As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2022

 

File No. 001-41033

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Amendment No. 3

to

FORM 10

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware   87-2755739

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

   

200 9th Avenue North, Suite 220

Safety Harbor, Florida

  34695
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(866) 980-2818

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Copies to:

Brian McFadden

Chief Executive Officer

Cryptyde, Inc.
200 9th Avenue North

Suite 220

Safety Harbor, Florida 34695

 

Copies to:

Rick Werner, Esq.

Bruce Newsome, Esq.

Haynes and Boone, LLP

30 Rockefeller Plaza

26th Floor

New York, New York 10112

(212) 659-4974

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class to be so registered

 

Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

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. ☐

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ITEMS OF FORM 10

 

Certain information required to be included in this Form 10 is incorporated by reference to specifically identified portions of the information statement filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1. None of the information contained in the information statement shall be incorporated by reference herein or deemed to be a part hereof unless such information is specifically incorporated by reference.

 

Item 1. Business.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Information Statement Summary,” “Summary of the Separation,” “Risk Factors,” “The Separation,” “Capitalization,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business,” “Management,” “Executive Compensation,” “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” “Where You Can Find More Information,” and “Index to Financial Statements” (and the statements referenced therein). Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2. Financial Information.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Information Statement Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Capitalization,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Index to Financial Statements” (and the statements referenced therein). Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

Item 3. Properties.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Business—Facilities and Distribution.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Management.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 6. Executive Compensation.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Executive Compensation” and “Management.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “The Separation—Agreements with BBIG,” “Management,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8. Legal Proceedings.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Business—Legal Proceedings.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary of the Separation,” “Risk Factors,” “The Separation,” “Dividend Policy,” “Capitalization,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Description of Capital Stock.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Description of Capital Stock—Sale of Unregistered Securities.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 11. Description of Registrant’s Securities to Be Registered.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Common Stock,” “Dividend Policy,” and “Description of Capital Stock.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Other Related Party Transactions” and “Description of Capital Stock—Limitations on Personal Liability of Directors, Indemnification and Advancement Rights of Directors and Officers, and Director and Officer Insurance.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Index to Financial Statements” (and the statements referenced therein). Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Business—Independent Accountant.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial Statements

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements” and “Index to Financial Statements” (and the statements referenced therein). Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Exhibits

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
   
2.1#   Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated May 5, 2022 by and between Vinco Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant
   
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     
3.2   Bylaws (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
   
10.1   Tax Matters Agreement by and between Vinco Ventures, Inc. and the Registrant
   
10.2+   2022 Incentive Compensation Plan
   
10.3+   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Agreement to the 2022 Incentive Compensation Plan
   
10.4 +   Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Brian McFadden (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
   
10.5 +   Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Brett Vroman (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     
10.6   Form of Indemnification Agreement be entered into between the Registrant and each of its directors and executive officers
     
10.7   Form of Amendment Agreement between Cryptyde, Inc., Vinco Ventures, Inc., and Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., dated November 11, 2021 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 on January 25, 2022)
     
10.7.1   First Amendment to the Amendment Agreement between Cryptyde, Inc., Vinco Venture. Inc., and Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., dated May 5, 2022
     
10.8   Form of Cryptyde, Inc. Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 on January 25, 2022)
     
10.9   Form of Registration Rights Agreement between Cryptyde, Inc. and Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., dated November 11, 2021 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 on January 25, 2022)
     
10.10#   Note Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 26, 2022 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 12 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     
10.10.1   First Amendment to Note Securities Purchase Agreement between Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., and Cryptyde, Inc., dated May 5, 2022
     
10.11   Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 26, 2022 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     
10.12   Form of Note related to the January 26, 2022 Note Securities Purchase Agreement (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     
10.13   Form of Warrant related to the January 26, 2022 Note Securities Purchase Agreement (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     
10.14   Form of Pledge Agreement related to the January 26, 2022 Note Securities Purchase Agreement (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     
10.15#   Equity Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 26, 2022 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     

10.15.1

  Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement,by and among Cryptyde, Inc. and BHP Capital NY, Inc., dated April 18, 2022
     
10.16   Form of Warrant related to the January 26, 2022 Equity Securities Purchase Agreement (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 18 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 dated March 18, 2022)
     
10.17#   Milestone Agreement, dated April 2022, between Cryptyde, Inc., Emmersive Entertainment, Inc., and certain former shareholders of Emmersive Entertainment, Inc. identified therein.
     
16.1   Letter from Marcum LLP regarding change in certifying accountant of Ferguson Containers
     
21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
   
99.1   Preliminary Information Statement, dated May 6, 2022
   
99.2   Form of Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement

  

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

# Schedules and/or exhibits have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. We agree to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  CRYPTYDE, INC.
     
Date: May 6, 2022 By: /s/ Brian McFadden
    Brian McFadden
    Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

by and between

 

VINCO VENTURES, INC.

 

and

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

 

Dated as of May 5 2022

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article I. DEFINITIONS 2
Section 1.1 Definitions 2
Section 1.2 References; Interpretation 18
Section 1.3 Effective Time 19
Section 1.4 Other Matters 19
Article II. THE SEPARATION 19
Section 2.1 General 19
Section 2.2 The Separation 19
Section 2.3 Settlement of Intergroup Indebtedness 20
Section 2.4 Bank Accounts; Cash Balances 20
Section 2.5 Limitation of Liability; Termination of Agreements 21
Section 2.6 Delayed Transfer of Assets or Liabilities 22
Section 2.7 Transfer Documents 24
Section 2.8 Shared Contracts 25
Section 2.9 Further Assurances 26
Section 2.10 Novation of Liabilities; Consents 26
Section 2.11 Guarantees and Letters of Credit 27
Section 2.12 DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 28
Article III. CERTAIN ACTIONS PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION 29
Section 3.1 Separation 29
Section 3.2 Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws 29
Section 3.3 Directors 29
Section 3.4 Resignations 29
Section 3.5 Ancillary Agreements 29
Section 3.6 [RESERVED] 29
Article IV. THE DISTRIBUTION 30
Section 4.1 The Distribution 30
Section 4.2 Fractional Shares 30
Section 4.3 Actions in Connection with Distribution 30
Section 4.4 Sole Discretion of Vinco 31
Section 4.5 Conditions 31
Article V. COVENANTS 33
Section 5.1 Legal Names and Other Parties’ Trademark 33
Section 5.2 Auditors and Audits; Annual and Quarterly Financial Statements and Accounting. 34
Section 5.3 No Restrictions on Corporate Opportunities 35
Section 5.4 [RESERVED] 36
Article VI. SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION; MUTUAL RELEASES 36
Section 6.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims 36
Section 6.2 Indemnification by Vinco 38
Section 6.3 Indemnification by Cryptyde 39
Section 6.4 Procedures for Indemnification; Third Party Claims 39

 

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Section 6.5 Indemnification Payments 41
Section 6.6 Survival of Indemnities 41
Section 6.7 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts; Contribution 41
Section 6.8 Direct Claims 42
Section 6.9 Remedies Cumulative 43
Section 6.10 Consequential Damages 43
Section 6.11 Ancillary Agreements 43
Article VII. CONFIDENTIALITY; ACCESS TO INFORMATION 43
Section 7.1 Provision of Corporate Records 43
Section 7.2 Access to Information 44
Section 7.3 Witness Services 44
Section 7.4 Cooperation 45
Section 7.5 Confidentiality 45
Section 7.6 Privileged Matters 46
Section 7.7 Ownership of Information 48
Section 7.8 Other Agreements 48
Section 7.9 Compensation for Providing Information 49
Article VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION 49
Section 8.1 Negotiation 49
Section 8.2 [RESERVED] 50
Section 8.3 Arbitration 50
Section 8.4 Selection of Arbitrators 50
Section 8.5 Arbitration Procedures 50
Section 8.6 Discovery 50
Section 8.7 Confidentiality of Proceedings 51
Section 8.8 Pre-Hearing Procedure and Disposition 51
Section 8.9 Continuity of Service and Performance 51
Section 8.10 Awards 51
Section 8.11 Costs 51
Section 8.12 Adherence to Time Limits 52
Article IX. INSURANCE 52
Section 9.1 Policies to be Maintained by Cryptyde 52
Section 9.2 Policies to be Maintained by Vinco 52
Article X. MISCELLANEOUS 53
Section 10.1 Complete Agreement 53
Section 10.2 Ancillary Agreements 53
Section 10.3 Counterparts 53
Section 10.4 Survival of Agreements 53
Section 10.5 Costs and Expenses; Payment 53
Section 10.6 Notices 54
Section 10.7 Waiver 55
Section 10.8 Modification or Amendment 55
Section 10.9 No Assignment; Binding Effect 55
Section 10.10

Termination

55

 

ii
 

 

Section 10.11 Payment Terms 55
Section 10.12 No Circumvention 55
Section 10.13 Subsidiaries 56
Section 10.14 Third Party Beneficiaries 56
Section 10.15 Titles and Headings 56
Section 10.16 Exhibits and Schedules 56
Section 10.17 Public Announcements 56
Section 10.18 Governing Law 57
Section 10.19 Consent to Jurisdiction 57
Section 10.20 Specific Performance 57
Section 10.21 Waiver of Jury Trial 57
Section 10.22 Severability 58
Section 10.23 Construction 58
Section 10.24 Authorization 58
Section 10.25 No Duplication; No Double Recovery 58
Section 10.26 Tax Treatment of Payments 58
Section 10.27 Cooperation and General Knowledge Transfer 59
Section 10.28 No Reliance on Other Party 59

 

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SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into as of May 5, 2022, by and between Vinco Ventures, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Vinco”), and Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Vinco (“Cryptyde”) (each a “Party” and together, the “Parties”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Vinco, acting through its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, currently conducts a number of businesses, including the Cryptyde Business;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Vinco (the “Vinco Board”) has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of Vinco and its stockholders to separate Vinco into two separate, independent, publicly-traded companies: (i) one comprising the Cryptyde Business, which shall be owned and conducted directly or indirectly by Cryptyde, all of the common stock of which is intended to be distributed to Vinco stockholders, and (ii) one comprising the Vinco Business, which shall continue to be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by Vinco;

 

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Vinco Board has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of Vinco and its stockholders: (i) for Vinco and its Subsidiaries to enter into a series of transactions whereby Vinco and its Subsidiaries will be reorganized such that (A) Vinco and/or one or more other members of the Vinco Group will own all of the Vinco Assets and assume (or retain) all of the Vinco Liabilities, and (B) Cryptyde and/or one or more other members of the Cryptyde Group will own all of the Cryptyde Assets and assume (or retain) all of the Cryptyde Liabilities (the transactions referred to in clauses (A) and (B) being referred to herein as the “Separation”); and (ii) thereafter, on the Distribution Date, for Vinco to distribute to the holders of issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Vinco (the “Vinco Common Stock”) as of the Record Date on a pro rata basis all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Cryptyde (the “Cryptyde Common Stock”) (such transactions described in this clause (ii), as may be amended or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the “Distribution”);

 

WHEREAS, Cryptyde has been incorporated for this purpose and has not engaged in activities except (i) operating the Cryptyde Business and (ii) preparing for its corporate reorganization and the distribution of its stock.

 

WHEREAS, Vinco and Cryptyde have determined that it is necessary and desirable, at or prior to the Effective Time, to allocate, transfer or assign the Cryptyde Assets and Cryptyde Liabilities to the Cryptyde Group, and to allocate, transfer or assign the Vinco Assets and Vinco Liabilities to the Vinco Group;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties intend that the Distribution, together with certain related transactions, generally will qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and that this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby adopted as, a plan of reorganization under Section 368 of the Code to the extent relevant for these transactions; and

 

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WHEREAS, it is appropriate and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Separation and to set forth certain other agreements that will, following the Distribution, govern certain matters relating to the Separation and the relationship of Cryptyde and Vinco and their respective Affiliates.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I.
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

(1) “AAA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.3.

 

(2) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, no member of either Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the other Group, including by reason of having common stockholders or one or more directors in common. As used herein, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or other interests, by Contract or otherwise.

 

(3) “Agent” means the distribution agent to be appointed by Vinco to distribute to the stockholders of Vinco all of the outstanding shares of Cryptyde Common Stock pursuant to the Distribution.

 

(4) “Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

 

(5) “Agreement Disputes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.1(1).

 

(6) “Amended Financial Reports” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2(2).

 

(7) “Ancillary Agreements” means all of the written Contracts, instruments, assignments or other arrangements (other than this Agreement) entered into by the Parties or their Subsidiaries (but as to which no Third Party is a party) in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated herein, including the Tax Matters Agreement, the Continuing Arrangements, and the other agreements set forth on Schedule 1.1(7).

 

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(8) “Asset” means assets, properties, interests, claims, rights, remedies and recourse (including goodwill), wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other third parties or elsewhere), of every kind, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the Records or financial statements of any Person, including the following:

 

(i) all accounting and other legal and business books, records, ledgers and files, whether printed, electronic or written;

 

(ii) all computers and other electronic data processing and communications equipment, fixtures, machinery, equipment, furniture, office equipment, automobiles, trucks and other transportation equipment, special and general tools, test devices, prototypes and models and other tangible personal property;

 

(iii) all inventories of products, goods, materials, parts, raw materials and supplies;

 

(iv) all interests in real property of whatever nature, including easements, rights-of-way, leases, subleases, licenses or other occupancy agreements, whether as fee owner, mortgagee or holder of a Security Interest in real property, lessor, sublessor, licensor, lessee, sublessee, licensee or otherwise;

 

(v) all interests in any capital stock or other equity interests of any Subsidiary or any other Person, all bonds, notes, debentures or other securities issued by any Subsidiary or any other Person, all loans, advances or other extensions of credit or capital contributions to any Subsidiary or any other Person and all other investments in securities of any Person;

 

(vi) all Contracts and any rights or claims (whether accrued or contingent) arising under any Contracts;

 

(vii) all deposits, letters of credit and performance and surety bonds;

 

(viii) all written (including in electronic form) technical information, data, specifications, research and development information, engineering drawings and specifications, operating and maintenance manuals, and materials and analyses prepared by consultants and other third parties;

 

(ix) all Intellectual Property;

 

(x) all Software;

 

(xi) all cost information, sales and pricing data, customer prospect lists, supplier records, customer and supplier lists, customer and vendor data, correspondence and lists, product data and literature, artwork, design, development and business process files and data, vendor and customer drawings, specifications, quality records and reports and other books, records, studies, surveys, reports, plans and documents;

 

(xii) all prepaid expenses, trade accounts and other accounts and notes receivables;

 

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(xiii) all claims, rights, remedies and recourse against any Person, whether sounding in tort, contract or otherwise, whether accrued or contingent;

 

(xiv) all claims, rights, remedies and recourse under insurance policies and all rights in the nature of insurance, indemnification, reimbursement or contribution;

 

(xv) all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations which have been issued by any Governmental Authority;

 

(xvi) all cash or Cash Equivalents, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, lock boxes and other deposit arrangements; and

 

(xvii) all interest rate, currency, commodity or other swap, collar, cap or other hedging or similar Contracts or arrangements.

