UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

 

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number: 001-39973

 

CUENTAS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida   20-3537265
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

19 W. Flagler Street, Suite 902, Miami, FL 33130

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

800-611-3622

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which
registered
         
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   CUEN   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
         
Warrants, each exercisable for one share of Common Stock   CUENW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
    Emerging growth company

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

As of June 30, 2020, the last day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the common stock outstanding, other than shares held by persons who may be deemed affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing sales price of the common stock on June 30, 2020 was $11,065,110.

 

The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding on March 24, 2021 was 13,819,601 shares.

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
PART I  
     
Item 1. Business 1
Item 1A. Risk Factors 14
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 25
Item 2. Properties 25
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 25
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 26
     
PART II  
     
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 27
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 30
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 30
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 38
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 38
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 38
Item 9A Control and Procedures 39
Item 9B. Other Information 39
     
PART III  
     
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 40
Item 11. Executive Compensation 45
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 48
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 50
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 52
     
PART IV  
     
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 53
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary 54

 

i

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report includes forward-looking statements as the term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases, regarding, among other things, all statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. In addition, our past results of operations do not necessarily indicate our future results.

 

These statements include, among other things, statements regarding:

 

our ability to implement our business plan;
   
our ability to attract key personnel;
   
our ability to operate profitably;
   
our ability to efficiently and effectively finance our operations;
   
our ability to raise additional financing for working capital;
   
our ability to efficiently manage our operations;
   
that our accounting policies and methods may require management to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain;
   
changes in the legal, regulatory and legislative environments in the markets in which we operate;
   
adverse state or federal legislation or regulation that increases the costs of compliance, or adverse findings by a regulator with respect to existing operations.

 

Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or the risk factors described in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances after the date of this report. Neither the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 nor Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 provides any protection to us for statements made in this report. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events or performance. We cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

 

The Company maintains an internet website at www.cuentas.com. The Company makes available, free of charge, through the Investor Information section of the website, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 filings and all amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any of the foregoing information is available in print to any stockholder who requests it by contacting our Investor Relations Department. Alternatively, you may also access our reports at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

  

Throughout this Annual Report references to “Cuentas”, “we”, “our”, “us”, “the Company”, and similar terms refer to Cuentas, Inc.

 

ii

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

The Company

 

The Company is a corporation incorporated under the laws of Florida on September 21, 2005, which focuses on the business of using proprietary technology to provide e-banking and e-commerce services delivering mobile banking, online banking, prepaid debit and digital content services to the unbanked, underbanked and underserved communities. The Company’s exclusivity with CIMA’s proprietary software platform enables Cuentas to offer comprehensive financial services and additional robust functionality that is absent from other General-Purpose Reloadable Cards (“GPR”).

 

Operating Subsidiaries. The Company’s business operations are conducted primarily through its subsidiaries, described elsewhere in this report.

 

Properties. The Company’s headquarters are located in Miami, Florida.

 

Our Business

 

The Fintech Card is a GPR integrated into a proprietary robust ecosystem that protects customers by depositing their funds in an FDIC insured bank account at the Issuing Bank. The comprehensive financial services include:

 

Direct ACH Deposits   ATM Cash Withdrawal   Bill Pay and Online Purchases
Debit Card Network Processing   Peer to Peer Payments   Cash Reload at over 50,000 retailers
Online banking   Transit Authority Fare Recharges   Discounted Gift Cards

  

The ecosystem includes a mobile wallet for digital currency, stored value card balances, prepaid telecom minutes, loyalty reward points, and purchases made in the Cuentas Virtual Marketplace. The Fintech Card is integrated with the Los Angeles Metro, Connecticut Transit Authority and Grand Rapids Transit system to store mass transit currency and pay for transit access via the Cuentas Digital Wallet

  

The Fintech Card stores products purchased in the Cuentas Virtual Market Place where Tier-1 retailers, virtual in-game currencies, Amazon Cash, and cellular telecom prepaid minutes “top ups”. Additionally, well-known brand name restaurants sell discounted prepaid gift cards in the Cuentas Virtual Marketplace.

 

The Latino Market

 

The name “Cuentas” is a Spanish word that has multiple meanings and was chosen for strategic reasons, to develop a close relationship with the Spanish speaking population. It means “Accounts” as in “bank accounts” and it can also mean “You can count on me” as in “Cuentas conmigo”. Additionally, it can be used to “Pay or settle accounts” (saldar cuentas), “accountability” (rendición de cuentas), “to be accountable” (rendir cuentas) and other significant meanings.

  

The U.S. Latino population numbers 43.8 million U.S. immigrants, according to the 2017 FDIC Survey. It excludes immigrants, illegal aliens and undocumented individuals. The FDIC defines the “unbankable” as those adults without an account at a bank or other financial institution and are considered to be outside the mainstream for one reason or another. The Federal Reserve estimated that there were approximately 55 million unbanked or underbanked adult Americans in 2018, which account for 22 percent of U.S. households. The Latino demographic is more distrusting of banking institutions and generally have more identification, credit, and former bank account issues more so than any other U. S. minority group.

 

1

 

 

The Fintech Card is positioned to service the Latino demographic with comprehensive financial products that do not require any visits to bank branches, and our fees are completely transparent via the Cuentas Digital Wallet and online banking. Most importantly our strategic banking partner, Sutton Bank, is able to use various forms of U.S. and some foreign government issued identification to confirm qualification.

 

The Cuentas General-Purpose Reloadable Card

 

The Cuentas Mastercard acts as a comprehensive banking solution marketed toward the over 20 million unbanked U.S. Latino community. The “unbanked” is described by the FDIC as those adults without an account at a bank or other financial institution and are considered to be outside the mainstream for one reason or another. The Federal Reserve estimated that there were approximately 55 million unbanked or underbanked adult Americans in 2018, which account for 22 percent of U.S. households. The Cuentas Mastercard is enabling access to the U.S. financial system to those without the necessary paperwork to bank at a traditional financial institution while enabling greater functionality than a traditional bank account. This proprietary GPR card allows consumers that reside in the U.S. to acquire a Cuentas Mastercard using their SSN or ITIN together with their U.S. or Foreign Passport, Driver’s License, Matricula Consular or certain U.S. residency documentation. The Cuentas Mastercard’s funds are protected in an FDIC-insured bank account at the Issuing Bank. Functionality includes ATM withdrawals, direct deposit, cash reload, fee free Cuentas App to Cuentas App fund transfers and mobile banking capabilities, among other key features such as purchasing discounted gift cards and adding “mass transit credits” to digital accounts (available in California, Connecticut, Michigan and other cities in the future). Upcoming Cuentas App upgrades should also include international remittance and other services. Consumers are able to use funds in their account to purchase third party digital and gift cards (many at discounted prices), U.S. and international mobile phone top-ups, mass transportation and tolling access (available in select markets - Connecticut, Grand Rapids, MI, Los Angeles, CA, etc.) as well as digital content for virtual gaming, dining, shopping and cash reloads.

 

The Cuentas App is available for download now on the Apple App Store and on the Google Play Store for Android. The Cuentas App allows consumers to easily activate their Cuentas Mastercard, review their account balance and conduct certain financial transactions. Cuentas offers fee free fund transfers to friends, family and vendors that have their own Cuentas App, which provides an advantage over other apps that charge fees for immediate fund transfers and availability on the same day.

 

The Cuentas Business Model

 

The Cuentas business model leverages profitability from multiple revenue sources, many of which are synergistic market segments.

 

The Cuentas Mastercard has several revenue centers. The Company will receive a one-time activation charge for each activated Cuentas Mastercard and a monthly recurring charge. These charges were designed to be very reasonable to both consumers and the Company. In addition to these charges, Cuentas will receive a commission each time funds are loaded and reloaded to the Cuentas Mastercard.

 

The Cuentas Digital Wallet produces recurring revenue and is an integral part of the Cuentas offering. It will produce revenue each time that consumers purchase third party gift cards, digital access, mass transit tickets and mobile phone top-ups (U.S. and international) with most at discounted prices. The actual discount is shown to the consumer and is immediately applied to their purchase, so smart shoppers will be able to get everyday products and services at discounted prices.

 

In 2021 the Cuentas Digital Wallet is projected to add several new, profitable, mass market services including bill pay and international remittances.

 

Cuentas also offers rewards for free long distance calling to its cardholders (“Cuentas Rewards”) who earn value with certain transactions. Our target demographic uses both internet and prepaid calling services to communicate with family members around the U.S. and in their country. This added benefit is designed, at a very low cost, to provide extra benefits to our cardholders, which should help to maintain and solidify valuable relationships with them.

 

2

 

 

Prepaid Debit Card Market Overview

 

The Research and Markets report titled “Prepaid Card Market: Payment Trends, Market Dynamics, and Forecasts 2020 - 2025” released in January 2020 states that, “[i]n the United States, prepaid cards remain the preferred choice for the unbanked market segment....” It also states that “[t]he move towards a cashless society is substantial, further driving the prepaid card market.”

 

Major competitors to Cuentas are Green Dot, American Express Serve, Netspend Prepaid, Starbucks Rewards, Walmart Money card and Akimbo Prepaid.

 

Cuentas is strategically positioned in the marketplace to have a lower monthly fee and lower reload fees than most cards. Additional benefits and features should move the Cuentas Mastercard ahead of other offerings as consumers realize the value of the Cuentas Digital Wallet and the Cuentas Rewards program.

 

The Cuentas Technology platform

 

The Cuentas technology platform is comprised of CIMA Group’s Knetik and Auris software platforms (the “CIMA Licensed Technology”). The platform is built on a powerful integrated component framework delivering a variety of capabilities accessible by a set of industry standard REST-based API endpoints. In addition to handling electronic transactions such as deposits and purchasing, the platform will have the capability of organizing virtual currencies into wallets, essentially future proofing it in today’s evolving financial environment. It enables the organizing of the user’s monetary deposits into a tree-based set of wallets, through strictly enforced user permissions, to delineate proper controls in a tiered monetary asset organizational structure, thus providing a sound basis for family and/or corporate control and distribution of funds across individuals.

 

The platform also contains a sound and proven gamification engine, capable of driving user behaviors in a manner that entices and rewards using incentivization based on proven behavioral science patterns. At the heart of this gamification engine lies a proven and robust rules engine that can easily integrate and modify process flows and orchestrations between disparate platforms, allowing for a quick and easy integration of complex, orchestrated integrations between internal process automation and invocations of external systems. The platform will provide Android and iOS software for users to execute a wide variety of transactions including, but not limited to, account balances, account transfers and in-app purchases. User messaging are also integrated and are achieved via SMS, email, in-app messaging, and voice.

 

The user management application uses rich metadata CRM and single sign-on (“SSO”) to track user behavior and personalize the user experience. It is fully integrated with our Strategic Partners, scalable and manages the digital ecosystem entitlements. The platform can process both physical and virtual goods, digital assets, real time currency value exchange, virtual currency support with current exchange rates and support nontraditional assets, in addition to credit card, POS, debits, and digital wallet management.

 

The unique rules engine is capable of all aspects of gamification: badging, questing, leveling, points consumption, leader boards, loyalty and reward points and personalization with tracking and messaging to support behavior management. Business intelligence is used for reporting and communication of product management via Rate Deck Management, Pinless ANI Recognition, IV and Call Flows and Access Number Management. The platform has redundant reporting for enhanced billing and fraud control and integrates customer service with Business Intelligence and platform integrity. 

 

3

 

 

SDI NEXT

 

On December 6, 2017, the Company completed its formation of SDI NEXT Distribution LLC (“SDI NEXT”) in which it owns a 51% membership interest, previously announced August 24, 2017 as a Letter of Intent with Fisk Holdings, LLC. As Managing Member of the newly formed LLC, the Company will contribute a total of $500,000, to be paid per an agreed-upon schedule over a twelve-month period. Fisk Holdings, LLC will contribute 30,000 active Point of Sale locations for distribution of retail telecommunications and prepaid financial products and services to include, but not be limited to: prepaid General Purpose Reload (“GPR”) cards, prepaid gift cards, prepaid money transfer, prepaid utility payments, and other prepaid products. The completed formation of an established distribution business for third-party gift cards, digital content, mobile top up, financial services and digital content, which presently includes more than 31,600 U.S. active Point of Sale locations, including store locations, convenience stores, bodegas, store fronts, etc. The parties agreed that additional product lines may be added with unanimous decision by the Managing Members of the LLC. During 2018, it was agreed between the parties to distribute the Company’s recently announced CUENTAS GPR card and mobile banking solution aimed to the unbanked, underbanked and financially underserved consumers, making them available to customers at the more than 31,600 retail locations SDI NEXT presently serves. It was also agreed between the parties to renegotiate the terms of the Company’s investment in SDI NEXT once the development of the GPR card and the retail stores system are completed and the GPR card is ready for distribution in the retail locations of SDI NEXT. 

 

Strategic Partners

 

The graphic below illustrates Cuentas’ strategic agreements with Sutton Bank and InComm, Sutton Bank is the issuer of the Cuentas Mastercard while the InComm “Processor” relationship provides access to many third party products and services.

 

 

Sutton Bank (“Sutton”)

  

Sutton is our issuing bank for the Fintech Card. Sutton provides online banking, direct deposit, bank accounts, and debit functionality for our Cuentas Mastercards. Sutton is responsible for know your client (“KYC”) and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) compliance and enables customers to open Cuentas Prepaid Mastercard accounts electronically with non-conventional documentation that may not be accepted at traditional banks. They accept over 13 forms of identification, which, when used together with either Social Security or ITIN, can be used for confirmation of identity. These forms of identification include: Passport, Driver’s License, Matricula Consular and U.S. residency documentation, among others.

 

4

 

 

Interactive Communications International, Inc. (“InComm”)

 

On July 23, 2019, the Company entered into a Prepaid Services Agreement with InComm (the “InComm PSA”) to power and expand the Company’s GPR card network. InComm distributes gift and GPR cards through many major U.S. retailers and has long standing partnerships with over 1,000 of the most recognized brands that are eligible for Cuentas’ Discount Purchase Platform.

 

Under the InComm PSA, InComm will act as prepaid card processor and through its VanillaDirect network, expand the Company’s ability for cardholders to reload their Prepaid Cuentas Mastercards through a nationwide network of retailers. VanillaDirect is currently available at major retailers such as: Walmart, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid and many more. In addition, the Company is planning to implement the Vanillacash reload services into up to 31,600 U.S. locations through which it has access.

 

Under the InComm PSA, InComm will provide processing services, telephone support, data storage services, account servicing, reporting, output and hot carding services to the Company. Processing services will consist mainly of authorization and transaction processing services whereby InComm will process authorizations for transactions made with or on a prepaid product, along with any payments or adjustments made to a prepaid product. InComm will also process the Company’s data and post entries in accordance with the specifications. Data storage services will consist mainly of storage of the Company’s data in a format that is accessible online by the Company through APIs designated by InComm, subject to additional API and data sharing terms and conditions. InComm will also provide Web/API services for prepaid Cuentas GPR applications and transactions.

 

In consideration for InComm’s services the Company agreed to pay an initial program setup and implementation fees in the amount of $500,000, of which, $300,000 was paid in 2020. Cuentas will then pay $50,000 each year at the beginning of the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversary of the agreement. In addition, the Company agreed to pay a minimum monthly fee of $30,000 starting October 2020, $50,000 during the second year following the launch of the Cuentas Mastercard and $75,000 thereafter. The Company also agreed to pay 0.25% of all funds added to the Cuentas Mastercards, excluding VanillaDirect Reload Network and an API Services fee of $0.005 per transaction. The Company may pay other fees as agreed between the Company and InComm.

 

5

 

 

Cuentas is currently offering and is seeking to offer discounted prices to its cardholders, through the Cuentas Wallet for many of the digital products and services illustrated in the graphic below. We intend to work to increase the quantity of offerings considerably in the future.

 

 

The below graphic illustrates the elements that Cuentas has strategically developed to provide marketplace advantages.

 

The Cuentas Competitive GPR Advantages

 

 

6

 

 

Cuentas’ strategic overview to augment growth and minimize churn is illustrated in the graphic below. The goal is to offer the consumer a one-stop shop, easy to use, mobile wallet that can solve many of their daily needs and desires while saving them time and money.

 

The Cuentas ECO System

 

 

The Western Union Company (“Western Union”)

 

On December 8, 2020, the Company entered into an Agency Agreement with Western Union whereby the Company is appointed as Western Union’s delegate and authorized to offer Western Union Money Transfer Services. This cooperation would allow Cuentas cardholders to transfer money internationally via the Western Union network directly from the Cuentas Mobile App. Western Union has been providing money transfer services around the world for more than a century and currently has more than 500,000 agent locations worldwide.

 

7

 

 

Agreements and Arrangements with CIMA

 

License Agreement with CIMA

 

On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into a Platform Exclusive License Agreement with CIMA Telecom, Inc. (“CIMA”) and two subsidiaries of CIMA (the “CIMA License Agreement”). Pursuant to the CIMA License Agreement, the Company has an exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, royalty-free license to access and use the CIMA Licensed Technology in the form provided to the Company via the Hosting Services (as defined in the CIMA License Agreement) and solely within the Fintech space for the Company’s business purposes. Under the CIMA License Agreement, CIMA received a one-time licensing fee in the amount of $9,000,000 in the form of a convertible note that may be converted, at the option of CIMA, into up to 25% of the total shares of Common Stock of the Company on a fully diluted basis as of December 31, 2019. The transactions with CIMA closed on December 31, 2019 (the “CIMA Transaction Closing”). Pursuant to the CIMA License Agreement, the Company shall pay CIMA annual fees for the maintenance and support services in accordance with the following schedule: (i) for the first calendar year from the CIMA Transaction Closing, $300,000 to be paid on June 30, 2020; (ii) for the second calendar year from the CIMA Transaction Closing, $500,000 to be paid on December 31, 2020; (iii) for the third calendar year from the CIMA Transaction Closing, $700,000 to be paid on December 31, 2021; (iv) for the fourth) calendar year from the CIMA Transaction Closing, $1,000,000 to be paid on December 31, 2022; (v) for the fifth calendar year from the CIMA Transaction Closing, $640,000 to be paid on December 31, 2022; and (vi) for each calendar year thereafter, $640,000 to be paid on the anniversary date.

 

Contemporaneously with the CIMA Transaction Closing, the Company entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and between the Company, CIMA and Dinar Zuz LLC (“Dinar”), pursuant to which the Company made and sold (i) to CIMA a 3% convertible promissory note (the “CIMA Convertible Promissory Note”) in the principal amount of $9,000,000 and (ii) a warrant to each of CIMA and Dinar (as described below). The Purchase Agreement contained customary representations, warranties, covenants, and conditions, including indemnification. Among other conditions to closing, the Company has agreed to take all necessary steps to amend and restate its Articles of Incorporation and to amend and restate its Bylaws.

 

On December 31, 2019 and pursuant to the CIMA Convertible Promissory Note, CIMA exercised its option to convert the CIMA Convertible Promissory Note into 702,992 shares of Common Stock of the Company.

 

Warrants

 

Contemporaneously with the CIMA Transaction Closing, the Company made and sold a warrant to each of (a) CIMA (the “CIMA Warrant”) and (b) Dinar (the “Dinar Warrant”), each in accordance with the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the CIMA Warrant and Dinar Warrant, upon exercise, each of CIMA and Dinar shall be entitled to purchase from the Company, in the aggregate, an amount of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock equal to 25% of total outstanding shares of the Company on a fully-diluted basis (taking into account any warrants, options, debt convertible into shares or other rights underlying shares of the Company) as of the conversion date; provided, however, that each of the CIMA Warrant and Dinar Warrant shall increase to include 25% of any additional shares (or warrants, options, debt convertible into shares or other rights underlying shares of the Company) of the Company only to the extent such shares are issued in breach of the Voting Agreement (as defined below). Pursuant to their terms, the CIMA Warrant and Dinar Warrant were exercisable, in whole and not in part during the term commencing on December 31, 2019 and ending on the earlier of (a) thirty days following the date on which the Company amends and restates its Articles of Incorporation, which is amendment and restatement is filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Florida or (b) upon a Change of Control, as defined in such warrants. At that point, the Warrants are automatically exercised. On September 17, 2020, the Company issued 2,000,000 of its Common Stock to each of Dinar and CIMA, under the automatic exercise of the warrants.

 

8

 

 

Voting Agreement

 

Contemporaneously with the CIMA Transaction Closing, on December 31, 2019, the Company, CIMA, Dinar, Arik Maimon and Michael De Prado entered into a Voting Agreement (the “Voting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, each of CIMA, Dinar and Mr. De Prado shall have the right to designate one director to the Board, and Mr. Maimon will have the right to designate two directors to the Board as promptly as practicable after the CIMA Transaction Closing. At each meeting of the Company’s shareholders at which the election of directors is to be considered, each of CIMA, Dinar, Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado shall have the right to designate one nominee for election at such meeting. Additionally, the Company has granted CIMA board observer rights whereby CIMA shall have the right to invite one representative to attend all meetings of the Board in a non-voting observer capacity. The size of the Board and appointee rights are subject to change in the event that the Company’s shares of Common Stock become listed on Nasdaq. Furthermore, pursuant to the Voting Agreement, each of Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado appointed each of CIMA and Dinar as their proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote or act by written consent with respect to the shares of Voting Stock (as defined in the Voting Agreement) representing each individual’s pro rata percentage of the CIMA Proxy Stock and Dinar Proxy Stock (each as defined in the Voting Agreement), as may be recalculated from time to time subject to the terms and conditions of the Voting Agreement until the CIMA Warrant and Dinar Warrant are exercised, respectively. CIMA’s rights under the Voting Agreement automatically terminate upon the earliest to occur of: (a) the termination of the CIMA License Agreement; (b) the payment in full of all outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest, and all other amounts required to be paid by the Company to CIMA under the Debenture in cash and not as a result of the conversion of the debenture in the principal amount of $9,000,000 that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company; or (c) after the conversion of the Debenture into Common Stock of the Company, the date on which CIMA ceases to own 5% or more of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company. Dinar’s rights under the Voting Agreement automatically terminate when Dinar ceases to own 5% or more of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company.

 

Pledge Agreement

 

The Company also entered into an Asset Pledge Agreement with CIMA (the “Pledge Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company unconditionally and irrevocably pledged all of its rights, title and interest in and to the Licensed Technology and any rights and assets granted pursuant to the CIMA License Agreement to CIMA as a guarantee for the full and punctual fulfillment of its obligations under certain provisions of the Voting Agreement, which terms expire upon the exercise of the CIMA Warrant and Dinar Warrant, respectively, and the issuance of the securities under the CIMA Convertible Promissory Note and the CIMA Warrant. This occurred on September 21, 2020 and the Pledge Agreement expired.

 

Side Letter Agreement

 

Contemporaneously with the CIMA Transaction Closing, the Company, Mr. Maimon, Mr. De Prado, Dinar and CIMA entered into a side letter agreement (the “CIMA Side Letter”), dated December 31, 2019. Pursuant to the CIMA Side Letter, for as long as the CIMA License Agreement is in effect, the convertible promissory note (the “CIMA Convertible Note”) is outstanding and unpaid, or CIMA is a shareholder of the Company and owns at least 5% of the Company’s Common Stock, in addition to any other vote or approval required under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or any other agreement, each as amended from time to time, the Company has agreed not to take certain actions without certain approval thresholds of the directors appointed by CIMA, Dinar, Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado. These negative covenants restrict, among other things, the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, alter certain employment agreements currently in place, enter into any consolidation, combination, recapitalization or reorganization transactions, and issue additional capital stock. Additionally, pursuant to the CIMA Side Letter, upon conversion of the CIMA Convertible Note by CIMA, Cuentas shall have the primary right of first refusal, and each of Dinar, Mr. De Prado and Mr. Maimon have a secondary right of first refusal, to purchase any shares of Common Stock that CIMA intends to sell to the bona fide third party purchaser on the same terms and conditions as CIMA would have sold such shares of the Common Stock to any third party purchaser. Further, CIMA has a co-sale right to participate in a sale of shares of the Common Stock, in the event that Mr. De Prado, Mr. Maimon or any other director or officer of the Company holding greater than 1% of the Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) proposes to sell any of his, her or its shares of Common Stock. In addition, CIMA and/or Dinar have been granted certain information rights, subject to their continued ownership of the CIMA Convertible Note or of 5% or more shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock. Furthermore, pursuant to the CIMA Side Letter, upon a successful up-listing of the Company’s shares on Nasdaq, and once the market capitalization of the Company is greater than $50 million for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, each of Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado will have a right to earn a special bonus in the amount of $500,000 each.

 

Cuentas Mobile

 

Cuentas Mobile is our Mobile Virtual Network Operator (“MVNO”), which provided NextMobile branded mobile phones and prepaid voice, text, and data mobile phone services to a customer base currently consisting of approximately 1,000 subscribers. The brand name of these services is being migrated to Cuentas Mobile. Cuentas Mobile operates this business pursuant to contracts with Sprint Corporation, which allow Cuentas Mobile to use T-Mobile’s (formerly Sprint)’s network infrastructure to operate a virtual telecommunications network providing voice, text, and data services of essentially the same quality as those Sprint provides to its own retail subscribers. MVNOs such as Cricket, Boost, Simple and Lyca Mobile have been successful at creating brands, without owning the towers, hardware or network. Cuentas is currently reactivating distribution projects through grass roots retailers that normally interact with Cuentas’ target audience, specifically offering low-cost mobile phone service with the ability to make international calls to specific Spanish speaking countries in Central and South America.

 

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Graphic Description: Sample of creative message planned for future advertising campaign.

 

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We believe that our potential customers worldwide will migrate away from legacy telephone and banking systems to enhanced mobility solutions, the Company’s technological advantage and the synergies created by its unique combination of reloadable bank card and mobile virtual network operator rights will make its products increasingly useful to unbanked, under-banked, under-served and other emerging niche markets.

 

Meimoun & Mammon LLC

 

Meimoun & Mammon LLC (“M&M”) is a retail provider of domestic and international long-distance voice, text, and data telephony services to consumers in the United States and throughout the world. M&M holds International and Domestic Section 214 authority issued by the FCC. M&M operates the retail Tel3 business as a separate division.

 

M&M uses both private and public Internet services to function as the backbone of the M&M Network.

 

Regulatory Compliance

 

We operate in an ever-evolving and complex legal and regulatory environment. We, the products and services that we offer and market, and those for which we provide processing services, are subject to a variety of federal, state and foreign laws and regulations, including, but not limited to: federal communications laws and regulations; foreign jurisdiction communications laws and regulations; federal anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the Patriot Act, the BSA, anti-terrorist financing laws and anti-bribery and corrupt practice laws and regulations in the U.S., and similar international laws and regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act in Canada; state unclaimed property laws and money transmitter or similar licensing requirements; federal and state consumer protection laws, including the CARD Act, and the Dodd-Frank Act, and regulations relating to privacy and data security; and foreign jurisdiction payment services industry regulations.

 

Our subsidiaries Cuentas Mobile and M&M are subject to regulation by the FCC and other government agencies and task forces. M&M holds International and Domestic Section 214 licenses issued by the FCC, which may be suspended or revoked by the FCC if M&M does not strictly comply with all applicable regulations and the terms and conditions under which the International and Domestic Section 214 licenses were issued. Cuentas Mobile and M&M are also subject to foreign jurisdiction communications laws and regulations. We believe that we, including our subsidiaries, are currently operating in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, but there is no certainty that laws and regulations affecting our business will not change. Any such change of laws and regulations applicable to our business might adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan and achieve profitable operating results.

