complaint in the Litigation Proceedings and an answer to the Arbitration Notice, the Litigation Proceedings will be stayed pending an Arbitration Award (or Appeal Panel Award (defined below), as applicable) hereunder, (c) if the other party fails to file an answer in the Litigation Proceedings or an answer in the Arbitration proceedings, then the party initiating Arbitration shall be entitled to a default judgment consistent with the relief requested, to be entered in the Litigation Proceedings, and (d) any legal or procedural issue arising under the Arbitration Act that requires a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction may be determined in the Litigation Proceedings. Any award of the arbitrator (or of the Appeal Panel (defined below)) may be entered in such Litigation Proceedings pursuant to the Arbitration Act.

 

4.6 Discovery . Pursuant to Section 118(8) of the Arbitration Act, the parties agree that discovery shall be conducted as follows:

 

(a) Written discovery will only be allowed if the likely benefits of the proposed written discovery outweigh the burden or expense thereof, and the written discovery sought is likely to reveal information that will satisfy a specific element of a claim or defense already pleaded in the Arbitration. The party seeking written discovery shall always have the burden of showing that all of the standards and limitations set forth in these Arbitration Provisions are satisfied. The scope of discovery in the Arbitration proceedings shall also be limited as follows:

 

(i) To facts directly connected with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

 

(ii) To facts and information that cannot be obtained from another source or in another manner that is more convenient, less burdensome or less expensive than in the manner requested.

 

(b) No party shall be allowed (i) more than fifteen (15) interrogatories (including discrete subparts), (ii) more than fifteen (15) requests for admission (including discrete subparts), (iii) more than ten (10) document requests (including discrete subparts), or (iv) more than three (3) depositions (excluding expert depositions) for a maximum of seven (7) hours per deposition. The costs associated with depositions will be borne by the party taking the deposition. The party defending the deposition will submit a notice to the party taking the deposition of the estimated attorneys’ fees that such party expects to incur in connection with defending the deposition. If the party defending the deposition fails to submit an estimate of attorneys’ fees within five (5) calendar days of its receipt of a deposition notice, then such party shall be deemed to have waived its right to the estimated attorneys’ fees. The party taking the deposition must pay the party defending the deposition the estimated attorneys’ fees prior to taking the deposition, unless such obligation is deemed to be waived as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. If the party taking the deposition believes that the estimated attorneys’ fees are unreasonable, such party may submit the issue to the arbitrator for a decision. All depositions will be taken in Utah.

 

(c) All discovery requests (including document production requests included in deposition notices) must be submitted in writing to the arbitrator and the other party. The party submitting the written discovery requests must include with such discovery requests a detailed explanation of how the proposed discovery requests satisfy the requirements of these Arbitration Provisions and the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. The receiving party will then be allowed, within five (5) calendar days of receiving the proposed discovery requests, to submit to the arbitrator an estimate of the attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to such written discovery requests and a written challenge to each applicable discovery request. After receipt of an estimate of attorneys’ fees and costs and/or challenge(s) to one or more discovery requests, consistent with subparagraph (c) above, the arbitrator will within three (3) calendar days make a finding as to the likely attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to the discovery requests and issue an order that (i) requires the requesting party to prepay the attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to the discovery requests, and (ii) requires the responding party to respond to the discovery requests as limited by the arbitrator within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the arbitrator’s finding with respect to such discovery requests. If a party entitled to submit an estimate of attorneys’ fees and costs and/or a challenge to discovery requests fails to do so within such 5-day period, the arbitrator will make a finding that (A) there are no attorneys’ fees or costs associated with responding to such discovery requests, and (B) the responding party must respond to such discovery requests (as may be limited by the arbitrator) within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the arbitrator’s finding with respect to such discovery requests. Any party submitting any written discovery requests, including without limitation interrogatories, requests for production subpoenas to a party or a third party, or requests for admissions, must prepay the estimated attorneys’ fees and costs, before the responding party has any obligation to produce or respond to the same, unless such obligation is deemed waived as set forth above.

 

Ex-H- 3

 

 

(d) In order to allow a written discovery request, the arbitrator must find that the discovery request satisfies the standards set forth in these Arbitration Provisions and the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitrator must strictly enforce these standards. If a discovery request does not satisfy any of the standards set forth in these Arbitration Provisions or the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, the arbitrator may modify such discovery request to satisfy the applicable standards, or strike such discovery request in whole or in part.

 

(e) Each party may submit expert reports (and rebuttals thereto), provided that such reports must be submitted within sixty (60) days of the Arbitration Commencement Date. Each party will be allowed a maximum of two (2) experts. Expert reports must contain the following: (i) a complete statement of all opinions the expert will offer at trial and the basis and reasons for them; (ii) the expert’s name and qualifications, including a list of all the expert’s publications within the preceding ten (10) years, and a list of any other cases in which the expert has testified at trial or in a deposition or prepared a report within the preceding ten (10) years; and (iii) the compensation to be paid for the expert’s report and testimony. The parties are entitled to depose any other party’s expert witness one (1) time for no more than four (4) hours. An expert may not testify in a party’s case-in-chief concerning any matter not fairly disclosed in the expert report.

 

4.6 Dispositive Motions . Each party shall have the right to submit dispositive motions pursuant Rule 12 or Rule 56 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure (a “ Dispositive Motion ”). The party submitting the Dispositive Motion may, but is not required to, deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a memorandum in support (the “ Memorandum in Support ”) of the Dispositive Motion. Within seven (7) calendar days of delivery of the Memorandum in Support, the other party shall deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a memorandum in opposition to the Memorandum in Support (the “ Memorandum in Opposition ”). Within seven (7) calendar days of delivery of the Memorandum in Opposition, as applicable, the party that submitted the Memorandum in Support shall deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a reply memorandum to the Memorandum in Opposition (“ Reply Memorandum ”). If the applicable party shall fail to deliver the Memorandum in Opposition as required above, or if the other party fails to deliver the Reply Memorandum as required above, then the applicable party shall lose its right to so deliver the same, and the Dispositive Motion shall proceed regardless.

 

4.7 Confidentiality . All information disclosed by either party (or such party’s agents) during the Arbitration process (including without limitation information disclosed during the discovery process or any Appeal (defined below)) shall be considered confidential in nature. Each party agrees not to disclose any confidential information received from the other party (or its agents) during the Arbitration process (including without limitation during the discovery process or any Appeal) unless (a) prior to or after the time of disclosure such information becomes public knowledge or part of the public domain, not as a result of any inaction or action of the receiving party or its agents, (b) such information is required by a court order, subpoena or similar legal duress to be disclosed if such receiving party has notified the other party thereof in writing and given it a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order from a court of competent jurisdiction prior to disclosure, or (c) such information is disclosed to the receiving party’s agents, representatives and legal counsel on a need to know basis who each agree in writing not to disclose such information to any third party. Pursuant to Section 118(5) of the Arbitration Act, the arbitrator is hereby authorized and directed to issue a protective order to prevent the disclosure of privileged information and confidential information upon the written request of either party.

 

4.8 Authorization; Timing; Scheduling Order . Subject to all other portions of these Arbitration Provisions, the parties hereby authorize and direct the arbitrator to take such actions and make such rulings as may be necessary to carry out the parties’ intent for the Arbitration proceedings to be efficient and expeditious. Pursuant to Section 120 of the Arbitration Act, the parties hereby agree that an Arbitration Award must be made within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date. The arbitrator is hereby authorized and directed to hold a scheduling conference within ten (10) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date in order to establish a scheduling order with various binding deadlines for discovery, expert testimony, and the submission of documents by the parties to enable the arbitrator to render a decision prior to the end of such 120-day period.