 

(9) “Audited Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2(1)(ii).

 

(10) “Business” means the Cryptyde Business and/or the Vinco Business, as the context requires.

 

(11) “Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which banks are required or authorized by Law to be closed in New York, New York.

 

(12) “Business Entity” means any corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, joint venture, or other incorporated or unincorporated organization or other entity of any kind or nature (including those formed, organized or otherwise existing under the Laws of jurisdictions outside the United States).

 

(13) “Cash Equivalents” means (i) cash and (ii) checks, certificates of deposit having a maturity of less than one year, money orders, marketable securities, money market funds, commercial paper, short-term instruments and other cash equivalents, funds in time and demand deposits or similar accounts, and any evidence of indebtedness issued or guaranteed by any Governmental Authority, minus the amount of any outbound checks, plus the amount of any deposits in transit.

 

(14) “Code” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

(15) “Confidential Information” shall mean business, operations or other information, data or material concerning a Party and/or its Affiliates which, prior to or following the Effective Time, has been disclosed by a Party or its Affiliates to the other Party or its Affiliates, in written, oral (including by recording), electronic, or visual form to, or otherwise has come into the possession of, the other, including pursuant to the access provisions of Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 or any other provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be shown to have been (i) in the public domain through no action of such Party or its Affiliates or (ii) lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party or its Affiliates to which it was furnished; provided, however, in the case of clause (ii) that, to the furnished Party’s knowledge, such sources did not provide such information in breach of any confidentiality or fiduciary obligations).

 

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(16) “Consents” means any consents, waivers, amendments, notices, reports or other filings to be obtained from or made, including with respect to any Contract, or any registrations, licenses, permits, authorizations to be obtained from, or approvals from, or notification requirements to, any third parties, including any third party to a Contract and any Governmental Authority.

 

(17) “Continuing Arrangements” means those arrangements set forth on Schedule 1.1(17) and such other commercial arrangements between one or more members of the Vinco Group, on the one hand, and one or more members of the Cryptyde Group, on the other hand, that are expressly intended in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to survive and continue following the Effective Time.

 

(18) “Contract” shall mean any agreement, contract, subcontract, obligation, binding understanding, note, indenture, instrument, option, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, license, sublicense, insurance policy, benefit plan, purchase order or legally binding commitment or undertaking of any nature (whether written or oral and whether express or implied).

 

(19) “CPR” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.2.

 

(20) “Cryptyde” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

 

(21) “Cryptyde Accounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.4(1).

 

(22) “Cryptyde Assets” means only the following Assets (without duplication):

 

(i) the ownership interests (to the extent held by Vinco, Cryptyde or any of their respective Affiliates immediately prior to the Effective Time) in each member of the Cryptyde Group;

 

(ii) all Cryptyde Contracts, and any rights or claims (whether accrued or contingent) of Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates, arising thereunder;

 

(iii) all Assets owned, leased or held by Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates immediately prior to the Effective Time that are used primarily or held for use primarily in the Cryptyde Business, including inventory, accounts receivable, goodwill, and all Assets reflected on the Cryptyde Balance Sheet, or the accounting records supporting such balance sheet and any Assets acquired by or for the Cryptyde Business subsequent to the date of such balance sheet which, had they been so acquired on or before such date and owned as of such date, would have been reflected on such balance sheet if prepared on a consistent basis, subject to any disposition of any of the foregoing Assets subsequent to the date of such balance sheet;

 

(iv) [RESERVED]

 

(v) the Assets listed or described on Schedule 1.1(22)(v) and any and all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets to be retained by, or assigned or transferred to, any member of the Cryptyde Group; and

 

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(vi) all Cryptyde Accounts, and, subject to the provisions of Section 2.4, all cash, Cash Equivalents, and securities on deposit in such accounts immediately prior to the Effective Time, after giving effect to any withdrawal by, or other distribution of cash to, Vinco or any member of the Vinco Group which may occur at or prior to the Effective Time.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Cryptyde Assets shall in no event include:

 

(A) the Assets listed or described on Schedule 1.1(107)(iv); or

 

(B) any Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets to be retained by, transferred or assigned to, any member of the Vinco Group, including Assets leased, owned or held by Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates immediately prior to the Effective Time that are used primarily or held for use primarily in the Vinco Business.

 

(23) “Cryptyde Balance Sheet” means the balance sheet of the Cryptyde Business, as of March 31, 2022, that is included in the Information Statement; provided, however, that to the extent any Assets or Liabilities are Transferred by any Party or any member of its Group to Cryptyde or any member of the Cryptyde Group or vice versa in connection with the Separation and Internal Reorganization and prior to the Distribution Date, such Assets and/or Liabilities shall be deemed to be included or excluded from the Cryptyde Balance Sheet, as the case may be.

 

(24) “Cryptyde Business” means the business, activities and operations of Vinco or any of its Subsidiaries (including the members of the Cryptyde Group and the members of the Vinco Group) of the Web3 businesses, cryptyo mining equipment businesses and packaging businesses (as more fully described in the Registration Statement) conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by Vinco or Cryptyde or any of their current or former subsidiaries or divisions, and the businesses and operations of Business Entities acquired or established by or for any member of the Cryptyde Group after the Effective Time.

 

(25) “Cryptyde Common Stock” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

(26) “Cryptyde Contracts” means the following Contracts to which any Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is a party or by which it or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Assets is bound, except for any such Contract or part thereof that is expressly contemplated not to be transferred or assigned by any member of the Vinco Group to Cryptyde pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement:

 

(i) any Contract that relates primarily to the Cryptyde Business;

 

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(ii) any Contract or part thereof that is otherwise expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be retained by, transferred or assigned to, any member of the Cryptyde Group; and

 

(iii) the Contracts listed or described on Schedule 1.1(26)(iii).

 

(27) “Cryptyde Disclosure” means any form, statement, schedule or other material (other than the Distribution Disclosure Documents) filed with or furnished to the SEC, any other Governmental Authority, or holders of any securities of any member of the Cryptyde Group, in each case, on or after the Distribution Date by or on behalf of any member of the Cryptyde Group in connection with the registration, sale, or distribution of securities or disclosure related thereto (including periodic disclosure obligations).

 

(28) “Cryptyde Financing Arrangements” means the financing arrangements described on Schedule 1.1(28).

 

(29) “Cryptyde General Liability Policies” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.1.

 

(30) “Cryptyde Group” Cryptyde and each Person that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Cryptyde as of immediately prior to the Distribution (but after giving effect to the Internal Reorganization), and each Person that becomes a Subsidiary of Cryptyde after the Effective Time.

 

(31) “Cryptyde Group Employees” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Employee Matters Agreement.

 

(32) “Cryptyde Indemnified Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.2.

 

(33) “Cryptyde Insureds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.2.

 

(34) “Cryptyde Liabilities” shall mean all of the following Liabilities of either Party or any of its Subsidiaries:

 

(i) any and all Liabilities expressly assumed or retained by the Cryptyde Group pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, including any obligations and Liabilities of any member of the Cryptyde Group under this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(ii) any and all Liabilities of Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates, to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

 

(A) the operation or conduct of the Cryptyde Business, as conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Effective Time (including any Liability to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative of Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) with respect to the Cryptyde Business);

 

7
 

 

(B) the operation or conduct of any business conducted by any member of the Cryptyde Group at any time after the Effective Time (including any Liability to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative of Cryptyde or any of its Affiliates after the Effective Time (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) with respect to the Cryptyde Business); or

 

(C) any Cryptyde Assets (including but not limited to any Environmental Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Cryptyde Assets), including those set forth on Schedule 1.1(22)(v), whether arising before, on or after the Effective Time;

 

(iii) any and all Liabilities (including under applicable federal and state securities Laws) relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Cryptyde Disclosure;

 

(iv) any and all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from (x) the Cryptyde Financing Arrangements and any and all fees, costs and expenses, including legal fees and costs, associated therewith or with the raising or incurrence thereof or (y) any other Indebtedness of any member of the Cryptyde Group (whether incurred prior to, on or after the Effective Time);

 

(v) for the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting any other matters that may constitute Cryptyde Liabilities, any and all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Proceedings primarily related to the Cryptyde Business or any Cryptyde Asset (except to the extent relating to or resulting from the Vinco Business, the Vinco Assets or the other Vinco Liabilities) including such Proceedings listed or described on Schedule 1.1(34)(v);

 

(vi) all Liabilities reflected as Liabilities or obligations on the Cryptyde Balance Sheet or on the accounting records supporting such balance sheet, and all Liabilities arising or assumed after the date of such balance sheet which, had they arisen or been assumed on or before such date and been retained as of such date, would have been reflected on such balance sheet if prepared on a consistent basis, subject to any discharge of such Liabilities subsequent to the date of the Cryptyde Balance Sheet; it being understood that (x) the Cryptyde Balance Sheet and the accounting records supporting such balance sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Liabilities that are included in the definition of Cryptyde Liabilities pursuant to this subclause (vi); and (y) the amounts set forth on the Cryptyde Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of Cryptyde Liabilities pursuant to this subclause (vi);

 

(vii) any and all accounts payable primarily related to or arising out of the Cryptyde Business; and

 

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(viii) the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(34)(viii).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Cryptyde Liabilities shall in any event not include any Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be retained or assumed by any member of the Vinco Group, including any Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(119)(ix), or for which any member of the Vinco Group is liable pursuant to this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement.

 

(35) “Delaware Courts “ has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.19.

 

(36) “Delayed Transfer Asset or Liability” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.6(2).

 

(37) “Disclosing Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.27.

 

(38) “Dispute Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.1(1).

 

(39) “Distribution” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

(40) “Distribution Date” means the date of the consummation of the Distribution, which shall be determined by the Vinco Board in its sole discretion.

 

(41) “Distribution Disclosure Documents” means the Registration Statement and all exhibits thereto (including the Information Statement) and any current reports on Form 8-K, in each case as filed or furnished by Cryptyde with the SEC in connection with the Distribution.

 

(42) “Effective Time” means the time at which the Distribution is effective on the Distribution Date.

 

(43) “Employee Matters Agreement” means the employee matters agreement by and between Vinco and Cryptyde, dated as of the date hereof and substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.

 

(44) “Environmental Law” means all Laws, including all judicial and administrative orders, determinations, and consent agreements or decrees, relating to pollution, the protection, restoration or remediation of or prevention of harm to the environment or natural resources, or the protection of human health and safety, including Laws relating to: (i) the exposure to, or presence, release or threatened release of, Hazardous Substances; (ii) the generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, containment, disposal, storage, release, transport or handling of Hazardous Substances; or (iii) recordkeeping, notification, disclosure and reporting requirements respecting Hazardous Substances, in each case enacted on the date of this Agreement (regardless of whether the effective date relating thereto is before or after the Distribution).

 

(45) “Environmental Liabilities” means any Liabilities, arising out of or resulting from any Environmental Law, Contract or agreement relating to the environment, Hazardous Substances or exposure to Hazardous Substances, including (a) fines, penalties, judgments, awards, settlements, losses, expenses and disbursements, (b) costs of defense and other responses to any administrative or judicial action (including notices, claims, complaints, suits and other assertions of liability) and (c) responsibility for any investigation, response, reporting, remediation, monitoring or cleanup costs, injunctive relief, natural resource damages, and any other environmental compliance or remedial measures, in each case known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen.

 

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(46) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(47) “Final Determination” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

(48) “Governmental Approvals” means any notices, reports or other filings to be given to or made with, or any releases, Consents, substitutions, approvals, amendments, registrations, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, any Governmental Authority.

 

(49) “Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local, foreign or international court, government, department, commission, board, bureau or agency, or any other regulatory, self-regulatory, administrative or governmental organization or authority, including NYSE and any similar self-regulatory body under applicable securities Laws.

 

(50) “Group” means the Vinco Group and/or the Cryptyde Group, as the context requires.

 

(51) “Guaranty Release” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(2).

 

(52) “Hazardous Substances” means any and all materials, wastes, chemicals or substances (or combination thereof) that are listed, defined, designated, regulated or classified as hazardous, toxic, radioactive, dangerous, a pollutant, a contaminant, petroleum, oil, or words of similar meaning or effect, or for which liability can be imposed, under Environmental Law.

 

(53) “Indebtedness” means, (i) any indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property as evidenced by a note, bonds or other instruments, (ii) obligations as lessee under capital leases, (iii) obligations secured by any mortgage, pledge (including a negative pledge), Security Interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind existing on any Asset owned or held by any Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the obligations secured thereby, (iv) any obligation under any interest rate swap agreement, (v) accounts payable, (vi) reimbursement obligations with respect to surety and performance bonds or letters of credit, and (vii) obligations under direct or indirect guarantees of (including obligations, contingent or otherwise, to assure a creditor against loss in respect of) indebtedness or obligations of the kinds referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above.

 

(54) “Indemnifiable Loss” means any and all damages, losses, deficiencies, Liabilities, obligations, penalties, judgments, settlements, claims, payments, fines, interest, costs and expenses (including reasonable costs and expenses of any and all Proceedings and demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and the reasonable costs and expenses of attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ and other professionals’ fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense thereof or the enforcement of rights hereunder).

 

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(55) “Indemnified Party” or “Indemnified Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.2.

 

(56) “Indemnifying Party” means Cryptyde, for any indemnification obligation arising under Section 6.3, and Vinco, for any indemnification obligation arising under Section 6.2.

 

(57) “Indemnity Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.7(1)(i).

 

(58) “Information” means all information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including confidential or non-public information (including non-public financial information), proprietary information, studies, reports, Records, books, accountants’ work papers, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, processes, know-how, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, methodologies, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, information contained in disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other Software, marketing plans, customer data, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney work product), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys and accountants or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, legal, employee or business information or data.