 

At the federal level, Congress and federal regulatory agencies have enacted and implemented new laws and regulations that affect the prepaid industry, such the CARD Act and FinCEN’s Prepaid Access Rule. Moreover, there are currently proposals before Congress that could further substantially change the way banks, including prepaid card issuing banks and other financial services companies, are regulated and are permitted to offer their products to consumers. Non-bank financial services companies, including money transmitters and prepaid access providers, are now regulated at the federal level by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), which began operations in July 2011, bringing additional uncertainty to the regulatory system and its impact on our business. We are increasingly facing more stringent anti-money laundering rules and regulations, compliance with which may increase our costs of operation, decrease our operating revenues and disrupt our business. Abuse of our prepaid products for purposes of financing sanctioned countries, terrorist funding, bribery or corruption could cause reputational or other harm that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Failure to comply with, or further expansion of, consumer protection regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Failure by us to comply with federal banking regulation may subject us to fines and penalties and our relationships with our issuing banks may be harmed.

 

Most states regulate the business of sellers of traveler’s checks, money orders, drafts and other monetary instruments, which we refer to collectively as money transmitters. While many states expressly exempt banks and their agents from regulation as money transmitters, others purport to regulate the money transmittal businesses of bank agents or do not extend exemptions to non-branch bank agents. In those states where we are required to be licensed, we are subject to direct supervision and regulation by the relevant state banking departments or similar agencies charged with enforcement of the money transmitter statutes and must comply with various restrictions and requirements, such as those related to the maintenance of certain levels of net worth, surety bonding, selection and oversight of our authorized delegates, permissible investments in an amount equal to our outstanding payment obligations with respect to some of the products subject to licensure, recordkeeping and reporting, and disclosures to consumers. We are also subject to periodic examinations by the relevant licensing authorities, which may include reviews of our compliance practices, policies and procedures, financial position and related records, various agreements that we have with our issuing banks, retail distribution partners and other third parties, privacy and data security policies and procedures, and other matters related to our business. As a regulated entity, Cuentas may incur significant costs associated with regulatory compliance. We anticipate that compliance costs and requirements will increase in the future for our regulated subsidiaries and that additional subsidiaries will need to become subject to these or new regulations. If we fail to maintain our existing money transmitter licenses or permits, or fail to obtain new licenses or permits in a timely manner, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Recent Developments

 

COVID-19

 

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China, which has and is continuing to spread throughout China and other parts of the world, including the United States. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” On January 31, 2020, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the U.S. healthcare community in responding to COVID-19, and on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak as a “pandemic”. A significant outbreak of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets worldwide, as well as our business and operations. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. 

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Conversion of Preferred B Stock

 

On August 21, 2020, in connection with a special meeting of shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholders Meeting”), the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Articles”) to, among other things, cause all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) to be converted into 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. 

 

Amendment to Bylaws

 

On December 30, 2020, in connection with the Company’s IPO, the Company amended its Bylaws to, among other items:

 

  allow a majority of the directors to have the power to determine and declare whether a director was nominated in accordance with the prescribed procedures;

 

  allow a majority of the directors to have the power to determine and declare whether a business proposal was made in accordance with the prescribed procedures;

 

  allow the directors to appoint the chairman for each meeting of the shareholders;

 

  require that committees of the board be comprised of at least three members, each of whom must be independent; and

 

  allow for the compensation committee to review and approve compensation.

 

Reverse Split

 

On January 28, 2021, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company with the Secretary of State of Florida, pursuant to which, effective as of February 2, 2021, the Company effected a 1-for-2.5 reverse split of its authorized and issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Fractional shares will be rounded up the nearest whole share, after aggregating all fractional shares held by a stockholder.

 

On February 4, 2021 the Company sold an aggregate of 2,790,697 units at a price to the public of $4.30 per unit (the “Offering”), each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and a warrant exercisable for five years to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.30 per share (the “Warrants”), pursuant to that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), between the Company and Maxim Group LLC (the “Representative” or “Maxim”), as representative of the sole underwriter. In addition, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 418,604 additional shares of Common Stock, and/or 418,604 additional Warrants, to cover over-allotments in connection with the Offering. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $12.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of 8% of the gross proceeds and estimated Offering expenses. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company also issued to the Underwriter warrants (the “Underwriter’s Warrants”) to purchase up to a total of 223,256 shares of Common Stock (8% of the shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering). The Underwriter’s Warrants are exercisable at $5.375 per share of Common Stock and have a term of five years.

 

The total expenses of the offering were approximately $1.4 million, which included Maxim’s expenses relating to the offering.

 

On March 4, 2021 and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, Maxim exercised its 45-day option to purchase up to 418,604 additional Warrants, to cover over-allotments in connection with the Offering.

 

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Entry into and Repayment of a Short-Term Loan with Labrys Funds LP

 

On September 2, 2020, the Company issued the Labrys Note to Labrys Funds LP (“Labrys”). The Labrys Note bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum, and was to mature on September 2, 2021. An amortized, monthly payment of principal and interest in the sum of $67,760 started in December 2020, with ability to extend the starting date of such amortized payments for up to two months upon notice, and the remaining loan principal becomes payable on maturity. The Labrys Note had an original issue discount in the amount of $60,500, and the issuing expenses were $40,000, resulting in net proceeds of $505,000. The Company also issued 70,906 shares of its Common Stock to Labrys. Out of those, 16,500 shares of Common Stock were issued in consideration of a commitment fee and the balance are subject to return to the Company once the Labrys Note is paid in full, if there were no defaults. In the event of a default, as defined in the Labrys Note, Labrys would have the right, to convert all or any portion of the then outstanding and unpaid principal amount and interest into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock, as such Common Stock exists on the date of the Labrys Note, or any shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company into which such Common Stock shall be changed or reclassified, at the conversion price as set forth in the Labrys Note. On February 12, 2021, the Company prepaid its loan to Labrys and Labrys returned the Second Commitment shares to the Company.

 

Employees

 

As of March, 22, 2020, our management team consisted of the Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. We have an additional three full-time employees: our Compliance Officer, IT Director and VP Retail Operations for the United States market. For more information relating to the employment agreements, please see the section below entitled “Item 11. Executive Compensation.”

 

Available Information

 

We also make our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and related amendments, available free of charge through our website at www.cuentas.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with (or furnish such material to) the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered to be part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Copies of the reports and other information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission may also be examined by the public without charge at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington D.C., 20549, or on the internet at www.sec.gov. Copies of all or a portion of such materials can be obtained from the SEC upon payment of prescribed fees. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

  

Risks Related to the Company

 

We have a limited operating history and therefore we cannot ensure, either in the near- or long-term, that we will be able to generate cash flow or profit.

 

We have a limited operating history upon which you may evaluate our business and an investment in our Common Stock may entail significantly more risk than the shares of Common Stock of a company with a substantial operating history. Our ability to successfully develop our products, and to realize consistent, meaningful revenues and profit has not been established and cannot be assured. For us to achieve success, our products must receive broader market acceptance by consumers. Without this market acceptance, we will not be able to generate sufficient revenue to continue our business operation. If our products are not widely accepted by the market, our business may fail.

 

Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow is dependent upon our ability to generate revenues, manage development costs and expenses, and compete successfully with our direct and indirect competitors.

 

Our business operations are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties associated with early stage enterprises. You should consider an investment in our company in light of these risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties. Such risks include: the absence of a lengthy operating history; insufficient capital to fully realize our operating plan; our ability to anticipate and adapt to a developing market; a competitive environment characterized by well-capitalized competitors; our ability to identify, attract and retain qualified personnel; our reliance on key management personnel.

 

Because we are subject to these risks, evaluating our business may be difficult. We may be unable to successfully overcome these risks, which could harm our business and prospects. Our business strategy may be unsuccessful and we may be unable to address the risks we face in a cost-effective manner, if at all. If we are unable to successfully address these risks, there may be an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

We may never achieve profitability from operations or generate sufficient cash flows to make or sustain distributions to our shareholders.

 

We may never achieve profitability from operations. Even if we do achieve profitability, we cannot assure you that we will be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the future. There can be no assurance that future operations will be profitable or that we will be able to make or sustain distributions to our shareholders from cash from operations. Revenues and profits, if any, will depend upon various factors, including whether we will be able to successfully implement our business plan and operating strategy. We may not achieve our business objectives and the failure to achieve such goals would have an adverse impact on us. In addition, an inability to achieve profitability could have a detrimental effect on the market value of our Common Stock.

  

We are an early entrant in an emerging industry, and the long-term viability of our business strategy is unproven.

 

As an early entrant in this emerging Fintech industry, we are subject to the risk that our business model and business plan may not prove to be a viable long-term business strategy. If it turns out that our strategy is not a viable long-term business strategy, we may not be able to generate meaningful cash flows, which would materially and adversely affect the viability of our business and stock price.

 

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We may not be able to secure sufficient capital to effectively execute our business plan.

 

We may not be able to attract and obtain sufficient capital from the equity and debt markets, or any other capital markets, to execute our business plan and grow our business. If we do not have access to sufficient funding in the future, we may not be able to make necessary capital expenditures necessary to execute our business plan, and in that event our ability to generate revenue may be significantly impaired.

 

COVID-19 and its impact on businesses and financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China, which has and is continuing to spread throughout China and other parts of the world, including the United States. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” On January 31, 2020, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the U.S. healthcare community in responding to COVID-19, and on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak as a “pandemic”. A significant outbreak of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets worldwide, as well as our business and operations. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

We are involved in various litigation matters that are expensive and time consuming, and, if resolved adversely, could harm our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Any litigation to which we are a party may result in an onerous or unfavorable judgment that may not be reversed upon appeal, or we may decide to settle lawsuits on similarly unfavorable terms. Any such negative outcome could result in payments of substantial monetary damages or fines, or changes to our products or business practices, and accordingly our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. See “Business-Legal Proceedings” for a description of certain litigation involving the Company.

 

Although the results of lawsuits and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the final outcome of those matters that we currently face will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. However, defending these claims is costly and can impose a significant burden on management and employees, and we may receive unfavorable preliminary or interim rulings in the course of litigation, which could adversely affect the market price of our securities. There can be no assurances that a favorable final outcome will be obtained in all cases.

 

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Operating our business on a larger scale could result in substantial increases in our expenses.

 

As our business grows in size and complexity, we can provide no assurance that we can successfully enter new markets or grow our business without incurring significant additional expenses, that our management platform will ultimately prove to be scalable, and/or that we will be able to achieve economies of scale or we will be able to operate our business on a larger scale than the scale on which we have historically operated.

 

We are substantially dependent on the CIMA License Agreement, which may be terminated under certain circumstances. 

 

On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into the CIMA License Agreement, pursuant to which the Company has a perpetual, exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, royalty-free license to access and use the CIMA Licensed Technology in the form provided to the Company via the Hosting Services. While the license agreement provides us with a license in perpetuity, if the license agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, we will lose access to the licensed technology that comprise the Cuentas technology platform, which will have a significant impact on our business, operations and financial results. Further, if the license agreement is terminated, there is no guarantee that we will be able to enter into a new license agreement on the same or similar terms, if at all, and our competitors could license the technology, which would result in a significant market disadvantage to the Company.

 

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CIMA and Dinar may exert significant influence over our business and affairs as a result of their corporate governance and other rights under the Side Letter Agreement, which may adversely affect the management of our Company.

 

Pursuant to the Side Letter Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, by and among the Company, Mr. Maimon, Mr. De Prado, Dinar and CIMA (the “Side Letter Agreement”), for as long as the CIMA License Agreement is in effect or CIMA is a shareholder of the Company and owns at least 5% of the Company’s Common Stock, in addition to any other vote or approval required under the Company’s articles of incorporation, bylaws, or any other agreement, each as amended from time to time, the Company has agreed not to take certain actions without certain approval thresholds of the directors appointed by CIMA, Dinar, Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado. These negative covenants restrict, among other things, the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, alter certain employment agreements currently in place, enter into any consolidation, combination, recapitalization or reorganization transactions, and issue additional capital stock. Further, CIMA has a co-sale right to participate in a sale of shares of the Common Stock, in the event that Mr. De Prado, Mr. Maimon or any other director or officer of the Company holding greater than 1% of the Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) proposes to sell any of his, her or its shares of Common Stock. This may hinder our ability to raise the capital needed to improve our financial condition. These rights may limit the ability of our Board of Directors and our management team to make necessary personnel decisions, which may adversely affect the management of our company, particularly if disputes arise between us and CIMA or Dinar (which disputes in and of themselves could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct business).

 

Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.

 

In the ordinary course of our business we use sophisticated call processing engines and other sophisticated telecommunications technology platforms, and we acquire and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of our prospective and current tenants, our employees and third-party service providers on our networks and website. The secure processing and maintenance of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in revenue losses, legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, disruption to our operations and the services we provide to customers or damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our results of operations and competitive position.

 

We are dependent on our executive officers and dedicated personnel, and the departure of any of our key personnel could materially and adversely affect us.

 

We rely on a small number of persons to carry out our business and investment strategies. An Executive Search Committee has been established to evaluate and propose qualified executive candidates for approval by the Board of Directors. Any member of our senior management may cease to provide services to us at any time. The loss of the services of any of our key management personnel, or our inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results. As we expand, we will continue to need to attract and retain qualified additional senior management but may not be able to do so on acceptable terms or at all. Cuentas does not yet have but intends to have key man life insurance policies in place. Pursuant to the employment agreement, the CEO’s term expired in February 2021. The Company has formed an Executive Search Committee and it will begin the process of searching for key executive personnel, including a new CEO. The current CEO will remain as the Chairman of the Board after the hiring of a new CEO.

 

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We are subject to regulation which may adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.

 

We operate in an ever-evolving and complex legal and regulatory environment. We, the products and services that we offer and market, and those for which we provide processing services, are subject to a variety of federal, state and foreign laws and regulations, including, but not limited to: federal communications laws and regulations; foreign jurisdiction communications laws and regulations; federal anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act (the “Patriot Act”), the Bank Secrecy Act (the “BSA”), anti-terrorist financing laws and anti-bribery and corrupt practice laws and regulations in the U.S., and similar international laws and regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act in Canada; state unclaimed property laws and money transmitter or similar licensing requirements; federal and state consumer protection laws, including the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (the “CARD Act”), and the Durbin Amendment to Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and regulations relating to privacy and data security; and foreign jurisdiction payment services industry regulations. We believe that we are currently operating in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, but there is no certainty that laws and regulations affecting our business will not change. Any such change of laws and regulations applicable to our business might adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan and achieve profitable operating results.

 

We are subject to Anti-Money Laundering Regulation.

 

We are subject to a comprehensive federal anti-money laundering regulatory regime that is constantly evolving. The anti-money laundering regulations to which we are subject include the BSA, as amended by the Patriot Act, which criminalizes the financing of terrorism and enhances existing BSA regimes through: (a) expanding AML program requirements to certain delineated financial institutions; (b) strengthening customer identification procedures; (c) prohibiting financial institutions from engaging in business with foreign shell banks; (d) requiring financial institutions to have due diligence procedures and, where appropriate, enhanced due diligence procedures for foreign correspondent and private banking accounts; and (e) improving information sharing between financial institutions and the U.S. government. Pursuant to the BSA, we have instituted a Customer Identification Program, (CIP). The CIP is incorporated into our BSA/anti-money laundering compliance program. We are increasingly facing more stringent anti-money laundering rules and regulations, compliance with which may increase our costs of operation, decrease our operating revenues and disrupt our business” for additional information. Cuentas is or may become subject to reporting and recordkeeping requirements related to anti-money laundering compliance obligations arising under the Patriot Act and its implementing regulations. In addition, provisions of the BSA enacted by the Prepaid Access Rule issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), impose certain obligations, such as registration and collection of consumer information, on “providers” of certain prepaid access programs, including the prepaid products issued by Cuentas and our issuing banks for which we serve as program manager. In order to qualify for certain exclusions under the Prepaid Access Rule, some of our content providers were required to modify operational elements of their products, such as limiting the amount that can be loaded onto a card in any one day. In addition, pursuant to the Prepaid Access Rule, Cuentas and some of our retail distribution partners have adopted policies and procedures to prevent the sale of more than $10,000 in prepaid access (including closed loop and open loop products that fall under the monetary thresholds outlined above) to any one person during any one day.

 

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We are subject to Consumer Protection Regulation.

 

We are subject to various federal, state and foreign consumer protection laws, including those related to unfair and deceptive trade practices as well as privacy and data security. Failure to comply with, or further expansion of, consumer protection regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. A data security breach could expose us to liability and protracted and costly litigation, and could adversely affect our reputation and operating revenues.

 

We are subject to Federal Regulation.

 

At the federal level, Congress and federal regulatory agencies have enacted and implemented new laws and regulations that affect the prepaid industry, such the CARD Act and FinCEN’s Prepaid Access Rule. Moreover, there are currently proposals before Congress that could further substantially change the way banks, including prepaid card issuing banks and other financial services companies, are regulated and are permitted to offer their products to consumers. Non-bank financial services companies, including money transmitters and prepaid access providers, are now regulated at the federal level by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), which began operations in July 2011, bringing additional uncertainty to the regulatory system and its impact on our business. We are increasingly facing more stringent anti-money laundering rules and regulations, compliance with which may increase our costs of operation, decrease our operating revenues and disrupt our business. Abuse of our prepaid products for purposes of financing sanctioned countries, terrorist funding, bribery or corruption could cause reputational or other harm that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Failure to comply with, or further expansion of, consumer protection regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Failure by us to comply with federal banking regulation may subject us to fines and penalties and our relationships with our issuing banks may be harmed.

 

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We are subject to Money Transmitter Licenses or Permits.

 

Most states regulate the business of sellers of traveler’s checks, money orders, drafts and other monetary instruments, which we refer to collectively as money transmitters. While many states expressly exempt banks and their agents from regulation as money transmitters, others purport to regulate the money transmittal businesses of bank agents or do not extend exemptions to non-branch bank agents. In those states where we are required to be licensed, we are subject to direct supervision and regulation by the relevant state banking departments or similar agencies charged with enforcement of the money transmitter statutes and must comply with various restrictions and requirements, such as those related to the maintenance of certain levels of net worth, surety bonding, selection and oversight of our authorized delegates, permissible investments in an amount equal to our outstanding payment obligations with respect to some of the products subject to licensure, recordkeeping and reporting, and disclosures to consumers. We are also subject to periodic examinations by the relevant licensing authorities, which may include reviews of our compliance practices, policies and procedures, financial position and related records, various agreements that we have with our issuing banks, retail distribution partners and other third parties, privacy and data security policies and procedures, and other matters related to our business. As a regulated entity, Cuentas may incur significant costs associated with regulatory compliance. We anticipate that compliance costs and requirements will increase in the future for our regulated subsidiaries and that additional subsidiaries will need to become subject to these or new regulations. If we fail to maintain our existing money transmitter licenses or permits, or fail to obtain new licenses or permits in a timely manner, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

 

We are subject to Privacy Regulation.

 

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store or may collect and store personally identifiable information about customers, holders of our cards, subscribers, and users. This information may include names, addresses, email addresses, social security numbers, driver’s license numbers and account numbers. We also maintain or may maintain a database of cardholder data for our proprietary cards relating to specific transactions, including account numbers, in order to process transactions and prevent fraud. These activities subject us to certain privacy and information security laws, regulations and rules in the United States, including, for example, the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its implementing regulations, various other federal and state privacy and information security statutes and regulations, and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. These federal and state laws, as well as our agreements with our issuing banks, contain restrictions relating to the collection, processing, storage, disposal, use and disclosure of personal information, and require that we have in place policies regarding information privacy and security. We have in effect a privacy policy relating to personal information provided to us in connection with requests for information or services, and we continue to work with our issuing banks and other third parties to update policies and programs and adapt our business practices in order to comply with applicable privacy laws and regulations. Certain state laws also require us to notify affected individuals of certain kinds of security breaches of computer databases that contain their personal information. These laws may also require us to notify state law enforcement, regulators or consumer reporting agencies in the event of a data breach. Failure to comply with, or further expansion of, consumer protection regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. A data security breach could expose us to liability and protracted and costly litigation, and could adversely affect our reputation and operating revenues.

 

We are subject to Card Association and Network Organization Rules.

 

In addition to the federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdiction laws and regulations discussed above, we, Cuentas and our issuing banks, are also subject to card association and debit network rules and standards. The operating rules govern a variety of areas, including how consumers and merchants may use their cards and data security. Each card association and network organization audits us from time to time to ensure our compliance with these standards. Noncompliance with these rules or standards due to our acts or omissions or the acts or omissions of businesses that work with us could result in fines and penalties or the termination of the card association registrations held by us or any of our issuing banks. Changes in card association rules or standards set by Visa or Vanilla Reload, or changes in card association and debit network fees or products or interchange rates, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our success depends, in part, upon our ability to hire and retain highly skilled managerial, and operational personnel, and the past performance of our senior management may not be indicative of future results.

 

The implementation of our business plan may require that we employ additional qualified personnel. Competition for highly skilled managerial, telecommunications, financial and operational personnel is intense, and we cannot assure our stockholders that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such skilled personnel. If we are unable to hire and retain qualified personnel as required, our growth and operating results could be adversely affected.

 

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The Company and its subsidiaries have well-financed, well-managed competitors and may not be able to adequately compete in its market.

 

Most of our competitors are larger and have greater financial, technical, marketing, and other resources than we do. Some of our competitors have seasoned management teams with more experience and expertise in our industry than we do. Some competitors may enjoy significant competitive advantages that result from, among other things, having substantially more available capital, having a lower cost of capital, having greater economies of scale, and having enhanced operating efficiencies compared to ours.

 

Cuentas recently began e-commerce card operations and is much smaller than its competitors, faces competition in the prepaid financial services industry including competitors such as American Express, First Data, Total Systems Services, Green Dot, NetSpend, Money Network, Momentum, Blackhawk, Prepaid MasterCard, MasterCard RePower, PayPal, Apple Pay, Amex Serve, H&R Block Emerald, J.P. Morgan Chase, and others. Cuentas also faces intense competition from existing players in the prepaid card industry.

 

Cuentas Mobile faces competitors including, without limitation, AT&T, Sprint, Viber, WhatsApp, Skype, MetroPCS, TracFone, Telcel, StraightTalk, Simple Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Boost, Net 10, IDT, Boost, and others.

    

M&M faces competition from many strong and well-financed competitors and other competitors, engaged in the retail termination of domestic and international long distance as well a mobile voice, text, and data services, including, without limitation, IDT, NobelCom, Access Wireless, Boost Mobile, H2O mobile, Mint Mobile and others.

 

Cuentas Mobile is dependent on the performance of third-party network operators.

 

MVNO operators, including Cuentas Mobile, earn revenues by purchasing network capacity from other network operators and reselling it to end users. Cuentas Mobile uses T-Mobile’s (formerly Sprint) network to offer its services, and is dependent on the performance of Sprint and its network.

 

To compete effectively, Cuentas needs to improve its offerings continuously.

 

Cuentas began operations recently and is substantially smaller than its competitors. As a result, to compete effectively, Cuentas needs to improve its offerings rapidly and continuously.

 

Cuentas may be unable to attract and retain users.

 

As of the date of this filing, Cuentas has an operating history of e-commerce card business of less than one year. If Cuentas cannot increase the number of cardholders using its Cuentas Mastercard and retain its existing cardholders, this will significantly adversely affect Cuentas’ operating results, revenues, financial condition, and ability to remain in business.

 

Cuentas may be adversely affected by fraudulent activity.

 

Criminals, including, without limitation, cyber-organized criminal syndicates, and others, use increasingly sophisticated methods to engage in illegal activities involving prepaid cards, reload products, and customer information. Cuentas relies on third parties for certain transaction processing services, which subjects Cuentas and its customers to risks related to the vulnerabilities of these third parties, as well as Cuentas’ own vulnerabilities to criminals engaged in fraudulent activities. Fraudulent activity could result in the imposition of regulatory sanctions, including significant monetary fines, which could adversely affect Cuentas’ business, operating results, and financial condition.

 

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Risks Related to an Investment in Our Securities

 

Our failure to meet the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq could result in a de-listing of our Common Stock.

 

If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, such as the corporate governance requirements or the minimum closing bid price requirement, Nasdaq may take steps to de-list our securities. Such a de-listing would likely have a negative effect on the price of our Common Stock and would impair your ability to sell or purchase our Common Stock when you wish to do so. In the event of a de-listing, we would take actions to restore our compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our Common Stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our Common Stock, prevent our Common Stock from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements.

 

The market price of our Common Stock and Warrants may be highly volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

The trading price of our Common Stock and Warrants is likely to be volatile. This volatility may prevent you from being able to sell your securities at or above the price you paid for your securities. Our stock price could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, which include:

 

  whether we achieve our anticipated corporate objectives;

 

  actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;

 

  changes in financial or operational estimates or projections;

 

  changes in the economic performance or market valuations of companies similar to ours; and

 

  general economic or political conditions in the United States or elsewhere.

 

In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. Broad market and industry factors may negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our actual operating performance.

 

22

 

 

The financial and operational projections and statements regarding future milestones that we may make from time to time are subject to inherent risks.

 

The projections and statements regarding future milestones that we provide herein or our management may provide from time to time reflect numerous assumptions made by management, including assumptions with respect to our specific as well as general business, regulatory, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, there is a risk that the assumptions made in preparing the projections, or the projections and targeted milestones themselves, will prove inaccurate or may not be achieved. There may be differences between actual and projected results, and actual results may be materially different from than those contained in the projections and statements regarding future milestones. The inclusion of the projections and statements regarding future milestones in this prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that we, our management or the underwriters considered or consider the projections or such statements to be a guaranteed prediction of future events, and the projections and such statements should not be relied upon as such.

 

We do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

We do not expect to pay dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, any potential investor who anticipates the need for current dividends should not purchase our securities.

 

23

 

 

Our existing directors, executive officers and principal shareholders have substantial control over us, which could limit your ability to influence the outcome of key transactions, including a change of control.

 

Our directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and their affiliates beneficially own or control, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, approximately 58.53% of our outstanding Common Stock. As a result, these shareholders, acting together, could have significant influence over the outcome of matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election or removal of directors; any amendments to our articles of incorporation or bylaws; any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; and over the management and affairs of the Company. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company or discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and might affect the market price of our Common Stock.

 

We are searching for a new Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer the results of which may not be successful and may significantly change the management of the Company.

 

Pursuant to an employment agreement between the Company and Arik Maimon, our Chief Executive Officer, dated as of July 24, 2020 (the “2020 Maimon Employment Agreement”), Mr. Maimon agreed to resign as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company within four months of the effective date of the 2020 Maimon Employment Agreement (which term can be extended by the Board of Directors on a month-to-month basis with the approval of both Dinar and CIMA until a new CEO is appointed by the Board of Directors and was extended until February 24, 2021, when it expired) but continue as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors at the same salary compensation. An Executive Search Committee has been established to evaluate and propose qualified executive candidates for approval by the Board of Directors, including the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer.

 

The Company is in the process of appointing a successor Chief Executive Officer. While we intend to do our diligence and identify a suitable person to fill this role, our search for a new Chief Executive Officer entails a risk that the newly appointed officer may bring changes to the management and operations of the Company. Such a change may affect shareholder value and the competitiveness of the Company in the public market.

 

Pursuant to an employment agreement between the Company and Michael De Prado, our President & Chief Operating Officer, dated as of July 24, 2020 (the “2020 De Prado Employment Agreement”), Mr. De Prado agreed to resign as the President & Chief Operating Officer of the Company within four months of the effective date of the 2020 De Prado Employment Agreement, which term can be extended by the Board of Directors on a month-to-month basis with the approval of both Dinar and CIMA until a new President& Chief Operating Officer is appointed by the Board of Directors (and was extended until February 24, 2021, when it expired), but continue as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors at the same salary compensation. An Executive Search Committee has been established to evaluate and propose qualified executive candidates for approval by the Board of Directors, including President and Chief Operating Officer.

 

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

As a “smaller reporting company”, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

We currently lease office space at 19 W. Flagler St, Suite 902, Miami, FL 33130 as our principal offices. We believe these facilities are in good condition and are sufficient for our current use, but may need to expand our leased space as our business efforts increase.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business.