 

Ex-H- 4

 

 

4.9 Relief . The arbitrator shall have the right to award or include in the Arbitration Award (or in a preliminary ruling) any relief which the arbitrator deems proper under the circumstances, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, provided that the arbitrator may not award exemplary or punitive damages.

 

4.10 Fees and Costs . As part of the Arbitration Award, the arbitrator is hereby directed to require the losing party (as determined by the Arbitrator) to (a) pay the full amount of any unpaid costs and fees of the Arbitration, and (b) reimburse the prevailing party for all reasonable attorneys’ fees, arbitrator costs and fees, deposition costs, other discovery costs, and other expenses, costs or fees paid or otherwise incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the Arbitration.

 

5. Arbitration Appeal .

 

5.1 Initiation of Appeal. Following the entry of the Arbitration Award, either party (the “ Appellant ”) shall have a period of thirty (30) calendar days in which to notify the other party (the “ Appellee ”), in writing, that the Appellant elects to appeal (the “ Appeal ”) the Arbitration Award (such notice, an “ Appeal Notice ”) to a panel of arbitrators as provided in Paragraph 5.2 below. The date the Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee is referred to herein as the “ Appeal Date ”. The Appeal Notice must be delivered to the Appellee in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4.1 above with respect to delivery of an Arbitration Notice. In addition, together with delivery of the Appeal Notice to the Appellee, the Appellant must also pay for (and provide proof of such payment to the Appellee together with delivery of the Appeal Notice) a bond in the amount of 110% of the sum the Appellant owes to the Appellee as a result of the Arbitration Award the Appellant is appealing. In the event an Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee (together with proof of payment of the applicable bond) in compliance with the provisions of this Paragraph 5.1, the Appeal will occur as a matter of right and, except as specifically set forth herein, will not be further conditioned. In the event a party does not deliver an Appeal Notice (along with proof of payment of the applicable bond) to the other party within the deadline prescribed in this Paragraph 5.1, such party shall lose its right to appeal the Arbitration Award. If no party delivers an Appeal Notice (along with proof of payment of the applicable bond) to the other party within the deadline described in this Paragraph 5.1, the Arbitration Award shall be final. The parties acknowledge and agree that any Appeal shall be deemed part of the parties’ agreement to arbitrate for purposes of these Arbitration Provisions and the Arbitration Act.

 

5.2 Selection and Payment of Appeal Panel. In the event an Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee (together with proof of payment of the applicable bond) in compliance with the provisions of Paragraph 5.1 above, the Appeal will be heard by a three (3) person arbitration panel (the “ Appeal Panel ”).

 

(a) Within ten (10) calendar days after the Appeal Date, the Appellee shall select and submit to the Appellant the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Services (http://www.utahadrservices.com) (such five (5) designated persons hereunder are referred to herein as the “ Proposed Appeal Arbitrators ”). For the avoidance of doubt, each Proposed Appeal Arbitrator must be qualified as a “neutral” with Utah ADR Services, and shall not be the arbitrator who rendered the Arbitration Award being appealed (the “ Original Arbitrator ”). Within five (5) calendar days after the Appellee has submitted to the Appellant the names of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators, the Appellant must select, by written notice to the Appellee, three (3) of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators to act as the members of the Appeal Panel. If the Appellant fails to select three (3) of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators in writing within such 5-day period, then the Appellee may select such three (3) arbitrators from the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to the Appellant.

 

(b) If the Appellee fails to submit to the Appellant the names of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days after the Appeal Date pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, then the Appellant may at any time prior to the Appellee so designating the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators, identify the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Service (none of whom may be the Original Arbitrator) by written notice to the Appellee. The Appellee may then, within five (5) calendar days after the Appellant has submitted notice of its selected arbitrators to the Appellee, select, by written notice to the Appellant, three (3) of such selected arbitrators to serve on the Appeal Panel. If the Appellee fails to select in writing within such 5-day period three (3) of the arbitrators selected by the Appellant to serve as the members of the Appeal Panel, then the Appellant may select the three (3) members of the Appeal Panel from the Appellant’s list of five (5) arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to the Appellee.

 

Ex-H- 5

 

 

(c) If a selected Proposed Appeal Arbitrator declines or is otherwise unable to serve, then the party that selected such Proposed Appeal Arbitrator may select one (1) of the other five (5) designated Proposed Appeal Arbitrators within three (3) calendar days of the date a chosen Proposed Appeal Arbitrator declines or notifies the parties he or she is unable to serve as an arbitrator. If at least three (3) of the five (5) designated Proposed Appeal Arbitrators decline or are otherwise unable to serve, then the Proposed Appeal Arbitrator selection process shall begin again in accordance with this Paragraph 5.2; provided, however , that any Proposed Appeal Arbitrators who have already agreed to serve shall remain on the Appeal Panel.

 

(d) The date that all three (3) Proposed Appeal Arbitrators selected pursuant to this Paragraph 5.2 agree in writing (including via email) delivered to both the Appellant and the Appellee to serve as members of the Appeal Panel hereunder is referred to herein as the “ Appeal Commencement Date ”. No later than five (5) calendar days after the Appeal Commencement Date, the Appellee shall designate in writing (including via email) to the Appellant and the Appeal Panel the name of one (1) of the three (3) members of the Appeal Panel to serve as the lead arbitrator in the Appeal proceedings. Each member of the Appeal Panel shall be deemed an arbitrator for purposes of these Arbitration Provisions and the Arbitration Act, provided that, in conducting the Appeal, the Appeal Panel may only act or make determinations upon the approval or vote of no less than the majority vote of its members, as announced or communicated by the lead arbitrator on the Appeal Panel. If an arbitrator on the Appeal Panel ceases or is unable to act during the Appeal proceedings, a replacement arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with Paragraph 5.2 above to continue the Appeal as a member of the Appeal Panel. If Utah ADR Services ceases to exist or to provide a list of neutrals, then the arbitrators for the Appeal Panel shall be selected under the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

(d) Subject to Paragraph 5.7 below, the cost of the Appeal Panel must be paid entirely by the Appellant.

 

5.3 Appeal Procedure. The Appeal will be deemed an appeal of the entire Arbitration Award. In conducting the Appeal, the Appeal Panel shall conduct a de novo review of all Claims described or otherwise set forth in the Arbitration Notice. Subject to the foregoing and all other provisions of this Paragraph 5, the Appeal Panel shall conduct the Appeal in a manner the Appeal Panel considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the Appeal, may hold one or more hearings and permit oral argument, and may review all previous evidence and discovery, together with all briefs, pleadings and other documents filed with the Original Arbitrator (as well as any documents filed with the Appeal Panel pursuant to Paragraph 5.4(a) below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the Appeal, the Appeal Panel shall not permit the parties to conduct any additional discovery or raise any new Claims to be arbitrated, shall not permit new witnesses or affidavits, and shall not base any of its findings or determinations on the Original Arbitrator’s findings or the Arbitration Award.