 

(59) “Information Statement” means the information statement of Cryptyde, included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement, to be distributed to holders of Vinco common stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

(60) [RESERVED]

 

(61) “Insurance Proceeds” means those monies received by an insured from an unaffiliated Third Party insurer, net of any applicable premium adjustment, retrospectively-rated premium, deductible, retention, or cost of reserve paid or held by or for the benefit of such insured, and any costs incurred in collecting such monies.

 

(62) [RESERVED]

 

(63) “Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property and other similar proprietary rights of every kind and description throughout the world, whether registered or unregistered, including such rights in and to United States and foreign: (i) trademarks, trade dress, service marks, certification marks, logos, slogans, design rights, trade names, domain names and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing (collectively, “Trademarks”); (ii) patents and patent applications, and any and all divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, and extensions thereof, any counterparts claiming priority therefrom, utility models, certificates of invention, certificates of registration, design registrations or patents and similar rights; (iii) rights in inventions, invention disclosures, discoveries and improvements, whether or not patentable; (iv) all copyrights and copyrightable subject matter; (v) trade secrets (including, those trade secrets defined in the Uniform Trade Secrets Act and under corresponding foreign statutory Law and common law), proprietary rights in Information, and rights to limit the use or disclosure of any of the foregoing by any Person; (vi) rights in computer programs (whether in source code, object code, or other form), algorithms, databases, application programming interfaces, compilations and data, technology supporting the foregoing, and all documentation and specifications related to any of the foregoing (collectively, “Software”); (vii) moral rights and rights of attribution and integrity; (viii) all rights in the foregoing and in other similar intangible assets; (ix) all applications and registrations for the foregoing; and (x) all rights and remedies against past, present, and future infringement, misappropriation, or other violation thereof.

 

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(64) “Intellectual Property Matters Agreement” means the intellectual property matters agreement by and between Vinco and Cryptyde, dated as of the date hereof and substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto.

 

(65) “Intergroup Indebtedness” means any receivables, payables, accounts, advances, loans, guarantees, commitments and indebtedness for borrowed funds between a member of the Vinco Group and a member of the Cryptyde Group as of the Distribution; provided, however, that “Intergroup Indebtedness” shall not include any accounts payable or contingent Liabilities arising pursuant to (i) any intercompany agreement that will survive the Separation and Distribution, (ii) the Ancillary Agreements, (iii) any agreements with respect to continuing transactions between Vinco and Cryptyde and (iv) any other agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business at or following the Distribution.

 

(66) “Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2(1)(i).

 

(67) “Internal Reorganization” means all of the transactions, other than the Distribution, described in the step plan listed on Schedule 1.1 (67).

 

(68) “January Financings” means (i) the private placement between Cryptyde and Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., as disclosed in the Vinco Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2022 and (ii) the private placement between Cryptyde and BHP Capital NY, Inc., as disclosed in the Vinco Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2022.

 

(69) “Law” means any applicable foreign, federal, national, state, provincial or local law (including common law), statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, code or other requirement enacted, promulgated, issued or entered into, or act taken, by a Governmental Authority.

 

(70) “Liabilities” means all debts, liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, losses, damages (whether compensatory, punitive, consequential, treble or other), fines, penalties and sanctions, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, reserved or unreserved, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, on or off balance sheet, joint, several or individual, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising under or in connection with any Law (including any Environmental Law), or other pronouncements of Governmental Authorities constituting a Proceeding, order or consent decree of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any Contract, agreement, guarantee, commitment or undertaking, whether sought to be imposed by a Governmental Authority, private party, or a Party, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express covenant or warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, or otherwise, and including any costs, expenses, interest, attorneys’ fees, disbursements and expense of counsel, expert and consulting fees, fees of third party administrators, and costs related thereto or to the investigation or defense thereof.

 

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(71) “Liable Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(2).

 

(72) [RESERVED]

 

(73) “Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

(74) [RESERVED]

 

(75) “Other Parties’ Auditors” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2(1)(ii).

 

(76) “Other Party Marks” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1(1).

 

(77) “Party” or “Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

 

(78) “Person” means any natural person, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company or partnership, joint stock company, joint venture, association, trust, bank, trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, and any Governmental Authority.

 

(79) “Pre-Separation Disclosure” mean any form, statement, schedule or other material (other than the Distribution Disclosure Documents) that Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates filed with or furnished to the SEC, any other Governmental Authority, or holders of any securities of Vinco or any of its Affiliates, in each case, prior to the Effective Time and in connection with the registration, sale, or distribution of securities or disclosure related thereto (including periodic disclosure obligations).

 

(80) “Proceeding” means any claim, charge, demand, action, cause of action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, litigation, inquiry, subpoena, proceeding, or investigation of any kind by or before any court, grand jury, Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal or authority.

 

(81) [RESERVED]

 

(82) “Receiving Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.27.

 

(83) “Record Date” means the date to be determined by the Vinco Board in its sole discretion as the record date for the Distribution.

 

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(84) “Records” means all books, records and other documents, books of account, stock records and ledgers, financial, accounting and personnel records, files, invoices, customers’ and suppliers’ lists, other distribution lists, operating, production and other manuals and sales and promotional literature, in all cases, in any form or medium.

 

(85) “Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form 10 of Cryptyde (which includes the Information Statement) relating to the registration under the Exchange Act of Cryptyde Common Stock, including all amendments or supplements thereto.

 

(86) “Rules” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.3.

 

(87) “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency thereto.

 

(88) “Security Interest” means any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction, right-of-way, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on transfer, or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, excluding restrictions on transfer under securities Laws.

 

(89) “Separation” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

(90) “Shared Contract” means any Contract of any member of the Cryptyde Group or Vinco Group that, as of the Distribution, relates in any material respect to both the Cryptyde Business, on the one hand, and the Vinco Business, on the other hand in respect of rights or performance obligations for periods of time after the Distribution.

 

(91) “Shared Contractual Liabilities” means Liabilities in respect of Shared Contracts.

 

(92) “Software” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Intellectual Property.

 

(93) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which at least a majority of the securities or ownership interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person and/or by one or more of its Subsidiaries.

 

(94) “Tax” or “Taxes” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

(95) “Tax Authority” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

(96) “Tax Contest” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

(97) “Tax Matters Agreement” means the tax matters agreement by and between Vinco and Cryptyde, dated as of the date hereof and substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

 

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(98) “Tax Return” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

(99) “Third Party” shall mean any Person other than the Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

(100) “Third Party Claim” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.4(1).

 

(101) [RESERVED]

 

(102) “Trademarks” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Intellectual Property.

 

(103) “Transfer” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2(1).

 

(104) “Transfer Documents” shall mean, collectively, the various instruments, assignments, agreements, Contracts and other documents entered into and to be entered into to effect the transfer of Assets and the assumption of Liabilities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement (including as contemplated by the Internal Reorganization) or otherwise relating to, arising out of or resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than the Ancillary Agreements), each of which shall be in such form and dated as of such date as Vinco shall determine in its sole discretion.

 

(105) “Transition Services Agreement” means the transition services agreement by and between Vinco and Cryptyde, dated as of the date hereof and substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto.

 

(106) “Vinco” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

 

(107) “Vinco Accounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.4(1).

 

(108) “Vinco Assets” means (without duplication):

 

(i) the ownership interests (to the extent held by Vinco, Cryptyde or any of their respective Affiliates immediately prior to the Effective Time) in each member of the Vinco Group;

 

(ii) all Contracts to which Vinco, Cryptyde or any of their Affiliates is a party or by which they or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective Assets are bound and any rights or claims (whether accrued or contingent) of Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates arising thereunder, in each case, other than the Cryptyde Contracts;

 

(iii) [RESERVED];

 

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(iv) the Assets listed or described on Schedule 1.1(108)(iv) and any and all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets to be retained by, or assigned or transferred to, any member of the Vinco Group;

 

(v) all Vinco Accounts, and, subject to the provisions of Section 2.4, all cash, Cash Equivalents, and securities on deposit in such accounts immediately prior to the Effective Time;

 

(vi) any collateral securing any Vinco Liability immediately prior to the Effective Time; and

 

(vii) any and all Assets (other than those Assets listed or described on Schedule 1.1(10)(v)) of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries as of the Effective Time that are not Cryptyde Assets.

 

(109) “Vinco Board” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

(110) “Vinco Business” means (i) any and all businesses and operations of Vinco or any of its Subsidiaries (including the members of the Cryptyde Group and the members of the Vinco Group) as conducted immediately prior to the Distribution, other than the Cryptyde Business; and (ii) the business and operations of Business Entities acquired or established by or for any member of the Vinco Group after the Effective Time.

 

(111) “Vinco Common Stock” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

(112) “Vinco Disclosure” means any form, statement, schedule or other material (other than the Distribution Disclosure Documents) filed with or furnished to the SEC, any other Governmental Authority, or holders of any securities of any member of the Vinco Group, in each case, on or after the Effective Time by or on behalf of any member of the Vinco Group in connection with the registration, sale or distribution of securities or disclosure related thereto (including periodic disclosure obligations).

 

(113) “Vinco General Liability Policies” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.2.

 

(114) “Vinco Group” means (i) Vinco and each of its Subsidiaries immediately following the Effective Time and (ii) each other Person who is or becomes an Affiliate of Vinco at or after the Effective Time, in each case, other than the members of the Cryptyde Group.

 

(115) “Vinco Group Employee” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Employee Matters Agreement.

 

(116) “Vinco Indemnified Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3.

 

(117) “Vinco Insureds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.1.

 

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(118) [RESERVED]

 

(119) “Vinco Liabilities” shall mean:

 

(i) any and all Liabilities expressly assumed or retained by the Vinco Group pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, including any obligations and Liabilities of any member of the Vinco Group under this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(ii) any and all Liabilities of Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates, to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

 

(A) the operation or conduct of the Vinco Business, as conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Effective Time (including any Liability to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative of Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Affiliates (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) with respect to the Vinco Business) the operation or conduct of any business conducted by any member of the Vinco Group at any time after the Effective Time (including any Liability to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative of Vinco or any of its Affiliates after the Effective Time (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) with respect to the Vinco Business); or

 

(B) any Vinco Assets (including but not limited to any Environmental Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Vinco Assets, including those set forth on Schedule 1.1(108)(iv)), whether arising before, on or after the Effective Time;

 

(iii) any and all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any indemnification obligations to any current or former director or officer of Vinco Group;

 

(iv) any and all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any discontinued or divested businesses or operations of Vinco and its Subsidiaries, including those set forth on Schedule 1.1(119)(iv)(A) (except (x) as otherwise assumed by the Cryptyde Group pursuant to any Ancillary Agreement, (y) Liabilities related to an Cryptyde Asset, or (z) the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(119)(iv)(B));

 

(v) any and all Liabilities (including under applicable federal and state securities Laws) relating to, arising out of or resulting from: (A) the Distribution Disclosure Documents; (B) any Pre-Separation Disclosure; and (C) any Vinco Disclosure;

 

(vi) any and all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indebtedness of any member of the Vinco Group (whether incurred prior to, on or after the Effective Time), other than any Indebtedness relating to the Cryptyde Financing Arrangements;

 

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(vii) for the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting any other matters that may constitute Vinco Liabilities, any and all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Proceedings primarily related to the Vinco Business or any Vinco Asset (except to the extent relating to or resulting from the Cryptyde Business, the Cryptyde Assets or the other Cryptyde Liabilities) including such Proceedings listed or described on Schedule 1.1(119)(vii);

 

(viii) any and all accounts payable primarily related to or arising out of the Vinco Business; and

 

(ix) the Liabilities listed or described on Schedule 1.1(119)(ix).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Vinco Liabilities shall in no event include any Liabilities (including Liabilities under Cryptyde Contracts and Cryptyde Liabilities) that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be retained or assumed by any member of the Cryptyde Group, including any Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(34)(viii), or for which any member of the Cryptyde Group is liable pursuant to this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement.

 

(120) “Vinco Transferred Entities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2(1).

 

Section 1.2 References; Interpretation. References in this Agreement to any gender include references to all genders, and references to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa. Any action to be taken by the board of directors of a Party may be taken by a committee of the board of directors of such Party if properly delegated by the board of directors of a Party to such committee. Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”;

 

(2) references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement;

 

(3) the words “hereof”, “hereby” and “herein” and words of similar meaning when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular Article, Section or provision of this Agreement;

 

(4) references in this Agreement to any time shall be to Dallas, Texas time unless otherwise expressly provided herein; and

 

(5) as described in Section 10.2, to the extent that the terms and conditions of any Schedule hereto conflicts with the express terms of the body of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the terms of such Schedule shall control; it being understood that the Parties intend to include in the Schedules hereto any exceptions to the general rules described in the body of this Agreement and to give full effect to such exceptions, with respect to the matters expressly set forth therein.

 

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Section 1.3 Effective Time. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Time.

 

Section 1.4 Other Matters. described in more detail in, but subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 10.1 and Section 10.2, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement will govern Vinco’s and Cryptyde’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the Distribution with respect to the matters set forth in such Ancillary Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement.

 

Article II.
THE SEPARATION

 

Section 2.1 General. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including Section 4.3 and Section 4.4, the Parties shall use, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to use, their respective commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, a portion of which have already been implemented prior to the date hereof. It is the intent of the Parties that prior to consummation of the Distribution, Vinco, Cryptyde and their respective Subsidiaries shall be reorganized, to the extent necessary, such that immediately following the consummation of such reorganization, subject to Section 2.6 and the provisions of any Ancillary Agreement, (i) all of Vinco’s and its Subsidiaries’ right, title and interest in and to the Cryptyde Assets will be owned or held by a member or members of the Cryptyde Group, the Cryptyde Business will be conducted by the members of the Cryptyde Group and the Cryptyde Liabilities will be assumed directly or indirectly by (or retained by) a member of the Cryptyde Group; and (ii) all of Vinco’s and its Subsidiaries’ right, title and interest in and to the Vinco Assets will be owned or held by a member or members of the Vinco Group, the Vinco Business will be conducted by the members of the Vinco Group and the Vinco Liabilities will be assumed directly or indirectly by (or retained by) a member of the Vinco Group. Further, it is the intent of the Parties that the direct assumption by Cryptyde of Cryptyde Liabilities is made in connection with the Separation, including the transfer of the Cryptyde Assets to Cryptyde.