 

On December 20, 2017, a complaint was filed by J. P. Carey Enterprises, Inc. (“JP Carey”) alleging a claim for $473,000 related to Franjose Yglesias-Bertheau, a former Vice President of PLKD. Even though the Company made the agreed payment of $10,000 on January 2, 2017, and issued 6,001 shares of Common Stock as conversion of the $70,000 note as agreed in its settlement agreement, JP Carey alleges damages that the Company claims are without merit because JP Carey received full compensation as agreed. The Company is in the process of defending itself against these claims. The Company has not accrued losses related to this claim due to the early stages of litigation. On January 29, 2019, the Company was served with another complaint by JP Carey claiming similar issues as to the previous complaint, with the new claimed damages totaling $1,108,037.85. JP Carey and the Company filed motions for a summary judgment. On October 1, 2020, the Superior Court of Fulton County, State of Georgia granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment and denied JP Carey’s motion for summary judgment. On October 30, 2020, JP Carey filed a notice of appeal to the trial court’s October 1 and 7, 2020 orders granting summary judgment in favor of Cuentas. The current briefing schedule calls for briefing in the appeal to be completed during the first quarter of 2021. Oral argument may be held, but no date for it has been set yet. On November 16, 2020, Cuentas filed a motion seeking payment from JP Carey of $140,970.82 in attorney fees and costs accrued as of November 13, 2020. JP Carey’s responded brief was filed on or about December 21, 2020 and thereafter Cuentas filed its reply. The trial court has not yet set a date to hear this motion.

 

25

 

 

On October 23, 2018, Cuentas was served by Telco Cuba Inc. for an amount in excess of $15,000 but the total amount was not specified. The Company was served on December 7, 2018, with a complaint alleging damages including unspecified damages for product, advertising and other damages in addition to $50,000 paid to Defendants. Cuentas has hired an attorney and has taken steps to defend itself vigorously in this case. Depositions are in process of being scheduled.

 

On October 25, 2018, the Company was served with a complaint by former company Chief Financial Officer, Michael Naparstek, claiming breach of contract for 833,333 shares (pre-2018 reverse stock split), $25,554 of compensation and $8,823 of expenses. This case was withdrawn in Palm Beach County and on January 11, 2019, a similar complaint was filed in Miami-Dade County. During the recent mediation, the Company and Mr. Naparstek reached an understanding of full settlement amount of $2,500. This litigation has been settled.

 

On November 7, 2018, the Company and its now former subsidiary, Limecom, were served with a complaint by IDT Domestic Telecom, Inc. for telecommunications services provided to Limecom during 2018 in the amount of $50,000. The Company has no accrual expenses as of December 31, 2019, related to the complaint given the early nature of the process. Limecom was a subsidiary of the Company during this period but since the Limecom Acquisition was rescinded on January 30, 2019, and Limecom agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Cuentas from this and other debts. Cuentas hired an attorney and is defending itself vigorously in this case. A court ordered mandatory arbitration session took place and the arbitration findings were issued on June 19, 2020, and a request for trial de novo was filed on July 16, 2020, in order to have the matter docketed on the calendar. The motion for summary judgment filed by Cuentas Inc. with the New Jersey Superior Court initially set for October 16, 2020 was heard on October 30, 2020 after being rescheduled by the court. Oral arguments were held over the phone via conference call. The court came to the determination that while not indicative of success at trial, the court denied Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. Presently, there is a current trial date set for March 15, 2021.

 

On May 1, 2019, the Company received a notice of demand for arbitration from Secure IP Telecom, Inc. (“Secure IP”), who allegedly had a Reciprocal Carrier Services Agreement (“RCS”) exclusively with Limecom and not with Cuentas. The arbitration demand originated from another demand for arbitration that Secure IP received from VoIP Capital International (“VoIP”) in March 2019, demanding $1,052,838.09 in damages allegedly caused by unpaid receivables that Limecom assigned to VoIP based on the RCS. On June 5, 2020, SecureIP filed a complaint against Limecom, Heritage Ventures Limited (“Heritage”), an unrelated third party and owner of Limecom, and the Company. The complaint primarily concerns alleged indebtedness owed SecureIP by Limecom. SecureIP also alleges that Cuentas received certain transfers of funds which it alleges may be an avoidable transfer under Florida Statute §725.105 up to $1,052,838.09. Cuentas is contemplating filing a motion to dismiss the complaint and disputes that it received the alleged $1,052,838.09 from Limecom. Moreover, to the extent Cuentas has exposure for any transfers from Limecom, both Limecom and Heritage have indemnified Cuentas for any such liability. The Company will vigorously defend its position to be removed as a named party in this action due to the fact that Cuentas rescinded the Limecom Acquisition on January 30, 2019.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSUES.

 

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Market Information

 

Since February 2, 2021, our common stock has been traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market with the symbol CUEN and our warrants have been traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market with the symbol CUEN.W. Prior to such date, our common stock was traded on the OTCQB market. As our shares are relatively thinly traded, the price for our securities may be highly volatile and may bear no relationship to our actual financial condition or results of operations. Factors we discuss in this report, including the many risks associated with an investment in our securities, may have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock.

 

Holders of Common Stock

 

As of March 23, 2021, our shares of common stock were held by 138 record holders and our warrants were held by 4 record holders. As of March 23, 2021, we had 13,863,125 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. Additionally, there were 338,000 options to purchase common stock issued of which 338,000 are exercisable as of March 23, 2021. Furthermore, as of March 23, 2020 there were (1) 2,790,697 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants issued in our public offering that closed in February 2021; (2) 223,256 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the representative’s warrants at an exercise price of $5.375 per share; (3) (a) 135,200 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of $11.18 per share; (b) 54,762 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of our currently outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $10.34 per share; (c) 36,394 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding convertible note at a conversion price of $6.87 per share and (d) 76,666 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the vesting of Common Stock awards granted to some of our employees and consultants. The Company is authorized to issue up to 360,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, par value $0.001.

 

Dividends

 

The payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and depends, among other things, upon our earnings, our capital requirements, our financial condition, and other relevant factors. We have not paid any dividends upon our common stock since our inception. By reason of our present financial status and our contemplated financial requirements, we may not declare additional dividends upon our common or preferred stock in the foreseeable future.

 

We have never paid any cash dividends. We may not pay additional cash or stock dividends in the foreseeable future on the shares of common or preferred stock. We intend to reinvest any earnings in the development and expansion of our business. Any cash dividends in the future to common stockholders will be payable when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, based upon the Board’s assessment of:

 

our financial condition;

   

earnings;

   

need for funds;

   

capital requirements;

   

prior claims of preferred stock to the extent issued and outstanding; and

   

other factors, including any applicable laws.

 

Therefore, there can be no assurance that any addition dividends on the common or preferred stock will be declared.

 

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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2020 relating to all our equity compensation plans:

 

Plan category

  Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights     Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights     Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))  
    (a)     (b)     (c)  
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders     135,200       11.18       -  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders       -           -       -  
Total     135,200       11.18        -  

 

On March 30, 2020, the Company issued 79,200 options to its Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. The options carry an exercise price of $14.35 per share. All the options were vested immediately. The options are exercisable until March 30, 2022.

 

On March 21, 2019, the Company issued 20,000 options to its Chief Financial Officer. The options carry an exercise price of $5.23 per share. All the options were vested immediately. The options are exercisable until March 20, 2024.

 

On September 13, 2018, the Company issued 24,000 options to its President and Chief Executive Office. The options carry an exercise price of $7.5 per share. The options are exercisable until September 12, 2023.

 

On September 13, 2018, the Company issued 12,000 options to its member of the Board. The options carry an exercise price of $7.5 per share. The options are exercisable until September 12, 2023.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities  

 

All share and per share information in this section reflects a proposed reverse stock split of the authorized and outstanding common stock at an anticipated ratio of 1-for-2 to occur immediately following the effective date but prior to the closing of the offering.

 

On January 3, 2020 Dinar Zuz provided $300,000 to the Company in a form of the Dinar Zuz Convertible Note pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the Company and Dinar Zuz, dated July 30, 2019. Additionally, on January 3, 2020, the Company issued 40,000 shares of its Common Stock to Dinar Zuz, as a result of a conversion of the Dinar Zuz Convertible Note in the amount of $300,000.

 

On January 9, 2020, the Company issued 16,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a service Agreement between the Company and a service provider, dated June 3, 2019. The fair market value of the shares at the issuance date was $240,000. 

 

On January 14, 2020, the Company issued 49,867 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a settlement of stock-based liabilities. The fair market value of the shares was $890,323.

 

On February 10, 2020, the Company issued 4,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the Company and a private investor, dated October 25, 2018. We issued such shares in reliance on the exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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On March 3, 2020 Dinar Zuz provided an additional amount of $450,000 to the Company which was be provided in a form of the Dinar Zuz Convertible Note pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the Company and Dinar Zuz, dated July 30, 2019. Additionally, on March 3, 2020 the Company issued 462,992 shares of its Common Stock to Dinar Zuz LLC, as a result of a conversion of the Dinar Convertible Note in the amount of $700,000.

 

On April 2, 2020, the Company issued 28,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the Company and a private investor, dated October 25, 2018.

 

On May 22, 2020, the Company issued 17,128 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a cashless conversion of warrants to purchase up to 29,232 shares of its Common Stock at an exercise price equal to $3.25 per share.

 

On August 20, 2020, the Company issued 20,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a settlement of stock-based liabilities. The fair market value of the shares was $180,000.

 

On August 27, 2020, the Company converted all the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share to 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share in connection with the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Articles”) which was adopted on August 17, 2020 to cause all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share to be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share on a one-to-one basis.

 

On August 20, 2020, the Company issued 20,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a settlement of stock-based liabilities. The fair market value of the shares was $180.

 

On September 17, 2020, the Company issued 2,000,000 of its Common Stock par value $0.001 per share to each of Dinar Zuz and Cima Telecom Inc., under a warrant dated December 31, 2019.

 

On September 17, 2020, the Company issued 56,725 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to promissory note, dated September 15, 2020. The fair market value of the shares at the issuance date was $350,000. Out of those, 13,200 shares of Common Stock were issued in consideration of Commitment fee and the balance are subject to return to the Company once the promissory note will be paid in full.

 

On September 30, 2020, the Company issued 40,000 of its Common Stock par value $0.001 per share to a private investor in consecration of cancellation of warrants to purchase up to 39,734 shares of its Common Stock at an exercise price equal to $8.12 per share.

 

Under the Labrys Note, the Company issued a self-amortization promissory note of the Company to Labrys in a sum of $605,000, consisting of $544,500.00 plus an original issue discount in the amount of $60,500 at an interest rate of 12% per annum convertible into shares of Common Stock, as well as 56,725 shares of Common Stock as Commitment Shares in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506(b) promulgated by the SEC. In the event of a default, as defined in the Labrys Note, Labrys has the right, to convert all or any portion of the then outstanding and unpaid principal amount and interest into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock, as such Common Stock exists on the date of the Labrys Note, or any shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company into which such Common Stock shall be changed or reclassified, at the conversion price as set forth in the Labrys Note.

 

On November 12, 2020, the Company issued a convertible promissory note to a private investor in the amount of $250,000, which matures on November 12, 2021. Interest accrues from the date of the note on the unpaid principal amount at a rate equal to 10.00% per annum, calculated as simple interest. The holder may elect to convert all or any part of the then outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest due under the note into shares of Common Stock until maturation. The conversion price of the note is $6.87 per share, which may be proportionately adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar event affecting the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company without the payment of consideration to the Company therefor at any time prior to conversion.

 

On November 20, 2020, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 40,000 shares of its Common Stock at an exercise price equal to $8.75 per share to an advisor. 

 

On January 28, 2021, the Company issued 20,000 shares of its Common Stock to its Chief Financial Officer, 40,000 shares of its Common Stock to a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and 2,933 shares of its Common Stock to a former employee. The fair market value of the shares was $459.

 

Each of the transactions described in this Item II give effect to the Reverse Stock Split (as defined below) and were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and, in the case of sales to investors who are non-US persons, Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Not applicable.

  

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  

Except for the historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. We caution you not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Our actual results or actions may differ materially from these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we currently expect.

 

OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK

 

The Company was incorporated in September 2005 to act as a holding company for its subsidiaries in the technology, telecom and banking industries.

 

The Company invests in financial technology and engages in use of certain licensed technology to provide innovative telecommunications, mobility, and remittance solutions to unserved, unbanked, and emerging markets. The Company uses proprietary technology and certain licensed technology to provide innovative telecommunications and telecommunications mobility and remittance solutions in emerging markets. The Company also offers wholesale telecommunications minutes and prepaid telecommunications minutes to consumers through its Tel3 division.

 

The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida on September 21, 2005 to act as a holding company for its subsidiaries. Its subsidiaries are Meimoun and Mammon, LLC (100% owned) (“M&M”), Next Cala, Inc. (94% owned -was dissolved on July 3, 2020) (“Cala”), NxtGn, Inc. (65% owned-was dissolved on August 24, 2020) (“NxtGn”) and Cuentas Mobile LLC (formerly Next Mobile 360, LLC. - 100% owned). Additionally, Next Cala, Inc. had a 60% interest in NextGlocal Inc. (“NextGlocal”), a subsidiary formed in May 2016 and which was dissolved on September 27, 2019. Tel3, a business segment of Meimoun and Mammon, LLC provides prepaid calling cards to consumers directly and operates in a complimentary space as Meimoun and Mammon, LLC. On October 23, 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares in Limecom, Inc., (“Limecom” and such acquisition, the “Limecom Acquisition”) from Heritage Ventures Limited (“Heritage”). On January 30, 2019, the Company exercised a right to rescind the Acquisition, principally in an effort to reduce the Company’s continuing debt obligations associated with the Acquisition.

 

Formation of SDI NEXT DISTRIBUTION LLC (“SDI NEXT”)

 

On December 6, 2017, the Company completed its formation of SDI NEXT in which the Company owns a 51% membership interest, previously announced August 24, 2017 in a letter of intent with Fisk Holdings, LLC (“Fisk Holdings”). Per the Operating Agreement of SDI NEXT the Company and Fisk Holdings will serve as the Managing Members of SDI Next and the Company will contribute a total of $500,000, to be paid per an agreed-upon schedule over a twelve-month period. Fisk Holdings will contribute 30,000 (thirty thousand) active point of sale locations for distribution of retail telecommunications and prepaid financial products and services to include, but not be limited to: prepaid general purpose reload (“GPR”) cards, prepaid gift cards, prepaid money transfer, prepaid utility payments, and other prepaid products. The completed formation of an established distribution business for third-party gift cards, digital content, mobile top up, financial services and digital content, which presently includes more than 31,600 U.S. active Point of Sale locations, including store locations, convenience stores, bodegas, store fronts, etc. The parties agreed that additional product lines may be added with unanimous decision by the Managing Members of SDI NEXT. During 2018, it was agreed between the parties to distribute the Company’s recently announced CUENTAS GPR card and mobile banking solution aimed to the unbanked, underbanked and financially underserved consumers, making them available to customers at the more than 31,600 retail locations SDI NEXT presently serves. SDI NEXT was dissolved on August 22, 2020.

 

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Limecom

 

On October 23, 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding interests in Limecom.

 

On January 29, 2019, the Company and Heritage Ventures Ltd. (“Heritage”) agreed to amend the Share Purchase Agreement, dated September 19, 2017 (the “Limecom Purchase Agreement”) to extend the right of the Company to rescind the same Share Purchase Agreement and to return the stock in Limecom back to Heritage in the following manner:

 

(a) The 55,259 shares of the Company issued to Heritage and its stockholders will not be returned to the Company, and the remaining 13,815 shares of the Company in escrow will not be issued to Heritage. Instead, the Company will issue an additional 36,000 shares of the Company as directed by Heritage.

 

(b) The $1,807,000 payment obligation under the Limecom Purchase Agreement will be cancelled.

 

(c) The Employment Agreement with Orlando Taddeo as International CEO of Limecom will be terminated.

 

(d) Heritage, its Stockholders and the current management of Limecom agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Next Group Acquisition, Inc. and the Company from any liabilities (known and unknown) incurred by Limecom (accrued, disclosed or undisclosed by Limecom) up to and including the rescission date.

 

(e) Heritage and Limecom’s current management agreed to cooperate with Next Group Acquisition and/or the Company with any information required to be disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a part of Cuentas’ SEC disclosure obligations with respect to the rescission.

 

(f) Heritage, Limecom and its current management and stockholders agreed to cooperate with Cuentas’ auditors in providing all material information to Cuentas’ auditors as is reasonably required.

 

(g) Heritage and the Limecom current management agreed that the intercompany loan in the approximate sum of $231,000 will be cancelled.

 

(h) Cuentas agreed to issue 8,296 shares of Cuentas restricted stock to several Limecom employees in exchange for salaries due to them. Those shares will be issued and held in escrow until the full satisfaction of the terms of this Amendment.

 

(i) Cuentas agreed to advance the sum of $25,000 toward the payments agreed upon to be paid to American Express, Inc. (“AMEX”) by Limecom, and Limecom agrees to pay the sum of $25,000 to AMEX and the balance of the payments under the Stipulation of Settlement with AMEX as agreed upon by Limecom.

 

On January 30, 2019, Cuentas sent an executed Rescission Letter to Limecom rescinding the acquisition of Limecom according under the Amendment of the Limecom Purchase Agreement, dated January 29, 2019.

 

Cuentas fulfilled its obligation to pay $25,000 to AMEX pursuant to the Amendment of the Limecom Purchase Agreement dated January 29, 2019.

 

Next Communications, Inc. Bankruptcy

 

The Company has historically received financing from Next Communications, Inc. (“Next Communications”), an entity controlled by our CEO, and had a related party payable balance of approximately $0 and approximately $2,972,000 due to Next Communications as December 31, 2018. During the first calendar quarter of 2017, Next Communications filed for bankruptcy protection. As a result, the related party payable was handled by a court appointed trustee as an asset of Next Communications. On January 29, 2019, the United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, approved a Plan of Reorganization for Next Communications., whereby the Company would pay $600,000 to a specific creditor in consideration for the forgiveness of the balance of the payable to Next Communications. On March 10, 2019, the Company paid $50,000 to the trust account of the specific creditor, per the order, and on May 10, 2019, the Company paid $550,000 to the same trust account of the specific creditor, per the order, and satisfied its obligation under the Approved Plan of the Reorganization for Next Communications, Inc., that was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, on January 29, 2019.

   

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OUTLOOK

 

Business Environment

 

We are a leading technology payment platform company that enables digital and mobile payments on behalf of under-bank and unbanked individuals. We believe in providing simple, affordable, secure and reliable financial services and digital payments to help our customers to achieve their financial goals. We strive to increase our relevance for consumers, and family to access and move their money anywhere in the world, anytime, on any platform and through any device (e.g., mobile, tablets, personal computers or wearables). We provide safer and simpler ways for businesses of all sizes to accept payments from merchant websites, mobile devices and applications, and at offline retail locations through a wide range of payment solutions. We also facilitate person to person payments through Cuentas GPR Card.

 

We operate globally and in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment characterized by a heightened regulatory focus on all aspects of the payments industry. That focus continues to become even more heightened as regulators on a global basis focus on such important issues as countering terrorist financing, anti-money laundering, privacy and consumer protection. Some of the laws and regulations to which we are subject were enacted recently and the laws and regulations applicable to us, including those enacted prior to the advent of digital and mobile payments, are continuing to evolve through legislative and regulatory action and judicial interpretation. Non-compliance with laws and regulations, increased penalties and enforcement actions related to non-compliance, changes in laws and regulations or their interpretation, and the enactment of new laws and regulations applicable to us could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Therefore, we monitor these areas closely to ensure compliant solutions for our customers who depend on us.

 

Industry Trends

 

Our industry is dynamic and highly competitive, with frequent changes in both technologies and business models. Each industry shift is an opportunity to conceive new products, new technologies, or new ideas that can further transform the industry and our business. At Cuentas, we push the boundaries of what is possible through a broad range of research and development activities that seek to anticipate the changing demands of customers, industry trends and competitive forces.

 

Key Opportunities and Investments

 

Based on our assessment of key technology trends and our broad focus on long-term research and development of new products and services, we see significant opportunities to drive future growth.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison of year ended December 31, 2020 to year ended December 31, 2019

 

Revenue

 

The Company generates revenues through the sale and distribution of prepaid telecom minutes and other related telecom services.

 

Revenues during the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $558,000 compared to $967,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is due to our diminishing telecom business. The Company generated revenues through the sale and distribution of prepaid telecom minutes, digital products and other related telecom services. The Company have begun to generate sales from its Fintech products and services during the third quarter of 2020.

 

Costs of Revenue

 

Cost of revenues during the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $697,000 compared to $808,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is due to our diminishing telecom business. Cost of revenue consists mainly of the purchase of wholesale minutes for resale, related telecom platform costs and purchase of digital products. Since the soft launch of the Company’s GPR Product during the second quarter of 2020, cost of revenue also consisted of costs related to the sale of the Company’s GPR Card in the amount of $158,000.

 

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Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses totaled $7,640,000 during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $2,305,000 during the year ended December 31, 2019 representing a net increase of $5,335,000. The increase in the operating expenses is mainly due to the increase in the amortization expense of intangible assets in the amount of $1,800,000, officers compensation in the amount of $1,325,000, increase in stock-based compensation in the amount of $1,234,000 and increase in professional services in the amount of $172,000.

 

Other Income 

 

The Company recognized other income of $296,000 during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to other income of $860,000 during the year ended December 31, 2019. The net change from the prior period is mainly due to other income in the amount of $2,362,000 from the satisfaction of the Company’s obligation under the Approved Plan of the Reorganization for Next Communications, Inc., that was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, on January 29, 2019 pursuant to which we paid and recorded $600,000 to satisfy an obligation of approximately $2,962,000 in 2019. It is also due to the change in the gain recognized on the fair value measurement of our derivative and stock-based liabilities. The fair value measurements related to derivative liabilities is driven by market inputs and inherently subject to volatility. Gain from Change in Fair Value of stock-based liabilities for year ended December 31, 2020 was $303,000, as compared to a loss of $560,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Net Loss 

 

We incurred a net loss of $8,101,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to a net loss of $1,320,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019, for the reasons described above.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations, and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. Significant factors in the management of liquidity are funds generated by operations, levels of accounts receivable and accounts payable and capital expenditures.

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $227,000 of cash, total current assets of $296,000 and total current liabilities of $6,480,000 creating a working capital deficit of $6,184,000. Current assets as of December 31, 2020 consisted of $227,000 of cash, marketable securities in the amount of $3,000, related parties of $54,000 and other current assets of $12,000.

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $16,000 of cash, total current assets of $165,000 and total current liabilities of $3,917,000 creating a working capital deficit of $3,752,000. Current assets as of December 31, 2019 consisted of $16,000 of cash, marketable securities in the amount of $1,000, related parties of $54,000 and other current assets of $94,000.

 

The increase in our working capital deficit was mainly attributable to the increase of $1,484,000 in other accounts liabilities, an increase of $829,000 in our trade account payables and an increase of $703,000 in our short-term loans and convertible loans.

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $1,738,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1,315,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company’s primary uses of cash have been for professional support, marketing expenses and working capital purposes.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $1,949,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to approximately $1,177,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. We have principally financed our operations in 2019 through the sale of our Common Stock and the issuance of debt.

 

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We have principally financed our operations in 2020 through the sale of our Common Stock to private investors, issuance of convertible loans debt and loans from our shareholders. On September 11, 2020, the Company issued a promissory note to Labrys Funds LP (“Labrys”) for $605,000 (the “Labrys Note”). On February 12, 2021, we fully prepaid our loan to Labrys.

 

On November 12, 2020, we issued a convertible promissory note to a private investor in the amount of $250,000, which matures on November 12, 2021. Interest accrues from the date of the note on the unpaid principal amount at a rate equal to 10.00% per annum, calculated as simple interest. The holder may elect to convert all or any part of the then outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest due under the note into shares of Common Stock until maturation. The conversion price of the note is $2.75 per share, which may be proportionately adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar event affecting the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company without the payment of consideration to the Company therefor at any time prior to conversion. The Company issued such convertible promissory note in reliance on the exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

On February 4, 2021 the Company sold an aggregate of 2,790,697 units at a price to the public of $4.30 per unit (the “Offering”), each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and a warrant exercisable for five years to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.30 per share (the “Warrants”), pursuant to that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), between the Company and Maxim Group LLC (the “Representative” or “Maxim”), as representative of the sole underwriter. In addition, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 418,604 additional shares of Common Stock, and/or 418,604 additional Warrants, to cover over-allotments in connection with the Offering. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $12.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of 8% of the gross proceeds and estimated Offering expenses. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company also issued to the Underwriter warrants (the “Underwriter’s Warrants”) to purchase up to a total of 223,256 shares of Common Stock (8% of the shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering). The Underwriter’s Warrants are exercisable at $5.375 per share of Common Stock and have a term of five years. The total expenses of the offering were approximately $1.4 million, which included Maxim’s expenses relating to the offering.

 

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Our lack of operating history makes predictions of future operating results difficult to ascertain. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of development, particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving markets. Such risks for us include, but are not limited to, an evolving and unpredictable business model and the management of growth.

 

To address these risks, we must, among other things, implement and successfully execute our business and marketing strategy surrounding the Cuentas Mastercard, continually develop and upgrade our website, respond to competitive developments, lower our financing costs and specifically our accounts receivable factoring costs, and attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in addressing such risks, and the failure to do so can have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements and does not anticipate entering into any such arrangements in the foreseeable future.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

The Company does not expect inflation to be a significant factor in operation of the business.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our financial statements, which we discuss under the heading “Results of Operations” following this section of Item 7. Some of our accounting policies require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

We set forth below those material accounting policies that we believe are the most critical to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and condition and that require complex management judgment.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“‘US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. As applicable to the consolidated financial statements, the most significant estimates and assumptions relate to allowances for impairment of intangible assets, fair value of stock-based compensation and fair value calculations related to embedded derivative features of outstanding convertible notes payable.

 

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 360, formerly SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be fully recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based on the Company’s ability to recover the carrying value of its asset based on estimates of its undiscounted future cash flows. If these estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recognized for the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its carrying value.

 

Derivative Liabilities and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Fair value accounting requires bifurcation of embedded derivative instruments such as conversion features in convertible debt or equity instruments and measurement of their fair value for accounting purposes. In assessing the convertible debt instruments, management determines if the convertible debt host instrument is conventional convertible debt and further if there is a beneficial conversion feature requiring measurement. If the instrument is not considered conventional convertible debt under ASC 470, the Company will continue its evaluation process of these instruments as derivative financial instruments under ASC 815.

 

Once determined, derivative liabilities are adjusted to reflect fair value at each reporting period end, with any increase or decrease in the fair value being recorded in results of operations as an adjustment to fair value of derivatives.

 

Fair value of certain of the Company’s financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, account payable, accrued expenses, notes payables, and other accrued liabilities approximate cost because of their short maturities. The Company measures and reports fair value in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value investments.

 

Fair value, as defined in ASC 820, is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value of an asset should reflect its highest and best use by market participants, principal (or most advantageous) markets, and an in-use or an in-exchange valuation premise. The fair value of a liability should reflect the risk of nonperformance, which includes, among other things, the Company’s credit risk.

 

Valuation techniques are generally classified into three categories: the market approach; the income approach; and the cost approach. The selection and application of one or more of the techniques may require significant judgment and are primarily dependent upon the characteristics of the asset or liability, and the quality and availability of inputs. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under ASC 820 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC 820 also provides fair value hierarchy for inputs and resulting measurement as follows:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that are supported by little or no market activity, and that are significant to the fair values.

 

Fair value measurements are required to be disclosed by the Level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall. Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (in Level 3 measurements) are subject to expanded disclosure requirements including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances, separately presenting changes during the period attributable to the following: (i) total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), segregating those gains or losses included in earnings, and a description of where those gains or losses included in earning are reported in the statement of income.