 

5.4 Timing.

 

(a) Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appeal Commencement Date, the Appellant (i) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Appeal Panel copies of the Appeal Notice, all discovery conducted in connection with the Arbitration, and all briefs, pleadings and other documents filed with the Original Arbitrator (which material Appellee shall have the right to review and supplement if necessary), and (ii) may, but is not required to, deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellee a Memorandum in Support of the Appellant’s arguments concerning or position with respect to all Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded in the Arbitration. Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appellant’s delivery of the Memorandum in Support, as applicable, the Appellee shall deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellant a Memorandum in Opposition to the Memorandum in Support. Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appellee’s delivery of the Memorandum in Opposition, as applicable, the Appellant shall deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellee a Reply Memorandum to the Memorandum in Opposition. If the Appellant shall fail to substantially comply with the requirements of clause (i) of this subparagraph (a), the Appellant shall lose its right to appeal the Arbitration Award, and the Arbitration Award shall be final. If the Appellee shall fail to deliver the Memorandum in Opposition as required above, or if the Appellant shall fail to deliver the Reply Memorandum as required above, then the Appellee or the Appellant, as the case may be, shall lose its right to so deliver the same, and the Appeal shall proceed regardless.

 

Ex-H- 6

 

 

(b) Subject to subparagraph (a) above, the parties hereby agree that the Appeal must be heard by the Appeal Panel within thirty (30) calendar days of the Appeal Commencement Date, and that the Appeal Panel must render its decision within thirty (30) calendar days after the Appeal is heard (and in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days after the Appeal Commencement Date).

 

5.5 Appeal Panel Award. The Appeal Panel shall issue its decision (the “ Appeal Panel Award ”) through the lead arbitrator on the Appeal Panel. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the Appeal Panel Award shall (a) supersede in its entirety and make of no further force or effect the Arbitration Award (provided that any protective orders issued by the Original Arbitrator shall remain in full force and effect), (b) be final and binding upon the parties, with no further rights of appeal, (c) be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded in the Arbitration, and (d) be promptly payable in United States dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset (with respect to monetary awards). Any costs or fees, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with or incident to enforcing the Appeal Panel Award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement. The Appeal Panel Award shall include Default Interest (with respect to monetary awards) at the rate specified in the Note for Default Interest both before and after the Arbitration Award. Judgment upon the Appeal Panel Award will be entered and enforced by a state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah.

 

5.6 Relief. The Appeal Panel shall have the right to award or include in the Appeal Panel Award any relief which the Appeal Panel deems proper under the circumstances, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, provided that the Appeal Panel may not award exemplary or punitive damages.

 

5.7 Fees and Costs. As part of the Appeal Panel Award, the Appeal Panel is hereby directed to require the losing party (the party being awarded the least amount of money by the arbitrator, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) to (a) pay the full amount of any unpaid costs and fees of the Arbitration and the Appeal Panel, and (b) reimburse the prevailing party (as determined by the Appeal Panel) the reasonable attorneys’ fees, arbitrator and Appeal Panel costs and fees, deposition costs, other discovery costs, and other expenses, costs or fees paid or otherwise incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the Arbitration (including without limitation in connection with the Appeal).

 

6. Miscellaneous .

 

6.1 Severability. If any part of these Arbitration Provisions is found to violate or be illegal under applicable law, then such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable under applicable law, and the remainder of the Arbitration Provisions shall remain unaffected and in full force and effect.

 

6.2 Governing Law . These Arbitration Provisions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah without regard to the conflict of laws principles therein.

 

6.3 Interpretation . The headings of these Arbitration Provisions are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, these Arbitration Provisions.

 

6.4 Waiver . No waiver of any provision of these Arbitration Provisions shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver.

 

6.5 Time is of the Essence . Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of these Arbitration Provisions.

 

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Ex-H-7

Exhibit 10.2

 

THIS NOTE (AS DEFINED BELOW) MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE ALIENATED OR ENCUMBERED WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF INVESTOR (AS DEFINED BELOW). THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF OFFSET IN FAVOR OF INVESTOR UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS AS SET FORTH IN MORE DETAIL IN SECTION 6 BELOW.

 

$500,000.00

State of Utah

March 26, 2019

 

INVESTOR NOTE

 

F OR VALUE RECEIVED, Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. , a Utah limited partnership (“ Investor ”), hereby promises to pay to Future FinTech Group Inc. , a Delaware corporation (“ Company ”, and together with Investor, the “ Parties ”), the principal sum of $500,000.00 together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, fees incurred or other amounts owing hereunder, all as set forth below in this Investor Note (this “ Note ”). This Note is issued pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement of even date herewith, entered into by and between Investor and Company (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which Company issued to Investor that certain Secured Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of $1,070,000.00 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “ Company Note ”) convertible into shares of Company’s Common Stock. All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Purchase Agreement.

 

1. Principal and Interest . Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance and any unpaid late fees or other fees under this Note at a rate of eight percent (8%) per annum until the full amount of the principal and fees has been paid. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 365-day year for the actual number of days elapsed. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, in no event shall the applicable interest rate at any time exceed the maximum interest rate allowed under applicable law, as provided in Section 12 below. The entire unpaid principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest, if any, under this Note, shall be due and payable on the date that is twelve (12) months from the date hereof (the “ Investor Note Maturity Date ”); provided, however , that Investor may elect, in its sole discretion, to extend the Investor Note Maturity Date for up to thirty (30) days by delivering written notice of such election to Company at any time prior to the Investor Note Maturity Date.

 

2. Payment . Unless prepaid, all principal and accrued interest under this Note is payable in one lump sum on the Investor Note Maturity Date. All payments of interest and principal shall be (i) in lawful money of the United States of America, and (ii) in the form of immediately available funds. All payments shall be applied first to costs of collection, if any, then to accrued and unpaid interest, and thereafter to principal. Payment of principal and interest hereunder shall be delivered to Company at the address furnished to Investor for that purpose.

 

3. Prepayment by Investor . Investor may, with Company’s consent, pay, without penalty, all or any portion of the outstanding balance along with any accrued but unpaid interest on this Note at any time prior to the Investor Note Maturity Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Investor agrees to prepay this Note in full immediately upon the satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (a) Company has delivered to Investor a fully executed transfer agent instruction letter in a form satisfactory to Investor with respect to the Pledged Shares (as such term is defined in that certain Stock Pledge Agreement between Investor and Mengyao Chen of even date herewith (the “ Pledge Agreement ”)); (b) the Pledgor (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) has delivered the Pledged Shares to Investor pursuant to the Pledge Agreement; (c) the Pledgor has delivered to Investor a medallion signature guarantee and executed stock power for the Pledged Shares; and (d) the Pledgor or Company shall have delivered all such other documents as are required by Company’s transfer agent to reissue the Pledged Shares in Investor’s name following a default.

 

 

 

 

4. Security; Collateral . Investor may, in its sole discretion, designate collateral (the “ Collateral ”) as it deems fit, as security for Investor’s obligations hereunder, which Collateral may be, but is not required to be, real property, a letter of credit with a financial institution determined by Investor in its sole discretion, or pledged membership interests. Upon Investor’s designation of Collateral, each of Investor and Company shall timely execute any and all documents necessary or advisable in order to properly grant a security interest upon the Collateral in favor of Company.