 

Section 2.2 The Separation. At or prior to the Effective Time, to the extent not already completed and subject to the terms of the Ancillary Agreements:

 

(1) Vinco shall and hereby does, on behalf of itself and the other members of the Vinco Group, as applicable, transfer, contribute, assign, distribute, and convey, or cause to be transferred, contributed, assigned, distributed and conveyed (“Transfer”), to Cryptyde or another member of the Cryptyde Group, and Cryptyde or such member of the Cryptyde Group shall and hereby does accept from Vinco and the applicable members of the Vinco Group, all of Vinco’s and the other members’ of the Vinco Group’s respective direct or indirect rights, title and interest in and to the Cryptyde Assets, including all of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership interests in the entities listed on Schedule 2.2(1) (the “Vinco Transferred Entities”) (it being understood that if any Cryptyde Asset shall be held by a Subsidiary of a Vinco Transferred Entity, such Cryptyde Asset may be Transferred for all purposes hereunder as a result of the Transfer of the equity interests in such Vinco Transferred Entity to Cryptyde or another member of the Cryptyde Group);

 

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(2) Cryptyde shall and hereby does, on behalf of itself and the other members of the Cryptyde Group, as applicable, Transfer to Vinco or another member of the Vinco Group, and Vinco or such member of the Vinco Group shall and hereby does accept from Cryptyde and the applicable members of the Cryptyde Group, all of Cryptyde’s and the other members’ of the Cryptyde Group’s respective direct or indirect rights, title and interest in and to the Vinco Assets held by Cryptyde or a member of the Cryptyde Group;

 

(3) (i) Vinco shall, or shall cause another member of the Vinco Group to, accept, assume (or, as applicable, retain) and perform, discharge and fulfill, in accordance with their respective terms, all of the Vinco Liabilities and (ii) Cryptyde shall, or shall cause another member of the Cryptyde Group to, accept, assume (or, as applicable, retain) and perform, discharge and fulfill, in accordance with their respective terms, all the Cryptyde Liabilities, in each case regardless of (A) when or where such Liabilities arose or arise, (B) where or against whom such Liabilities are asserted or determined, (C) whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, violation of law, willful misconduct, bad faith, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Vinco Group or the Cryptyde Group, as the case may be, or any of their past or present respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, (D) which entity is named in any Proceeding associated with any Liability and (E) whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to, on or after the date hereof;

 

Section 2.3 Settlement of Intergroup Indebtedness. Each of Vinco or any member of the Vinco Group, on the one hand, and Cryptyde or any member of the Cryptyde Group, on the other hand, will, repay, defease, capitalize, cancel, forgive, discharge, extinguish, assign, discontinue or otherwise cause to be satisfied, with respect to the other Party, as the case may be, all Intergroup Indebtedness owed or owed by the other Party on or prior to the Distribution, except as otherwise agreed to in good faith by the Parties in writing on or after the date hereof.

 

Section 2.4 Bank Accounts; Cash Balances.

 

(1) The Parties agree to take, or cause the members of their respective Groups to take, at the Effective Time (or such earlier time as Vinco may determine), all actions necessary to amend all Contracts governing each bank and brokerage account owned by Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group (the “Cryptyde Accounts”) so that such Cryptyde Accounts, if currently linked (whether by automatic withdrawal, automatic deposit, or any other authorization to transfer funds from or to, hereinafter “linked”) to any bank or brokerage account owned by Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group (the “Vinco Accounts”) are de-linked from the Vinco Accounts. From and after the Effective Time, no Vinco Group Employee shall have any authority to access or control any Cryptyde Account, except as provided for through the Transition Services Agreement.

 

(2) The Parties agree to take, or cause the members of their respective Groups to take, at the Effective Time (or such earlier time as Vinco may determine), all actions necessary to amend all Contracts governing the Vinco Accounts so that such Vinco Accounts, if currently linked to an Cryptyde Account, are de-linked from the Cryptyde Accounts. From and after the Effective Time, no Cryptyde Group Employee shall have any authority to access or control any Vinco Account, except as may be provided for through the Transition Services Agreement (if applicable).

 

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(3) The Parties intend that, following consummation of the actions contemplated by Section 2.4(1) and Section 2.4(2), there will continue to be in place a centralized cash management system pursuant to which the Cryptyde Accounts will be managed centrally and funds collected will be transferred into one or more centralized accounts maintained by members of the Cryptyde Group.

 

(4) The Parties intend that, following consummation of the actions contemplated by Section 2.4(1) and Section 2.4(2), there will continue to be in place a centralized cash management system pursuant to which the Vinco Accounts will be managed centrally and funds collected will be transferred into one or more centralized accounts maintained by members of the Vinco Group.

 

(5) With respect to any outstanding checks issued by Vinco, Cryptyde, or any of their respective Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time, such outstanding checks shall be honored following the Effective Time by the member of the applicable Group owning the account on which the check is drawn.

 

(6) As between the Parties hereto and the members of their respective Groups, all payments and reimbursements received after the Effective Time by either Party (or member of its Group) that relate to a Business, Asset or Liability of the other Party (or member of its Group), shall be held by such Party in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto and, promptly upon receipt by such Party of any such payment or reimbursement, such Party shall pay over, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to pay over to the other Party the amount of such payment or reimbursement without right of set-off.

 

(7) The Parties agree that, prior to the Effective Time, Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group may withdraw any and all cash or Cash Equivalents from the Cryptyde Accounts for the benefit of Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of Vinco and Cryptyde that, at the time of the Distribution, Cryptyde shall have a minimum cash or Cash Equivalents balance, as would be reflected on the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Cryptyde Group as of the close of business on the date prior to the Distribution Date, of $0 in addition to all proceeds from the January Financings. All cash held by any member of the Cryptyde Group as of the Distribution shall be an Cryptyde Asset and all cash held by any member of the Vinco Group as of the Distribution shall be a Vinco Asset.

 

Section 2.5 Limitation of Liability; Termination of Agreements.

 

(1) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no Party or any member of such Party’s Group shall have any Liability to any other Party or any member of each other Party’s Group in the event that any Information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement which is an estimate or forecast, or which is based on an estimate or forecast, is found to be inaccurate.

 

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(2) Except as provided in Section 2.3 or as set forth in subsection (3) below, no Party or any member of such Party’s Group shall have any Liability to any other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group based upon, arising out of or resulting from any Contract, arrangement, course of dealing or understanding, whether or not in writing, entered into or existing at or prior to the Effective Time, and each Party hereby terminates, and shall cause all members in its Group to terminate, any and all Contracts, arrangements, course of dealings or understandings between it or any members in its Group, on the one hand, and the other Party, or any members of its Group, on the other hand, effective as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and any such Liability, whether or not in writing, is hereby irrevocably cancelled, released and waived effective as of the Effective Time. No such terminated Contract, arrangement, course of dealing or understanding (including any provision thereof which purports to survive termination) shall be of any further force or effect after the Effective Time. Each Party shall, at the reasonable request of the other Party, take, or cause to be taken, any reasonably requested actions necessary to effect the foregoing.

 

(3) The provisions of Section 2.5(2) shall not apply to any of the following Contracts, arrangements, course of dealings or understandings (or to any of the provisions thereof):

 

(i) this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Transfer Documents, the Continuing Arrangements and any Contract entered into in connection herewith or in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby;

 

(ii) any Contracts, arrangements, course of dealings or understandings to which any Third Party is a party (it being understood that to the extent that the rights and obligations of the Parties and the members of their respective Groups under any such Contracts, arrangements, course of dealings or understandings constitute Vinco Assets, Cryptyde Assets, Vinco Liabilities, or Cryptyde Liabilities, such Contracts, arrangements, course of dealings or understandings shall be assigned or retained pursuant to this Article II); and

 

(iii) any Contracts, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any non-wholly owned Subsidiary of Vinco or Cryptyde is a party.

 

(4) If any Contract, arrangement, course of dealing or understanding is terminated pursuant to Section 2.5(2) and, but for the mistake or oversight of either Party, would have been listed on Schedule 1.1(17) as a Continuing Arrangement as it is reasonably necessary for such affected Party to be able to continue to operate its businesses in substantially the same manner in which such businesses were operated prior to the Effective Time, then, at the request of such affected Party made within twelve (12) months following the Effective Time, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to determine whether and to what extent (including the terms and conditions relating thereto), if any, notwithstanding such termination, such Contract, arrangement, course of dealing or understanding should continue following the Effective Time; provided, however, any Party may determine, in its sole discretion, not to re-instate or otherwise continue any such Contract, arrangement, course of dealing or understanding.

 

Section 2.6 Delayed Transfer of Assets or Liabilities.

 

(1) To the extent that any Transfers or assumptions contemplated by this Article II shall not have been consummated at or prior to the Effective Time, the Parties shall cooperate to effect such Transfers or assumptions as promptly following the Effective Time as shall be practicable. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require or constitute the Transfer of any Assets or the assumption of any Liabilities which by their terms or operation of Law cannot be Transferred or assumed; provided, however, that the Parties shall, and shall cause the respective members of their Groups to, cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain any necessary Consents or Governmental Approvals for the Transfer of all Assets and assumption of all Liabilities contemplated to be Transferred or assumed pursuant to this Article II.

 

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(2) In the event that any such Transfer of Assets or assumption of Liabilities has not been consummated as of the Effective Time (any such Asset or Liability, a “Delayed Transfer Asset or Liability”), then from and after the Effective Time, (i) the Party (or relevant member in its Group) retaining such Asset shall thereafter hold (or shall cause such member in its Group to hold) such Asset for the use and benefit of the Party (or relevant member in its Group) entitled thereto (at the expense of the Person entitled thereto) and (ii) the Party intended to assume such Liability shall, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to, pay or reimburse the Party (or the relevant member of its Group) retaining such Liability for all amounts paid or incurred in connection with the retention of such Liability. In addition, the Party retaining such Asset or Liability (or relevant member of its Group) shall (or shall cause such member in its Group to) treat, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, such Delayed Transfer Asset or Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the Party to which such Delayed Transfer Asset or Liability is to be transferred or assumed in order to place such Party, insofar as reasonably possible, in the same position as if such Asset or Liability had been transferred or assumed as contemplated hereby and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Asset or Liability, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for income and gain, and dominion, control and command over such Asset or Liability, are to inure from and after the Effective Time to the relevant member of the Vinco Group or the Cryptyde Group, as the case may be, entitled to the receipt of such Asset or Liability. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties agree that, as of the Effective Time, each Party shall be deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial ownership over all of such delayed Assets, together with all rights, powers and privileges incident thereto, and shall be deemed to have assumed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, which such Party is entitled to acquire or required to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(3) If and when the Consents, Governmental Approvals and/or conditions, the absence or non-satisfaction of which caused the deferral of transfer of any Delayed Transfer Asset or Liability pursuant to this Section 2.6, are obtained or satisfied, the Transfer or novation of the applicable Delayed Transfer Asset or Liability shall be effected without further consideration in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement (including Section 2.2) and/or the applicable Ancillary Agreement as promptly as practicable after the receipt of such Consents, Governmental Approvals and/or absence or satisfaction of conditions.

 

(4) The Party (or relevant member of its Group) retaining any Delayed Transfer Asset or Liability shall (i) not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced, or agreed in advance to be reimbursed by the Party (or relevant member of its Group) entitled to such Asset, other than reasonable attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by the Party (or relevant member of its Group) entitled to such Asset and (ii) be indemnified for all Indemnifiable Losses or other Liabilities arising out of any actions (or omissions to act) of such retaining Party taken at the direction of the other Party (or relevant member of its Group) in connection with and relating to such retained Asset or Liability, as the case may be.

 

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(5) Until the two year anniversary of this Agreement, if either Party determines that it (or any member of its Group) owns any Asset that was allocated by the terms of this Agreement to be Transferred to the other Party at the Effective Time or that is agreed by such Party and the other Party in their good faith judgment to be an Asset that more properly belongs to the other Party or an Asset that such other Party or Subsidiary was intended to have the right to continue to use, then the Party owning such Asset shall as applicable (i) Transfer any such Asset to the Party (or relevant member of its Group) identified as the appropriate transferee and following such Transfer, such Asset shall be an Cryptyde Asset or Vinco Asset, as the case may be, or (ii) grant such mutually agreeable rights with respect to such Asset to permit such continued use, subject to, and consistent with this Agreement, including with respect to assumption of associated Liabilities. In connection with such Transfer, the receiving party shall assume all Liabilities related to such Asset.

 

(6) After the Effective Time, each Party (or any member of its Group) may receive mail, packages and other communications properly belonging to the other Party (or any member of its Group). Accordingly, at all times after the Effective Time, each Party authorizes the other Party (or any member of its Group) to receive and open all mail, packages and other communications received by such Party (or any member of its Group) and not unambiguously intended for such first Party, any member of such first Party’s Group or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or other agents, and to the extent that they do not relate to the business of the receiving Party, the receiving party shall promptly deliver such mail, telegrams, packages or other communications (or, in case the same relate to both businesses, copies thereof) to the other Party as provided for in Section 10.6. The provisions of this Section 2.6(6) are not intended to, and shall not, be deemed to constitute an authorization by any Party (or any member of its Group) to permit the other to accept service of process on its (or its members’) behalf and no Party (or any member of its Group) is or shall be deemed to be the agent of the other Party (or any member of its Group) for service of process purposes.

 

(7) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2.6 shall apply to Shared Contracts, which shall be governed by Section 2.8.

 

Section 2.7 Transfer Documents. In connection with, and in furtherance of, the Transfers of Assets and the acceptance and assumptions of Liabilities contemplated by this Agreement, the Parties shall execute or cause to be executed, at or prior to the Effective Time, or after the Effective Time with respect to Section 2.6, by the appropriate entities, the Transfer Documents necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption by the applicable Party (or any member of its Group) of its assumed Liabilities, and the valid Transfer to the applicable Party (or any member of its Group) of all rights, titles and interests in and to its accepted Assets, including the transfer of real property with quit claim deeds, as may be appropriate.

 

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Section 2.8 Shared Contracts.