 

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The Company records a debt discount related to the issuance of convertible debts that have conversion features at adjustable rates. The debt discount for the convertible instruments is recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds as an increase in additional paid-in capital and as a reduction to the carrying amount of the convertible instrument equal to the fair value of the conversion features. The debt discount will be accreted by recording additional non-cash gains and losses related to the change in fair values of derivative liabilities over the life of the convertible notes.

  

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company applies ASC 718-10, “Share-Based Payment,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expenses for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors (including employee stock options under the Company’s stock plans) based on estimated fair values.

 

ASC 718-10 requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on the date of grant. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s statement of operations.

 

The Company recognizes compensation expenses for the value of non-employee awards based on the straight-line method over the requisite service period of each award, net of estimated forfeitures.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted as equity awards using a Black-Scholes options pricing model. The option-pricing model requires a number of assumptions, of which the most significant are share price, expected volatility and the expected option term (the time from the grant date until the options are exercised or expire). Expected volatility is estimated based on volatility of similar companies in the technology sector. The Company has historically not paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to issue dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from governmental zero-coupon bonds with an equivalent term. The expected option term is calculated for options granted to employees and directors using the “simplified” method. Grants to non-employees are based on the contractual term. Changes in the determination of each of the inputs can affect the fair value of the options granted and the results of operations of the Company.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

 

On August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies an issuer’s accounting for convertible instruments and its application of the derivatives scope exception for contracts in its own equity. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2020-06, but do not expect any material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and improves consistent application of Topic 740. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not anticipate any immediate impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

  

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In June 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that supersedes the existing impairment model for most financial assets to a current expected credit loss model. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows the entity does not expect to collect. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020, with no material impact on its consolidated financial statements

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology. Under the new guidance, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity is required to recognize an allowance that reflects its current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

 

The guidance became effective on January 1, 2020, including interim periods within that year and requires a modified retrospective transition approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Under the modified retrospective method of adoption, prior year reported results are not restated. The Company has performed its analysis of the impact on its financial instruments that are within the scope of this guidance and has concluded that there was no material impact to its consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU No. 2018-13”) as part of the FASB’s broader disclosure framework project. ASU No. 2018-13 removes, modifies and adds certain disclosures, providing greater focus on requirements that clearly communicate the most important information to the users of the financial statements with respect to fair value measurements. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 as of January 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for income taxes, eliminates certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to improve consistent application among reporting entities. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, though early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. This standard is not expected to have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements after evaluation.

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entity s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity s Own Equity. ASU 2020-06 will simplify the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. Limiting the accounting models results in fewer embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract as compared with current GAAP. Convertible instruments that continue to be subject to separation models are (1) those with embedded conversion features that are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, that meet the definition of a derivative, and that do not qualify for a scope exception from derivative accounting and (2) convertible debt instruments issued with substantial premiums for which the premiums are recorded as paid-in capital. ASU 2020-06 also amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. ASU 2020-06 will be effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2020-06 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

Other new pronouncements issued but not effective as of December 31, 2020 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements upon adoption.

  

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

This item is not applicable as we are currently considered a smaller reporting company.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules appearing on page F-1 through F-36 of this Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

We have had no disagreements with our independent auditors on accounting or financial disclosures.

 

On November 28, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company approved the appointment of Halperin Ilanit, CPA to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. 

 

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ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the year end covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, they have concluded that, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are not effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.Such Information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control, as is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the reported financial information is presented fairly, that disclosures are adequate and that the judgments inherent in the preparation of financial statements are reasonable. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal controls, including the possibility of human error and overriding of controls. Consequently, an effective internal control system can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to reporting financial information.

 

Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the receipts and expenditures of company assets are made and in accordance with our management and directors authorization; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

Management has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) (2013 Framework). Based upon this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2020.

 

Based on that evaluation, management concluded that, during the period covered by this report, such internal controls and procedures were not effective due to the following material weakness identified:

 

Lack of appropriate segregation of duties,

  

Lack of information technology (“IT”) controls over revenue, and

 

Lack of adequate review of internal controls to ascertain effectiveness, and

 

Lack of control procedures that include multiple levels of supervision and review.

 

Implemented or Planned Remedial Actions in response to the Material Weaknesses

 

We will continue to strive to correct the above noted weakness in internal control once we have adequate funds to do so. We believe appointing a director who qualifies as a financial expert will improve the overall performance of our control over our financial reporting.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2020 that materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, do not expect that its disclosure controls or internal controls will prevent all errors or all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. In addition, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None. 

 

39

 

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The names of our director and executive officers and their ages, positions, and biographies are set forth below. Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Set forth below is information regarding our current directors and executive officers. Each director holds his office until he resigns or is removed and his successor is elected and qualified

 

Name   Age   Position
         
Arik Maimon   45   Chairman of the Board of Directors and Interim Chief Executive Officer
         
Ran Daniel   52   Chief Financial Officer
         
Michael De Prado   51   Vice Chairman and Director
         
Adiv Baruch   57   Director
         
Richard J. Berman   77   Director
         
Yochanon Bruk   42   Director
         
Jeff Lewis   61   Director
         
David B. Schottenstein   37   Director

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Arik Maimon, our Chairman, is a founder and Chairman of the Company and served as its CEO from its inception until February 2021, following which he continues to serve as interim CEO while the Company searches for a new CEO. In addition to co-founding the Company, Mr. Maimon founded the Company’s subsidiaries Cuentas Mobile, and M&M. Prior to founding the Company and its subsidiaries, Mr. Maimon founded and ran successful telecommunications companies operating primarily in the United States and Mexico. In 1998, Mr. Maimon founded and ran a privately-held wholesaler of long-distance telecommunications services which, later, under Mr. Maimon’s management, grew from a start up to a profitable enterprise with more than $100 million in annual revenues. Mr. Maimon serves on the Company’s Board of Directors due to the perspective and experience he brings as our co-founder, Chairman, Interim CEO, and as our largest stockholder. 

 

Ran Daniel has served as Chief Financial Officer since November 23, 2018. He has over 25 years of financial and business management experience, accounting, auditing, business forecasting, M&A, due diligence, SEC regulations and internal control experiences. He was responsible for the financial and accounting functions in several companies and has extensive experience working as a CFO in both rapidly growing companies and publicly traded companies. He has worked with real estate, fashion, high-tech companies as well as remote institutional and high net worth individuals. Mr. Daniel is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the United States and Israel, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. Mr. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Economics, a Bachelor of Accounting and an MBA in Finance from the Hebrew University, as well as a Graduate Degree in Law from the University of Bar-Ilan. Mr. Daniel serves on the Company’s Chief Financial Officer due to the perspective and experience he brings as our Chief Financial Officer. 

 

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Michael A. De Prado is a founder and Vice Chairman of the Company and served as its President from its inception until February 2021. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. De Prado spent 20 years in executive positions at various levels of responsibility in the banking, technology, and telecommunications industries. As President of Sales at telecommunications company Radiant/Ntera, Mr. De Prado grew Radiant/Ntera’s sales to more than $200 million in annual revenues. At theglobe.com, Mr. De Prado served as President, reporting directing to Michael S. Egan. Mr. De Prado serves on the Company’s Board of Directors due to the perspective and experience he brings as our co-founder, President, and COO.

  

Adiv Baruch has been a director of the Company since May 2016. Mr. Baruch is a global leader anchors in the Israeli high-tech industry as well as the Chairman of Israeli Export and International cooperation Institute and several private and public companies. Adiv has over 28 years of experience in equity investment and operation management under distress. Mr. Baruch also serves as chairman of Jerusalem Technology Investments Ltd. He also currently serves as Chairman of Maayan Ventures, a platform for investments in innovative technology companies. Mr. Baruch has served as a director of the Bank of Jerusalem, and he served as CEO of BOS Better Online Solutions, which, under this leadership, grew into a highly-successful company traded on Nasdaq under the symbol BOSC. Throughout his career, he has championed development and support of new talent in the high tech and entrepreneurial arenas. He is a Technion graduate and the Chairman of the Institute of Innovation and Technology of Israel. Mr. Baruch serves as a member on the Company’s Board of Directors due to the perspective and experience he brings to Our Board. 

 

Richard J. Berman has served as a Director of the Company since September, 2018. Mr. Berman’s career spans over 35 years of venture capital, senior management and merger and acquisitions experience. He possesses a strong track record of providing senior leadership as an executive and board member of public and private companies, with extensive experience in many business sectors including finance, technology, retail, bio-science and real estate. Mr. Berman currently serves as a Director of four public companies: Advaxis, Inc., Catasys, Inc., Cryoport Inc. and Immuron. He also served as a Director or Officer of more than a dozen public and private companies, including Chairman of National Investment Managers, a company with $12 billion in pension administration assets, from 2006 to 2011. Mr. Berman has a strong track record of providing corporate leadership in the financial services sector, serving as Director of two leading private companies, Strategic Funding Source, an alternative lender to small businesses; and Honor Capitol, an organization that provides auto and home insurance loans to consumers. Mr. Baruch serves as a member on the Company’s Board of Directors due to the perspective and experience he brings to Our Board. 

 

Yochanon Bruk is the managing partner of Dinar Zuz LLC and has served as a Director of the Company since December 2019. Mr. Bruk joined Felman Trading in August 2009 as Logistics Manager and was appointed Corporate Logistics & Transportation Manager in 2011. In this role, he oversees the logistical operations and international distribution networks to ensure the seamless transportation of materials for Felman Production, CCMA, and a number of European-based companies that operate alongside Felman Trading. Mr. Bruk serves as a member on the Company’s Board of Directors due to the perspective and experience he brings to Our Board. 

 

Jeff Lewis has served as a director of the Company since February 2021. Mr. Lewis currently serves as Senior Vice President—Payments and Prepaid of Sutton Bank and has been at Sutton Bank since April 2017. Prior to joining Sutton Bank, Mr. Lewis was a Vice President, General Manger Financial Services at InComm since November 2012. Mr. Lewis has 25 years of payment industry experience with knowledge and experience in networks, card processing, payment processing and program management disciplines. Previously, Mr. Lewis also held key executive positions at Discovery Inc., FIS Global and Metavante Technologies Inc. where he developed a strong background in technology, regulatory and payment processing. Mr. Lewis serves as a member on the Company’s Board of Directors due to the perspective and experience he brings to Our Board. 

 

David B. Schottenstein has served as a director of the Company since February 2021. Mr. Schottenstein is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Privé Revaux, an eyewear company, since June 2017 and has previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of DSCN Capital, an investment fund. He received his Rabbinic degree from Oholei Torah in 2002. Mr. Schottenstein serves as a member on the Company’s Board of Directors due to the perspective and experience he brings to Our Board.  

 

41

 

 

In order to meet the independence requirement of a majority of the members of the Board meeting the Nasdaq requirements the number of directors on the Board of the company may be raised to 11 members.

 

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships, or other arrangements or understandings between or among any of the directors, director nominees, executive officers or other person pursuant to which such person was selected to serve as a director or officer.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws both provide for the indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Florida law.

 

Limitation of Liability of Directors

 

Pursuant to the Florida Statutes, our Articles of Incorporation exclude personal liability for our Directors for monetary damages based upon any violation of their fiduciary duties as Directors, except as to liability for any breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or any transaction from which a Director receives an improper personal benefit. This exclusion of liability does not limit any right which a Director may have to be indemnified and does not affect any Director’s liability under federal or applicable state securities laws. We have agreed to indemnify our directors against expenses, judgments, and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any claim against a Director if he acted in good faith and in a manner he believed to be in our best interests.

 

Election of Directors and Officers

 

Directors are elected to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Officers are appointed to serve until the meeting of the Board following the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Currently, pursuant to the Voting Agreement, Dinar, Mr. De Prado and CIMA each have the right to appoint one director to the Board and Mr. Maimon has the right to appoint two directors to the Board.

 

At each meeting of the Company’s shareholders at which the election of directors is to be considered, each of CIMA, Dinar, Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado have the right to designate one nominee for election at such meeting, and Mr. Maimon has the right to appoint two directors for a total of five Board members. It is intended that, following the Company’s listing on Nasdaq, the Board may expand to 11 members with the same appointment rights as before with six additional independent board members elected by the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Amended and Restated Articles and Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as further amended from time to time.

 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

No Executive Officer or Director of the Corporation has been the subject of any Order, Judgment, or Decree of any Court of competent jurisdiction, or any regulatory agency permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring suspending or otherwise limiting him/her from acting as an investment advisor, underwriter, broker or dealer in the securities industry, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of an investment company, bank, savings and loan association, or insurance company or from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity or in connection with the purchase or sale of any securities.

 

42

 

 

No Executive Officer or Director of the Corporation has been convicted in any criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations) or is the subject of a criminal proceeding which is currently pending.

 

No Executive Officer or Director of the Corporation is the subject of any pending legal proceedings.

 

Corporate Governance

 

Advisors to Management Team

 

On November 20, 2020, the Company entered into the Advisory Agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Wattenberg will provide certain management consulting services to the Company in relation to the operations of the Company, its management, strategic planning, marketing and financial matters until April 30, 2021. In exchange for such advisory services, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Wattenberg a cash fee in the amount of $25,000, payable in five equal installments of $5,000 each with the first payment due on the effective date of the Advisory Agreement and monthly thereafter for the balance of the term. In addition, upon the effective date, the Company issued to Mr. Wattenberg a five-year warrant to acquire up to 40,000 shares of common stock of the Company, exercisable at any time at $8.75 per share, on a cash or cashless basis.

 

On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Juan Martin Gomez, who is currently the chief executive officer and a 25% shareholder of CIMA (the “Consulting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Martin will have access to the Company’s facilities once a week and provide consulting services to the Company, including support for marketing and corporate structuring, for a term of one year, which term may be extended upon satisfactory performance of his duties. In exchange for his consulting services, the Company will pay Mr. Martin a monthly fee of $5,000.

 

Board of Directors

 

We currently have seven directors serving on our Board of Directors. A majority of the authorized number of directors constitutes a quorum of the Board for the transaction of business. The directors must be present at the meeting to constitute a quorum. However, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent in writing to the action.

 

Board Committees and Director Independence

 

Director Independence

 

Of our current directors, we have determined that Messrs. Berman, Baruch, Lewis and Schottenstein are “independent” as defined by applicable rules and regulations.

 

Board Committees

 

Our Board of Directors has established two standing committees—Audit and Compensation. All standing committees operate under a charter that has been approved by our Board of Directors. In addition, in lieu of a Nominating and Corporate Governance committee, our Board of Directors has designated the independent directors of the Board of Directors by resolution to select, or recommended for the Board of Director’s selection, any and all nominees to the Board of Directors (see Nomination of Directors below).

 

Audit Committee

 

Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, composed of Messrs. Berman, Lewis and Baruch, each of whom are independent directors as defined in accordance with section Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and the rules of Nasdaq. Mr. Berman serves as chairman of the committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Berman is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

43

 

 

 

Our Audit Committee oversees our corporate accounting, financial reporting practices and the audits of financial statements. For this purpose, the Audit Committee has a charter (which will be reviewed annually) and performs several functions. The Audit Committee:

 

  evaluates the independence and performance of, and assesses the qualifications of, our independent auditor and engages such independent auditor;

 

  approves the plan and fees for the annual audit, quarterly reviews, tax and other audit-related services and approves in advance any non-audit service and fees therefor to be provided by the independent auditor;

 

  monitors the independence of the independent auditor and the rotation of partners of the independent auditor on our engagement team as required by law;

 

  reviews the financial statements to be included in our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and reviews with management and the independent auditors the results of the annual audit and reviews of our quarterly financial statements;

 

  oversees all aspects of our systems of internal accounting and financial reporting control and corporate governance functions on behalf of the board; and

 

  provides oversight assistance in connection with legal, ethical and risk management compliance programs established by management and the board, including compliance with requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding corporate governance issues and policy decisions.

 

The Audit Committee has a charter, which will be reviewed annually.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Our Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee composed of Messrs. Berman and Baruch, each of whom is independent in accordance with rules of Nasdaq. Mr. Berman is the chairman of the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee reviews or recommends the compensation arrangements for our management and employees and also assists the Board of Directors in reviewing and approving matters such as company benefit and insurance plans, including monitoring the performance thereof. The Compensation Committee has a charter, which will be reviewed annually.

 

Nomination of Directors

 

Our Board of Directors, by resolution of the full Board of Directors addressing the nominations process and such related matters as may be required under the federal securities laws, has charged the independent directors constituting a majority of our Board of Directors with the responsibility of reviewing our corporate governance policies and with proposing potential director nominees to the Board of Directors for consideration. The independent directors will consider director nominees recommended by security holders.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Insider Trading Policy

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct and an Insider Trading Policy.

 

Compliance under Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance 

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock (collectively, “Reporting Persons”) to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership in our Common Stock and other equity securities. To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on its review of the copies of such reports received or written representations from certain Reporting Persons that no other reports were required, the Company believes that during its fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, all filing requirements applicable to the Reporting Persons were timely met.

 

44

 

 

Stockholder Communications 

 

Although we do not have a formal policy regarding communications with the Board, stockholders may communicate with the Board by writing to us at 19 W. Flagler St, Suite 902, Miami, FL 33130, Attention: Stockholder Communication. Stockholders who would like their submission directed to a member of the Board may so specify, and the communication will be forwarded, as appropriate.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation

  

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the annual compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers during the last two fiscal years.

  

(a)
Name and Principal Position
  (b)
Year
  (c)
Salary
    (d)
Bonus
    (f)
Option Awards
    (g)
Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
    (h)
Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
    (i)
All Other
Compensation
    (j)
Total
Compensation
 
Arik Maimon   2020   $ 295,000     $

500,000

    $ 253,333     $      -     $       -     $ 5,000     $ 1,053,333  
CEO   2019     180,000     $ 93,740     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 10,000     $ 283,740  
                                                             
Michael De Prado   2020   $ 265,000     $ 500,000     $ 202,667     $ -     $ -     $ 4,000     $ 971,667  
President   2019     130,000     $ 93,740     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 6,000     $ 229,740  
                                                             
Ran Daniel   2020   $ 162,000     $ 100,000     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 179,452     $ 441,952  
CFO   2019   $ 175,500     $ -     $ 102,991     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 278,941  

  

On July 24, 2020, our Compensation Committee approved the amendments to the employment agreements with each of Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado. The Employment Agreements superseded the terms of the pre-existing Employment Agreements.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreements, among other things:

 

  (1) Mr. Maimon will receive the following compensation: (a) a base salary of $295,000 per annum during the term of employment (the earlier of four months (or any extension thereof) or the appointment of a replacement president), and after the employment term ends payment of such amount continuing in the form of board compensation for an initial period of 18 months, which may be extended from year to year for an additional 12 months (for up to 36 months in total) upon receipt of required approvals (b) participation in the Company’s employee benefits plan; (c) participation in the Company’s Funding and Change in Control Bonus Plans, if and when in effect, as described below in section 5.

 

45

 

 

  (2) Mr. De Prado will receive the following compensation: (a) a base salary of $265,000 per annum during the term of employment (the earlier of four months (or any extension thereof) or the appointment of a replacement president), and after the employment term ends payment of such amount continuing in the form of board compensation for an initial period of 18 months, which may be extended from year to year for an additional 12 months (for up to 36 months in total) upon receipt of required approvals;  (b) participation in the Company’s employee benefits plan; (c) participation in the Company’s Funding and Change in Control Bonus Plans, if and when in effect, as described below in section 5.

 

  (3) Each of Mr. De Prado and Mr. Maimon will be employed for an initial term of four months which can be extended up to an 18 month period as a Special Board Compensation unless either party terminates the New Employment Agreements. As of December 31, 2020, the initial term for each of Mr. De Prado and Mr. Maimon was extended by additional of seven weeks.  The terms ended as of February 24, 2021 at which time Mr. De Prado and Mr. Maimon ceased to serve as President and CEO, respectively and Mr. Maimon began serving as Interim CEO pending engagement of a new CEO.

 

  (4) The Executives shall be entitled to a bonus payment in connection with the Change in Control of the Company (the “Change in Control Bonus”).  The Change in Control Bonus for the Executive will be based upon a Bonus Percentage (as set forth in the chart below) based upon the cash consideration received by the stockholders of the Company in the Change in Control transaction (minus any expenses, holdback provisions or other deductions from the purchase price), as determined in the sole discretion of the Board.

 

  (a) The Bonus Percentage in relation to the cash consideration received by the stockholders is as follows:

 

Bonus Percentage   Cash Consideration Received by Stockholders
0%   Less than $150 million
1% (one percent)   $150 million or more
2.5% (two and one-half percent)   $250 million or more
3.75% (three and three-fourths percent)   $500 million or more
5% (five percent)   $1 Billion or more

  

  (5) The Executives are entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit, pension and/or profit-sharing plans, and the Company will pay certain health and dental premiums on their behalf.

 

  (6) Each of the Executives are entitled to certain travel and expense reimbursement.

 

  (7) The Executives have agreed to a one-year non-competition agreement following the termination of their employment.

 

As the employment terms of the Executives terminated on February 24, 2021, Mr. Maimon became the chairman (and interim CEO) of the Company and Mr. De Prado became the vice chairman. Under the Employment Agreements, each of them continues to receive the Special Board Compensation described in clause 2 above. 

 

On November 28, 2018, the Company entered in to Employment agreement with Mr. Daniel. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, among other things:

 

  (1) Mr. Daniel will receive a base salary of $162,500 per annum for initial five years term. The Agreement will be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods unless either party provides ninety days’ prior notice of termination. Furthermore, during the term of his Employment Mr. Daniel’s compensation shall no less than any other officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiary.
     

 

  (2) Mr. Daniel shall have the right, on the same basis as other senior executives of the Company, to participate in and to receive benefits under any of the Company’s employee benefit plans, as such plans may be modified from time to time, and provided that in no event shall Mr. Daniel receive less than four weeks paid vacation per annum and six paid sick and five paid personal days per annum.

 

46

 

 

  (3) Upon the successful up-listing of the Company’s shares of Common Stock to Nasdaq, Mr. Daniel would be entitled to receive a $100,000 bonus.

 

  (4) Mr. Daniel have agreed to a one-year non-competition agreement following the termination of their employment. 
     
  (5) If Mr. Daniel’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of an involuntary termination (as defined in the Employment Agreement), then, in addition to any other benefits described in this Agreement, Mr. Daniel shall receive all compensation bonuses and benefits earned the date of his termination of employment. In addition, Mr. Daniel will be entitled to a lump sum payment equivalent to the remaining salary due Mr. Daniel to the end of the term of his Employment or six months’ salary, whichever is the greater;

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the outstanding equity awards of each of the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2020:

 

Name
(a)
    Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
(b)
      Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
(c)
      Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned
Options (#)
(d)
      Option Exercise Price ($)
(e)
      Option Expiration Date
(f)
      Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
(g)
(9)
      Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
(h)
      Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)
(i)
      Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not
Vested (#)
(j)
 
                                                                         
Arik Maimon     68,000       -       -       11.93       44,000 options at March 29,2025 and the reminder at September 12, 2023       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Michael De Prado     35,200       -       -       14.35       March 29,2025       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Ran Daniel     20,000       -       -       5.29       April 6,2024       -       -       -       -  

 

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The following table sets forth, as of March 23, 2021, certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by: (i) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) each director or nominee for director of our Company, (iii) each of the executives, and (iv) our directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each shareholder is c/o our company at our principal office address:

 

Beneficial Owner   Address   Number of Shares Beneficially Owned     Percent of Class (1)
Arik Maimon (2)   200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 5500     1,688,967        10.01% 
CEO   Miami, FL 33131              
                   
Michael De Prado (3)   200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 5500     798,229        4.73% 
President   Miami, FL 33131              
                   
Adiv Baruch (4)   200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 5500              
Director   Miami, FL 33131     63,334        0.38% 
                   
CIMA Telecom Inc. (5)   1728 Coral Way, 6th Floor              
    Miami, Florida 33145     2,702,991       16.02%
                   
Ran Daniel (6)    200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 5500
Miami, FL 33131
    40,000        0.24%
                   
Jeff Lewis (7)   200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 5500
Miami, FL 33131
    6,667       0.04%
                   
David B. Schottenstein   200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 5500
Miami, FL 33131
    -       -
                   
Huseyin Kizanliki    

1111 Brickell Ave., Suite 2200

Miami, FL 33131

    1,087,442       6.45%
                   

Richard J. Berman (8)

Director

  200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 5500
Miami, FL 33131
    22,000       0.22%
                   
Yochanon Bruk (9)  

1898 NW 74th Ave.

Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

    2,703,391       16.02%
                   
All Directors and Officers as a Group (7 persons)         5,322,588       31.55% 
                   

5% or More Shareholders

 

CIMA Telecom Inc. (5) 

 

1728 Coral Way, 6th Floor

Miami,

Florida 33145

    2,703,391      

 

 

16.02%

                   
Dinar Zuz LLC (9)  

1898 NW 74th Ave.

Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

    2,703,391      

 

 

02%

 

(1) Applicable percentages based on 13,819,601 shares of Common Stock. It also includes the following:  (a) 135,200 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options granted; (b) 2,845,459 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of our currently outstanding warrants; (c) 36,394 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding convertible notes (d) 10,000 shares of Common Stock issuable for a consultant and (e) 23,333 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the vesting of Common Stock granted to some of our employees and consultants. It does not include 58,334 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the vesting of Common Stock granted to some of our employees and consultants.

 

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(2) Arik Maimon is our Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer. Consists of (i) 1,620,967 shares of Common Stock, (ii) 24,000 stock options, exercisable until September 12, 2023 with an exercise price of $7.5 per share and (iii) 44,000 stock options, exercisable until March 29, 2025 with an exercise price of $14.35 per share. Mr. Maimon’s address is 19 W. Flagler St, Suite 902, Miami, Florida 33130.

   

(3) Michael De Prado is our Vice Chairman and Director.  Consists of (i) 763,030 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 35,200 stock options, exercisable until March 29, 2025 with an exercise price of $14.35 per share. Mr. De Prado’s address is 19 W. Flagler St, Suite 902, Miami, Florida 33130.

 

(4) Adiv Baruch is our director. Consists of 63,334 shares of Common Stock. Mr. Baruch’s address is 19 W. Flagler St, Suite 902, Miami, Florida 33130.

   

(5) Pursuant to a Schedule 13G filed by CIMA with the SEC on January 10, 2020, CIMA is the beneficial owner of the shares disclosed therein. Juan M. Gomez is the CEO.

 

(6) Ran Daniel is our Chief Financial Officer. Consists of (i) 20,000 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 20,000 stock options, exercisable until April 6, 2024 with an exercise price of $5.23 per share. Mr. Daniel’s address is 19 W. Flagler St, Suite 902, Miami, Florida 33130.

   

(7) Jeff Lewis is our director. Consists of 6,667 shares of Common Stock.

   

(8) Richard Berman is our director. Applicable percentages based on 10,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding and 12,500 shares upon exercise of stock options.

 

(9) Pursuant to a Schedule 13G filed by Dinar with the SEC on March 5, 2020, Dinar is the beneficial owner of the shares reported therein, and Yochanon Bruk (also known as Jonathan Brook) is the sole manager of Dinar and exercises voting and investment power over the shares of Common Stock. As a result, Dinar and Yochanon Bruk may be deemed to have beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of the shares reported therein. Yochanon Bruk does not own any shares.

 

Changes in Control

 

There are no arrangements, known to the Company, including any pledge by any person of securities of the Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.

 

49

 

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Other than compensation arrangements for our directors and executive officers, which are described elsewhere in this prospectus, below we describe transactions since January 1, 2018, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which (i) the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and (ii) any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of, or person sharing the household with, the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest

 

On November 28, 2018, the Company entered in to Employment Agreement with Mr. Daniel. A description of the Employment Agreement is set forth under Item 11. Executive Compensation and incorporated herein by reference.