 

5. Release . Company covenants and agrees that in the event that this Note is secured by Collateral, Company shall timely execute any and all documents necessary or advisable in order to release such security interest and Collateral to Investor, or Investor’s designee immediately following the date this Note is paid in full (the “ Release Date ”). For the avoidance of doubt, as of the date hereof, there is no Collateral securing this Note, and after the Release Date, as applicable, there shall be no Collateral securing this Note.

 

6. Right of Offset . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any of the other Transaction Documents, in the event (i) of the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined in the Company Note) under the Company Note or any other note issued by Company in connection with the Purchase Agreement, (ii) of a breach of any material term, condition, representation, warranty, covenant or obligation of Company under any Transaction Document, or (iii) Company sells, transfers, assigns, pledges or hypothecates this Note, or attempts to do any of the foregoing, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, Investor shall be entitled to deduct and offset any amount owing by Company under the Company Note from any amount owed by Investor under this Note (the “ Investor Offset Right ”), provided that if any of the foregoing events occur and Investor has not yet exercised the Investor Offset Right, the Investor Offset Right shall be automatically exercised on the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Investor Note Maturity Date (an “ Automatic Offset ”). Other than with respect to an Automatic Offset, Investor may only elect to exercise the Investor Offset Right by delivering to Company an offset notice in a form substantially similar to Exhibit B to the Company Note or another form of Investor’s choosing. In the event that Investor’s exercise of the Investor Offset Right under this Section 6 results in the full satisfaction of Investor’s obligations under this Note, then Company shall return this Note to Investor for cancellation or, in the event this Note has been lost, stolen or destroyed, Company shall provide Investor with a lost note affidavit in a form reasonably acceptable to Investor.

 

7. Default . If any of the events specified below shall occur (each, an “ Investor Note Default ”), Company may declare the unpaid principal balance under this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, fees incurred or other amounts owing hereunder immediately due and payable, by notice in writing to Investor. If any default, other than a Payment Default (as defined below), is curable, then the default may be cured (and no Investor Note Default will have occurred) if Investor, after receiving written notice from Company demanding cure of such default, either (i) cures the default within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of such notice, or (ii) if the cure requires more than fifteen (15) days, immediately initiates steps that Company deems in Company’s reasonable discretion to be sufficient to cure the default and thereafter diligently continues and completes all reasonable and necessary steps sufficient to produce compliance as soon as reasonably practical. Each of the following events shall constitute an Investor Note Default:

 

7.1. Failure to Pay . Investor’s failure to make any payment when due and payable under this Note (a “ Payment Default ”);

 

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7.2. Breaches of Covenants . Investor’s failure to observe or perform any other covenant, obligation, condition or agreement contained in this Note;

 

7.3. Representations and Warranties . If any representation, warranty, certificate, or other statement (financial or otherwise) made or furnished by or on behalf of Investor to Company in writing in connection with this Note or any of the other Transaction Documents, or as an inducement to Company to enter into the Purchase Agreement, shall be false or misleading in any material respect when made or furnished; and

 

7.4. Involuntary Bankruptcy . If any involuntary petition is filed under any bankruptcy or similar law or rule against Investor, and such petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days, or a receiver, trustee, liquidator, assignee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official is appointed to take possession of any of the assets or properties of Investor.

 

8. Binding Effect; Assignment . This Note shall be binding on the Parties and their respective heirs, successors, and assigns; provided , however , that neither Party shall assign any of its rights hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party, except that Investor may assign this Note to any of its Affiliates without the prior written consent of Company and, furthermore, Company agrees that it shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to any other assignment of this Note by Investor.

 

9. Governing Law; Venue . This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Note shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Utah, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Utah or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Utah. The provisions set forth in the Purchase Agreement to determine the proper venue for any disputes are incorporated herein by this reference.

 

10. Purchase Agreement; Arbitration of Disputes . By acceptance of this Note, each Party agrees to be bound by the applicable terms, conditions and general provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including without limitation the Arbitration Provisions attached as an exhibit to the Purchase Agreement.

 

11. Customer Identification–USA Patriot Act Notice . Company hereby notifies Investor that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law October 26, 2001) (the “ Act ”), and Company’s policies and practices, Company is required to obtain, verify and record certain information and documentation that identifies Investor, which information includes the name and address of Investor and such other information that will allow Company to identify Investor in accordance with the Act.

 

12. Lawful Interest . It being the intention of Company and Investor to comply with all applicable laws with regard to the interest charged hereunder, it is agreed that, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Note or any of the other Transaction Documents, no such provision, including without limitation any provision of this Note providing for the payment of interest or other charges, shall require the payment or permit the collection of any amount in excess of the maximum amount of interest permitted by law to be charged for the use or detention, or the forbearance in the collection, of all or any portion of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note or by any extension or renewal hereof (“ Excess Interest ”). If any Excess Interest is provided for, or is adjudicated to be provided for, in this Note, then in such event:

 

12.1. the provisions of this Section 12 shall govern and control;

 

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12.2. Investor shall not be obligated to pay any Excess Interest;

 

12.3. any Excess Interest that Company may have received hereunder shall, at the option of Company, be (i) applied as a credit against the principal balance due under this Note or the accrued and unpaid interest thereon not to exceed the maximum amount permitted by law, or both, (ii) refunded to Investor, or (iii) any combination of the foregoing;

 

12.4. the applicable interest rate or rates shall be automatically subject to reduction to the maximum lawful rate allowed to be contracted for in writing under the applicable governing usury laws, and this Note and the Transaction Documents shall be deemed to have been, and shall be, reformed and modified to reflect such reduction in such interest rate or rates; and

 

12.5. Investor shall not have any action or remedy against Company for any damages whatsoever or any defense to enforcement of this Note or arising out of the payment or collection of any Excess Interest.

 

13. Pronouns . Regardless of their form, all words used in this Note shall be deemed singular or plural and shall have the gender as required by the text.

 

14. Headings . The various headings used in this Note as headings for sections or otherwise are for convenience and reference only and shall not be used in interpreting the text of the section in which they appear and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meanings thereof.

 

15. Time is of the Essence . Time is of the essence with this Note.

 

16. Severability . If any part of this Note is construed to be in violation of any law, such part shall be modified to achieve the objective of the Parties to the fullest extent permitted by law and the balance of this Note shall remain in full force and effect.

 

17. Attorneys’ Fees . If any arbitration or action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce this Note or to collect payment under this Note, Company shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees directly related to such enforcement or collection actions.

 

18. Amendments and Waivers; Remedies . No failure or delay on the part of either Party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to either Party hereto at law, in equity or otherwise. Any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of this Note, any waiver of any provision of this Note, and any consent to any departure by either Party from the terms of any provision of this Note, shall be effective (i) only if it is made or given in writing and signed by Investor and Company and (ii) only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given.

 

19. Notices . Unless otherwise provided for herein, all notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder shall be given in accordance with the subsection of the Purchase Agreement titled “Notices.” Either Party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by providing notice thereof in the manner set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

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20. Final Note . This Note, together with the other Transaction Documents, contains the complete understanding and agreement of Investor and Company and supersedes all prior representations, warranties, agreements, arrangements, understandings, and negotiations of Investor and Company with respect to the subject matter of the Transaction Documents. THIS NOTE, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF ANY ALLEGED PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

 

21. Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF INVESTOR AND COMPANY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO DEMAND THAT ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS NOTE OR THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PARTIES HERETO BE TRIED BY JURY. THIS WAIVER EXTENDS TO ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY ARISING UNDER COMMON LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE, LAW, RULE OR REGULATION. FURTHER, EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH PARTY IS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING SUCH PARTY’S RIGHT TO DEMAND TRIAL BY JURY.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Note as of the date set forth above.