 

(1) With respect to Shared Contractual Liabilities pursuant to, under or relating to a given Shared Contract, such Shared Contractual Liabilities shall be allocated, unless otherwise allocated pursuant to this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, between the Parties as follows:

 

(i) first, if a Liability is incurred exclusively in respect of a benefit received by one Party or its Group, the Party or Group receiving such benefit shall be responsible for such Liability;

 

(ii) second, if a Liability cannot be exclusively allocated to one Party or its Group under clause (i) above, such Liability shall be allocated among both Parties and their respective Groups based on the relative proportions of total benefit received (over the remaining term of the Shared Contract, measured starting as of the date of allocation) under the relevant Shared Contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party and its Group shall be responsible for any or all Liabilities arising out of or resulting from such Party’s or Group’s breach of the relevant Shared Contract.

 

(2) Except as otherwise expressly contemplated in this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, if Vinco or any member of the Vinco Group, on the one hand, or Cryptyde or any member of the Cryptyde Group, on the other hand, receives any benefit or payment under any Shared Contract which was intended for the other Party or its Group, Vinco, on the one hand, or Cryptyde, on the other hand, as applicable, will use its respective commercially reasonable efforts, or will cause any member of its Group to use its commercially reasonable efforts, to deliver, Transfer or otherwise afford such benefit or payment to the other Party.

 

(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties have determined that it is advisable that certain Shared Contracts, or portions thereof, will be separated or assigned to a member of the Vinco Group or the Cryptyde Group, as applicable. The Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to separate the Shared Contracts which are identified on Schedule 2.8(3)(i) into separate Contracts between the appropriate Third Party and either (i) Cryptyde or a member of the Cryptyde Group or (ii) Vinco or a member of the Vinco Group. Vinco or a member of the Vinco Group will use commercially reasonable efforts to assign the rights and obligations, but only to the extent relating to the Cryptyde Business, under the Shared Contracts which are identified on Schedule 2.8(3)(ii) to Cryptyde or a member of the Cryptyde Group. The Parties agree to cooperate and provide reasonable assistance prior to the Effective Time and for a period of six (6) months following the Effective Time (with no obligation on the part of either Party to pay any costs or fees with respect to such assistance) in effecting the separation or assignment of such Shared Contracts as described above.

 

(4) Each of Vinco and Cryptyde shall, and shall cause the members of their respective Group to, (i) treat for all Tax purposes the portion of each Shared Contract inuring to their respective Business as an Asset owned by, and/or a Liability of, as applicable, such Party, or the members of such Party’s Group, as applicable, not later than the Effective Time, and (ii) neither report nor take any Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment (unless required by applicable Law or a good faith resolution of a Tax Contest).

 

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Section 2.9 Further Assurances.

 

(1) In addition to and without limiting the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall cooperate with each other and use (and will cause the relevant member of its Group to use) commercially reasonable efforts, prior to, on and after the Effective Time, to take, or to cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary on its part under applicable Law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

(2) Without limiting the foregoing, each Party shall cooperate with the other Party, from and after the Effective Time, to execute and deliver, or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all Consents and/or Governmental Approvals, and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by any other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the Transfers of the applicable Assets and the assignment and assumption of the applicable Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party will, at the reasonable request of the other Party, take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to vest in such other Party good and marketable title to the Assets allocated to such Party under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, free and clear of any Security Interest, if and to the extent it is practicable to do so.

 

(3) On or prior to the Distribution Date, Vinco and Cryptyde in their respective capacities as direct or indirect stockholders of their respective Subsidiaries, shall each approve or ratify any actions that are reasonably necessary or desirable to be taken by any Subsidiary of Vinco or Subsidiary of Cryptyde, as applicable, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

Section 2.10 Novation of Liabilities; Consents.

 

(1) Each Party, at the request of the other Party, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any Consent, release, substitution or amendment required to novate or assign all obligations under Contracts or other Liabilities for which a member of such Party’s Group and a member of the other Party’s Group are jointly or severally liable and that do not constitute Liabilities of such other Party as provided in this Agreement, or to obtain in writing the unconditional release of all parties to such arrangements (other than any member of the Group who assumed or retained such Liability as set forth in this Agreement), so that, in any such case, the members of the applicable Group will be solely responsible for such Liabilities; provided, however, that no Party shall be obligated to pay any consideration therefor to any Third Party from whom any such Consent, substitution or amendment is requested (unless such Party is fully reimbursed by the requesting Party).

 

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(2) If the Parties are unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required Consent, release, substitution or amendment, the other Party or a member of such other Party’s Group shall continue to be bound by such Contract, license or other obligation that does not constitute a Liability of such other Party and, unless not permitted by Law or the terms thereof, as agent or subcontractor for such Party, the Party or member of such Party’s Group who assumed or retained such Liability as set forth in this Agreement (the “Liable Party”) shall, or shall cause a member of its Group to, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such other Party or member of such other Party’s Group thereunder from and after the Effective Time; provided, however, that the other Party shall not be obligated to extend, renew or otherwise cause such Contract, license or other obligation to remain in effect beyond the term in effect as of the Effective Time. The Liable Party shall indemnify and defend each other Party and the members of such other Party’s Group against any and all Liabilities arising in connection therewith; provided, however, that the Liable Party shall have no obligation to indemnify the other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group with respect to any matter to the extent that such other Party has engaged in any knowing violation of Law or fraud in connection therewith. The other Party shall, without further consideration, promptly pay and remit, or cause to be promptly paid or remitted, to the Liable Party or to another member of the Liable Party’s Group, all money, rights and other consideration received by it or any member of its Group in respect of such performance by the Liable Party (unless any such consideration is an Asset of such other Party pursuant to this Agreement). If and when any such Consent, release, substitution or amendment shall be obtained or such agreement, lease, license or other rights or obligations shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, the other Party shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, all rights, obligations and other Liabilities thereunder of any member of such other Party’s Group to the Liable Party or to another member of the Liable Party’s Group without payment of any further consideration and the Liable Party, or another member of such Liable Party’s Group, without the payment of any further consideration, shall assume such rights and obligations and other Liabilities.

 

Section 2.11 Guarantees and Letters of Credit.

 

(1) Vinco shall (with the commercially reasonable cooperation of Cryptyde and the other members of the Cryptyde Group) use its commercially reasonable efforts, if so requested by Cryptyde, to have any member of the Cryptyde Group removed as guarantor of, or obligor for, any Vinco Liability, including with respect to those guarantees and obligations listed or described on Schedule 2.11(1), to the extent that they relate to Vinco Liabilities.

 

(2) Cryptyde shall (with the commercially reasonable cooperation of Vinco and the other members of the Vinco Group) use its commercially reasonable efforts, if so requested by Vinco, to have any member of the Vinco Group removed as guarantor of, or obligor for, any Cryptyde Liability, including with respect to those guarantees listed or described on Schedule 2.11(2), to the extent that they relate to the Cryptyde Liabilities (each of the releases referred to in clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 2.11, a “Guaranty Release”).

 

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Section 2.12 DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

(1) EACH OF VINCO (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER MEMBER OF THE VINCO GROUP), AND CRYPTYDE (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER MEMBER OF THE CRYPTYDE GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, TRANSFER DOCUMENT, OR IN ANY CONTINUING ARRANGEMENT, NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, TRANSFER DOCUMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, AS TO THE ASSETS, BUSINESSES OR LIABILITIES CONTRIBUTED, TRANSFERRED, DISTRIBUTED, OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, AS TO ANY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH, AS TO THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, AS TO NO INFRINGEMENT, VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OR BUSINESS OF SUCH PARTY, OR AS TO THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SETOFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ANY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY CONTRIBUTION, DISTRIBUTION, ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT, CERTIFICATE OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET OR THING OF VALUE UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF. EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH HEREIN, IN ANY TRANSFER DOCUMENT OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ALL ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN “AS IS,” “WHERE IS” BASIS (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM) AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR ALL ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (I) ANY CONVEYANCE SHALL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD AND MARKETABLE TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, AND (II) ANY NECESSARY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS, CONTRACTS, OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH. ALL WARRANTIES OF HABITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES ARISING UNDER THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE (OR SIMILAR FOREIGN LAWS), ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

 

(2) Each of Vinco (on behalf of itself and each member of the Vinco Group) and Cryptyde (on behalf of itself and each member of the Cryptyde Group) further understands and agrees that if the disclaimer of express or implied representations and warranties contained in Section 2.12(1) is held unenforceable or is unavailable for any reason under the Laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States or if, under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, both Vinco or any member of the Vinco Group, on the one hand, and Cryptyde or any member of the Cryptyde Group, on the other hand, are jointly or severally liable for any Vinco Liability or any Cryptyde Liability, respectively, then, the Parties intend that, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary under the Laws of such foreign jurisdictions, the provisions of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (including the disclaimer of all representations and warranties, allocation of Liabilities among the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, releases, indemnification and contribution of Liabilities) shall prevail for any and all purposes among the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries.

 

(3) Vinco hereby waives compliance by itself and each and every member of the Vinco Group with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the Transfer or sale of any or all of the Vinco Assets to Vinco or any member of the Vinco Group.

 

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(4) Cryptyde hereby waives compliance by itself and each and every member of the Cryptyde Group with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the Transfer or sale of any or all of the Cryptyde Assets to Cryptyde or any member of the Cryptyde Group.

 

Article III.

CERTAIN ACTIONS PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION

 

Section 3.1 Separation. The Parties agree to take, or cause the members of their respective Groups to take, prior to the Distribution, all actions necessary, subject to the terms of this Agreement, to effectuate the Separation as set forth in Article II.

 

Section 3.2 Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws. At or prior to the Effective Time, all necessary actions shall be taken to adopt the form of amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws filed by Cryptyde with the SEC as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

 

Section 3.3 Directors. To the extent not already caused, at or prior to the Effective Time, Vinco shall take all necessary action to cause the board of directors of Cryptyde to consist of the individuals who are identified in the Registration Statement (including the Information Statement) at the Effective Time as being directors of Cryptyde.

 

Section 3.4 Resignations.

 

(1) Subject to Section 3.4(2), at or prior to the Effective Time, (i) Vinco shall cause all its employees and any employees of its Affiliates who will not become an Cryptyde Group Employee immediately following the Effective Time to resign, effective as of the Effective Time, from all positions as officers or directors of any member of the Cryptyde Group in which they serve, and (ii) Cryptyde shall cause all Cryptyde Group Employees to resign, effective as of the Effective Time, from all positions as officers or directors of any member of the Vinco Group in which they serve.

 

(2) No Person shall be required by any Party to resign from any position or office with another Party if such Person is disclosed in the Information Statement as the Person who is to hold such position or office following the Distribution.

 

Section 3.5 Ancillary Agreements. At or prior to the Effective Time, Vinco and Cryptyde shall enter into, and, if applicable, shall cause a member or members of their respective Groups to enter into, the Ancillary Agreements.

 

Section 3.6 [RESERVED]

 

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Article IV.

THE DISTRIBUTION

 

Section 4.1 The Distribution. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions, covenants and other terms set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, on or prior to the Distribution Date, in connection with the Separation, including the Transfer of the Cryptyde Assets to Cryptyde in the Separation whenever made, Cryptyde shall issue to Vinco as a stock dividend such number of shares of Cryptyde Common Stock (or Vinco and Cryptyde shall take or cause to be taken such other appropriate actions to ensure that Vinco has the requisite number of shares of Cryptyde Common Stock) as may be requested by Vinco after consultation with Cryptyde in order to effect the Distribution, which shares as of the date of issuance shall represent (together with such shares previously held by Vinco) all of the issued and outstanding shares of Cryptyde Common Stock. Subject to conditions and other terms in this Article IV, Vinco will cause the Agent on the Distribution Date to make the Distribution, including by crediting the appropriate number of shares of Cryptyde Common Stock to book entry accounts for each holder of Cryptyde Common Stock or designated transferee or transferees of such holder of Cryptyde Common Stock. For stockholders of Vinco who own Vinco Common Stock through a broker or other nominee, their shares of Cryptyde Common Stock will be credited to their respective accounts by such broker or nominee. No action by any holder of Vinco Common Stock on the Record Date shall be necessary for such stockholder (or such stockholder’s designated transferee or transferees) to receive the applicable number of shares of Cryptyde Common Stock (and, if applicable, cash in lieu of any fractional shares) such stockholder is entitled to in the Distribution.

 

Section 4.2 Fractional Shares. Vinco stockholders who, after aggregating the number of shares of Cryptyde Common Stock (or fractions thereof) to which such stockholder would be entitled on the Record Date, would be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Cryptyde Common Stock in the Distribution, will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. Fractional shares of Cryptyde Common Stock will not be distributed in the Distribution nor credited to book-entry accounts. The Agent shall, as soon as practicable after the Distribution Date (a) determine the number of whole shares and fractional shares of Cryptyde Common Stock allocable to each other holder of record or beneficial owner of Vinco Common Stock as of close of business on the Record Date, (b) aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares and sell the whole shares obtained thereby in open market transactions at then prevailing trading prices on behalf of holders who would otherwise be entitled to fractional share interests, and (c) distribute to each such holder, or for the benefit of each such beneficial owner, such holder’s or owner’s ratable share of the net proceeds of such sale, based upon the average gross selling price per share of Cryptyde Common Stock after making appropriate deductions for any amount required to be withheld for United States federal income tax purposes. Cryptyde shall bear the cost of brokerage fees and transfer taxes incurred in connection with these sales of fractional shares, which such sales shall occur as soon after the Distribution Date as practicable and as determined by the Agent. None of Vinco, Cryptyde or the applicable Agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of Cryptyde Common Stock. Neither Vinco nor Cryptyde will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. The Agent will have the sole discretion to select the broker-dealers through which to sell the aggregated fractional shares and to determine when, how and at what price to sell such shares. Neither the Agent nor the selected broker-dealers will be Affiliates of Vinco or Cryptyde.

 

Section 4.3 Actions in Connection with Distribution.

 

(1) Cryptyde shall file such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement as Vinco may reasonably request, and such amendments as may be necessary in order to cause the same to become and remain effective as required by Law, including filing such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and Information Statement as may be required by the SEC or federal, state or foreign securities Laws. Vinco shall mail to the holders of Vinco Common Stock, at such time on or prior to the Distribution Date as Vinco shall determine, the Information Statement included in the Registration Statement, as well as any other information concerning Cryptyde, the Cryptyde Business, operations and management, the Separation and such other matters as Vinco shall reasonably determine are necessary and as may be required by Law.