 

From February 28, 2019 thru March 3, 2020, the Company received a total investment of $2,500,000 from Dinar pursuant to a convertible promissory note. Dinar fully converted the note in exchange for 702,991 shares. Dinar received 2,000,000 additional shares on August 21, 2020 pursuant to which their anti-dilution rights expired.

 

On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into a series of integrated transactions to license the Platforms from CIMA, through CIMA’s wholly owned subsidiaries. See the section entitled “Business – Agreements and Arrangements with CIMA” for more information.

 

Pursuant to the Side Letter Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, it was agreed by and among Dinar, CIMA, Arik Maimon and Michael De Prado that the Company will borrow up to $462,000 from Dinar at an annual interest rate of nine percent (the “Second Dinar Note”). As of the date of this prospectus, the Company borrowed $355,000 under the Second Dinar Note.

 

On July 24, 2020, the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of Cuentas Inc. (the “Company”) approved the Amended and Restated Employment Agreements with each of Arik Maimon, and Michael De Prado A description of the Employment Agreements is set forth under Item 11. Executive Compensation and incorporated herein by reference

 

50

 

 

On August 17, 2020, at the Shareholders Meeting, the shareholders voted to approve the adoption of the Amended and Restated Articles to provide for a reclassification of all Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock on a one-to-one basis (not giving effect to 1-for-2.5 reverse stock split). In connection with this meeting, Mr. Maimon received 1,460,479 shares of Common Stock of the Company, and Mr. De Prado received 643,303 shares of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the conversion of Preferred B shares. Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, CIMA and Dinar were each granted a proxy by Messrs. Maimon and De Prado, to vote, in the aggregate, 25% of the voting power of the Series B Preferred Shares until such Series B Preferred Shares are converted into shares of the Common Stock. After such conversion, CIMA and Dinar would no longer be entitled to such voting proxy rights but would be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock from the Company to maintain their 25% interest in the Company pursuant to their agreements with the Company dated December 31, 2019, until after the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock. Accordingly, each of Dinar and CIMA received 2.0 million shares. In addition, the Company issued 2,000,000 of Common Stock to each of Dinar and CIMA upon automatic exercise of the Warrants As a result, the Purchase Agreement, Pledge Agreement, and the respective notes, warrants and Voting agreements are no longer in effect.

 

On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Juan Martin Gomez, who is currently the chief executive officer and a 25% shareholder of CIMA (the “Consulting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Martin will have access to the Company’s facilities once a week and provide consulting services to the Company, including support for marketing and corporate structuring, for a term of one year, which term may be extended upon satisfactory performance of his duties. In exchange for his consulting services, the Company will pay Mr. Martin a monthly fee of $5,000.

  

51

 

 

Statement of Policy

 

All future transactions between us and our officers, directors or five percent stockholders, and respective affiliates will be on terms no less favorable than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties and will be approved by a majority of our independent directors who do not have an interest in the transactions and who had access, at our expense, to our legal counsel or independent legal counsel.

 

To the best of our knowledge, during the past three fiscal years, other than as set forth above and herein, there were no material transactions, or series of similar transactions, or any currently proposed transactions, or series of similar transactions, to which we were or are to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any director or executive officer, or any security holder who is known by us to own of record or beneficially more than 5% of any class of our Common Stock, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, has an interest (other than compensation to our officers and directors in the ordinary course of business).

  

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

(1) Audit Fees

 

The Company incurred annual audit fees during the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 with Halperin Ilanit CPA totaling approximately $55,000.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

The Company incurred an annual audit related fees during the year ended December 31, 2020 totaling approximately $35,000. Our principal accountant did not provide audit related services that are reasonably related to the performance of our audit or review of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

All Other Fees

 

There were no other fees billed for products or services provided by our principal accountant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

Our audit committee reviewed or ratified the engagement of the Company’s principal accountant or the fees disclosed above.

 

52

 

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

  (a) Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

53

 

 

CUENTAS INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS F-2
   
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31,2019 F-5
Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9

 

F-1

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF

CUENTAS, INC.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Cuentas Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the years in the period ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year in the period ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical audit matters

 

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

 

F-2

 

 

 

Going concern assessment

 

As discussed in Notes 11 to the consolidated financial statements, on February 4, 2020 the Company sold an aggregate of 2,790,697 units at a price to the public of $4.30 per unit (the “Offering”), each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and a warrant exercisable for five years to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.30 per share (the “Warrants”). In light of the above, the Company’s Management has concluded that there are no material uncertainties that give rise to significant doubt over the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for at least twelve months from the date of the approval of the financial statements.

 

We identified management’s assumptions used to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as a critical audit matter due to inherent complexities and uncertainties related to the Company’s Management’s plans. Auditing these assumptions involved especially challenging auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit evidence and effort required to address these matters.

 

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:

 

Assessing the reasonableness of key assumptions underlying management’s forecast operating cash flows, including revenue growth and gross margin assumptions and evaluating the reasonableness of management’s forecast operating cash flows.

 

Evaluating the probability that the Company will be able to reduce capital expenditures and other operating expenditures if required.

 

Assessing management’s plans in the context of other audit evidence obtained during the audit to determine whether it supported or contradicted the conclusions reached by management.

 

Assessing the effect of events and agreement signed after balance sheet date.

 

/s/ Halperin Ilanit.

Certified Public Accountants (Isr.)

 

Tel Aviv, Israel

March 24, 2021

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018

 

 

F-3

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(U.S. dollars in thousands except share and per share data)

 

    December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
 
             
ASSETS            
CURRENT ASSETS:            
Cash and cash equivalents     227       16  
Marketable securities     3       1  
Related parties     54       54  
Other current assets     12       94  
Total current assets     296       165  
                 
Property and Equipment, net     4       5  
Intangible Assets (Note 2)     7,200       9,000  
Total assets     7,500       9,170  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
Trade payable     2,354       1,525  
Other accounts liabilities (Note 4)     2,195       741  
Deferred revenue     652       537  
Notes and Loan payable     93       109  
Convertible notes payable (Note 5)     719       250  
Derivative liability     -       3  
Related parties’ payables (Note 6)     365       10  
Stock based liabilities     102       742  
Total current liabilities     6,480       3,917  
                 
                 
Other long term     89       -  
TOTAL LIABILITIES     6,569       3,917  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Note 7)                
                 
Series B preferred stock, $0.001 par value, designated 10,000,000; 0 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 10,000,000 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019.     -       10  
Common stock, authorized 360,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value; 10,590,491 and 1,855,656 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively     11       2  
Additional paid in capital     28,411       25,249  
Accumulated deficit     (27,491 )     (19,390 )
                 
Total Cuentas Inc. stockholders’ equity     931       5,871  
                 
Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries     -       (618 )
Total stockholders’ equity     931       5,253  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity     7,500       9,170  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-4

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(U.S. dollars in thousands except share and per share data)

 

    Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2020     2019  
             
REVENUE     558       967  
                 
COST OF REVENUE     697       808  
                 
GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)     (139 )     159  
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES                
                 
General and administrative     5,840       2,305  
Amortization of Intangible Assets     1,800       -  
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES     7,640       2,305  
                 
OPERATING LOSS     (7,779 )     (2,146 )
                 
OTHER INCOME, NET                
                 
Other income, net     98       2,482  
Interest expense     (108 )     (1,092 )
Gain on derivative liability     3       30  
Gain (loss) from Change in fair value of stock-based liabilities     303       (560 )
TOTAL OTHER INCOME, NET     296       860  
                 
NET LOSS BEFORE CONTROLLING INTEREST     (7,483 )     (1,286 )
                 
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST     (618 )     (34 )
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CUENTAS INC.     (8,101 )     (1,320 )
                 
Basic and Diluted net loss per share     (1.16 )     (1.45 )
                 
Weighted average number of basic and diluted shares of common stock outstanding     6,968,554       913,881  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-5

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    Series B                                   Non-Controlling Interest        
    Preferred
Stock
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Total
Stockholders’
    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Total Non-
Controlling
       
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Deficit     Capital     Deficit     Interest     Total  
                                                                   
Balance December 31, 2019     10,000,000       10       1,855,656       2       25,249       (19,390 )     5,871       43       (661 )     (618 )     5,253  
                                                                                         
Shares of Common Stock were issued in consideration of Commitment fee     -       -       56,725       *       90       -       90       -       -       -       90  
Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock     (10,000,000 )     (10 )     8,000,000       8       2       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Shares issued for services     -       -       36,000       *       420       -       420       -       -       -       420  
Shares issued for conversion of convertible note     -       -       503,115       1       1,004       -       1,005       -       -       -       1,005  
Warrants and Stock options compensation     -       -       138,995       *       1,646       -       1,646       -       -       -       1,646  
Net income for year ending December 31, 2020     -       -       -       -       -       (8,101 )     (8,101 )     (43 )     661       618       (7,483 )
Balance December 31, 2020     -     $ -       10,590,491     $ 11     $ 28,411     $ (27,491 )   $ 931     $ -     $ -     $ -       931  

 

* Less than $1.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-6

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    Series B
Preferred
Stock
    Common
Stock
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Total
Stockholders’
    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Total Non-
Controlling
       
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Subscribed     Capital     Deficit     Deficit     Capital     Deficit     Interest     Total  
                                                                         
Balance December 31, 2018     10,000,000       10       635,577       1       100       12,161       (18,070 )     (5,798 )     43       (695 )     (652 )     (6,450 )
                                                                                                 
Committed shares issued     -       -       13,600       *       (100 )     100       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Shares issued for services     -       -       163,932       *       -       989       -       989       -       -       -       989  
Shares issued for conversion of debt     -       -       836,325       1       -       11,017       -       11,018       -       -       -       11,018  
Shares issued for cash**     -       -       163,058       *       -       539       -       539       -       -       -       539  
Shares issued due to the Rescission of the Limecom Acquisition     -       -       43,164       *       -       376       -       376       -       -       -       376  
Forgiveness of imputed interest on related party payable     -       -       -       -       -       67       -       67               -       -       67  
Net income for year ending December 31, 2019   $ -       -       -       -       -       -       (1,320 )     (1,320 )     -       34       34       (1,286 )
Balance December 31, 2019     10,000,000     $ 10       1,855,656       2     $ -     $ 25,249     $ (19,390 )   $ 5,871       43     $ (661 )     (618 )     5,253  

 

* Less than $1.

 

** Issuance cost during the period were $10

 

F-7

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2020     2019  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:            
Net loss   $ (7,483 )   $ (1,286 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:                
Stock based compensation and Shares issued for services     1,444       487  
Imputed interest     -       67  
Available for sale securities     (2 )     78  
Interest expense and Debt discount amortization     58       1,017  
Gain on derivative liability     (3 )     (30 )
Gain (loss) on fair value measurement of stock-based liabilities     (220 )     560  
Depreciation expense     1       1  
Amortization of intangible assets     1,800       -  
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     -       18  
Other receivables     82       (24 )
Accounts payable     843       (217 )
Related party, net             (2,356 )
Other accounts payables     1,647       416  
Deferred revenue     115       (46 )
Other liabilities     (20 )     -  
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities     (1,738 )     (1,315 )
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:                
Proceeds from (Repayments of) convertible notes     250       250  
Related parties, net     -       (664 )
Proceeds from short term loans     505       -  
Proceeds from Loans from Related parties     355       -  
Proceeds from loans from a Government Agency     89          
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net of issuance cost     750       1,591  
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities     1,949       1,177  
                 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash     211       (138 )
Cash at Beginning of Period     16       154  
Cash at End of Period     227     $ 16  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information                
Cash paid for interest   $ -     $ -  
Cash paid for income taxes   $ -     $ -  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities                
Common stock issued for conversion of convertible note principal   $ 2,500     $ -  
Common Stock issued for conversion of convertible note issued against Other Assets   $ -       9,000  
Common stock issued for settlement of stock-based liabilities and accrued salaries   $ 442     $ 735  
Shares of Common Stock were issued in consideration of Commitment fee     90     $ -  
Common stock issued for settlement of common stock subscribed   $ -     $ 100  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-8

 

  

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Cuentas, Inc. (the “Company”) together with its subsidiaries, is focused on financial technology (“FINTECH”) services, delivering mobile banking, online banking, prepaid debit and digital content services to unbanked, underbanked and underserved communities. The Company derives its revenue from the sales of prepaid and wholesale calling minutes. Additionally, The Company has an agreement with Interactive Communications International, Inc. (“InComm”) a leading processor of general purpose reloadable (“GPR”) debit cards, to market and distribute a line of GPR cards targeted towards the Latin American market.

 

The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida on September 21, 2005 to act as a holding company for its subsidiaries. Its subsidiaries are Meimoun and Mammon, LLC (100% owned) (“M&M”), Next Cala, Inc. (94% owned -was dissolved on July 3, 2020) (“Cala”), NxtGn, Inc. (65% owned-was dissolved on August 24, 2020) (“NxtGn”) and Cuentas Mobile LLC (formerly Next Mobile 360, LLC. - 100% owned). Additionally, Next Cala, Inc. had a 60% interest in NextGlocal Inc. (“NextGlocal”), a subsidiary formed in May 2016 and which was dissolved on September 27, 2019. Tel3, a business segment of Meimoun and Mammon, LLC provides prepaid calling cards to consumers directly and operates in a complimentary space as Meimoun and Mammon, LLC. On October 23, 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares in Limecom, Inc., (“Limecom” and such acquisition, the “Limecom Acquisition”) from Heritage Ventures Limited (“Heritage”). On January 30, 2019, the Company exercised a right to rescind the Limecom Acquisition, principally in an effort to reduce the Company’s continuing debt obligations associated with the Limecom Acquisition.

 

On December 6, 2017, the Company completed its formation of SDI NEXT DISTRUBUTION LLC (“SDI Next”) in which the Company owns a 51% membership interest, previously announced August 24, 2017 in a letter of intent with Fisk Holdings, LLC (“Fisk Holdings”). Per the Operating Agreement of SDI Next, the Company and Fisk Holdings will serve as the Managing Members of SDI Next and the Company will contribute a total of $500,000, to be paid per an agreed-upon schedule over a twelve-month period. Fisk Holdings will contribute 30,000 active point of sale locations for distribution of retail telecommunications and prepaid financial products and services to include, but not be limited to: prepaid GPR cards, prepaid gift cards, prepaid money transfer, prepaid utility payments, and other prepaid products. The completed formation of an established distribution business for third-party gift cards, digital content, mobile top up, financial services and digital content, which presently includes more than 31,600 U.S. active Point of Sale locations, including store locations, convenience stores, bodegas, store fronts, etc. The parties agreed that additional product lines may be added with unanimous decision by the Managing Members of SDI Next. During 2018, it was agreed between the parties to distribute the Company’s recently announced CUENTAS GPR card and mobile banking solution aimed to the unbanked, underbanked and financially underserved consumers, making them available to customers at the more than 31,600 retail locations SDI Next presently serves. SDI Next was dissolved on August 22, 2020.

 

On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into a series of integrated transactions to license the Platforms from CIMA, through CIMA’s wholly owned subsidiaries Knetik, and Auris (the “Transaction Closing”) pursuant to that certain Platform License Agreement, dated December 31, 2019 by and among (i) the Company, (ii) CIMA, (iii) Knetik and (iv) Auris (the “License Agreement”) and the various other agreements listed below. Under the License Agreement Cima received a one-time licensing fee in the amount of $9,000 in the form of a convertible note that may be converted, at the option of Cima, into up to 25% of the total shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) on a fully diluted basis as of December 31, 2019. On December 31, 2019, CIMA exercised its option to convert the Convertible Promissory Note into 702,992 shares of Common Stock of the Company. Upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred shares into common stock, CIMA received an additional five million shares pursuant to their anti-dilution warrant agreement.

 

F-9

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The acquired intangible assets that consisted of perpetual software license had an estimated fair value of $9,000. The Company will amortize the intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their expected useful life of 60 months. Identifiable intangible assets were recorded as follows: 

 

Asset   Amount     Life
(months)
 
Intangible Assets   $ 9,000       60  
Total   $ 9,000       60  

 

Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values and reviewed periodically for impairment.

 

Amortization of intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter is expected to be as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,      
2021   $ 1,800  
2022     1,800  
2023     1,800  
2024     1,800  
Total   $ 7,200  

 

Amortization expense was $1,800 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for each period is included in operating expenses.

 

Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company shall pay CIMA annual fees for the maintenance and support services in accordance with the following schedule: (i) for the first (1st) calendar year from the Effective Date, $300 were paid in 2020; (ii) for the second (2nd) calendar year from the Effective Date, $500 to be paid on December 31, 2020; (iii) for the third (3rd) calendar year from the Effective Date, $700 to be paid on December 31, 2021; (iv) for the fourth (4th) calendar year from the Effective Date, $1,000 to be paid on December 31, 2022; (v) for the fifth (5th) calendar year from the Effective Date, $640 to be paid on December 31, 2022; and (vi) for each calendar year thereafter, $640 to be paid on the anniversary date (see Further explanation in Note 2).

 

F-10

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

REVERSE SPLIT

 

On February 2, 2021, the Company completed a reverse stock split of its common stock. As a result of the reverse stock split, the following changes have occurred (i) every two and a half shares of common stock have been combined into one share of common stock; (ii) the number of shares of common stock underlying each common stock option or common stock warrant have been proportionately decreased on a 2.5-for-1 basis, and the exercise price of each such outstanding stock option and common warrant has been proportionately increased on a 2.5-for-1 basis. Accordingly, all option numbers, share numbers, warrant numbers, share prices, warrant prices, exercise prices and losses per share have been adjusted within these consolidated financial statements, on a retroactive basis, to reflect this 2.5-for-1 reverse stock split.

 

COVID-19

 

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China, which has and is continuing to spread throughout China and other parts of the world, including the United States. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” On January 31, 2020, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the U.S. healthcare community in responding to COVID-19, and on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak as a “pandemic”. A significant outbreak of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets worldwide, as well as our business and operations. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

F-11

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 2 – Cima Telecom Inc.

 

On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into a series of integrated transactions to license the Platforms from CIMA, through CIMA’s wholly owned subsidiaries Knetik, and Auris (the “Transaction Closing”) pursuant to that certain Platform License Agreement, dated December 31, 2019 by and among (i) the Company, (ii) CIMA, (iii) Knetik and (iv) Auris (the “License Agreement”) and the various other agreements listed below.

 

License Agreement

 

Contemporaneously with the Transaction Closing, on December 31, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) the Company entered into the License Agreement. Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company has an exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, royalty-free license to access and use the Knetik and Auris technology platforms (collectively, the “Licensed Technology”) in the form provided to the Company via the Hosting Services (as defined in the License Agreement) and solely within the FINTECH space for the Company’s business purposes. Under the License Agreement Cima received a one-time licensing fee in the amount of $9,000 in the form of a convertible note that may be converted, at the option of Cima, into up to 25% of the total shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) on a fully diluted basis as of December 31, 2019. On December 31, 2019, CIMA exercised its option to convert the Convertible Promissory Note into 702,992 shares of Common Stock of the Company.

 

Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company shall pay CIMA annual fees for the maintenance and support services in accordance with the following schedule: (i) for the first (1st) calendar year from the Effective Date, $300 to be paid on June 30, 2020; (ii) for the second (2nd) calendar year from the Effective Date, $500 to be paid on December 31, 2020; (iii) for the third (3rd) calendar year from the Effective Date, $700 to be paid on December 31, 2021; (iv) for the fourth (4th) calendar year from the Effective Date, $1,000 to be paid on December 31, 2022; (v) for the fifth (5th) calendar year from the Effective Date, $640 to be paid on December 31, 2022; and (vi) for each calendar year thereafter, $640 to be paid on the anniversary date.

 

Voting Agreement

 

Contemporaneously with the Transaction Closing, on December 31, 2019, the Company entered into that certain voting agreement and proxy (the “Voting Agreement”), by and among the Company, Arik Maimon, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael De Prado, the Company’s President, Dinar, and CIMA. Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, each of CIMA, Dinar and Mr. De Prado shall have the right to designate one director to the Company’s Board of Directors and Mr. Maimon will have the right to designate two directors to the Board as promptly as practicable after the Transaction Closing. At each meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which the election of directors is to be considered, each of CIMA, Dinar, Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado shall have the right to designate one nominee for election at such meeting. Additionally, the Company has granted CIMA board observer rights whereby CIMA shall have the right to invite one representative to attend all meetings of the Board in a non-voting observer capacity. The size of the Board and appointee rights are subject to change in the event that the Company’s shares of Common Stock become listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (or if there is any other similar transaction which ultimately involves the listing of the Company’s capital stock, whether Common Stock or any other class or series of capital stock of the Company, on any exchange affiliated with or similar to Nasdaq). Furthermore, pursuant to the Voting Agreement, each of Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado appointed each of CIMA and Dinar as their proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote or act by written consent with respect to the shares of Voting Stock (as defined in the Voting Agreement) representing each individual’s pro rata percentage of the CIMA Proxy Stock and Dinar Proxy Stock (as defined in the Voting Agreement), as may be recalculated from time to time subject to the terms and conditions of the Voting Agreement, until the CIMA Warrant is exercised and until the Dinar Warrant is exercised, respectively.

 

Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement

 

Contemporaneously with the Transaction Closing, the Company entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and between the Company and CIMA, pursuant to which the Company made and sold to (i) CIMA a 3% convertible promissory note (the “Convertible Promissory Note”) in the principal amount of $9,000 and (ii) (a) CIMA a warrant (the “CIMA Warrant”) , to purchase from the Company an aggregate of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares (the “Shares”) of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), equal to 25% of shares of Common Stock or any other equity issued upon the conversion of the Series B preferred stock. The Purchase Agreement contained customary representations, warranties, covenants, and conditions, including indemnification. Among other conditions to closing, the Company has agreed to take all necessary steps to amend and restate its Articles of Incorporation (the “A&R Articles”) and to amend and restate its Bylaws (the “A&R Bylaws”) and properly file and effect such A&R Articles and A&R Bylaws with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, each as necessary, no later than June 30, 2020.

    

F-12

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Convertible Promissory Note

 

Contemporaneously with the Transaction Closing, the Company made and sold to CIMA a convertible promissory note (the “CIMA Convertible Promissory Note”) in accordance with the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Convertible Promissory Note, at any time on or before twelve months after the date of the CIMA Convertible Promissory Note, CIMA may elect in its sole and absolute discretion to convert all unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the CIMA Convertible Promissory Note into 25% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company calculated on a fully diluted basis as of the conversion date, assuming the conversion, exercise, and exchange of all equity and debt securities of the Company which are convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Common Stock of the Company, but not including the Warrants. On December 31, 2019, CIMA exercised its option to convert the Convertible Promissory Note into 702,992 shares of Common Stock of the Company, which constitutes 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company calculated on a fully diluted basis as of the same date.

 

Warrants

 

Contemporaneously with the Transaction Closing, the Company made and sold a warrant to each of (a) CIMA (the “CIMA Warrant”) and (b) Dinar (the “Dinar Warrant,” and together with the CIMA Warrant, the “Warrants”), each in accordance with the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Warrants, upon exercise, each of CIMA and Dinar shall be entitled to purchase from the Company, in the aggregate, an amount of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock equal to 25% of total outstanding shares of the Company on a fully-diluted basis (taking into account any warrants, options, debt convertible into shares or other rights underlying shares of the Company) as of the conversion date; provided, however, that each Warrant shall increase to include 25% of any additional shares (or warrants, options, debt convertible into shares or other rights underlying shares of the Company) of the Company only to the extent such shares are issued in breach of the Voting Agreement (as defined below). Pursuant to their terms, the Warrants are exercisable, in whole and not in part during the term commencing on December 31, 2019 and ending on the earlier of (a) thirty days following the date on which the Company amends and restates its Articles of Incorporation, which is amendment and restatement is filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Florida or (b) upon a Change of Control, as defined in the Warrants. On September 17, 2020, the Company issued 2,000,000 of its Common Stock to each of Dinar and CIMA, under the automatic exercise of the warrants.

 

Asset Pledge Agreement

 

Contemporaneously with the Transaction Closing, the Company entered into an Asset Pledge Agreement with CIMA (the “Pledge Agreement”). Pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, the Company unconditionally and irrevocably pledged all of its rights, title and interest in and to the Licensed Technology and any rights and assets granted pursuant to the License Agreement to CIMA as a guarantee for the full and punctual fulfillment of its obligations under certain provisions of the Voting Agreement, and the issuance of the securities under the CIMA Convertible Promissory Note and the CIMA Warrant.

 

Side Letter Agreement

 

Contemporaneously with the Transaction Closing, the Company entered into a side letter agreement (the “Side Letter Agreement”), dated December 31, 2019, by and among the Company, Arik Maimon, Michael De Prado, Dinar and CIMA. Pursuant to the Side Letter Agreement, for as long as the License Agreement is in effect, the Convertible Promissory Note is outstanding and unpaid, or CIMA is a shareholder of the Company and owns at least 5% of the Company’s Common Stock, in addition to any other vote or approval required under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or any other agreement, each as amended from time to time, the Company has agreed not to take certain actions without certain approval thresholds of the directors appointed by CIMA, Dinar, Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado. These negative covenants restrict, among other things, the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, alter certain employment agreements currently in place, enter into any consolidation, combination, recapitalization or reorganization transactions, and issue additional capital stock. Additionally, pursuant to the Side Letter Agreement, upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Note by CIMA, Cuentas shall have the primary right of first refusal, and each of Dinar, Mr. De Prado and Mr. Maimon have a secondary right of first refusal, to purchase any shares of Common Stock which CIMA intends to sell to the bona fide third party purchaser on the same terms and conditions as CIMA would have sold such shares of the Company’s Common Stock to any third party purchaser. Further, CIMA has a co-sale right to participate in a sale of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, in the event that Mr. De Prado, Mr. Maimon or any other director or officer of the Company holding greater than 1% of the Company’s Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) proposes to sell any of his, her or its shares of Common Stock. In addition, CIMA and/or Dinar have been granted certain information rights, subject to their continued ownership of the CIMA Convertible Promissory Note or of 5% or more shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock. Furthermore, pursuant to the Side Letter Agreement, upon a successful up-listing of the Company’s shares on the Nasdaq Capital Markets and once the market capitalization of the Company is greater than $50 million for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado will have a right to earn a special bonus in the amount of $500 each.

 

F-13

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Interactive Communications International, Inc. (“InComm”)

 

On July 23, 2019, the Company entered into a five year Processing Services Agreement (“PSA”) with InComm, a leading payments technology company, to power and expand the Company’s GPR card network. InComm distributes Gift and GPR Cards to over 210,000 U.S. retailers and has long standing partnerships with over 1,000 of the most recognized brands that are eligible for Cuentas’ Discount Purchase Platform.

 

Under the PSA, InComm will provide processing services, Data Storage Services, Account Servicing, Reporting, Output and Hot Carding services to the Company. Processing Services will consist mainly of Authorization and Transaction Processing Services whereas InComm will process authorizations for transactions made with or on a Prepaid Product, and any payments or adjustments made to a Prepaid Product. InComm will also process Company’s Data and post entries in accordance with the Specifications. Data Storage Services will consist mainly of storage of the Company’s Data in a format that is accessible online by Company through APIs designated by InComm, subject to additional API and data sharing terms and conditions. InComm will also provide Web/API services for Prepaid Cuentas GPR applications and transactions.

 

In consideration for InComm’s services, the company will pay an initial Program Setup & Implementation Fees in the amount of $500, of which $300 were paid during 2020, then $50 each at the beginning of the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversary of the agreement. In addition, the Company will pay a minimum monthly fee of $30 starting on the fourth month of the first year following the launch of the Cuentas GPR card, $50 during the second year following the launch of the Cuentas GPR card and $75 thereafter. The Company will as also pay 0.25% of all funds added to the Cuentas GPR cards, excluding Vanilla Direct Reload Network and an API Services fee of $0.005 per transaction. The Company may pay other fees as agreed between the Company and InComm.