 

  INVESTOR:
   
  Iliad Research and Trading, L.P.
   
  By: Iliad Management, LLC, its General Partner
         
    By: Fife Trading, Inc., its Manager
         
      By:  
        John M. Fife, President

 

ACKNOWLEDGED, ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

COMPANY:

 

Future FinTech Group Inc.  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

[ Signature Page to Investor Note ]

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

   

SECURED CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Effective Date: March 26, 2019 U.S. $1,070,000.00

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Future FinTech Group Inc. , a Florida corporation (“ Borrower ”), promises to pay to Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. , a Utah limited partnership, or its successors or assigns (“ Lender ”), $1,070,000.00 and any interest, fees, charges, and late fees accrued hereunder on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Purchase Price Date (the “ Maturity Date ”) in accordance with the terms set forth herein and to pay interest on the Outstanding Balance (including all Tranches (as defined below)) at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum from the Purchase Price Date until the same is paid in full. All interest calculations hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve (12) thirty (30) day months, shall compound daily and shall be payable in accordance with the terms of this Note. This Secured Convertible Promissory Note (this “ Note ”) is issued and made effective as of March 26, 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”). This Note is issued pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated March 26, 2019, as the same may be amended from time to time, by and between Borrower and Lender (the “ Purchase Agreement ”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Attachment 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

This Note carries an OID of $50,000.00. In addition, Borrower agrees to pay $20,000.00 to Lender to cover Lender’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of this Note (the “ Transaction Expense Amount ”), all of which amount is included in the initial principal balance of this Note. The purchase price for this Note shall be $1,000,000.00 (the “ Purchase Price ”), computed as follows: $1,070,000.00 original principal balance, less the OID, less the Transaction Expense Amount. The Purchase Price shall be payable by delivery to Borrower at Closing of the Investor Note (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and a wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars in the amount of the Initial Cash Purchase Price (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) to the account designated by Borrower. This Note shall be comprised of two (2) tranches (each, a “ Tranche ”), consisting of (i) an initial Tranche in an amount equal to $545,000.00 and any interest, costs, fees or charges accrued thereon or added thereto under the terms of this Note and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) (the “ Initial Tranche ”), and (ii) one (1) additional Tranche in the amount of $525,000.00, plus any interest, costs, fees or charges accrued thereon or added thereto under the terms of this Note and the other Transaction Documents (each, a “ Subsequent Tranche ”). The Initial Tranche shall correspond to the Initial Cash Purchase Price, $25,000.00 of the OID and the Transaction Expense Amount, and may be converted into shares of Common Stock (as defined below) any time subsequent to the Purchase Price Date. The Subsequent Tranche shall correspond to the Investor Note and $25,000.00 of the OID. Lender’s right to convert any portion of the Subsequent Tranches is conditioned upon Lender’s payment in full of the Investor Note (upon the satisfaction of such condition, such Subsequent Tranche becomes a “ Conversion Eligible Tranche ”). In the event Lender exercises its Lender Offset Right (as defined below) with respect to a portion of the Investor Note and pays in full the remaining outstanding balance of the Investor Note, the Subsequent Tranche shall be deemed to be a Conversion Eligible Tranche only for the portion of such Tranche that was paid for in cash by Lender and the portion of the Investor Note that was offset pursuant to Lender’s exercise of the Lender Offset Right shall not be included in the applicable Conversion Eligible Tranche. For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Initial Tranche shall be deemed a Conversion Eligible Tranche as of the Purchase Price Date for all purposes hereunder and may be converted in whole or in part at any time subsequent to the Purchase Price Date, and each Subsequent Tranche that becomes a Conversion Eligible Tranche may be converted in whole or in part at any time subsequent to the first date on which such Subsequent Tranche becomes a Conversion Eligible Tranche. For all purposes hereunder, Conversion Eligible Tranches shall be converted (or redeemed, as applicable) in order of the lowest-numbered Conversion Eligible Tranche and Conversion Eligible Tranches may be converted (or redeemed, as applicable) in one or more separate Conversions (as defined below), as determined in Lender’s sole discretion. At all times hereunder, the aggregate amount of any costs, fees or charges incurred by or assessable against Borrower hereunder, including, without limitation, any fees, charges or premiums incurred in connection with an Event of Default (as defined below), shall be added to the lowest-numbered then-current Conversion Eligible Tranche.

 

 

 

  

Payment; Prepayment .

 

1.1. Payment . All payments owing hereunder shall be in lawful money of the United States of America or Conversion Shares (as defined below), as provided for herein, and delivered to Lender at the address or bank account furnished to Borrower for that purpose. All payments shall be applied first to (a) costs of collection, if any, then to (b) fees and charges, if any, then to (c) accrued and unpaid interest, and thereafter, to (d) principal.

 

1.2. Prepayment . Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall have the right to prepay all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance (less such portion of the Outstanding Balance for which Borrower has received a Conversion Notice (as defined below) from Lender where the applicable Conversion Shares have not yet been delivered). If Borrower exercises its right to prepay this Note, Borrower shall make payment to Lender of an amount in cash equal to 125% multiplied by the portion of the Outstanding Balance Borrower elects to repay.

 

2. Security . This Note is secured by that certain Stock Pledge Agreement of even date herewith, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “ Pledge Agreement ”), executed by Mengyao Chen in favor of Lender, as more specifically set forth in the Pledge Agreement, all the terms and conditions of which are hereby incorporated into and made a part of this Note.

 

3. Lender Optional Conversion .

 

3.1. Conversions . Lender has the right at any time after the Purchase Price Date until the Outstanding Balance has been paid in full, at its election, to convert (“ Conversion ”) all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance into shares (“ Conversion Shares ”) of fully paid and non-assessable common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“ Common Stock ”), of Borrower as per the following conversion formula: the number of Conversion Shares equals the amount being converted (the “ Conversion Amount ”) divided by the Conversion Price (as defined below). Conversion notices in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “ Conversion Notice ”) may be effectively delivered to Borrower by any method set forth in the “Notices” Section of the Purchase Agreement, and all Conversions shall be cashless and not require further payment from Lender. Borrower shall deliver the Conversion Shares from any Conversion to Lender in accordance with Section 9 below.

 

3.2. Conversion Price . Subject to adjustment as set forth in this Note, the price at which Lender has the right to convert all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance into Common Stock is $3.00 per share of Common Stock (the “ Conversion Price ”).

 

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4. Defaults and Remedies .