 

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(2) Cryptyde shall also prepare, file with the SEC and cause to become effective any registration statements or amendments thereof required to effect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit and other plans or as otherwise necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or any of the Ancillary Agreements, including any transactions related to financings or other credit facilities. Promptly after receiving a request from Vinco, Cryptyde shall prepare and, in accordance with applicable Law, file with the SEC any such documentation that Vinco determines is necessary or desirable to effectuate the Distribution, and Vinco and Cryptyde shall each use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the SEC with respect thereto as soon as practicable.

 

(3) Promptly after receiving a request from Vinco, to the extent not already approved and effective, Cryptyde shall prepare and file, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have approved and made effective, an application for the original listing on the Nasdaq of the Cryptyde Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution, subject to official notice of distribution.

 

(4) Nothing in this Section 4.3 shall be deemed, by itself, to create a Liability of Vinco for any portion of the Registration Statement.

 

Section 4.4 Sole Discretion of Vinco. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, Vinco shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine the Distribution Date and all terms of the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transactions to effect the Distribution and the timing of and conditions to the consummation thereof. In addition, Vinco may, in accordance with Section 10.10, at any time prior to the Distribution Date and from time to time until the completion of the Distribution decide to abandon the Distribution or modify or change the terms of the Distribution, including by accelerating or delaying the timing of the consummation of all or part of the Distribution. None of Cryptyde, any other member of the Cryptyde Group, any Cryptyde Group Employee or any Third Party shall have any right or claim to require the consummation of the Separation or the Distribution, each of which shall be effected at the sole discretion of the Vinco Board.

 

Section 4.5 Conditions.

 

(1) Subject to Section 4.4, the following are conditions to the consummation of the Distribution (which, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, may be waived, in whole or in part, by Vinco in its sole discretion):

 

(i) The Cryptyde Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC and shall be subject to no further comment, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Cryptyde Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no Proceedings for that purpose will be pending before or threatened by the SEC;

 

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(ii) The Cryptyde Common Stock to be delivered to the Vinco stockholders in the Distribution shall have been accepted for listing on the Nasdaq, subject to official notice of distribution;

 

(iii) Vinco shall have obtained an opinion from Seward & Kissell LLP, tax counsel to Vinco, in form and substance satisfactory to Vinco (in its sole discretion), substantially to the effect that, among other things, the Distribution, together with certain related transactions, should qualify as a tax-free distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code and that certain transactions involving the transfer to members of the Cryptyde Group of certain Cryptyde Assets and/or the assumption by members of the Cryptyde Group of certain Cryptyde Liabilities in connection with the Separation will not result in the recognition of any gain or loss to members of the Vinco Group or Cryptyde Group for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

(iv) Each of Vinco and Cryptyde shall have received any necessary permits, registrations and consents under the securities or “blue sky” Laws of states or other political subdivisions of the United States (and any comparable Laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection with the Distribution and all such permits and authorizations shall be in effect;

 

(v) No order, injunction or decree issued by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction shall have been entered and shall continue to be in effect and no other Law or other legal restraint or prohibition shall have been adopted or be effective preventing the consummation of the Separation, Distribution or any of the related transactions contemplated herein;

 

(vi) The Internal Reorganization shall have been effectuated, including the execution of all such instruments, assignments, documents and other agreements necessary to effect the Internal Reorganization; and

 

(vii) No other events or developments shall exist or shall have occurred that, in the judgment of the Vinco Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the Separation, the Distribution or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(2) The conditions set forth in this Section 4.5 are for the sole benefit of Vinco and shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of Vinco or the Vinco Board to waive or not waive any such condition. Any determination made by Vinco prior to the Distribution concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in this Section 4.5 shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties hereto.

 

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Article V.

COVENANTS

 

Section 5.1 Legal Names and Other Parties’ Trademark.

 

(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided in any Ancillary Agreement, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date, but in any event within six (6) months thereafter, each Party shall cease (and shall cause all of the other members of its Group to cease): (i) making any use of any names or Trademarks that include (A) any of the Trademarks of the other Party or such other Party’s Affiliates (including, in the case of Cryptyde, “Vinco” or “Vinco Ventures, Inc.” or any other name or Trademark containing the words “Vinco”, and in the case of Vinco, “Cryptyde” or “Cryptyde Inc.” or any other name or Trademark containing the words “Cryptyde”) and (B) any names or Trademarks confusingly similar thereto or dilutive thereof (with respect to each Party, such Trademarks of the other Party or any of such other Party’s Affiliates, the “Other Party Marks”), and (ii) holding themselves out as having any affiliation with the other Party or such other Party’s Affiliates; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit any Party or any member of a Party’s Group from (1) in the case of any member of the Cryptyde Group, making factual and accurate reference in a non-Trademark manner that it was formerly affiliated with Vinco or in the case of any member of the Vinco Group, making factual and accurate reference in a non-Trademark manner that it was formerly affiliated with Cryptyde, (2) making use of any Other Party Mark in a manner that would constitute “fair use” under applicable Law if any unaffiliated Third Party made such use or would otherwise be legally permissible for any unaffiliated Third Party without the consent of the Party owning such Other Party Mark, and (3) making references in internal historical and tax records. In furtherance of the foregoing, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than six (6) months following the Distribution Date, each Party shall (and cause all of the other members of its Group to) remove, strike over or otherwise obliterate all Other Party Marks from all of such Party’s and its Affiliates’ assets and other materials, including any vehicles, business cards, schedules, stationery, packaging materials, displays, signs, promotional materials, manuals, forms, websites, email, computer software and other materials and systems. Any use by any Party or any of such Party’s Affiliates of any of the Other Party Marks as permitted in this Section 5.1 is subject to their compliance with all quality control standards and related requirements and guidelines in effect for the Other Party Marks as of the Effective Time.

 

(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements of Section 5.1(1), if any Party or any member of such Party’s Group used commercially reasonable efforts to comply with Section 5.1(a) but is unable, due to regulatory or other circumstance beyond its control, to effect a legal name change in compliance with applicable Law such that an Other Party Mark remains in such Party’s or its Group member’s legal name, then such Party or its relevant Group member will not be deemed to be in breach hereof as long as it continues to use commercially reasonable efforts to effectuate such name change and does effectuate such name change within twelve (12) months after the Distribution Date, and, in such circumstances, such Party or Group member may continue to include in its assets and other materials references to the Other Party Mark that is in such Party’s or Group member’s legal name which includes references to “Cryptyde” or “Vinco” as applicable, but only to the extent necessary to identify such Party or Group member and only until such Party’s or Group member’s legal name can be changed to remove and eliminate such references.

 

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements of Section 5.1(1), but subject to Section 2.7 hereof, Cryptyde shall not be required to change any name including the words “Vinco” in any Third Party contract or license, or in property records with respect to real or personal property, if an effort to change the name is commercially unreasonable; provided, however, that (i) Cryptyde on a prospective basis from and after the Distribution Date shall change the name in any new or amended Third Party contract or license or property record and (ii) Cryptyde shall not advertise or make public any continued use of the “Vinco” name permitted by this Section 5.1(3) except as otherwise permitted by this Section 5.1.

 

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Section 5.2 Auditors and Audits; Annual and Quarterly Financial Statements and Accounting.

 

(1) Each Party agrees that during the period ending on December 31, 2024, with respect to clause (i) below and December 31, 2023 with respect to clause (ii) (and with the consent of the other applicable Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, during any period of time after December 31, 2024 reasonably requested by such requesting Party so long as there is a reasonable business purpose for such request) and in any event solely with respect to the preparation and audit of each of the Party’s financial statements for any of the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the printing, filing and public dissemination of such financial statements, the audit of each Party’s internal control over financial reporting related to such financial statements and such Party’s management’s assessment thereof, and each Party’s management’s assessment of such Party’s disclosure controls and procedures related to such financial statements:

 

(i) Annual Financial Statements. Each Party shall provide to the other Party on a timely basis all information reasonably required to meet its schedule for the preparation, printing, filing, and public dissemination of its annual financial statements and for management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Items 307 and 308, respectively, of Regulation S-K and, to the extent applicable to such Party, (a) its auditor’s audit report of its internal control over financial reporting and (b) management’s assessment thereof in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the SEC’s and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s rules and auditing standards thereunder (such assessments and audit being referred to as the “Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party will provide all required financial and other Information with respect to itself and its Subsidiaries to its auditors in a sufficient and reasonable time and in sufficient detail to permit its auditors to take all steps and perform all reviews necessary to provide sufficient assistance to each other Party’s auditors with respect to information to be included or contained in such other Party’s annual financial statements and to permit such other Party’s auditors and management to complete their respective auditor’s report on Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments, to the extent applicable to such Party.

 

(ii) Access to Personnel and Records. Each audited Party shall authorize, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause, its respective auditors to make available to the other Party’s auditors (each such other Party’s auditors, collectively, the “Other Parties’ Auditors”) both the personnel who performed or are performing the annual audits of such audited party (each such Party with respect to its own audit, the “Audited Party”) and work papers related to the annual audits of such Audited Party, in all cases within a reasonable time prior to such Audited Party’s expected auditors’ opinion date, so that the Other Parties’ Auditors are able to perform the procedures they consider necessary to take responsibility for the work of the Audited Party’s auditors as it relates to their auditors’ report on such other Party’s financial statements, all within sufficient time to enable such other Party to meet its timetable for the printing, filing and public dissemination of its annual financial statements. Each Party shall make available to the Other Parties’ Auditors and management its personnel and Records in a reasonable time prior to the Other Parties’ Auditors’ opinion date and other Parties’ management’s assessment date so that the Other Parties’ Auditors and other Parties’ management are able to perform the procedures they consider necessary to conduct their respective Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments.

 

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(2) Amended Financial Reports. In the event a Party restates any of its financial statements that includes such Party’s audited or unaudited financial statements with respect to any balance sheet date or period of operation between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022, such Party will deliver to the other Party a substantially final draft, as soon as the same is prepared, of any report to be filed by such first Party with the SEC that includes such restated audited or unaudited financial statements (the “Amended Financial Reports”); provided, however, that such first Party may continue to revise its Amended Financial Report prior to its filing thereof with the SEC, which changes will be delivered to the other Party as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, however, that such first Party’s financial personnel will actively consult with the other Party’s financial personnel regarding any changes which such first Party may consider making to its Amended Financial Report and related disclosures prior to the anticipated filing of such report with the SEC, with particular focus on any changes which would have an effect upon the other Party’s financial statements or related disclosures. Each Party will reasonably cooperate with, and permit and make any necessary employees available to, the other Party and the Other Parties’ Auditors, in connection with the other Party’s preparation of any Amended Financial Reports.

 

(3) Financials; Outside Auditors. If any Party or member of its respective Group is required, pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X or otherwise, to include in its Exchange Act filings audited financial statements or other information of the other Party or member of the other Party’s Group, the other Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts (i) to provide such audited financial statements or other information, and (ii) to cause its outside auditors to consent to the inclusion of such audited financial statements or other information in the Party’s Exchange Act filings.

 

(4) Third Party Agreements. Nothing in this Section 5.2 shall require any Party to violate any Contract or arrangement with any Third Party regarding the confidentiality of confidential and proprietary information relating to that Third Party or its business; provided, however, that in the event that a Party is required under this Section 5.2 to disclose any such information, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain such Third Party’s consent to the disclosure of such information. The Parties also acknowledge that the Other Parties’ Auditors are subject to contractual, legal, professional and regulatory requirements with which such auditors are responsible for complying.

 

Section 5.3 No Restrictions on Corporate Opportunities.

 

(1) In the event that Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group, or any director or officer of Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group, acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group and Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group, neither Vinco nor any other member of the Vinco Group, nor any director or officer of Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group, shall have any duty to communicate or present such corporate opportunity to Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group and shall not be liable to Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group or to Cryptyde’s stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder of Cryptyde or an officer or director thereof by reason of the fact that Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, directs such corporate opportunity to another person or entity, or does not present such corporate opportunity to Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group.

 

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(2) In the event that Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group, or any director or officer of Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group, acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group and Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group, neither Cryptyde nor any other member of the Cryptyde Group, nor any director or officer of Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group, shall have any duty to communicate or present such corporate opportunity to Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group and shall not be liable to Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group or to Vinco’s stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder of Vinco or an officer or director thereof by reason of the fact that Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, directs such corporate opportunity to another person or entity, or does not present such corporate opportunity to Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group.

 

(3) For the purposes of this Section 5.3, “corporate opportunities” of Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group shall include, but not be limited to, business opportunities that are, by their nature, in a line of business of Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group, including the Cryptyde Business, are of practical advantage to them and are ones in which Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group have an interest or a reasonable expectancy, and in which, by embracing the opportunities, the self-interest of Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group or any of their officers or directors will be brought into conflict with that of Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group, and “corporate opportunities” of Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group shall include, but not be limited to, business opportunities that are, by their nature, in a line of business of Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group, including the Vinco Business, are of practical advantage to them and are ones in which Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group have an interest or a reasonable expectancy, and in which, by embracing the opportunities, the self-interest of Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group or any of their officers or directors will be brought into conflict with that of Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group.

 

Section 5.4 [RESERVED].

 

Article VI.
SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION; MUTUAL RELEASES

 

Section 6.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims.

 

(1) Except (i) as provided in Section 6.1(3), (ii) as may otherwise be provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and (iii) for any matter for which any Vinco Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article VI, effective as of the Distribution, Vinco does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Vinco Group and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent Vinco legally may, all Persons that at any time prior or subsequent to the Distribution have been stockholders, directors, officers, members, agents or employees of Vinco or any other member of the Vinco Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge Cryptyde and each member of the Cryptyde Group and their respective successors and assigns from any and all Liabilities whatsoever, whether at Law or in equity, whether arising under any Contract or agreement, by operation of Law or otherwise, including for fraud, existing or arising from or relating to any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Distribution, whether or not known as of the Distribution, including in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement the Separation or the Distribution. Vinco shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the Vinco Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Proceedings asserting any claim or demand, including any claim for indemnification, against any member of the Cryptyde Group with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to this Section 6.1(1).