   

NOTE 3 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“‘US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. As applicable to the consolidated financial statements, the most significant estimates and assumptions relate to allowances for impairment of intangible assets and fair value of stock-based compensation and fair value calculations related to embedded derivative features of outstanding convertible notes payable.

   

Principles of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

F-14

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Functional currency

 

The functional currency of the company and its subsidiaries is U.S dollar.

 

Reclassification of Prior Year Presentation

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all short-term investments, which are highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase, to be cash equivalents. The Company held no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 or 2019. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company did not hold cash with any one financial institution in excess of the FDIC insured limit of $250.

 

Marketable securities

 

The Company accounts for investments in marketable securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320-10, “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC Topic 320-10”). Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments in marketable securities at the time of purchase and reassesses such determination at each balance sheet date. The investments in marketable securities covered by ASC Topic 320-10 that were held by the Company during the reported periods were designated by management as trading securities. Trading securities are stated at market value. The changes in market value are charged to financing income or expenses. Trading gains (losses) for the years 2020 and 2019 amounted to approximately $2 and $ (78), respectively.

  

F-15

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined with respect to amounts the Company has determined to be doubtful of collection. In determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company considers, among other things, its past experience with customers, the length of time that the balance is post due, the customer’s current ability to pay and available information about the credit risk on such customers. There was an allowance for doubtful accounts of $20 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

  

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company provides for depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to five years. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as they are incurred while renewals and improvements which extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. At the time of retirement or disposal of property and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated results of operations.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 360, formerly SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be fully recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based on the Company’s ability to recover the carrying value of its asset based on estimates of its undiscounted future cash flows. If these estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recognized for the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its carrying value. The Company did not record impairment losses during the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

Derivative Liabilities and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Fair value accounting requires bifurcation of embedded derivative instruments such as conversion features in convertible debt or equity instruments and measurement of their fair value for accounting purposes. In assessing the convertible debt instruments, management determines if the convertible debt host instrument is conventional convertible debt and further if there is a beneficial conversion feature requiring measurement. If the instrument is not considered conventional convertible debt under ASC Topic 470, the Company will continue its evaluation process of these instruments as derivative financial instruments under ASC Topic 815.

 

Once determined, derivative liabilities are adjusted to reflect fair value at each reporting period end, with any increase or decrease in the fair value being recorded in results of operations as an adjustment to fair value of derivatives.

 

Fair value of certain of the Company’s financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, account payable, accrued expenses, notes payables, and other accrued liabilities approximate cost because of their short maturities. The Company measures and reports fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value investments.

 

F-16

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Fair value, as defined in ASC Topic 820, is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value of an asset should reflect its highest and best use by market participants, principal (or most advantageous) markets, and an in-use or an in-exchange valuation premise. The fair value of a liability should reflect the risk of nonperformance, which includes, among other things, the Company’s credit risk.

 

Valuation techniques are generally classified into three categories: the market approach; the income approach; and the cost approach. The selection and application of one or more of the techniques may require significant judgment and are primarily dependent upon the characteristics of the asset or liability, and the quality and availability of inputs. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under ASC Topic 820 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC Topic 820 also provides fair value hierarchy for inputs and resulting measurement as follows:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that are supported by little or no market activity, and that are significant to the fair values.

 

F-17

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Fair value measurements are required to be disclosed by the Level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall. Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (in Level 3 measurements) are subject to expanded disclosure requirements including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances, separately presenting changes during the period attributable to the following: (i) total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), (ii) segregating those gains or losses included in earnings and (iii) a description of where those gains or losses included in earning are reported in the statement of income.

 

The Company records a debt discount related to the issuance of convertible debts that have conversion features at adjustable rates. The debt discount for the convertible instruments is recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds as an increase in additional paid-in capital and as a reduction to the carrying amount of the convertible instrument equal to the fair value of the conversion features. The debt discount will be accreted by recording additional non-cash gains and losses related to the change in fair values of derivative liabilities over the life of the convertible notes.

 

A summary of the changes in derivative liabilities balance for the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Liabilities:      
Balance, December 31, 2018   $ 33  
Change in fair value     (30 )
         
Balance, December 31, 2019     3  
Change in fair value     (3 )
         
Balance, December 31, 2020   $ -  

 

The value of the embedded derivative liabilities for the convertible notes payable and outstanding option awards was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following assumptions:

 

    December 31,
2019
 
Common stock price     5.7  
Expected volatility     220 %
Expected term     0.25 years  
Risk free rate     1.55 %
Forfeiture rate     0 %
Expected dividend yield     0 %

 

F-18

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

    Balance as of December 31, 2020  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                        
Marketable securities     3       -       -       3  
Total assets     3       -       -       3  
                                 
Liabilities:                                
Stock based liabilities     102       -       -       102  
Total liabilities     102       -       -       102  

 

  

    Balance as of December 31, 2019  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                        
Marketable securities     1       -       -       1  
Total assets     1       -       -       1  
                                 
Liabilities:                                
Stock based liabilities     742       -       -       742  
Short term derivative value     3       -       -       3  
Total liabilities     745       -       -       745  

 

F-19

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Deferred Revenue

 

The Company records deferred revenue for any upfront payments received in advance of the Company’s performance obligations being satisfied. These contract liabilities consist principally of unearned new minutes fees. Changes in the deferred revenue balance are driven primarily by the amount of new minutes fees recognized during the period, and the degree to which these reductions to the deferred revenue balance are offset by the deferral of new minutes fees associated with minutes sold during the period.

 

Non-Controlling Interest

 

The Company reports the non-controlling interest in its majority owned subsidiaries in the consolidated balance sheets within the stockholders’ deficit section, separately from the Company’s stockholders’ deficit. Non-controlling interest represents the non-controlling interest holders’ proportionate share of the equity of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries. Non-controlling interest is adjusted for the non-controlling interest holders’ proportionate share of the earnings or losses and other comprehensive income (loss) and the non-controlling interest continues to be attributed its share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit non-controlling interest balance.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company follows paragraph 605-10-S99 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for revenue recognition. The Company will recognize revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. The Company considers revenue realized or realizable and earned when all the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the product has been shipped or the services have been rendered to the customer, (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company primarily generates revenues through the brokering of sales of minutes from one telecommunications carrier to another and to a lesser extent the sales of prepaid calling minutes to consumers through its Tel3 division. While the Company collects payment for such minutes in advance, revenue is recognized upon delivery to and consumption of minutes by the consumer. Minutes are forfeited buy the consumer after twelve consecutive months of non-use at which point the Company recognizes revenue from the forfeiture of prepaid minutes.

 

Business Segments

 

The Company operates in a two business segment in telecommunications and General Purpose Reloadable Cards.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the assets and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Use of net operating loss carry forwards for income tax purposes may be limited by Internal Revenue Code Section 382 if a change of ownership occurs.

 

Net Loss Per Basic and Diluted Common Share

 

Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the Company’s net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the Company’s net income available to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding is the basic weighted average number of shares adjusted for any potentially dilutive debt or equity.

 

F-20

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

At December 31, 2020, potentially dilutive securities consisted of 226,356 shares which of 135,200 options to purchase of common stock at prices ranging from $5.22 to $14.35 per share and 54,762 warrants to purchase of common stock at prices ranging from $8.12 to $20.00 per share. Additionally, the Company had a Convertible note totaling $250,000 representing an additional 36,394 common shares. The effects of these options, warrants and note been excluded as the conversion would be anti-dilutive due to the net loss incurred in the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

At December 31, 2019, potentially dilutive securities consisted of 105,700 shares which the Company is obligated to issue and 84,818 options to purchase of common stock at prices ranging from $5.23 to $135 per share. Of these potentially dilutive securities, only 105,700 shares which the Company is obligated to issue and 56,000 options to purchase of common stock at price of $6.69 per share are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. Additionally, the Company had a Convertible note totaling $250,000 representing an additional 33,334 common shares included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of including the remaining instruments would be anti-dilutive. The effects of these notes, common shares subscribed and common shares committed have been excluded as the conversion would be anti-dilutive due to the net loss incurred in the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Advertising Costs

 

The Company’s policy regarding advertising is to expense advertising when incurred. The Company incurred $88 and $25 of advertising costs during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company applies ASC Topic 718-10, “Share-Based Payment,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expenses for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors (including employee stock options under the Company’s stock plans) based on estimated fair values.

 

ASC Topic 718-10 requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on the date of grant. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s statement of operations.

 

The Company recognizes compensation expenses for the value of non-employee awards based on the straight-line method over the requisite service period of each award, net of estimated forfeitures.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted as equity awards using a Black-Scholes options pricing model. The option-pricing model requires a number of assumptions, of which the most significant are share price, expected volatility and the expected option term (the time from the grant date until the options are exercised or expire). Expected volatility is estimated based on volatility of similar companies in the technology sector. The Company has historically not paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to issue dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from governmental zero-coupon bonds with an equivalent term. The expected option term is calculated for options granted to employees and directors using the “simplified” method. Grants to non-employees are based on the contractual term. Changes in the determination of each of the inputs can affect the fair value of the options granted and the results of operations of the Company.

 

F-21

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Related Parties

 

The registrant follows subtopic 850-10 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.

 

Pursuant to Section 850-10-20 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, the Related parties include (a) affiliates of the registrant; (b) entities for which investments in their equity securities would be required, absent the election of the fair value option under the Fair Value Option Subsection of Section 825–10–15, to be accounted for by the equity method by the investing entity; (c) trusts for the benefit of employees, such as pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of management; (d) principal owners of the registrant; (e) management of the registrant; (f) other parties with which the registrant may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests; and (g) other parties that can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or that have an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests.

 

The financial statements shall include disclosures of material related party transactions, other than compensation arrangements, expense allowances, and other similar items in the ordinary course of business. However, disclosure of transactions that are eliminated in the preparation of consolidated or combined financial statements is not required in those statements. The disclosures shall include: (a) the nature of the relationship(s) involved; (b) description of the transactions, including transactions to which no amounts or nominal amounts were ascribed, for each of the periods for which income statements are presented, and such other information deemed necessary to an understanding of the effects of the transactions on the financial statements; (c) the dollar amounts of transactions for each of the periods for which income statements are presented and the effects of any change in the method of establishing the terms from that used in the preceding period; and (d) amounts due from or to related parties as of the date of each balance sheet presented and, if not otherwise apparent, the terms and manner of settlement.

 

F-22

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

 

On August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies an issuer’s accounting for convertible instruments and its application of the derivatives scope exception for contracts in its own equity. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2020-06, but do not expect any material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and improves consistent application of Topic 740. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not anticipate any immediate impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that supersedes the existing impairment model for most financial assets to a current expected credit loss model. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows the entity does not expect to collect. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020, with no material impact on its consolidated financial statements

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology. Under the new guidance, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity is required to recognize an allowance that reflects its current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

 

The guidance became effective on January 1, 2020, including interim periods within that year and requires a modified retrospective transition approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Under the modified retrospective method of adoption, prior year reported results are not restated. The Company has performed its analysis of the impact on its financial instruments that are within the scope of this guidance and has concluded that there was no material impact to its consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU No. 2018-13”) as part of the FASB’s broader disclosure framework project. ASU No. 2018-13 removes, modifies and adds certain disclosures, providing greater focus on requirements that clearly communicate the most important information to the users of the financial statements with respect to fair value measurements. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 as of January 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for income taxes, eliminates certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to improve consistent application among reporting entities. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, though early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. This standard is not expected to have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements after evaluation.

 

F-23

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entity s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity s Own Equity. ASU 2020-06 will simplify the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. Limiting the accounting models results in fewer embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract as compared with current GAAP. Convertible instruments that continue to be subject to separation models are (1) those with embedded conversion features that are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, that meet the definition of a derivative, and that do not qualify for a scope exception from derivative accounting and (2) convertible debt instruments issued with substantial premiums for which the premiums are recorded as paid-in capital. ASU 2020-06 also amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. ASU 2020-06 will be effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2020-06 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

Other new pronouncements issued but not effective as of December 31, 2020 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements upon adoption.

 

Depreciation expenses were $1 in the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 

 

NOTE 4 – OTHER ACCOUNTS LIABILITIES

 

    December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
 
Accrued expenses, interest and other liabilities   $ 76     $ 201  
Accrued salaries, bonuses and wages     2,119       540  
Total   $ 2,195     $ 741  

 

F-24

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 5 – CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE

 

On September 15, 2020, the Company issued a promissory note to Labrys Funds LP for $605 (the “Labrys Note”). The Labrys Note bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum and matures on September 14, 2021. The interest is paid monthly. Payment of principle starts after three months with ability to extend for up to two months and the loan principal become payable on maturity. The Labrys Note bears an original issue discount in the amount of $60, and the issuing expenses were $40, resulting with net proceeds of $505. The Company also issued 56,725 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to the Labrys Note. Out of those, 13,200 shares of Common Stock were issued in consideration of the commitment fee and the balance, are subject to return to the Company once the Labrys Note will be paid in full if there were no defaults.

 

On November 12, 2020, the Company issued a convertible promissory note to a private investor in the amount of $250, which matures on November 12, 2021. Interest accrues from the date of the note on the unpaid principal amount at a rate equal to 10.00% per annum, calculated as simple interest. The holder may elect to convert all or any part of the then outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest due under the note into shares of Common Stock until maturation. The conversion price of the note is $6.875 per share, which may be proportionately adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar event affecting the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company without the payment of consideration to the Company therefor at any time prior to conversion.

 

NOTE 6 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company has had extensive dealings with related parties including those in which our Chief Executive Officer holds a significant ownership interest as well as an executive position during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Due to our operational losses, the Company has relied to a large extent on funding received from Next Communications, Inc., an organization in which our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman holds a controlling equity interest and holds an executive position. During the first calendar quarter of 2017, Next Communications, Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection. As a result, the related party payable is being handled by a court appointed trustee as an asset of Next Communications, Inc. and the Company may need to begin repaying the amounts due on a more fixed schedule On January 29, 2019, the United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, approved a plan of reorganization for Next Communications, Inc. whereby the Company would pay $600,000 to a specific creditor in consideration for the forgiveness of the balance of the related party payable balance. On March 5, 2019, Cuentas paid $60,000 to the trust account of the specific creditor and on May 10, 2019, the Company paid $550,000 to the trust account of the specific creditor per the order and satisfied its obligation under the Approved Plan of the Reorganization for Next Communications, Inc., that was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, on January 29, 2019.

 

On July 1, 2020 and pursuant to section 1 (e) of the Side Letter Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, it was agreed by and among Dinar Zuz, Cima, Arik Maimom and Michael De Prado that the Company will borrow up to $462 from Dinar Zuz LLC under the second Dinar Zuz Note. As of December 31, 2020, the Company borrowed $355 under the second Dinar Note.

 

On August 25, 2020 and Pursuant to section 1 (e) of the Side Letter Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, it was agreed by and among Dinar, Cima, Arik Maimon and Michael De Prado that the Company will borrow up to $50 from Arik Maimon at an annual interest rate of 9%. On September 30, 2020, the Company fully repaid its loan to Arik Maimon.

 

F-25

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

  

Related parties balances at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following:

  

Due from related parties

 

    December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
 
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
(b) Next Cala 360     54       54  
Total Due from related parties     54       54  

 

Related party payables, net of discounts

 

    December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
 
    (dollars in thousands)  
(a) Due to Next Communications, Inc. (current)   $ 10     $ 10  
(c) Principal and interest due to Dinar Zuz LLC due to Dinar Zuz LLC     355       -  
(d) Due to Cima Telecom Inc.     417       -  
Total Due from related parties   $ 782     $ 10  

 

(a) Next Cala 360, is a Florida corporation established and managed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

(b) Next Communication, Inc. is a corporation in which the Company’s Chief Executive Officer a controlling interest and serves as the Chief Executive Officer. See disclosure above regarding payments by the Company in connection with the bankruptcy of Next Communication, Inc.

 

(c) Due to the April 6, 2020 Loan Agreement with the Company to borrow up to $462 at an annual interest rate of nine percent (9.0%) (the second “Dinar Zuz Note”).

 

(d) Composed from annual fees in the amount of $300 for the maintenance and support services in accordance with the software maintenance agreement for the first calendar year from the Effective Date, reimbursement of legal fees in the amount of $65 and other software development services.

 

During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded interest expense of $0 using an interest rate equal to that on the outstanding convertible notes payable as imputed interest on the related party payable due to Next Communications.

 

During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded interest expense of $67 using an interest rate equal to that on the outstanding convertible notes payable as imputed interest on the related party payable due to Next Communications. The interest was immediately forgiven by the related party and recorded to additional paid in capital. 

 

F-26

 

   

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Employment Agreements

  

On December 27, 2019, the Compensation Committee of the Board of the Company approved the amendments to the employment agreements with each of Arik Maimon and Michael De Prado. The New Employment Agreements shall supersede the terms of the Pre-existing Employment Agreements. Pursuant to the terms of the New Employment Agreements, among other things: 

 

  (1) Michael De Prado will receive the following compensation: (1) (a) a base salary of $265 per annum which will increase by a minimum $15 or 5% on the 12 month anniversary of his employment agreement; (b) Restricted Stock Units; (c) a minimum grant of 40,000 stock options per year, with the exercise price valued based on the Company’s stock price at the date of exercise, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Stock Option Incentive Plan; (d) an $8,000 automobile expense allowance per year; (e) participation in the Company’s employee benefits plan; (f) participation in the Company’s Performance Bonus Plan, if and when in effect.

 

  (2) Arik Maimon will receive the following compensation: (a) a base salary of $295 per annum which will increase by a minimum $15or 5% on the 12 month anniversary of his employment agreement; (b) Restricted Stock Units; (c) a minimum grant of 40,000 stock options per year, with share price valued at the date of exercise, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Stock Option Incentive Plan; (d) a $10 automobile expense allowance per year; (e) participation in the Company’s employee benefits plan; (f) participation in the Company’s Performance Bonus Plan, if and when in effect.

 

  (3) Each of Mr. De Prado and Mr. Maimon will be employed for an initial term of five years which will automatically renew for successive one-year period unless either party terminates the New Employment Agreements with 90 days’ prior notice.

 

F-27

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

  (4) Upon the successful up-listing of the Company’s shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, to the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), each executive would be entitled to receive a $250 bonus;

 

  (5) Mr. De Prado will be granted of 35,200 stock options and Mr. Maimon will be granted 44,000 stock options with the right to exercise the options to purchase the equivalent of a minimum of 4% and 5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of July 1, 2019, respectively;

 

  (6) Pursuant to the terms of the New Employment Agreements, the Executives are entitled to severance in the event of certain terminations of his employment. The Executives are entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit, pension and/or profit-sharing plans, and the Company will pay certain health and dental premiums on their behalf.

 

  (7) Each of the Executives are entitled to travel and expense reimbursement;

 

(8) The Executives have agreed to a one-year non-competition agreement following the termination of their employment.

 

On July 24, 2020, the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of Cuentas Inc. (the “Company”) approved the Amended and Restated employment agreements with each of Arik Maimon, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“Maimon”), and Michael De Prado, the Company’s President (“De Prado,” and together with Maimon, the “Executives,” each an “Executive”), the “New Employment Agreements”. The New Employment Agreements shall supersede the terms of the Pre-existing Employment Agreements.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the New Employment Agreements, among other things: 

 

  (1) De Prado will receive the following compensation: (1) (a) a base salary of $265,000 per annum; (b) a Funding Bonus equal to 0.5% of the amount of the funding that exceeds the Funding Threshold; (c) a change of control bonus, if applicable; (d) participation in the Company’s employee benefits plan;

 

  (2) Maimon will receive the following compensation: (a) a base salary of $295,000 per annum; (b) a Funding Bonus equal to 0.5% of the amount of the funding that exceeds the Funding Threshold; (c) a change of control bonus, if applicable; (d) participation in the Company’s employee benefits plan;

 

  (3) For each Executive, the term of the Agreement shall end on the earlier of (i) the date that is four months following the Effective Date or (ii) the date that the Company appoints a new president or chief operating officer but the Company can extend the Employment Term on a month to month basis with the approval of both Dinar and CIMA until a new president or chief operating officer is appointed. Upon expiration of the Employment Term (other than a termination by the Company for “Cause”), the Executive will entitled to a special board compensation package with annual compensation equal to the Annual Base Salary (pro-rated for any partial year of service), beginning on the Expiration or Termination Date and ending 18 months later, provided that such payments will cease if the Executive resigns as a member of the Board during such period.  The Board Compensation Period may be extended from year to year for an additional 12 months (for up to 36 months in total) if two of three of the then-current chief executive officer of the Company, Dinar and CIMA agree to extend the period for an additional 12 months. The Executive’s right to receive the Special Board Compensation shall be subject to the Board’s determination that he has complied with his obligations under this Agreement.  The Executive will remain on the Board until he resigns, is not re-elected or is removed from the Board in accordance with the Company’s practice for removal of directors.

 

F-28

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

  (4) Pursuant to the terms of the New Employment Agreements, the Executives are entitled to severance in the event of certain terminations of his employment. The Executives are entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit, pension and/or profit-sharing plans, and the Company will pay certain health and dental premiums on their behalf.

 

  (5) Each of the Executives are entitled to travel and expense reimbursement;

 

(6) The Executives have agreed to a one-year non-competition agreement following the termination of their employment.

 

On November 28, 2018, the Company entered in to Employment agreement with Mr. Daniel. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, among other things:

 

(1) Mr. Daniel will receive a base salary of $162,500 per annum for initial five years term. The Agreement will be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods unless either party provides ninety days’ prior notice of termination. Furthermore, during the term of his Employment Mr. Daniel’s compensation shall no less than any other officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiary.

 

(2) Mr. Daniel shall have the right, on the same basis as other senior executives of the Company, to participate in and to receive benefits under any of the Company’s employee benefit plans, as such plans may be modified from time to time, and provided that in no event shall Mr. Daniel receive less than (4) four weeks paid vacation per annum and (6) six paid sick and (5) five paid personal days per annum.

 

(3) Upon the successful up-listing of the Company’s shares of Common Stock to Nasdaq, Mr. Daniel would be entitled to receive a $100,000 bonus.

   

(4) Mr. Daniel have agreed to a one-year non-competition agreement following the termination of their employment.

 

(5) If Mr. Daniel’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of a Involuntary Termination, then, in addition to any other benefits described in this Agreement, Mr. Daniel shall receive all compensation bonuses and benefits earned the date of his termination of employment; In addition, Mr. Daniel will be entitled to a lump sum payment equivalent to the remaining Salary due Mr. Daniel to the end of the term of his Employment or six (6) months’ Salary, whichever is the greater;

 

Consulting Agreement

 

On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Juan Martin Gomez, who is currently the chief executive officer and a 25% shareholder of CIMA. Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Martin will have access to the Company’s facilities once a week and provide consulting services to the Company, including support for marketing and corporate structuring, for a term of one year, which term may be extended upon satisfactory performance of his duties. In exchange for his consulting services, the Company will pay Mr. Martin a monthly fee of $5.

 

NOTE 7 – STOCK OPTIONS

 

The following table summarizes all stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

    Shares     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2019     84,818     $ 31.97  
Granted     79,200       14.35  
Forfeited     28,818       81.12  
Outstanding, December 31, 2020     135,200     $ 11.18  

 

The following table discloses information regarding outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2020:

 

      Outstanding     Exercisable  
Exercise
Prices
    Number of
Option Shares
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price
    Weighted Average
Remaining Life
(Years)
    Number of
Option Shares
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
$ 14.35       79,200     $ 14.35       4.24       79,200     $ 14.35  
  7.50       36,000       7.50       3.71       36,000       7.50  
  5.23       20,000       5.23       3.24       20,000       5.23  
          135,200     $ 11.18       3.68       135,200     $ 11.18  

 

F-29

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

On March 30, 2020, the Company issued 79,200 options to its Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. The options carry an exercise price of $14.35 per share. All the options were vested immediately. The Options are exercisable until March 30, 2022. The Company has estimated the fair value of such options at a value of $456 at the date of issuance using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

 

Common stock price     6.35  
Dividend yield     0 %
Risk-free interest rate     1.89 %
Expected term (years)     3  
Expected volatility     328 %

 

The following table summarizes all stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

    Shares     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2018     64,818     $ 40.23  
Granted     20,000       5.23  
Forfeited     -       -  
Outstanding, December 31, 2019     84,818     $ 31.98  

 

The following table discloses information regarding outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2019:

 

      Outstanding     Exercisable  
Exercise
Prices
    Number of
Option Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)
    Number of
Option Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
$ 135.00       10,000     $ 135.00       0.25       10,000     $ 135.00  
  52.50       18,818       52.50       1.49       18,818       52.50  
  7.50       36,000       7.50       4.71       24,000       7.50  
  5.23       20,000       5.23       4.24       20,000       5.23  
          84,818     $ 31.98       2.75       72,818     $ 36.00  

 

F-30

 

  

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 8 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Series B Preferred Stock 

 

The Company had 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as Series B issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019. The holders of Series B Preferred Stock were entitled to 1,000 votes for each share of Series B Stock that is held when voting together with holders of the Common Stock. On August 21, 2020, in connection with a special meeting of shareholders of the Company, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Articles”) to, among other things, cause all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) to be converted into 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. In connection with the conversion of these shares, the Company issued an additional 4,000,000 shares to each of CIMA and Dinar to cover certain anti-dilution rights.

 

Common Stock

 

Effective November 20, 2015, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to decrease the common shares authorized from 9,500,000,000 to 360,000,000 with a par value of $0.001. 

 

Common Stock Activity During the Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

The following summarizes the Common Stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Summary of common stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2020   Outstanding shares  
Balance, December 31, 2019     1,855,656  
Shares issued for Common Stock     32,000  
Shares issued due to conversion of Convertible Promissory Note     503,115  
Settlement of stock-based liabilities     26,534  
Shares issued to a lender     56,725  
Shares issued for services     36,000  
Shares issued to employees     23,333  
Shares issued due to conversion of 8,000,000 Series B preferred stock, $0.001 par value shares     8,000,000  
Shares issued due to conversion of Warrants     57,128  
Balance, December 31, 2020     10,590,491  

 

On January 3, 2020, Dinar Zuz provided an additional amount of $300 to the Company which was be provided in a form of the Optima Convertible Note pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the Company and Optima, dated July 30, 2019. Additionally, on January 3, 2020, the Company issued 40,000 shares of its Common Stock to Dinar Zuz LLC, as a result of a conversion of the Dinar Convertible Note in the amount of $300.

  

On January 9, 2020, the Company issued 16,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a service Agreement between the Company and a service provider, dated June 3, 2019. The fair market value of the shares at the issuance date was $240. 

 

On January 14, 2020, the Company issued 26,534 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a settlement of stock-based liabilities. The fair market value of the shares was $459.

 

F-31

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

On January 14, 2020, the Company issued 23,334 shares of Common Stock to employees. All shares were issued pursuant to the Company’s Share and Options Incentive Enhancement Plan (2016). The Company has estimated the fair value of such shares at $332.

 

On February 10, 2019, the Company issued 4,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the Company and a private investor, dated October 25, 2018.

 

On March 3, 2020, Dinar Zuz provided an additional amount of $450 to the Company which was be provided in a form of the Dinar Zuz Convertible Note pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the Company and Dinar Zuz, dated July 30, 2019. The Company issued 462,991 shares of its Common Stock to Dinar Zuz LLC, as a result of a conversion of the Dinar Convertible Note in the amount of $700.

 

On April 2, 2020, the Company issued 28,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the Company and a private investor, dated October 25, 2018.

 

On May 22, 2020, the Company issued 17,128 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a cashless conversion of warrants to purchase up to 29,232 shares of its Common Stock at an exercise price equal to $8.125 per share.

 

On August 20, 2020, the Company issued 20,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a settlement of stock-based liabilities. The fair market value of the shares was $180.

 

On August 27, 2020, the Company converted all the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share to 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.