 

4.1. Defaults . The following are events of default under this Note (each, an “ Event of Default ”): (a) Borrower fails to pay any principal, interest, fees, charges, or any other amount when due and payable hereunder; (b) Borrower fails to deliver any Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms hereof; (c) a receiver, trustee or other similar official shall be appointed over Borrower or a material part of its assets and such appointment shall remain uncontested for twenty (20) days or shall not be dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days; (d) Borrower becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to applicable grace periods, if any; (e) Borrower makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (f) Borrower files a petition for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law (domestic or foreign); (g) an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding is commenced or filed against Borrower and such proceeding shall remain uncontested for twenty (20) days or shall not be dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days; (h) Borrower or any pledgor, trustor, or guarantor of this Note defaults or otherwise fails to observe or perform any covenant, obligation, condition or agreement of Borrower or such pledgor, trustor, or guarantor contained herein or in any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) in any material respect, other than those specifically set forth in this Section 4.1 and Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement; (i) any representation, warranty or other statement made or furnished by or on behalf of Borrower or any pledgor, trustor, or guarantor of this Note to Lender herein, in any Transaction Document, or otherwise in connection with the issuance of this Note is false, incorrect, incomplete or misleading in any material respect when made or furnished; (j) the occurrence of a Fundamental Transaction without Lender’s prior written consent; (k) Borrower fails to maintain the Share Reserve (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) as required under the Purchase Agreement; (l) Borrower effectuates a reverse split of its Common Stock without twenty (20) Trading Days prior written notice to Lender; (m) other than as disclosed on Schedule 4.1(m), any money judgment, writ or similar process is entered or filed against Borrower or any subsidiary of Borrower or any of its property or other assets for more than $500,000.00, and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of twenty (20) calendar days unless otherwise consented to by Lender; (n) Borrower fails to be DWAC Eligible; (o) Borrower fails to observe or perform any covenant set forth in Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement (other than the covenant with respect to Restricted Issuances); (p) Borrower makes any Unapproved Restricted Issuance; or (q) Borrower, any affiliate of Borrower, or any pledgor, trustor, or guarantor of this Note breaches any covenant or other term or condition contained in any Other Agreements in any material respect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 4.1(j) through (q) above shall not be considered to be an Event of Default if such event is cured within fifteen (15) Trading Days of the occurrence of such event.

 

4.2. Remedies . At any time and from time to time after Lender becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default, Lender may accelerate this Note by written notice to Borrower, with the Outstanding Balance becoming immediately due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time following the occurrence of any Event of Default, Lender may, at its option, elect to increase the Outstanding Balance by applying the Default Effect (subject to the limitation set forth below) via written notice to Borrower without accelerating the Outstanding Balance, in which event the Outstanding Balance shall be increased as of the date of the occurrence of the applicable Event of Default pursuant to the Default Effect, but the Outstanding Balance shall not be immediately due and payable unless so declared by Lender (for the avoidance of doubt, if Lender elects to apply the Default Effect pursuant to this sentence but not declare the Outstanding Balance immediately due and payable, it shall be deemed to have waived the right to declare the Outstanding Balance immediately due and payable with respect to such Event of Default). Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in clauses (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of Section 4.1, the Outstanding Balance as of the date of acceleration shall become immediately and automatically due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount, without any written notice required by Lender. In the event more than one (1) Event of Default occurs hereunder, then at any time after the occurrence of the second (2 nd ) Event of Default, upon written notice given by Lender to Borrower, interest shall accrue on the Outstanding Balance beginning on the date that such written notice is delivered to Borrower at an interest rate equal to the lesser of eighteen percent (18%) per annum or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law (“ Default Interest ”). For the avoidance of doubt, Lender may continue making Conversions at any time following an Event of Default until such time as the Outstanding Balance is paid in full. In connection with acceleration described herein, Lender need not provide, and Borrower hereby waives, any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, and Lender may immediately and following the expiration of any applicable cure periods enforce any and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and all other remedies available to it under applicable law. Such acceleration may be rescinded and annulled by Lender at any time prior to payment hereunder and Lender shall have all rights as a holder of the Note until such time, if any, as Lender receives full payment pursuant to this Section 4.2. No such rescission or annulment shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Nothing herein shall limit Lender’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to Borrower’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares upon Conversion of the Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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5. Unconditional Obligation; No Offset . Borrower acknowledges that this Note is an unconditional, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Borrower not subject to offset, deduction or counterclaim of any kind. Borrower hereby waives any rights of offset it now has or may have hereafter against Lender, its successors and assigns, and agrees to make the payments or Conversions called for herein in accordance with the terms of this Note.

 

6. Waiver . No waiver of any provision of this Note shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.

 

7. Adjustment of Conversion Price upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock . Without limiting any provision hereof, if Borrower at any time on or after the Effective Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision hereof, if Borrower at any time on or after the Effective Date combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 7 shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination.

 

8. Borrower Redemptions . Beginning on the date that is six (6) months from the Purchase Price Date and at any time thereafter until this Note is paid in full, Lender shall have the right to redeem any portion of the Note (the amount of each exercise, the “ Redemption Amount ”) by providing written notice (each, a “ Redemption Notice ”) delivered to Borrower by facsimile, email, mail, overnight courier, or personal delivery. Upon receipt of any Redemption Notice, Borrower shall pay the applicable Redemption Amount in cash to Lender within three (3) Trading Days of Borrower’s receipt of such Redemption Notice.

 

9. Method of Conversion Share Delivery . On or before the close of business on the fifth (5 th ) Trading Day following the date of delivery of a Conversion Notice (the “ Delivery Date ”), Borrower shall, provided it is DWAC Eligible at such time, deliver or cause its transfer agent to deliver the applicable Conversion Shares electronically via DWAC to the account designated by Lender in the applicable Conversion Notice. If Borrower is not DWAC Eligible, it shall deliver to Lender or its broker (as designated in the Conversion Notice), via reputable overnight courier, a certificate representing the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Conversion Shares to which Lender shall be entitled, registered in the name of Lender or its designee. For the avoidance of doubt, Borrower has not met its obligation to deliver Conversion Shares by the Delivery Date unless Lender or its broker, as applicable, has actually received the certificate representing the applicable Conversion Shares no later than the close of business on the relevant Delivery Date pursuant to the terms set forth above. Moreover, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Document, in the event Borrower or its transfer agent refuses to deliver any Conversion Shares without a restrictive securities legend to Lender on grounds that such issuance is in violation of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ Rule 144 ”), Borrower shall deliver or cause its transfer agent to deliver the applicable Conversion Shares to Lender with a restricted securities legend, but otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9. In conjunction therewith, Borrower will also deliver to Lender a written explanation from its counsel or its transfer agent’s counsel explaining why the issuance of the applicable Conversion Shares violates Rule 144.

 

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10. Conversion Delays . If Borrower fails to deliver Conversion Shares in accordance with the timeframe stated in Section 10, Lender may at any time prior to receiving the applicable Conversion Shares rescind in whole or in part such Conversion, with a corresponding increase to the Outstanding Balance (any returned amount will tack back to the Purchase Price Date for purposes of determining the holding period under Rule 144). In addition, for each Conversion, in the event that Conversion Shares are not delivered by the fifth (5 th ) Trading Day (inclusive of the day of the Conversion), a late fee equal to 2% of the applicable Conversion Share Value rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.00 but with a cap of $1,000.00 per day (but in any event the cumulative amount of such late fees for each Conversion shall not exceed 200% of the applicable Conversion Share Value) will be assessed for each day after the fifth (5 th ) Trading Day (inclusive of the day of the Conversion) until Conversion Share delivery is made; and such late fee will be added to the Outstanding Balance (such fees, the “ Conversion Delay Late Fees ”).

 

11. Approved Restricted Issuance . The Outstanding Balance will automatically be increased by five percent (5%) for each Approved Restricted Issuance made by Borrower (without the need for Lender to provide any notice to Borrower of such increase), which increase will be effective as of the date of each applicable Approved Restricted Issuance.