 

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(2) Except (i) as provided in Section 6.1(2), (ii) as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and (iii) for any matter for which any Cryptyde Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article VI, effective as of the Distribution, Cryptyde does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Cryptyde Group and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent Cryptyde legally may, all Persons that at any time prior or subsequent to the Distribution have been stockholders, directors, officers, members, agents or employees of Cryptyde or any other member of the Cryptyde Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge Vinco and each member of the Vinco Group and their respective successors and assigns from any and all Liabilities whatsoever, whether at Law or in equity, whether arising under any Contract or agreement, by operation of Law or otherwise, including for fraud, existing or arising from or relating to any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Distribution, whether or not known as of the Distribution, including in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement the Separation or the Distribution. Cryptyde shall not, and shall not permit any other member of the Cryptyde Group to, make any claim or demand, or commence any Proceedings asserting any claim or demand, including any claim for indemnification, against any member of the Vinco Group with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to this Section 6.1(2).

 

(3) Nothing contained in Sections 6.1(2) or (3) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any arrangement that is not to terminate as of the Distribution. Nothing contained in Sections 6.1(1) or (2) shall release any Party from:

 

(i) any Liability provided in or resulting from any agreement among any member of the Vinco Group and any member of the Cryptyde Group that is not to terminate as of the Distribution, or any other liability that is not to terminate as of the Distribution;

 

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(ii) any Liability provided in or resulting from any other Contract or understanding that is entered into after the Effective Time between one Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the one hand, and the other Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the other hand;

 

(iii) any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, including in respect of claims brought against the Parties (or members of their respective Groups) by any Third Party, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article VI and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(iv) any Liability with respect to any Continuing Arrangements or any Intergroup Indebtedness that survive the Effective Time; and

 

(v) any Liability, contingent or otherwise, assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to the Group of which such Person is a member in accordance with, or any other liability of any member of any Group under, this Agreement; or

 

(vi) any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than a Person released pursuant to this Section 6.1; provided that the parties agree not to bring suit or permit any of their Subsidiaries to bring suit against any Person with respect to any Liability to the extent that such Person would be released with respect to such Liability by this Section 6.1 but for the provisions of this clause (vi).

 

In addition, nothing contained in Section 6.1(1) shall release any member of the Vinco Group from honoring its existing obligations to indemnify any director, officer or employee of Cryptyde who was a director, officer or employee of Vinco or any of its Affiliates at or prior to the Effective Time, to the extent such director, officer or employee is or becomes a named defendant in any Proceeding with respect to which he or she was entitled to such indemnification pursuant to obligations existing prior to the Effective Time; it being understood that if the underlying obligation giving rise to such Proceedings is an Cryptyde Liability, Cryptyde shall indemnify Vinco for such Liability (including Vinco’s costs to indemnify the director, officer or employee) in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Article VI.

 

(4) At any time, at the request of any other Party, each Party shall cause each member of its respective Group to execute and deliver releases in form reasonably satisfactory to the other Party reflecting the provisions of this Section 6.1.

 

Section 6.2 Indemnification by Vinco. In addition to any other provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement requiring indemnification, except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement, and subject to Section 6.11, from and after the Distribution, Vinco will indemnify, defend, release and discharge Cryptyde and its Affiliates and their respective current and former directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs, executors, successors and permitted assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Cryptyde Indemnified Parties,” and, together with Vinco Indemnified Parties, the “Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses actually suffered or incurred by the Cryptyde Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following items regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence (whether simple, contributory or gross), recklessness, violation of Law, fraud, misrepresentation or otherwise (without duplication) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law:

 

(1) the failure of any member of the Vinco Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Vinco Liability in accordance with their respective terms, whether arising prior to, on or after the Distribution;

 

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(2) any Vinco Liability; and

 

(3) any breach by any member of the Vinco Group of this Agreement or, subject to Section 6.11 hereof, any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject to any indemnification provision or any specific limitation on liability contained in any Ancillary Agreement.

 

Section 6.3 Indemnification by Cryptyde. In addition to any other provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement requiring indemnification, except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement, and subject to Section 6.11, from and after the Distribution, Cryptyde shall indemnify, defend, release and discharge Vinco and its Affiliates and their respective current and former directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs, executors, successors and permitted assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Vinco Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses actually suffered or incurred by the Vinco Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following items regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence (whether simple, contributory or gross), recklessness, violation of Law, fraud, misrepresentation or otherwise (without duplication) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law:

 

(1) the failure of any member of the Cryptyde Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Cryptyde Liability in accordance with their respective terms, whether arising prior to, on or after the Distribution;

 

(2) any Cryptyde Liability; and

 

(3) any breach by any member of the Cryptyde Group of this Agreement or, subject to Section 6.11 hereof, any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject to any indemnification provision or any specific limitation on liability contained in any Ancillary Agreement.

 

Section 6.4 Procedures for Indemnification; Third Party Claims.

 

(1) If an Indemnified Party shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by any Person who is not a member of the Vinco Group or the Cryptyde Group, as the case may be, of any claim, or of the commencement by any such Person of any Proceedings, with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 6.3, or any other Section of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (collectively, a “Third Party Claim”), such Indemnified Party shall give such Indemnifying Party written notice thereof within thirty (30) days after such Indemnified Party received notice or otherwise learned of such Third Party Claim. Any such notice shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail, including, if known, the amount of the loss or Liability claimed or asserted by such third party for which indemnification may be available. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of any Indemnified Party or other Person to give notice as provided in this Section 6.4 shall not relieve the related Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article VI, except to the extent that such Indemnifying Party is actually materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice.

 

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(2) An Indemnifying Party shall be entitled (but shall not be required) to assume and control the defense of such Third Party Claim at its expense and through counsel of its choice who is reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party if it gives notice of its intention to do so to the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice from the Indemnified Party; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim to the extent such Third Party Claim (x) is a Proceeding by a Governmental Authority, (y) involves an allegation of a criminal violation or (z) seeks injunctive relief against the Indemnified Party. In the event of a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party with respect to the Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to retain, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, separate counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Party as required by the applicable rules of professional conduct with respect to such matter. If the Indemnifying Party elects to undertake any such defense at its own expense, the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent Records, materials and information in the Indemnified Party’s possession or under the Indemnified Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party. Similarly, if the Indemnified Party is conducting the defense against any such Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall cooperate with the Indemnified Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnified Party, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent Records, materials and information in the Indemnifying Party’s possession or under the Indemnifying Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnified Party.

 

(3) If, in such notice, an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending a Third Party Claim, or fails to notify an Indemnified Party of its election as provided in Section 6.4(2), such Indemnified Party may defend such Third Party Claim at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party may at any time thereafter assume the defense of such Third Party Claim upon notice to the Indemnified Party (but the reasonable cost and expense incurred by the Indemnified Party in defending such Third Party Claim until such date as the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense of such Third Party Claim shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party).

 

(4) The Indemnified Party may not settle or compromise any Third Party Claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

(5) The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to compromise or settle a Third Party Claim the defense of which it shall have assumed pursuant to Section 6.4(2) or Section 6.4(3) and any such settlement or compromise made or caused to be made of a Third Party Claim in accordance with this Article VI shall be binding on the Indemnified Party, in the same manner as if a final judgment or decree had been entered by a court of competent jurisdiction in the amount of such settlement or compromise. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Indemnifying Party shall not settle any such Third Party Claim without the written consent of the Indemnified Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) unless such settlement (A) completely and unconditionally releases the Indemnified Party in connection with such matter, (B) consists solely of monetary consideration borne by a Person other than the Indemnified Party, and (C) does not involve any admission by the Indemnified Party of any wrongdoing or violation of Law.

 

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(6) In the event of Proceedings in which the Indemnifying Party is not a named defendant, if either the Indemnified Party or Indemnifying Party shall so request, the Parties shall endeavor to substitute the Indemnifying Party for the named defendant, if at all practicable and advisable under the circumstances. If such substitution or addition cannot be achieved for any reason or is not requested, the named defendant shall allow the Indemnifying Party to manage the Proceedings as set forth in this Article VI.

 

(7) With respect to any Third Party Claim that implicates both the Cryptyde Group and the Vinco Group in a material fashion due to the allocation of Liabilities or potential impact on the operation of the Vinco Business or Cryptyde Business, responsibilities for management of defense, and related indemnities pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, the Parties agree to use reasonable best efforts to cooperate fully and maintain a joint defense (in a manner that will preserve for the relevant members of the Cryptyde Group and Vinco Group the attorney-client privilege, joint defense or other privilege with respect thereto). The Party that is not responsible for managing the defense of such Third Party Claims shall, upon reasonable request, be consulted with respect to significant matters relating thereto and may, if necessary or helpful, retain counsel to assist in the defense of such claims (at such Party’s own expense).

 

Section 6.5 Indemnification Payments. Indemnification required by this Article VI shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or an Indemnifiable Loss is incurred.

 

Section 6.6 Survival of Indemnities. The rights and obligations of each of Vinco and Cryptyde and their respective Indemnified Parties under this Article VI shall survive (i) the sale or other transfer by any Group of any of its Assets or Businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities, and (ii) any merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of all or substantially all of the Assets, restructuring, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction involving either Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 6.7 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts; Contribution.

 

(1) Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts.

 

(i) The Parties intend that any Liability subject to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party in respect of any indemnifiable Liability. Accordingly, the amount which an Indemnifying Party is required to pay to any Indemnified Party shall be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds or any other amounts theretofore actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party in respect of the related Liability. If an Indemnified Party receives a payment required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liability (an “Indemnity Payment”) and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds or any other amounts in respect of the related Liability, then the Indemnified Party shall pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payment received over the amount of the Indemnity Payment that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds or such other amounts (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payment was made.

 

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(ii) Any Indemnity Payment shall be increased as necessary so that after making all payments corresponding to Taxes imposed on or attributable to such Indemnity Payment, the Indemnified Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such Taxes been imposed.

 

(2) Insurers and Other Third Parties Not Relieved. The Parties hereby agree that an insurer or other Third Party that would otherwise be obligated to pay any amount shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or have any subrogation rights with respect thereto by virtue of any provision contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and that no insurer or any other Third Party shall be entitled to a “windfall” (e.g., a benefit they would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the indemnification or release provisions) by virtue of any provision contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Each Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to collect or recover, or allow the Indemnifying Party to collect or recover, any Insurance Proceeds that may be collectible or recoverable respecting the Liabilities for which indemnification may be available under this Article VI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnifying Party may not delay making any indemnification payment required under the terms of this Agreement, or otherwise satisfying any indemnification obligation, pending the outcome of any Proceeding to collect or recover Insurance Proceeds, and an Indemnified Party need not attempt to collect any Insurance Proceeds prior to making a claim for indemnification or receiving any Indemnity Payment otherwise owed to it under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

(3) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Article VI is unavailable for any reason to an Indemnified Party in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss, then the Indemnifying Party shall, in accordance with this Section 6.7(3), contribute to the Indemnifiable Losses incurred, paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Indemnifiable Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of Cryptyde and each other member of the Cryptyde Group, on the one hand, and Vinco and each other member of the Vinco Group, on the other hand, in connection with the circumstances which resulted in such Indemnifiable Loss.

 

Section 6.8 Direct Claims. An Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party notice of any matter that an Indemnified Party has determined has given or could give rise to a right of indemnification under this Agreement (other than a Third Party Claim which shall be governed by Section 6.4) within thirty (30) days of such determination, stating the claimed or asserted amount of the Indemnifiable Loss and method of computation thereof, if known, and containing a reference to the provisions of this Agreement in respect of which such right of indemnification is claimed by such Indemnified Party or arises; provided, however, that the failure to provide such notice shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been actually materially prejudiced as a result of such failure.

 

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Section 6.9 Remedies Cumulative. The remedies provided in this Article VI or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be cumulative and shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnified Party of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies provided for in this Agreement against any Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that the procedures set forth in this Article VI shall be the exclusive procedures governing any indemnity action brought under this Agreement.

 

Section 6.10 Consequential Damages. EXCEPT AS MAY BE AWARDED TO A THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY THIRD PARTY CLAIM THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS IN THIS ARTICLE VI, IN NO EVENT SHALL VINCO, CRYPTYDE OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES OR OTHER AGENTS BE LIABLE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES OR OTHER AGENTS BE LIABLE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR LOST PROFITS, OPPORTUNITY COSTS, DIMINUTION IN VALUE OR DAMAGES BASED UPON A MULTIPLE OF EARNINGS OR SIMILAR FINANCIAL MEASURE, EVEN IF UNDER APPLICABLE LAW SUCH LOST PROFITS, OPPORTUNITY COSTS, DIMINUTION IN VALUE, OR SUCH DAMAGES WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES.

 

Section 6.11 Ancillary Agreements. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any Ancillary Agreement contains any specific, express indemnification obligation or contribution obligation relating to any Vinco Liability, Vinco Asset, Cryptyde Liability or Cryptyde Asset contributed, assumed, retained, transferred, delivered or conveyed pursuant to such Ancillary Agreement, or relating to any other specific matter, the indemnification obligations contained herein shall not apply to such Vinco Liability, Vinco Asset, Cryptyde Liability or Cryptyde Asset, or such other specific matter, and instead the indemnification and/or contribution obligations set forth in such Ancillary Agreement shall govern with regard to such Vinco Asset, Vinco Liability, Cryptyde Asset or Cryptyde Liability or any such other specific matter.

 

Article VII.

CONFIDENTIALITY; ACCESS TO INFORMATION

 

Section 7.1 Provision of Corporate Records. Other than in circumstances in which indemnification is sought pursuant to Article VI (in which event the provisions of such Article will govern) and without limiting the applicable provisions of Article VI, and subject to appropriate restrictions for classified, privileged or Confidential Information and subject further to any restrictions or limitations contained in Section 5.2 or elsewhere in this Article VII:

 

(1) After the Effective Time, upon the prior written request by Cryptyde for specific and identified Information which relates to (i) any member of the Cryptyde Group or the conduct of the Cryptyde Business (including Cryptyde Assets and Cryptyde Liabilities), as the case may be, up to the Effective Time, or (ii) any Ancillary Agreement, Vinco shall provide, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, appropriate copies of such Information (or the originals thereof if Cryptyde has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of Vinco or any of its Affiliates, but only to the extent such items so relate.

 

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(2) After the Effective Time, upon the prior written request by Vinco for specific and identified Information which relates to (i) any member of the Vinco Group or the conduct of the Vinco Business (including Vinco Assets and Vinco Liabilities), as the case may be, up to the Effective Time, or (ii) any Ancillary Agreement, Cryptyde shall provide, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, appropriate copies of such Information (or the originals thereof if Vinco has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of Cryptyde or any of its Affiliates, but only to the extent such items so relate.