 

On September 17, 2020, the Company issued 2,000,000 of its Common Stock par value $0.001 per share to each of Dinar Zuz and Cima Telecom Inc., under a warrant dated December 31, 2019.

 

On September 17, 2020, the Company issued 56,725 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to promissory note, dated September 15, 2020. The fair market value of the shares at the issuance date was $390. Out of those, 13,200 shares of Common Stock were issued in consideration of the commitment fee and the balance are subject to return to the Company once the promissory note will be paid in full.

 

On September 30, 2020, the Company issued 40,000 of its Common Stock par value $0.001 per share to a private investor in consecration of cancellation of warrants to purchase up to 39,734 shares of its Common Stock at an exercise price equal to $8.125 per share.

 

On November 12, 2020, the Company issued a convertible promissory note to a private investor in the amount of $250, which matures on November 12, 2021. Interest accrues from the date of the note on the unpaid principal amount at a rate equal to 10.00% per annum, calculated as simple interest. The holder may elect to convert all or any part of the then outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest due under the note into shares of Common Stock until maturation. The conversion price of the note is $6.87 per share, which may be proportionately adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar event affecting the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company without the payment of consideration to the Company therefor at any time prior to conversion. The Company issued such convertible promissory note in reliance on the exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

On November 20, 2020, the Company entered into an advisory agreement with an advisor, pursuant to which the advisor will provide certain management consulting services and in consideration the Company will issue to the advisor a five-year warrant to acquire up to 40,000 shares of common stock of the Company, exercisable at any time at $8.25 per share, on a cash or cashless basis. The Company issued such Warrants in reliance on the exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

F-32

 

  

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

From time to time, the Company may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business.

 

On December 20, 2017, a complaint was filed by J. P. Carey Enterprises, Inc. (“JP Carey”) alleging a claim for $473,000 related to Franjose Yglesias-Bertheau, a former Vice President of PLKD. Even though the Company made the agreed payment of $10,000 on January 2, 2017, and issued 6,001 shares of Common Stock as conversion of the $70,000 note as agreed in its settlement agreement, JP Carey alleges damages that the Company claims are without merit because JP Carey received full compensation as agreed. The Company is in the process of defending itself against these claims. The Company has not accrued losses related to this claim due to the early stages of litigation. On January 29, 2019, the Company was served with another complaint by JP Carey claiming similar issues as to the previous complaint, with the new claimed damages totaling $1,108,037.85. JP Carey and the Company filed motions for a summary judgment. On June 23, 2020, the case was transferred to the Business Court at the request of the Superior Court Judge previously assigned to the case. Judge Ellerbe from the Business Court has been assigned as the new judge. On October 1, 2020, the court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment and denied JP Carey’s motion for summary judgment. On October 30, 2020, JP Carey filed a notice of appeal to the trial court’s October 1 and 7, 2020 orders granting summary judgment in favor of Cuentas. The current briefing schedule calls for briefing in the appeal to be completed during the first quarter of 2021. Oral argument may be held, but no date for it has been set yet. On November 16, 2020, Cuentas filed a motion seeking payment from JP Carey of $140,970.82 in attorney fees and costs accrued as of November 13, 2020. JP Carey’s response brief was due on December 21, 2020 and thereafter Cuentas may reply. The trial court has not yet set a date to hear this motion.

 

On October 23, 2018, the Company was served by Telco Cuba Inc. for an amount in excess of $15,000 but the total amount was not specified. The Company was served on December 7, 2018, with a complaint alleging damages including unspecified damages for product, advertising and other damages in addition to $50,000 paid to the Defendants. The Company retained an attorney and has taken steps to defend itself vigorously in this case. Depositions are in process of being scheduled.

 

On October 25, 2018, the Company was served with a complaint by former company Chief Financial Officer, Michael Naparstek, claiming breach of contract for 833,333 shares (pre-2018 reverse stock split), $25,554 of compensation and $8,823 of expenses. This case was withdrawn in Palm Beach County and on January 11, 2019, a similar complaint was filed in Miami-Dade County. During the recent mediation, the Parties reached an understanding of full settlement amount of $2,500. The Company has deposited the settlement amount to an escrow account of its counsel until a stipulation of settlement will be executed by both parties.

 

On November 7, 2018, the Company and its now former subsidiary, Limecom, were served with a complaint by IDT Domestic Telecom, Inc. for telecommunications services provided to Limecom during 2018 in the amount of $50,000. The Company has no accrual expenses as of December 31, 2019, related to the complaint given the early nature of the process. Limecom was a subsidiary of the Company during this period but since the Limecom Acquisition was rescinded on January 30, 2019, and Limecom agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from this and other debts. The Company retained an attorney and is defending itself vigorously in this case. A court ordered mandatory arbitration session took place and the arbitration findings were issued on June 19, 2020, and a request for trial de novo was filed on July 16, 2020, in order to have the matter docketed on the calendar. The court came to the determination that while not indicative of success at trial, the court denied Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. As of this time, there is a current trial date set for March 15, 2021

 

On May 1, 2019, the Company received a notice of demand for arbitration from Secure IP Telecom, Inc. (“Secure IP), who allegedly had a Reciprocal Carrier Services Agreement (“RCS”) exclusively with Limecom and not with Cuentas. The arbitration demand originated from another demand for arbitration that Secure IP received from VoIP Capital International (“VoIP”) in March 2019, demanding $1,052,838.09 in damages allegedly caused by unpaid receivables that Limecom assigned to VoIP based on the RCS. On June 5, 2020, SecureIP filed a complaint against Limecom, Heritage Ventures Limited (“Heritage”), an unrelated third party and owner of Limecom, and the Company. The complaint primarily concerns alleged indebtedness owed SecureIP by Limecom. SecureIP also alleges that Cuentas received certain transfers of funds which it alleges may be an avoidable transfer under Florida Statute §725.105 up to $1,052,838.09. Cuentas is contemplating filing a motion to dismiss the complaint and disputes that it received the alleged $1,052,838.09 from Limecom. Moreover, to the extent Cuentas has exposure for any transfers from Limecom, both Limecom and Heritage have indemnified Cuentas for any such liability. The Company will vigorously defend its position to be removed as a named party in this action due to the fact that Cuentas rescinded the Limecom Acquisition on January 30, 2019.

  

The Company executed a lease for office space effective November 1, 2019. The lease requires monthly rental payments of $6.

 

F-33

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

 

Effective December 22, 2017 a new tax bill was signed into law that reduced the federal income tax rate for corporations from 35% to 21%. The new bill reduced the blended tax rate for the Company from 39.50% to 26.50%. Under FASB ASC Topic 740, the effects of new tax legislation are recognized in the period which includes the enactment date. As a result, the deferred tax assets and liabilities existing on the enactment date must be revalued to reflect the rate at which these deferred balances will reverse. The corresponding adjustment would generally affect the Income Tax Expense (Benefit) shown on the financial statements. However, since the company has a full valuation allowance applied against all of its deferred tax asset, there is no impact to the Income Tax Expense for the year ending December 31, 2020.

 

Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (“IRC 382”) potentially limits the utilization of NOLs and tax credits when there is a greater than 50% change of ownership. The Company has not performed an analysis under IRC 382 related to changes in ownership, which could place certain limits on the company’s ability to fully utilize its NOLs and tax credits. The Company’s has added a note to its financial statements to disclose that there may be some limitations and that an analysis has not been performed. In the interim, the Company has placed a full valuation allowance on its NOLs and other deferred tax items.

 

We recognized income tax benefits of $0 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. When it is more likely than not that a tax asset will not be realized through future income, the Company must allow for this future tax benefit. We provided a full valuation allowance on the net deferred tax asset, consisting of net operating loss carry forwards, because management has determined that it is more likely than not that we will not earn income sufficient to realize the deferred tax assets during the carry forward period.

 

The Company has not taken a tax position that, if challenged, would have a material effect on the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019 applicable under FASB ASC Topic 740. We did not recognize any adjustment to the liability for uncertain tax position and therefore did not record any adjustment to the beginning balance of accumulated deficit on the balance sheet. All tax returns for the Company remain open.

 

Reconciliation between the theoretical tax expense, assuming all income is taxed at the statutory tax rate applicable to income of the Company and the actual tax expense as reported in the Statement of Operations, is as follows:

 

    Year ended
December 31,
 
    2020     2019  
Loss before taxes, as reported in the consolidated statements of operations   $ 7,483     $ 1,286  
                 
Federal and State statutory rate     26.5 %     26.5 %
                 
Theoretical tax benefit on the above amount at federal statutory tax rate     1,982       341  
                 
Losses and other items for which a valuation allowance was provided or benefit from loss carry forward     (1,982 )     (341 )
                 
Actual tax income (expense)     -       -  

 

F-34

 

 

CUENTAS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    2020     2019  
    U.S. dollars in thousands  
Deferred tax assets:            
Net operating loss carry-forward   $ 3,185     $ 1,830  
Adjustments     (315 )     (163 )
Valuation allowance     (2,870 )     (1,667 )
    $ -     $ -  

  

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management has determined, based on its recurring net losses, lack of a commercially viable product and limitations under current tax rules, that a full valuation allowance is appropriate.

 

    U.S. dollars in thousands  
Valuation allowance, December 31, 2019   $ 1,667  
         
Increase     1,203  
Valuation allowance, December 31, 2020   $ 2,870  

  

The net federal operating loss carry forward will begin expire in 2039. This carry forward may be limited upon the consummation of a business combination under IRC Section 382.

 

NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On January 28, 2021, the Company issued 20,000 shares of its Common Stock to its Chief Financial Officer, 40,000 shares of its Common Stock to a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and 2,933 shares of its Common Stock to a former employee. The fair market value of the shares was $459.

 

On January 28, 2021, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company with the Secretary of State of Florida, pursuant to which, effective as of February 2, 2021, the Company effected a 1-for-2.5 reverse split of its authorized and issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

F-35

 

 

On February 2, 2021 the Company’s common stock and warrants began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “CUEN” and “CUENW,” respectively. On February 4, 2020 the Company sold an aggregate of 2,790,697 units at a price to the public of $4.30 per unit (the “Offering”), each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and a warrant exercisable for five years to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.30 per share (the “Warrants”), pursuant to that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), between the Company and Maxim Group LLC (the “Representative” or “Maxim”), as representative of the sole underwriter. In addition, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted Maxim a 45-day option to purchase up to 418,604 additional shares of Common Stock, and/or 418,604 additional Warrants, to cover over-allotments in connection with the Offering. The Common Stock and the Warrants were offered and sold to the public pursuant to the Company’s registration statements on Form S-1 (File Nos. 333-249690 and 333-252642), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on October 28, 2020, as amended, and which became effective on February 1, 2021. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $12.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of 8% of the gross proceeds and estimated Offering expenses, and intend to use the net proceeds from the Offering for sales and marketing; purchase of chip-based debit card stock for GPR and Starter cards; repayment of outstanding loans; research and development; and working capital and operating expenses purposes. The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants by the Company. It also provides for customary indemnification by each of the Company and the Underwriter for losses or damages arising out of or in connection with the offering, including for liabilities under the Securities Act, other obligations of the parties and termination provisions. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, certain existing stockholders and each of the Company’s directors and executive officers entered into “lock-up” agreements with the Underwriter that generally prohibit the sale, transfer, or other disposition of securities of the Company for a period of 180 days following February 1, 2021. The Company has also agreed that it will not issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any common stock or common stock equivalents for a period of 180 days following the closing date, other than certain exempt issuances. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company also agreed to issue to Maxim warrants (the “Underwriter’s Warrants”) to purchase up to a total of 223,256 shares of Common Stock (8% of the shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering). The Underwriter’s Warrants are exercisable at $5.375 per share of Common Stock and have a term of five years. The Underwriter’s Warrants are subject to a lock-up for 180 days from the commencement of sales in the Offering, including a mandatory lock-up period in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(e), and will be non-exercisable for six months after February 1, 2021. In addition, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted Maxim a right of first refusal, for a period of twelve months from the commencement of sales in the Offering, to act as sole managing underwriter and bookrunner any and all future public or private equity, equity-linked or debt (excluding commercial bank debt) offerings. The total expenses of the offering are estimated to be approximately $1.4 million, which included Maxim’s expenses relating to the offering.

 

On February 4, 2021, the Company also entered into a Warrant Agency Agreement with Olde Monmouth Stock Transfer Co., Inc. (“Warrant Agency Agreement”), pursuant to which Olde Monmouth Stock Transfer Co., Inc. agreed to act as transfer agent with respect to the Warrants.

 

On February 24, 2021, the employment agreement dated July 24, 2020 for Arik Maimon expired in accordance with its terms and as previously disclosed by the Company. As a result of the expiration of the employment agreement, Mr. Maimon was no longer employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, but he continued to act as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. On February 25, 2021, the Board appointed Mr. Maimon to act as interim Chief Executive Officer, which position will terminate upon the earlier of August 25, 2021 or the date on which his successor is duly elected and appointed by the Board of the Company.

 

On February 24, 2021, the employment agreement dated July 24, 2020 for Michael De Prado expired in accordance with its terms and as previously disclosed by the Company. As a result of the expiration of the employment agreement, Mr. De Prado is no longer the President of the Company but has become the Vice Chairman of the Board.

 

On February 12 2021 the Company prepaid its loan to Labrys and Labrys returned the Second Commitment shares to the Company.

 

On March 4, 2021 and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, Maxim exercised its 45-day option to purchase up to 418,604 additional Warrants, to cover over-allotments in connection with the Offering.

 

On March 5,2020 Furthermore, and pursuant to the Side Letter Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a special bonus in the amount of $500 to each of Mr. Maimon and Mr. De Prado due to the successful up-listing of the Company’s shares on the Nasdaq Capital Markets. The bonus will be paid half in cash and half in Common shares of the Company

 

On March 5, 2021 the Company prepaid its loan to Dinar Zuz.

 

F-36

 

 

  (b) Exhibits

 

            Incorporated by reference
Exhibit
Number
  Exhibit Description   Filed
herewith
  Form   Period
ending
  Exhibit   Filing date
3.1   Amendment No. 16 to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, Filed with the Florida Department of State on August 6, 2018       8-K/A       3.17   2020-04-24
3.2   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Florida Department of State on August 21, 2020.       8-K        3.1   2020-08-21
3.3   Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated August 21, 2020.       8-K       3.2   2020-08-21
    Articles of Amendment to Articles of Association, dated January 28, 2021.       8-k       3.1   2021-01-05
3.4  

Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated August 21, 2020.

  X                
4.1   Underwriter’s Warrant, dated February 4, 2021.       8-k       4.1   2021-01-05
10.1   Promissory Note between Dinar Zuz LLC and Cuentas Inc. and Maimoun & Mammon LLC.       10-Q       10.1   2020-05-14
10.2   Credit Agreement between Dinar Zuz LLC and Cuentas Inc. and Maimoun & Mammon LLC.       10-Q       10.2   2020-05-14
10.3   Amended and Restated Agreement with Michael A. De Prado, dated July 24, 2020       8-K       10.1   2020-07-30
10.4   Amended and Restated Agreement with Arik Maimon, dated July 24, 2020       8-K       10.2   2020-07-30
10.5   $605,000 Promissory Note, dated September 15, 2020, issued by the Company to Labrys Fund, LP.       10-Q       10.3   2020-11-13
10.6   Securities Purchase Agreement and to the $605,000 Promissory Note, dated September 15, 2020, by and between the Company and Labrys Fund, LP.       10-Q       10.4   2020-11-13
10.7   Convertible Promissory Note, dated November 21, 2020, issued by Cuentas Inc. to Arie Gershonie   X              
10.8   Bill Payment Processing And Prepayment Of Accounts Agency Agreement by and between Corporación en Investigación Tecnológica e Informática, S.A.P.I. de C.V and Cuentas, Inc., dated as of November 27, 2020 incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 15, 2020.       8-K       10.1   2020-12-15
10.9   Western Union North America Agency Agreement, by and between Western Union Financial Services, Inc. and Cuentas, Inc., dated as of December 8, 2020.       8-K       10.1   2020-12-17
10.10   Underwriting Agreement, dated February 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Maxim Group LLC, as representative of the several underwriters.       8-k       1.1   2021-02-05
10.11   Warrant Agency Agreement, dated February 4, 2021, by and between the Company and Olde Monmouth Stock Transfer Co., Inc.       8-k       10.1   2021-02-05
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act   X                
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act   X                
32.1   Certification Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act   X                
32.2   Certification Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act   X                
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document   X                
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema   X                
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase   X                
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase   X                
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase   X                
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase   X                

 

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

 

None.

 

54

 

  

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused the report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  

  Cuentas, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Arik Maimon
    Arik Maimon,
    Chairman of the Board of Directors and Interim Chief Executive Officer
    Date: March 24, 2020

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Arik Maimon   Chairman of the Board of Directors and Interim Chief Executive Officer   March 24, 2021
Arik Maimon        
         
/s/ Ran Daniel   Chief Financial Officer   March 24, 2021
Ran Daniel        
         
/s/ Michael De Prado   Vice Chairman and Director   March 24, 2021
Michael De Prado        
         
/s/ Adiv Baruch   Director   March 24, 2021
Adiv Baruch        
         
/s/ Yochanon Bruk   Director   March 24, 2021
Yochanon Bruk        
         
/s/ Richard J. Berman   Director   March 24, 2021
Richard Berman        
         
/s/ Jeff Lewis   Director   March 24, 2021
Jeff Lewis        
         
/s/ David B. Schottenstein   Director   March 24, 2021
David B. Schottenstein        

 

 

55

 

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

CUENTAS INC.

 

December 30, 2020

 

ARTICLE I SHAREHOLDERS

 

SECTION 1. Place of Holding Meeting. Meetings of shareholders may be held at such place within or without the State of Florida as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 2. Quorum. Any number of shareholders, together holding a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by a voting group on a particular matter, represented in person or by proxy at any meeting of shareholders, constitutes a quorum of that voting group for action on that matter, except as may be otherwise provided by law, by the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (as amended from time to time, the “Articles of Incorporation”) or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws. At any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors at which any voting group shall have a separate vote, the absence of a quorum of any other voting group shall not prevent the election of the directors to be elected by such voting group.

 

SECTION 3. Adjournment of Meetings. If less than a quorum shall be in attendance at the time for which the meeting shall have been called, the meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority vote of the shares represented, and who would be entitled to vote at the meeting if a quorum were present, without any notice other than by announcement at the meeting. Any meeting at which a quorum is present may also be adjourned, in like manner, for such time, or upon such call, as may be determined by vote. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum may be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

SECTION 4. Annual Election of Directors. The annual meeting of shareholders for the election of directors and the transaction of other business shall be held on the date and at the time fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. If the election of directors does not occur on the day designated herein for the annual meeting or at an adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause a meeting of the shareholders for the election of a Board of Directors to be held as soon thereafter as may be convenient. At such meeting the shareholders may elect the directors and transact other business with the same force and effect as at an annual meeting duly called and held. The directors shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are respectively elected and qualified or until any such director’s earlier death, resignation, or removal; provided, however, in the event that any voting group has the right to elect directors separately as a voting group and such right shall have vested, such right may be exercised as provided in the Articles of Incorporation and any voting or similar agreement entered into by and among a group of shareholders. The Secretary shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, at least ten (10) days before every election, a complete list of shareholders entitled to vote, arranged in alphabetical order, and such list shall be kept in a file at the principal office of the corporation for such ten (10) days, for the examination of any shareholder at any time during usual business hours, and shall be produced and kept at the time and place of election during the whole time thereof, subject to the inspection of any shareholder who may be present.

 

SECTION 5. Voting at Shareholders’ Meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, and subject to the provisions of the Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”), each shareholder entitled to vote shall have one (1) vote to each share of voting stock registered in its name on the books of the corporation.

 

SECTION 6. Notice of Shareholders’ Meetings. Written notice, stating the time and place of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, stating also a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by the secretary in person, by mail, or other method of delivery, or by e-mail or other electronic transmission if authorized by a shareholder, at least ten (10) but not more than sixty (60) days before the meeting. A written waiver of such notice signed by the person entitled thereto, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any notice or waiver of notice shall also satisfy the requirements of Article VI, Section 2 below.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7. Nomination of Directors.

 

(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Amended and Restated Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation may be made at a meeting of shareholders (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (2) by any shareholder (or group of shareholders as provided in this Section 7(b) below) of the corporation who is a shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 7, who shall be entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 7. Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice (other than a notice submitted in order to include a Shareholder Nominee (as defined below) in the corporation’s proxy materials, as defined and described in Section 7(b) below) shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive office of the corporation not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the later of one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of such annual meeting or ten (10) days following the day on which notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting is first made by the corporation.

 

Such shareholder’s notice shall set forth: (a) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (b) as to the shareholder giving the notice (i) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of such shareholder, and (ii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by such shareholder.

 

At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by the Board of Directors for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the corporation that information required to be set forth in a shareholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible to serve as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 7.

 

(b) The corporation shall include in its proxy statement for an annual meeting of shareholders the name of any person nominated for election to the Board of Directors (the “Shareholder Nominee”) by a shareholder or group of not more than ten (10) shareholders that satisfies the requirements of this Section 7(b) (the “Eligible Shareholder”), together with the Required Information (defined below), who expressly elects at the time of providing the notice required by this Section 7(b) to have the Shareholder Nominee included in the corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 7. Such notice shall consist of a copy of Schedule 14N filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Rule 14a-18 of the Exchange Act, along with any additional information as required to be delivered to the corporation by this Section 7(b) (all such information collectively referred to as the “Notice”), and such Notice shall be delivered to the corporation in accordance with the procedures and at the times set forth in this Section 7(b).

 

(i) Notwithstanding the procedures set forth in Section 7(a), the Notice, to be timely, must be received at the principal executive office of the corporation not later than the close of business on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, the Notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the later of the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a shareholders’ meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s Notice as described above, except as required by law.

 

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(ii) For purposes of this Section 7(b), the “Required Information” that the corporation will include in its proxy statement consists of: (A) the information concerning the Shareholder Nominee and the Eligible Shareholder that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement of the corporation by the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act; and (B) if the Eligible Shareholder so elects, a Statement (as defined below).

 

(iii) The corporation shall not be required to include, pursuant to this Section 7(b), any Shareholder Nominee in its proxy materials for any meeting of shareholders for which the Secretary of the corporation receives a notice that the nominating shareholder has nominated a person for election to the Board of Directors pursuant to the advance notice requirements for shareholder nominees for director set forth in Section 7(a) of these Bylaws.

 

(iv) The maximum number of Shareholder Nominees appearing in the corporation’s proxy materials with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders shall not exceed 20% of the number of directors in office as of the last day on which the Notice may be delivered, or if such amount is not a whole number, the closest whole number below 20%. Shareholder Nominees that were submitted by an Eligible Shareholder for inclusion in proxy materials of the corporation pursuant to this Section 7(b), but either are subsequently withdrawn, or that the Board of Directors itself determines to nominate for election, shall be included in this maximum number. In the event that the number of Shareholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Shareholders pursuant to this Section 7(b) exceeds this maximum number, each Eligible Shareholder will select one Shareholder Nominee for inclusion in the corporation’s proxy materials until the maximum number is reached, going in order of the amount of shares of common stock of the corporation (largest to smallest) disclosed as owned by each Eligible Shareholder in the Notice. If the maximum number is not reached after each Eligible Shareholder has selected one Shareholder Nominee, this selection process will continue as many times as necessary, following the same order each time, until the maximum number is reached.

 

(v) For purposes of this Section 7(b), an Eligible Shareholder shall be deemed to “own” only those outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation as to which the shareholder possesses both: (1) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the shares and (2) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such shares; provided, however, that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (1) and (2) shall not include any shares (A) sold by such shareholder or any of its affiliates in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, including short sales, (B) borrowed, for purposes other than a short sale, by such shareholder or any of its affiliates for any purposes or purchased by such shareholder or any of its affiliates pursuant to an agreement to resell, or (C) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such shareholder or any of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of shares of outstanding common stock of the corporation, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of (x) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such shareholder’s or its affiliates’ full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares, and/or (y) hedging, offsetting or altering to any degree gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such shareholder or affiliate. A shareholder shall “own” shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the shareholder retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect to the election of directors and possesses the full economic interest in the shares. A shareholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the shareholder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney or other instrument or arrangement which is revocable at any time by the shareholder. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings. Whether outstanding shares of the common stock of the corporation are “owned” for these purposes shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

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(vi) An Eligible Shareholder must have owned (as defined in Section 7(b)(v) above) 3% or more of the corporation’s issued and outstanding common stock continuously for at least three (3) years (the “Required Shares”) as of both the date the Notice is required to be received by the corporation in accordance with this Section 7(b) and the record date for determining shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, and must continue to hold the Required Shares through the meeting date; provided, however, that up to, but not more than, ten (10) individual shareholders who otherwise meet all of the requirements to be an Eligible Shareholder may aggregate their shareholdings in order to meet the 3% minimum ownership percentage prong, but not the holding period prong, of the Required Shares definition. Within the time period specified in this Section 7(b) for delivery of the Notice, an Eligible Shareholder (including each of the individual members of a group of Eligible Shareholders) must provide the following information in writing to the Secretary of the corporation: (1) one or more written statements from the record holder of the shares (and from each intermediary through which the shares are or have been held during the requisite three-year holding period) verifying that, as of a date within three (3) days prior to the date the Notice is received by the corporation, the Eligible Shareholder owns, and has owned continuously for the preceding three (3) years, the Required Shares, and the Eligible Shareholder’s agreement to provide, within five (5) business days after the record date for the annual meeting, written statements from the record holder and intermediaries verifying the Eligible Shareholder’s continuous ownership of the Required Shares through the record date, along with a written statement that the Eligible Shareholder will continue to hold the Required Shares through the meeting date; (2) the information required to be set forth in the Notice, together with the written consent of each Shareholder Nominee to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; (3) a representation that the Eligible Shareholder (A) acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to change or influence control of the corporation, and does not presently have such intent, (B) has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting any person other than the Shareholder Nominee(s) being nominated pursuant to this Section 7(b), (C) has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not and will not be a “participant” in another person’s, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Exchange Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the annual meeting other than its Shareholder Nominee or a nominee of the Board of Directors, and (D) will not distribute to any shareholder any proxy card for the annual meeting other than the form distributed by the corporation; and (4) an undertaking that the Eligible Shareholder agrees to (A) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Shareholder’s communications with the shareholders of the corporation or out of the information that the Eligible Shareholder provided to the corporation, (B) comply with all other laws and regulations applicable to any solicitation in connection with the annual meeting, and (C) provide to the corporation prior to the election of directors such additional information as requested with respect thereto. The inspector of election shall not give effect to the Eligible Shareholder’s votes with respect to the election of directors if the Eligible Shareholder does not comply with each of the representations set forth in clause (3) above.

 

(vii) The Eligible Shareholder may provide to the Secretary of the corporation, at the time the information required by this Section 7(b) is provided, a written statement for inclusion in the proxy statement for the corporation’s annual meeting, not to exceed 500 words, in support of the Shareholder Nominee’s candidacy (the “Statement”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7(b), the corporation may omit from its proxy materials any information or Statement that it, in good faith, believes is materially false or misleading, omits to state any material fact, or would violate any applicable law or regulation.

 

(c) The corporation may request such additional information as necessary to permit the Board of Directors to determine if each Shareholder Nominee is independent under the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the corporation’s Common Stock is listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of its directors. If the Board of Directors determines in good faith that the Shareholder Nominee is not independent under any of these standards, the Shareholder Nominee will not be eligible for inclusion in the corporation’s proxy materials.