 

12. Ownership Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note or the other Transaction Documents, Borrower shall not effect any conversion of this Note to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion would cause Lender (together with its affiliates) to beneficially own a number of shares exceeding 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such date (including for such purpose the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such issuance) (the “ Maximum Percentage ”). For purposes of this section, beneficial ownership of Common Stock will be determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the term “4.99%” above shall be replaced with “9.99%” at such time as the Market Capitalization is less than $10,000,000.00. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if the term “4.99%” is replaced with “9.99%” pursuant to the preceding sentence, such increase to “9.99%” shall remain at 9.99% until increased, decreased or waived by Lender as set forth below. By written notice to Borrower, Lender may increase, decrease or waive the Maximum Percentage as to itself but any such waiver will not be effective until the 61st day after delivery thereof. The foregoing 61-day notice requirement is enforceable, unconditional and non-waivable and shall apply to all affiliates and assigns of Lender.

 

13. Issuance Cap . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note or the other Transaction Documents, Borrower and Lender agree that the total cumulative number of shares of Common Stock issued to Lender hereunder together with all other Transaction Documents may not exceed the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) (“ Nasdaq 19.99% Cap ”), except that such limitation will not apply following Approval (defined below). If the number of shares of Common Stock issued to Investor reaches the Nasdaq 19.99% Cap, so as not to violate the 20% limit established in Listing Rule 5635(d), Borrower will use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain stockholder approval of the Note and the issuance of additional Conversion Shares, if necessary, in accordance with the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) (the “ Approval ”). If the Borrower is unable to obtain such Approval, any remaining Outstanding Balance of this Note must be repaid in cash.

 

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14. Opinion of Counsel . In the event that an opinion of counsel is needed for any matter related to this Note, Lender has the right to have any such opinion provided by its counsel.

 

15. Governing Law; Venue . This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Note shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Utah, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Utah or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Utah. The provisions set forth in the Purchase Agreement to determine the proper venue for any disputes are incorporated herein by this reference.

 

16. Arbitration of Disputes . By its issuance or acceptance of this Note, each party agrees to be bound by the Arbitration Provisions (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) set forth as an exhibit to the Purchase Agreement.

 

17. Cancellation . After repayment or conversion of the entire Outstanding Balance, this Note shall be deemed paid in full, shall automatically be deemed canceled, and shall not be reissued.

 

18. Amendments . The prior written consent of both parties hereto shall be required for any change or amendment to this Note.

 

19. Assignments . Neither party may assign this Note without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that Lender may assign this Note to any of its affiliates or any trust where John M. Fife’s descendants are beneficiaries without Borrower’s consent. Any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of this Note may be offered, sold, assigned or transferred by Lender without the consent of Borrower, all in accordance with applicable securities laws.

 

20. Offset Rights . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any of the other Transaction Documents, (a) the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that Lender maintains a right of offset pursuant to the terms of the Investor Note that, under certain circumstances, permits Lender to deduct amounts owed by Borrower under this Note from amounts otherwise owed by Lender under the Investor Note (the “ Lender Offset Right ”), and (b) at any time Borrower shall be entitled to deduct and offset any amount owed by the Lender under the Investor Note from any amount owed by Borrower under this Note (the “ Borrower Offset Right ”). In order to exercise the Borrower Offset Right, Borrower must deliver to Lender (a) a completed and signed Borrower Offset Right Notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B , (b) the original Investor Note being offset marked “cancelled” or, in the event the Investor Note has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost note affidavit in a form reasonably acceptable to Lender, and (c) a check payable to Lender in the amount of $250.00. In the event that Borrower’s exercise of the Borrower Offset Right results in the full satisfaction of Borrower’s obligations under this Note, Lender shall return the original Note to Borrower marked “cancelled” or, in the event this Note has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost note affidavit in a form reasonably acceptable to Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, Borrower shall not incur any Prepayment Premium set forth in Section 1.2 hereof with respect to any portions of this Note that are satisfied by way of a Borrower Offset Right.

 

21. Notices . Whenever notice is required to be given under this Note, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with the subsection of the Purchase Agreement titled “Notices.”

 

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22. Liquidated Damages . Lender and Borrower agree that in the event Borrower fails to comply with any of the terms or provisions of this Note, Lender’s damages would be uncertain and difficult (if not impossible) to accurately estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates, future share prices, future trading volumes and other relevant factors. Accordingly, Lender and Borrower agree that any fees, balance adjustments, Default Interest or other charges assessed under this Note are not penalties but instead are intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, liquidated damages (under Lender’s and Borrower’s expectations that any such liquidated damages will tack back to the Purchase Price Date for purposes of determining the holding period under Rule 144).

 

23. Severability . If any part of this Note is construed to be in violation of any law, such part shall be modified to achieve the objective of Borrower and Lender to the fullest extent permitted by law and the balance of this Note shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed as of the Effective Date.

 

  BORROWER:
   
  Future FinTech Group Inc.
   
  By:                
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

ACKNOWLEDGED, ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

LENDER:

 

Iliad Research and Trading, L.P.  
         
By: Iliad Management, LLC, its General Partner  
         
  By: Fife Trading, Inc., its Manager  
         
    By:    
      John M. Fife, President  

 

[ Signature Page to Secured Convertible Promissory Note ]

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENT 1

DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

A1. “ Approved Restricted Issuance ” means a Restricted Issuance (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) for which Borrower received Lender’s written consent prior to the applicable issuance.

 

A2. “ Closing Bid Price ” and “ Closing Trade Price ” means the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for the Common Stock on its principal market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if its principal market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price (as the case may be) then the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of the Common Stock prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if its principal market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for the Common Stock, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of the Common Stock on the principal securities exchange or trading market where the Common Stock is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for the Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for the Common Stock by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for the Common Stock as reported by OTC Markets Group, Inc., and any successor thereto. If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Trade Price cannot be calculated for the Common Stock on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Trade Price (as the case may be) of the Common Stock on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by Lender and Borrower. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.

 

A3. “ Conversion Eligible Outstanding Balance ” means the Outstanding Balance of this Note less the sum of the Subsequent Tranche prior to such Tranche becoming a Conversion Eligible Tranche (i.e., Lender has not yet paid the outstanding balance of the Investor Note).

 

A4. “ Conversion Share Value ” means the product of the number of Conversion Shares deliverable pursuant to any Conversion Notice multiplied by the Closing Trade Price of the Common Stock on the Delivery Date for such Conversion.

 

A5. “ Default Effect ” means multiplying the Outstanding Balance as of the date the applicable Event of Default occurred by (a) fifteen percent (15%) for each occurrence of any Major Default, (b) ten percent (10%) for each occurrence of an Unapproved Restricted Issuance Default, or (c) five percent (5%) for each occurrence of any Minor Default, and then adding the resulting product to the Outstanding Balance as of the date the applicable Event of Default occurred, with the sum of the foregoing then becoming the Outstanding Balance under this Note as of the date the applicable Event of Default occurred; provided that the Default Effect may only be applied three (3) times hereunder with respect to Major Defaults and three (3) times hereunder with respect to Minor Defaults; and provided further that the Default Effect shall not apply to any Event of Default pursuant to Section 4.1(b) hereof. There shall be no limit on the number of times the Default Effect may be applied with respect to Unapproved Restricted Issuance Defaults.

 

A6. “ DTC ” means the Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.

 

A7. “ DTC/FAST Program ” means the DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer program.

 

A8. “ DWAC ” means the DTC’s Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system.

 

A9. “ DWAC Eligible ” means that (a) Borrower’s Common Stock is eligible at DTC for full services pursuant to DTC’s operational arrangements, including without limitation transfer through DTC’s DWAC system; (b) Borrower has been approved (without revocation) by DTC’s underwriting department; (c) Borrower’s transfer agent is approved as an agent in the DTC/FAST Program; (d) the Conversion Shares are otherwise eligible for delivery via DWAC; and (e) Borrower’s transfer agent does not have a policy prohibiting or limiting delivery of the Conversion Shares via DWAC.

 

Attachment 1 to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 1

 

 

 

  

A10. “ Fundamental Transaction ” means that (a) (i) Borrower shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not Borrower or any of its subsidiaries is the surviving corporation) any other person or entity, or (ii) Borrower shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its respective properties or assets to any other person or entity, other than the disposal by Borrower of its two wholly owned subsidiaries, SkyPeople Foods Holdings Limited (BVI) (“SkyPeople BVI”) and Digital Online Marketing Limited (BVI) (“Digital Online”) or (iii) Borrower shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, allow any other person or entity to make a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Borrower (not including any shares of voting stock of Borrower held by the person or persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the persons or entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), or (iv) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with any other person or entity whereby such other person or entity acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Borrower (not including any shares of voting stock of Borrower held by the other persons or entities making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other persons or entities making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination), or (v) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify the Common Stock, other than an increase in the number of authorized shares of Borrower’s Common Stock or reverse splits of its outstanding and authorized shares of Common Stock to meet Nasdaq listing requirements, or (b) any “person” or “group” (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) is or shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding voting stock of Borrower, other than Mr. Zeyao Xue or Mr. Yongke Xue.

 

A11. “ Major Default ” means any Event of Default occurring under Sections 4.1(a), 4.1(k), or 4.1(o).

 

A12. “ Mandatory Default Amount ” means the Outstanding Balance following the application of the Default Effect.

 

A13. “ Market Capitalization ” means a number equal to (a) the average VWAP of the Common Stock for the immediately preceding fifteen (15) Trading Days, multiplied by (b) the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reported on Borrower’s most recently filed Form 10-Q or Form 10-K.

 

A14. “ Minor Default ” means any Event of Default that is not a Major Default or an Unapproved Restricted Issuance Default.

 

A15. “ OID ” means an original issue discount.

 

A16. “ Other Agreements ” means, collectively, (a) all existing and future agreements and instruments between, among or by Borrower (or an affiliate), on the one hand, and Lender (or an affiliate), on the other hand, and (b) any financing agreement or a material agreement that affects Borrower’s ongoing business operations.

 

A17. “ Outstanding Balance ” means as of any date of determination, the Purchase Price, as reduced or increased, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms hereof for payment, Conversion, offset, or otherwise, plus the OID, the Transaction Expense Amount, accrued but unpaid interest, collection and enforcements costs (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Lender, transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes and fees related to Conversions, and any other fees or charges (including without limitation Conversion Delay Late Fees) incurred under this Note.

 

A18. “ Purchase Price Date ” means the date the Purchase Price is delivered by Lender to Borrower.

 

A19. “ Trading Day ” means any day on which the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal market for the Common Stock) is open for trading.

 

A20. “ Unapproved Restricted Issuance ” means a Restricted Issuance for which Borrower did not receive Lender’s written consent prior to the applicable issuance.

 

A21. “ Unapproved Restricted Issuance Default ” means an Event of Default occurring under Section 4.1(p) of this Note.

 

A22. “ VWAP ” means the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock on the principal market for a particular Trading Day or set of Trading Days, as the case may be, as reported by Bloomberg.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

Attachment 1 to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 2

 

 

 

  

EXHIBIT A

 

Iliad Research and Trading, L.P.

303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1040

Chicago, Illinois 60601

 

Future FinTech Group Inc. Date: _____________
Attn: Yongke Xue  
23F, China Development Bank Tower  
No. 2, Gaoxin 1st Road  
Xi'an, China 710075  

 

CONVERSION NOTICE

 

The above-captioned Lender hereby gives notice to Future FinTech Group Inc., a Florida corporation (the “ Borrower ”), pursuant to that certain Secured Convertible Promissory Note made by Borrower in favor of Lender on March 26, 2019 (the “ Note ”), that Lender elects to convert the portion of the Note balance set forth below into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of Borrower as of the date of conversion specified below. Said conversion shall be based on the Conversion Price set forth below. In the event of a conflict between this Conversion Notice and the Note, the Note shall govern, or, in the alternative, at the election of Lender in its sole discretion, Lender may provide a new form of Conversion Notice to conform to the Note. Capitalized terms used in this notice without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Note.

 

A. Date of Conversion:   ____________

B. Conversion #:   ____________

C. Conversion Amount:   ____________

D. Conversion Price: _______________

E. Conversion Shares: _______________ (C divided by D)

F. Remaining Outstanding Balance of Note: ____________*

 

* Subject to adjustments for corrections, defaults, interest and other adjustments permitted by the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the terms of which shall control in the event of any dispute between the terms of this Conversion Notice and such Transaction Documents.

 

Please transfer the Conversion Shares electronically (via DWAC) to the following account :

 

Broker:     Address:  
DTC#:        
Account #:        
Account Name:        

 

To the extent the Conversion Shares are not able to be delivered to Lender electronically via the DWAC system, deliver all such certificated shares to Lender via reputable overnight courier after receipt of this Conversion Notice (by facsimile transmission or otherwise) to:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

Exhibit A to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 1

 

 

 

   

Sincerely,

 

Lender:

 

Iliad Research and Trading, L.P.  
     
By: Iliad Management, LLC, its General Partner  
         
  By: Fife Trading, Inc., its Manager  
         
  By:    
    John M. Fife, President  

 

Exhibit A to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 2

 

 

 

  

EXHIBIT B

 

Future FinTech Group Inc.

23F, China Development Bank Tower

No. 2, Gaoxin 1st Road

Xi'an, China 710075

 

Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. Date: _____________
Attn: John Fife  
303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1040  
Chicago, Illinois 60601  

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

OF BORROWER OFFSET RIGHT

 

The above-captioned Borrower hereby gives notice to Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., a Utah limited partnership (the “ Lender ”), pursuant to that certain Secured Convertible Promissory Note made by Borrower in favor of Lender on March 26, 2019 (the “ Note ”), of Borrower’s election to exercise the Borrower Offset Right as set forth below. In the event of a conflict between this Notice of Exercise of Borrower Offset Right and the Note, the Note shall govern. Capitalized terms used in this notice without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Note.

 

A. Effective Date of Offset:                    ____________, 201_

B. Amount of Investor Note Offset:     ____________

 

* Subject to adjustments for corrections, defaults, interest and other adjustments permitted by the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the terms of which shall control in the event of any dispute between the terms of this Notice of Exercise of Borrower Offset Right and such Transaction Documents.

 

Sincerely,

 

Borrower:

 

Future FinTech Group Inc.  
     
By:    
     
Name:    
     
Title:    

 

Exhibit B to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 1

 

 

 

   

SCHEDULE 4.1(m)

 

See attached.