 

(d) Any Shareholder Nominee who is included in the corporation’s proxy materials for a particular annual meeting of shareholders but either (1) withdraws from or becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at the annual meeting, or (2) does not receive at least 25% of the votes cast in favor of the election of such Shareholder Nominee, will be ineligible to be a Shareholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 7(b) for the next two (2) annual meetings of the corporation.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything in Section 7(a) or Section 7(b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased by the Board of Directors, and there is no public announcement by the corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred thirty (130) days prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice required by Section 7(a) or Section 7(b) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase (and with respect to Section 7(b), only to the extent the increase in the size of the board increases the number of nominees permitted under Section 7(b)(iv)), if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) business day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

 

(f) A majority of the Directors shall have the power to determine and declare to the meeting whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, and if a majority of the Directors should so determine that such nomination was not made in compliance with these Amended and Restated Bylaws, declare to the meeting that no action shall be taken on such nomination and such defective nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section.

 

SECTION 8. Notice of Business. At any meeting of the shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting: (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (b) by any shareholder of the corporation who is a shareholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this Section 8 and at the time of the meeting, who shall be entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 8. The immediately preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to make business proposals (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the corporation’s notice of meeting) before a meeting of shareholders. For business to be properly brought before a shareholder meeting by a shareholder, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation in accordance with the timeliness provisions of Section 7 above. A shareholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting: (a) brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the shareholder and (d) any material interest of the shareholder in such business. A majority of the Directors present at the meeting shall have the power to determine and declare to the meeting whether a proposal of business was made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, and if a majority of the Directors present at the meeting should so determine that such proposal of business was not made in compliance with these Amended and Restated Bylaws, declare to the meeting that no action shall be taken on such proposal and such defective proposal shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 8.

 

SECTION 9. Organization. At each meeting of shareholders, a person appointed by the directors shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary of the corporation (or, in the absence or inability to act of the Secretary of the corporation, the person whom the directors shall appoint secretary of the meeting) shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof.

 

SECTION 10. Order of Business. The order of business at all meetings of shareholders, as well as the rules governing such meetings, shall be solely determined by the chairman of the meeting appointed pursuant to Article I, Section 9.

 

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ARTICLE II DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1. Organization. The Board of Directors may hold a meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business if a quorum be present, immediately before and/or after the annual meeting of the shareholders and immediately before and/or after any special meeting at which directors are elected. Notice of such meeting need not be given. Such organizational meeting(s) may be held at any other time or place, which shall be specified in a notice given as provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors, or in a consent and waiver of notice thereof signed by all the directors.

 

SECTION 2. Chairman of the Board. At the organizational meeting described in Article II, Section 1 or at such other time as the Board of Directors deems appropriate, the Board of Directors shall elect from among its number a Chairman (or person having a similar title) of the Board of Directors, who shall hold office until the next organizational meeting described in Article II, Section 1 and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal by the Board of Directors with or without cause. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. For the avoidance of doubt, each member of the Board of Directors, including those elected as Chairman or Vice Chairman, (a) shall have the same rights, powers, privileges and obligations as each other member of the Board of Directors and (b) shall not act independently of the Board of Directors without the affirmative vote or consent of the Board of Directors as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 3. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates as are designated, from time to time, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or at such other location as the Chairman of the Board of Directors selects. Each regular meeting shall commence at the time designated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors on at least five (5) days’ prior written notice to each director when sent by mail and on at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice when sent by private express carrier or transmitted by fax, e-mail, or other electronic means.

 

SECTION 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by any director. Written notice of the time, place and purposes of each special meeting shall be sent by private express carrier or transmitted by fax, e-mail, or other electronic means to each director at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to such meeting. Notwithstanding the preceding, any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be a legal meeting without any notice thereof if all the members of the Board of Directors shall be present or if all absent members waive notice thereof.

 

SECTION 5. Number; Qualifications; Quorum; Term.

 

(a) The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15) members as determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. As of the date of these Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall consist of five (5) directors.

 

(b) Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, one-third (1/3) of the total number of directors (but in no event less than two (2) directors) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Any meeting at which a quorum is present may also be adjourned in like manner, for such time or upon such call, as may be determined by vote. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting originally held if a quorum had been present thereat. The directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is constituted shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the Articles of Incorporation or any voting agreement, side letter, or other written agreement entered into by and among the corporation and any shareholders of the corporation shall require a vote of a greater number of votes or the affirmative vote of particular directors.

 

(c) Except as otherwise provided in these Amended and Restated Bylaws, directors shall hold office until the next succeeding annual shareholders’ meeting and thereafter until their successors are respectively elected and qualified or until any such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

SECTION 6. Place of Meetings. The Board of Directors may hold its meetings and keep the books of the corporation inside or outside of the State of Florida, at any office of the corporation, or at any other place, as it may from time to time by resolution determine.

 

SECTION 7. Vacancies. Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, any vacancy in the Board of Directors because of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, increase in the number of directors, or any other cause may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, subject to the terms and conditions of the Articles of Incorporation and any voting agreement, side letter, or other written agreement entered into by and among the corporation and any shareholders of the corporation.

 

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SECTION 8. Election of Directors; Resignation of Directors.

 

(a) At all meetings of shareholders for the election of directors, each director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

 

(b) Any director of the corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Secretary of the corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

(c) To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Article I, Section 7) to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the corporation a written agreement (in the form provided by the secretary upon written request) that such person will abide by the requirements of Section 8(c).

 

SECTION 9. Compensation of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. In addition, each director shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the corporation for all reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors or of any committee of which such person is a member. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation for such services from the corporation; provided, however, that any person who is receiving a stated compensation as an officer of the corporation for services as such officer shall not receive any additional compensation for services as a director during such period. A director entitled to receive stated compensation for services as director, who shall serve for only a portion of a year, shall be entitled to receive only that portion of the director’s annual stated compensation on which the period of such service during the year bears to the entire year. The annual compensation of directors shall be paid at such times and in such installments as the Board of Directors may determine.

 

SECTION 10. Committees.

 

(a) The Board of Directors shall designate an Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Administration and Management Committee, and may designate one or more other committees as it may deem advisable, each of which shall have and may exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Directors to the extent provided in the charter of each committee adopted by the Board of Directors in one or more resolutions. The members of the committees, who shall be at least three (3) in number and independent, shall act only as a committee and, except to the extent otherwise set forth in the charter of each committee, the individual members shall have no power as such. Unless the Board of Directors elects a committee chairman, each committee shall elect its own chairman. Subject to the provisions of its charter, each committee shall have full power and authority to make rules for the conduct of its business. The Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of committees, fill vacancies, and to abolish any committee other than the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Administration and Management Committee.

 

(b) The members of each committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall serve until the first meeting of the Board of Directors after the annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified or until the members’ earlier death, resignation or removal. Vacancies may be filled by the Board of Directors at any meeting. Subject to compliance with the respective committee charters for the Audit, Compensation, and Administration and Management Committees, a majority of the Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee to serve for that committee meeting only.

 

(c) The committee chairman, or a majority of any committee may call a meeting of that committee. A quorum of any committee shall consist of a majority of its members unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors. Except to the extent otherwise set forth in the charter of each committee, the majority vote of a quorum shall be required for the transaction of business. The committee may also take action by unanimous written consent of all committee members without a meeting. The chairman of the committee shall give, or cause the Secretary of the corporation to give, notice of all meetings of the committee by mailing the notice to the members of the committee at least three (3) days before each meeting or by telephoning the members not later than one (1) day before the meeting. The notice shall state the time, date, and place of the meeting. Any notice or waiver of notice shall also satisfy the requirements of Article VI, Section 2 below. Each committee shall fix its other rules of procedure.

 

(d) No committee of the Board of Directors shall have the power or authority to: (i) approve or recommend to shareholders actions or proposals required by the FBCA to be approved by shareholders; (ii) fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or any committee thereof; (iii) adopt, amend, or repeal these Amended and Restated Bylaws; (iv) authorize or approve the reacquisition of shares unless pursuant to a general formula or method specified by the Board of Directors; or (v) authorize or approve the issuance or sale or contract for the sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and limitations of a voting group, except that the Board of Directors may authorize a committee (or a senior executive officer of the corporation) to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the Board of Directors.

 

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ARTICLE III OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1. Titles and Election. At the organizational meeting described in Article II, Section 1 or at such other time as the Board of Directors deems appropriate, the Board of Directors may elect one or more persons to serve as a Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman, a President, and one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and one or more Assistant Secretaries, and such other officers as the Board of Directors from time to time may deem proper, each of whom need not be directors. Such officers shall hold office until the next annual election of officers and until their successors are respectively elected and qualified, or until their respective earlier death, resignation or removal by the Board of Directors as provided in Article III, Section 8.

 

SECTION 2. Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall have supervisory authority over the policies of the corporation as well as the management and control of the business and affairs of the corporation.

 

SECTION 3. Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall have such duties and responsibilities relating to the management of the corporation as may be defined and designated by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 4. President. The President shall have responsibility for the management of the operating businesses of the corporation and shall do and perform all acts incident to the office of President or which are authorized by the the Board of Directors, or as may be required by law.

 

SECTION 5. Vice President(s). Each Vice President shall have such designations and such powers and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more Vice Presidents to be a Senior Executive Vice President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Group Vice President. or other similar designation.

 

SECTION 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall:

 

(a) keep the minutes of meetings of shareholders and of the Board of Directors in books provided for the purpose;

 

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(b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Amended and Restated Bylaws and as required by law;

 

(c) be custodian of the records and have charge of the seal of the corporation and see that it is affixed to all stock certificates prior to their issuance and to all documents the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these Amended and Restated Bylaws;

 

(d) have charge of the stock books of the corporation and keep or cause to be kept the stock and transfer books in such manner as to show at any time the amount of the stock of the corporation issued and outstanding, the manner in which and the time when such stock was paid for, the names, alphabetically arranged, and the addresses of the holders of record thereof, the number of shares held by each, and the time when each became such holder of record; exhibit or cause to be exhibited at all reasonable times to any director, upon application, the original or duplicate stock ledger;

 

(e) see that the books, reports, statements, certificates, and all other documents and records required by law are properly kept, executed, and filed; and

 

(f) in general, perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 7. Assistant Secretary. At the request of the Secretary, or in the absence or disability of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary may perform all the duties of the Secretary, and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Secretary. Each Assistant Secretary shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 8. Resignation and Removal of Officers. Any officer of the corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect when the notice is so delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date, and unless otherwise specified therein the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed summarily at any time, with or without cause, by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, subject to the terms and conditions of the Articles of Incorporation and any voting agreement, side letter, or other written agreement entered into by and among the corporation and any of its shareholders.

 

SECTION 9. Salaries. The salaries of officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may authorize and empower the Compensation Committee to (i) review and prepare corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of all officers of the corporation who are not directors of the corporation; , including annual performance objectives, if any, and (ii) approve the annual salary, bonus, equity and equity-based incentives and other benefits, direct and indirect, of the officers of the corporation. The Compensation Committee shall (i) evaluate the performance of the officers of the corporation in light of such goals and objectives and (ii) review and approve, or recommend to the Board of Directors to approve, the annual salary, bonus, equity and equity-based incentives and other benefits, direct and indirect, of the officers of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE IV CAPITAL STOCK

 

SECTION 1. Issue of Stock With or Without Certificates. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of any or all of the corporation’s classes or series of stock without certificates. Certificates for those shares of the capital stock of the corporation that are represented by certificates shall be in such forms as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. Each holder of shares represented by certificates shall be entitled to have the certificate for such shares issued under the seal of the corporation, signed by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, or a Vice President and also by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary; provided, however, that where a certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent, other than the corporation or its employee, or by a registrar, other than the corporation or its employee, the corporate seal and any other signature on such certificate may be a facsimile, engraved, stamped, or printed. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar of the corporation who shall have signed, or whose facsimile signature shall have been used on any such certificate, shall cease to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar, whether because of death, resignation, or otherwise, before such certificate shall have been delivered by the corporation, such certificate shall nevertheless be deemed to have been adopted by the corporation and may be issued and delivered as though the person who signed such certificate or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar.

 

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SECTION 2. Transfer of Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Articles of Incorporation and any voting agreement, side letter, or other written agreement entered into by and among the corporation and any of its shareholders, the shares of the corporation shall be transferable upon its books by the holders thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, and upon such transfer of any shares represented by certificates, the old certificates for such shares shall be surrendered to the corporation by the delivery thereof to the person in charge of the shares and transfer books and ledgers, or to such other person as the Board of Directors may designate, by whom they shall be canceled, and new certificates (or an appropriate entry in respect of shares without certificates) shall thereupon be issued for the shares so transferred to the person entitled thereto. A record shall be made of each transfer and whenever a transfer shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer.

 

SECTION 3. Lost Certificates. Any person claiming a certificate representing shares to be lost or destroyed shall make an affidavit or affirmation of that fact, and if requested to do so by the Board of Directors or the Secretary of the corporation, shall advertise such fact in such manner as the Board of Directors or the Secretary may require, and shall give to the corporation, its transfer agent and registrar, if any, a bond or indemnity in such sum as the Board of Directors or Secretary may direct, but not less than double the value of the shares represented by such certificate, in form satisfactory to the Board of Directors and to the transfer agent and registrar of the corporation, if any, and with or without sureties as the Board of Directors or Secretary with the approval of the transfer agent and registrar, if any, may prescribe; whereupon the Chairman, a Vice Chairman or a Vice President and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary may cause to be issued a new certificate of the same tenor (or cause an appropriate entry to be made in respect of shares without certificates) and for the same number of shares as the one alleged to have been lost or destroyed.

 

SECTION 4. Rules as to Issue of Shares. The Board of Directors shall make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer, and registration of shares of the corporation. It may appoint one or more transfer agents and/or registrars of transfer, and may require all certificates to bear the signature of either or both. Each and every person accepting shares from the corporation therein shall furnish the corporation with a written statement of the residence or post office address of that person, and in the event of changing such residence shall advise the corporation of such new address.

 

SECTION 5. Holder of Record Deemed Holder in Fact. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares as the holder in fact thereof, and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as expressly provided by law.

 

SECTION 6. Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing Record Date. The Board of Directors shall have the power to close the share transfer books of the corporation for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of shareholders or the date for payment of any dividend or the date for the allotment of rights or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect; provided, however, that in lieu of closing the share transfer books as aforesaid, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date, not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of shareholders or the date for the payment of any dividend or the date for the allotment of rights or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, as a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion, or exchange of capital stock, and in such case only such shareholders as shall be shareholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.

 

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ARTICLE V

CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DRAFTS, BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC.

 

SECTION 1. Contracts, Etc.; How Executed. The Board of Directors or such officer or person to whom such power shall be delegated by the Board of Directors by resolution, except as in these Amended and Restated Bylaws otherwise provided, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, either by name or by designation of their respective offices, positions, or class, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

SECTION 2. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no negotiable paper shall be issued in its name, unless and except as authorized by the vote of the Board of Directors or by such officer or person to whom such power shall be delegated by the Board of Directors by resolution or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws. When so authorized by the Board of Directors or by such officer or person to whom such power shall be delegated by the Board of Directors by resolution or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, any officer or agent of the corporation may obtain loans and advances at any time for the corporation from any bank, banking firm, trust company, or other institution, or from any firm, corporation, or individual, and for such loans and advances may make, execute and deliver promissory notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness of the corporation, and, when authorized as aforesaid to give security for the payment of any loan, advance, indebtedness or liability of the corporation, may pledge, hypothecate, or transfer any and all stocks, securities, and other personal property at any time held by the corporation, and to that end endorse, assign and deliver the same, but only to the extent and in the manner authorized by the Board of Directors or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

SECTION 3. Deposits. All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation with such banks, banking firms, trust companies, or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may select or as may be selected by any officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation to whom such power may be delegated from time to time by the Board of Directors or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

SECTION 4. Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, acceptances, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent, or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or by such officer or person to whom such power of determination shall be delegated by the Board of Directors by resolution or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws. Endorsements for deposit to the credit of the corporation in any of its authorized depositaries may be made, without any countersignature, by any Vice President or by any other officer or agent of the corporation appointed by any officer of the corporation to whom the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall have delegated such power of appointment, or by hand-stamped impression in the name of the corporation.

 

SECTION 5. Transaction of Business. The corporation, or any division or department into which any of the business or operations of the corporation may have been divided, may transact business and execute contracts under its own corporate name, its division, or department name, a trademark, or a trade name.

 

ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 1. Fiscal Year; Staff and Divisional Titles.

 

(a) Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall end on December 31 each year.

 

(b) Staff and Divisional Titles. Subject to the prior written consent or affirmative vote of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer may appoint such persons as he or she deems appropriate to hold the title of staff vice president, divisional president, or divisional vice president or other similar designation. Such persons shall not be officers of the corporation and shall retain such title at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer who may from time to time make or revoke such designation subject to the prior written consent or affirmative vote of the Board of Directors.

 

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SECTION 2. Notice and Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required by these Amended and Restated Bylaws to be given, personal notice to the person is not meant unless expressly so stated; and any notice so required shall be deemed to be sufficient if given by depositing the same in a post office or post box in a sealed postpaid wrapper, addressed to the person entitled thereto at the post office address as shown on the transfer books of the corporation, in case of a shareholder, and at the last known post office address in case of an officer or director who is not a shareholder; and such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the day of such deposit. In the case of notice by private express carrier or similar means, notice shall be deemed to be sufficient if transmitted or sent to the person entitled to notice or to any person at the residence or usual place of business of the person entitled to notice who it is reasonably believed will convey such notice to the person entitled thereto; and notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time of receipt at such residence or place of business. In the case of notice by fax, e-mail, or electronic means, notice shall be deemed to be sufficient if transmitted in a manner authorized by the recipient. Any notice required by these Amended and Restated Bylaws may be given to the person entitled thereto personally and attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting. Whenever notice is required to be given under these Amended and Restated Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.

 

SECTION 3. Inspection of Books. The Board of Directors shall determine from time to time whether and, if allowed, when and under what conditions and regulations the accounts, records, and books of the corporation (except such as may, by statute, be specifically open to inspection), or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of the shareholders, and the shareholders’ rights in this respect are and shall be restricted and limited accordingly.

 

SECTION 4. Construction. All references herein in the plural shall be construed to include the singular and in the singular shall be construed to include the plural, if the context so requires.

 

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SECTION 5. Indemnification.

 

(a) Each person (and the heirs, executors or administrators of such person) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), whether formal or informal and whether or not such action, suit or proceeding is brought by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, trustee, employee, or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the corporation (a “Covered Person”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation (and any successor of the corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent permitted by the FBCA as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such Proceeding if the person if the person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 5(c)(i) below, the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 5(a) shall also include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in connection with any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the fullest extent permitted by the FBCA as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time. Each Covered Person shall have the right, without the need for any action by the Board of Directors, to be paid by the corporation (and any successor of the corporation by merger or otherwise) the expenses incurred in connection with any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, however, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (an “Undertaking”) by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal (a “final disposition”) that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under these Amended and Restated Bylaws or otherwise. The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 5(a) shall be a contract right.

 

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(b) To obtain indemnification under these Amended and Restated Bylaws, a claimant shall submit to the corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (i) by a majority of Disinterested Directors (as defined below), even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors, or if the Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel (as defined below), in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or (iv) if a majority of the Disinterested Directors so directs, by a majority vote of the shareholders of the corporation. In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Disinterested Directors. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination.

 

(c) (i) If a claim for indemnification under this Section 5 is not paid in full by the corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim pursuant to Section 5(b) above has been received by the corporation, or (ii) if a request for advancement of expenses under this Section 5 is not paid in full by the corporation within twenty (20) days after a statement pursuant to Section 5(a) above and the required Undertaking, if any, have been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim for indemnification or request for advancement of expenses and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that, under the FBCA, the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed or that the claimant is not entitled to the requested advancement of expenses, but (except where the required Undertaking, if any, has not been tendered to the corporation) the burden of proving such defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel, or shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth under the FBCA, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel, or shareholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 5(b) above that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 5(c)(i) above.

 

(e) The corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 5(c)(i) above that the procedures and presumptions of these Amended and Restated Bylaws are not valid, binding, and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the corporation is bound by all the provisions of these Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

(f) All of the rights conferred in this Section 5 as to indemnification, advancement of expenses, and otherwise shall be contract rights between the corporation and each Covered Person to whom such rights are extended that vest at the commencement of such Covered Person’s service to or at the request of the corporation and (i) any amendment or modification of this Section 5 that in any way diminishes or adversely affects any such rights shall be prospective only and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any such rights with respect to such Covered Person, and (ii) all of such rights shall continue as to any such Covered Person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of the corporation or ceased to serve at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, as described herein, and shall inure to the benefit of such Covered Person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

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(g) All of the rights conferred in this Section 5 as to indemnification, advancement of expenses, and otherwise (i) shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these Amended and Restated Bylaws, agreement, vote of shareholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office and (ii) cannot be terminated or impaired by the corporation, the Board of Directors or the shareholders of the corporation with respect to a person’s service prior to the date of such termination.

 

(h) The corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain, at its expense, insurance to protect itself and any person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the FBCA. To the extent that the corporation maintains any policy or policies providing such insurance, each such current or former director, officer, trustee, employee or agent shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage thereunder for any such current or former director, officer, trustee, employee or agent.

 

(i) Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 5, nor the adoption of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by the FBCA, any modification of law, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Section 5 in respect of any acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment, repeal, adoption, or modification.

 

(j) Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the corporation under this bylaw shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by mail or other method of delivery, or by e-mail or other electronic transmission, to the Secretary of the corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the secretary.

 

(k) If any provision or provisions of this Section 5 shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Section 5 (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Section 5 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Section 5 (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Section 5 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

(l) For purposes of this Section 5: (i) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant; and (ii) “Independent Counsel” means a large national law firm, a member of a large national law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s rights under this bylaw.

 

ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 1. Amendment of Bylaws. All Bylaws of the corporation (including these Amended and Restated Bylaws) shall be subject to adoption, alteration, amendment, or repeal as provided in, and subject to the provisions of, the Articles of Incorporation and the FBCA.

 

* * * * *

 

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Exhibit 10.7

 

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.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$250,000.00 11/12/2020          , 2020

 

New York, New York

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Cuentas Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay to Arie Ghershony or his assignee (the “Holder”), the principal sum of $250,000.00, plus interest as provided for herein. Interest shall accrue from the date of this Note on the unpaid principal amount at a rate equal to 10.00% per annum, calculated as simple interest.

 

This Note is subject to the following terms and conditions.

 

1. Maturity. Subject to Section 2, principal and any accrued but unpaid interest under this Note shall be due and payable in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds one (1) year from the date hereof (the “Maturity Date”), unless this Note shall have been prepaid by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the entire unpaid principal sum of this Note, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall become immediately due and payable upon the insolvency of the Company, the commission of any act of bankruptcy by the Company, the execution by the Company of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, the filing by or against the Company of a petition in bankruptcy or any petition for relief under the federal bankruptcy act or the continuation of such petition without dismissal for a period of 90 days or more, or the appointment of a receiver or trustee to take possession of the property or assets of the Company.

 

2.  Conversion.

 

(a) Optional Conversion. At any time from the date hereof, the Holder may elect to convert all or any part of the then outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest due under this Note into shares of Common Stock of the Company, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) by giving written notice of such election on or prior to the Maturity Date. The conversion price per share for the shares of Common Stock purchased by the Holder pursuant to conversion of this Note shall $2.75 per share (the “Conversion Price”). The Conversion Price and the number of shares of Common Stock shall each be proportionately adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar event affecting the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company without the payment of consideration to the Company therefor at any time prior to conversion.

 

 

 

 

(b) Mechanics and Effect of Conversion. No fractional shares of the Company’s capital stock will be issued upon conversion of this Note. In lieu of any fractional share to which the Holder would otherwise be entitled, the Company will round any fractional share to the nearest whole share. The Holder shall effect conversions by delivering to the Company a Notice of Conversion, the form of which is attached hereto as Annex A, specifying therein the principal amount of this Note to be converted and the date on which such conversion shall be effected. Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to this Section 2, the Holder shall surrender this Note to the Company or any transfer agent or representative of the Company, although such surrender shall not be a precondition to the conversion of this Note as provided for herein. At its expense, the Company will, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver to such Holder a certificate or certificates for the number of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such conversion. Upon conversion of this Note, the Company will be forever released from all of its obligations and liabilities under this Note with regard to that portion of the principal amount and accrued interest being converted including without limitation the obligation to pay such portion of the principal amount and accrued interest. Any of the certificates evidencing the shares of Common Stock shall not contain any legends, or, if applicable, any legends shall be removed, (i) following any sale of such shares pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), (ii) if such shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144, without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 as to such shares and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions, or (iii) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Act. If requested by the transfer agent, any legal opinion required with respect thereto shall be the responsibility of the Company and shall be provided to the transfer agent at the Company’s sole cost and expense.

 

3. Payment; Prepayment. All payments shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at such place as the Holder hereof may from time to time designate in writing to the Company. Payment shall be credited first to the accrued interest then due and payable and the remainder applied to principal. Prepayment of this Note may be made at any time without penalty.

 

4. Transfer; Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holder may not assign, pledge, or otherwise transfer this Note without the prior written consent of the Company. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Note may be transferred only upon surrender of the original Note for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company. Thereupon, a new note for the same principal amount and interest will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Interest and principal are payable only to the registered holder of this Note.

 

5. Governing Law. This Note and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

 

6. Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to any party shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person, sent by facsimile transmission or email to the telephone number or email address as may hereinafter be designated by the recipient to the sender, or duly sent by first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to such party at the address as may hereafter be designated by the addressee to the addresser. All such notices, advises and communications shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (b) in the case of facsimile transmission or email, on the date of transmission, and (c) in the case of mailing, on the third day after the posting thereof.

 

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7. Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Note may be amended only with the written consent of the Company and at least a majority in interest of the Holders. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 7 shall be binding upon the Company, each Holder and each transferee of any Note.

 

8. Members, Officers and Directors Not Liable. In no event shall any member, manager, officer or director of the Company be liable for any amounts due or payable pursuant to this Note.

 

9. Counterparts. This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original and all of which together will constitute a single agreement. Execution and delivery of such counterparts by facsimile or other electronic means (including email/.pdf) shall not impair the validity of such execution and delivery.

 

  CUENTAS INC.
       
  By:    
    Name:  Arik Maimon
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
       
  Address for Notice:

 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:  
     
   
Arie Ghershony  
     
Address for Notice:  Arie Ghershony
#433
 
  7501 Democracy blvd  
  Bethesda MD 20817  

 

3

 

 

ANNEX A

 

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

 

The undersigned hereby elects to convert principal and interest under the Convertible Promissory Note due                                 , 2021 of Cuentas Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), into shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”), according to the conditions hereof, as of the date written below.

 

Conversion calculations:  
   
Date to Effect Conversion:                                                    
   
Principal Amount of Note to be Converted:                                          
   
Interest of Note to be Converted:  
Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued:                                
   
Signature:                                                    
   
Name:                                                    
   
DWAC Instructions:                                                      
   
Broker No:                                                    
Account No:                                                    

 

 

4

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Arik Maimon, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Form 10-K of Cuentas Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods present in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financing reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involved management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

  

Date: March 24, 2021  
   
/s/ Arik Maimon  
Arik Maimon  
Chief Executive Officer  

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Ran Daniel, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Form 10-K of Cuentas Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods present in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financing reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involved management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 24, 2021  
   
/s/ Ran Daniel  

Ran Daniel

Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cuentas Inc. (the “Company”) for the twelve-months ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Arik Maimon, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: March 24, 2021  
     
By: /s/ Arik Maimon  
  Arik Maimon  
  Chief Executive Officer  

 

This certification accompanies each Report pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of §18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A signed original of this written statement required by §906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cuentas Inc. (the “Company”) for the twelve-months ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Ran Daniel, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: March 24, 2021  
     
By: /s/ Ran Daniel  
  Ran Daniel  
  Chief Financial Officer  

 

This certification accompanies each Report pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of §18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A signed original of this written statement required by §906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.