 

Section 7.2 Access to Information. Other than in circumstances in which indemnification is sought pursuant to Article VI (in which event the provisions of such Article will govern) and without limiting the applicable provisions of Article VI, and subject to any restrictions or limitations contained in Section 5.2 or elsewhere in this Article VII, from and after the Effective Time, each of Vinco and Cryptyde shall afford to the other and its authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, subject to appropriate notice and restrictions for classified, privileged or confidential information and to the requirements of any applicable Law, to the personnel, properties, and Information of such Party and its Subsidiaries insofar as such access is reasonably required by the other Party, and only for the duration such access is required, and relates to (a) such other Party or the conduct of its business prior to the Effective Time or (b) any Ancillary Agreement; provided, however, in the event that a Party determines that any such access or the provision of any such information (including information requested under Section 5.2 or Section 7.1) would be commercially detrimental in any material respect, violate any Law or Contract with a Third Party or waive any attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine or other applicable privilege, the Parties shall take all reasonable measures (and, to the extent applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the Consent from any Third Party required to make such disclosure without violating a Contract with a Third Party) to permit compliance with such information request in a manner that avoids any such harm, violation or consequence. Each of Vinco and Cryptyde shall inform their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives who have or have access to the other Party’s Confidential Information or other information provided pursuant to Section 5.2 or this Article VII of their obligation to hold such information confidential in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 7.3 Witness Services. At all times from and after the Effective Time, each of Vinco and Cryptyde shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other, upon reasonable written request, its and its Subsidiaries’ officers, directors, employees, consultants, and agents (taking into account the business demands of such individuals) as witnesses to the extent that (a) such Persons may reasonably be required to testify in connection with the prosecution or defense of any Proceeding in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved (except for claims, demands or Proceedings in which one or more members of one Group is adverse to one or more members of the other Group) and (b) there is no conflict in the Proceeding between the requesting Party and the other Party.

 

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Section 7.4 Cooperation. At all times from and after the Effective Time, except for any Proceeding (or any threatened Proceeding) in which one or more members of one Group is adverse to one or more members of the other Group, or in which there is otherwise a conflict between one or more members of one Group and one or more members of the other Group (each of which shall be governed by such discovery rules as may be applicable thereto), each of Vinco and Cryptyde shall cooperate and consult in good faith as reasonably requested in writing by the other Party with respect to the prosecution or defense of any Proceeding (or any audit or any other legal requirement) in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether relating to events that took place prior to, on or after the date of Separation or whether relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7.4 does not require a Party to take any step that would materially interfere, or that it reasonably determines could materially interfere, with its business. The requesting Party agrees to reimburse the other Party for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs, if any, incurred in connection with a request under this Section 7.4.

 

Section 7.5 Confidentiality.

 

(1) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, from and after the Effective Time until the date that is five (5) years after the date of termination of the Agreement, the Parties shall hold, and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to hold, and shall each cause their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, consultants and advisors to hold, in strict confidence, and not to disclose or release or use, for any ongoing or future commercial purpose, without the prior written consent of the other Party, any and all Confidential Information concerning the other Party (and the members of its respective Group and Business); provided, however, that the Parties may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, Confidential Information (i) to their respective auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other appropriate consultants and advisors who have a need to know such information for auditing and other non-commercial purposes and are informed of their obligation to hold such information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the Parties and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, the applicable Party will be responsible, (ii) if the Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries are required or compelled to disclose any such Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule, or (iii) as necessary in order to permit a Party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, or other required disclosures; provided, further, that each Party (and members of its Group as necessary) may use, or may permit use of, Confidential Information of the other Party in connection with such first Party performing its obligations, or exercising its rights, under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of Confidential Information is made pursuant to clause (ii) above, each Party, as applicable, shall promptly notify the other Party of the existence of such request or demand and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, which such Parties will cooperate in obtaining. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the Party whose Confidential Information is required to be disclosed shall or shall cause the other applicable Party or Parties to furnish, or cause to be furnished, only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed and shall take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that confidential treatment is accorded such portion of such Confidential Information.

 

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(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) the Parties shall be deemed to have satisfied their obligations hereunder with respect to Confidential Information if they exercise at least the same degree of care that Vinco exercises and applies to its confidential and proprietary information pursuant to Vinco’s policies and procedures in effect as of the Effective Time and (ii) confidentiality obligations provided for in any Contract between each Party or its Subsidiaries and their respective employees shall remain in full force and effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, Confidential Information of any Party in the possession of and used by any other Party as of the Effective Time may continue to be used by such Party in possession of the Confidential Information in and only in (and only to the extent reasonably necessary to) the operation of the Cryptyde Business (in the case of the Cryptyde Group) or the Vinco Business (in the case of the Vinco Group); provided, however, such Confidential Information may be used only so long as the Confidential Information is maintained in confidence in accordance with, and not disclosed in violation of, Section 7.5(1).

 

(3) Each Party acknowledges that it and the other members of its Group may have in their possession confidential or proprietary information of Third Parties that was received under confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements with such Third Party prior to the Effective Time. Such Party will hold, and will cause the other members of its Group and their respective representatives to hold, in strict confidence the confidential and proprietary information of Third Parties to which they or any other member of their respective Groups has access, in accordance with the terms of any Contracts entered into prior to the Effective Time between one or more members of the such Party’s Group (whether acting through, on behalf of, or in connection with, the separated Businesses) and such Third Parties.

 

(4) Upon the written request of a Party, the other Party shall take commercially reasonable actions to promptly (i) deliver to such requesting Party all original Confidential Information (whether written or electronic) concerning such requesting Party and/or its Subsidiaries, and (ii) if specifically requested by such requesting Party, destroy any copies of such Confidential Information (including any extracts therefrom); provided, however, that the receiving Party may retain an archival copy of the Confidential Information, to the extent necessary to comply with applicable Law or such Party’s retention or archival policies. Upon the written request of such requesting Party, the other Party shall cause one of its duly authorized officers to certify in writing to such requesting Party that the requirements of the preceding sentence have been satisfied in full.

 

Section 7.6 Privileged Matters.

 

(1) Pre-Separation Services. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services (including, but not limited to, services rendered by legal counsel retained or employed by any Party (or any member of such Party’s respective Group), including outside counsel and in-house counsel) that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of each of the members of the Vinco Group and the Cryptyde Group, and that each of the members of the Vinco Group and the Cryptyde Group should be deemed to be the client with respect to such pre-separation services for the purposes of asserting all privileges which may be asserted under applicable Law; provided, however, that (i) members of the Cryptyde Group shall not be deemed the client with respect to pre-separation services that relate solely to the Vinco Business, and members of the Cryptyde Group may not assert privilege with respect to pre-separation services that relate solely to the Vinco Business; and (ii) members of the Vinco Group shall not be deemed the client with respect to pre-separation services that relate solely to the Cryptyde Business, and members of the Vinco Group may not assert privilege with respect to pre-separation services that relate solely to the Cryptyde Business.

 

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(2) Post-Separation Services. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time which will be rendered solely for the benefit of Vinco or Cryptyde or their successors or assigns, as the case may be. With respect to such post-separation services, the Parties agree as follows:

 

(i) Vinco shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information which relates solely to the Vinco Business, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Vinco or Cryptyde. Vinco shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting Vinco Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated against or by Vinco, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Vinco or Cryptyde or their successors or assigns; and

 

(ii) Cryptyde shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information which relates solely to the Cryptyde Business, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Vinco or Cryptyde or their successors or assigns. Cryptyde shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting Cryptyde Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated against or by Cryptyde, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Vinco or Cryptyde or their successors or assigns.

 

(3) The Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege, subject to the restrictions in this Section 7.6, with respect to all privileges not allocated pursuant to the terms of Section 7.6(1) or Section 7.6(2) and all privileges relating to any Proceedings or other matters which involve both Vinco and Cryptyde (or one or more members of their respective Groups) in respect of which both Parties retain any responsibility or Liability under this Agreement.

 

(4) No Party may disclose to any Third Party any privileged communications that could be withheld under any applicable Law, and in which any other Party has a shared privilege, without the consent of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed or as provided in clause (5) or (6) below. Consent shall be in writing, or shall be deemed to be granted unless written objection is made within twenty (20) days after notice upon the other Party requesting such consent.

 

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(5) In the event of any litigation, arbitration or dispute between or among any of the Parties, or any members of their respective Groups, either such Party may disclose privileged communications to the other Party or member of such Party’s Group so long as the privileged communications are subject to a shared privilege among or between the Parties; provided, however, that such disclosure of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of information with respect to the litigation, arbitration or dispute between the relevant Parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to third parties.

 

(6) If a dispute arises between or among the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries regarding whether a privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interest of any Party, each Party agrees that it shall negotiate and shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other Parties, and shall not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for waiver by another Party. Each Party specifically agrees that it will not withhold consent to waiver for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests.

 

(7) Upon receipt by any Party or by any Subsidiary thereof of any subpoena, discovery or other request which arguably calls for the production or disclosure of information subject to a shared privilege or as to which another Party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege, or if any Party obtains knowledge that any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ current or former directors, officers, consultants, agents or employees have received any subpoena, discovery or other requests which arguably calls for the production or disclosure of such privileged information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party or Parties of the existence of the request and shall provide the other Party or Parties a reasonable opportunity to review the information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 7.6 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such privileged information.

 

(8) The transfer of all Information pursuant to this Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement of Vinco and Cryptyde, as set forth in Section 7.5 and this Section 7.6, to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information and to assert and maintain all applicable privileges. The access to information being granted pursuant to Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 hereof, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof, the furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts contemplated by this Section 7.6, and the transfer of privileged information between and among the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 7.7 Ownership of Information. Any information owned by one Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided to a requesting Party pursuant to this Article VII or Section 5.2 shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Party. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such information.

 

Section 7.8 Other Agreements. The rights and obligations granted under this Article VII are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange or confidential treatment of information, or privileged matter with respect thereto, set forth in any Ancillary Agreement.

 

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Section 7.9 Compensation for Providing Information. A Party requesting Information pursuant to this Article VII agrees to reimburse the providing Party for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, if any, of gathering, copying and otherwise complying with respect to such Information (including any reasonable costs and expenses incurred in any review of Information for purposes of protecting any privilege thereunder or any other restrictions on the disclosure of such Information); provided, however, that each Party shall be responsible for its own attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

Article VIII.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

Section 8.1 Negotiation.

 

(1) In the event of a controversy, dispute or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation, performance, nonperformance, validity, termination or breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (unless such Ancillary Agreement expressly provides that disputes thereunder will not be subject to the resolution procedures set forth in this Article VIII) or otherwise arising out of, or in any way related to this Agreement or any such Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including any claim based on Contract, tort, Law or constitution (but excluding any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of any Contract with a Third Party if such Third Party is a necessary party to such controversy, dispute or claim) (collectively, “Agreement Disputes”), a Party must provide written notice of such Agreement Dispute (“Dispute Notice”). Within thirty (30) days of receipt by a Party of a Dispute Notice, the receiving Party shall submit to the other Party a written response. The Dispute Notice and the response shall each include a statement of the Party’s position, a general summary of the arguments (including relevant facts and circumstances) supporting that position, the name and title of the Party’s representatives who will represent the Party and any other person(s) in negotiation of the Agreement Dispute. The Parties agree to negotiate in good faith to resolve any noticed Agreement Dispute. If the Parties are unable for any reason to resolve an Agreement Dispute within forty-five (45) days from the time of receipt of the response to the Dispute Notice and the forty-five (45) day period is not extended by mutual written consent, then the Chief Executive Officers of the Parties shall enter into negotiations for a reasonable period of time to settle such Agreement Dispute; provided, however, that such reasonable period shall not, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties in writing, exceed sixty (60) days from the 45th day noted above, if and as extended by mutual agreement of the Parties.

 

(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, in the event of any Agreement Dispute with respect to which a Dispute Notice has been delivered in accordance with this Section 8.1, (i) the relevant Parties shall not assert the defenses of statute of limitations and laches with respect to the period beginning after the date of receipt of the Dispute Notice, and (ii) any contractual time period or deadline under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which such Agreement Dispute relates occurring after the Dispute Notice is received shall be tolled by the submittal of a Dispute Notice. All things said or disclosed, and any document produced, in the course of any negotiations, conferences and discussions in connection with efforts to settle an Agreement Dispute that is not otherwise independently discoverable shall not be offered or received as evidence or used for impeachment or for any other purpose in any arbitration or other proceeding, but shall be considered as to have been said, disclosed or produced for settlement purposes.

 

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Section 8.2 [RESERVED]

 

Section 8.3 Arbitration. If Any Agreement Dispute not resolved pursuant to Section 8.1, then such Agreement Dispute shall be exclusively and finally determined, at the request of any relevant Party, by arbitration (by an arbitral tribunal as provided for in Section 8.4) conducted where the Parties agree it would be most convenient, and in the absence of agreement in Pinellas County, Florida], before and in accordance with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) Commercial Arbitration Rules then currently in effect, except as modified herein (the “Rules”).

 

Section 8.4 Selection of Arbitrators. There shall be three arbitrators. Each Party shall appoint an arbitrator within twenty (20) days of a Party’s receipt of a Party’s demand for arbitration. The two Party-appointed arbitrators shall have twenty (20) days from the appointment of the second arbitrator to agree on a third arbitrator who shall chair the arbitral tribunal. Any arbitrator not timely appointed by the Parties shall be appointed by the AAA in accordance with the listing and ranking method in the Rules, and in any such procedure, each Party shall be given a limited number of strikes, excluding strikes for cause. If any appointed arbitrator declines, resigns, becomes incapacitated, or otherwise refuses or fails to serve or to continue to serve as an arbitrator, the Party or arbitrators entitled to appoint such arbitrator shall promptly appoint a successor. In the event that an arbitrator is objected to, the AAA shall decide whether such objection is valid and whether the challenged arbitrator shall be removed. Any controversy concerning the jurisdiction of the arbitrators, whether the subject matter of an Agreement Dispute is suitable for resolution by arbitration, whether arbitration has been waived, whether an assignee of this Agreement is bound to arbitrate, or as to the interpretation of enforceability of this Article VIII shall be determined by the arbitrators.

 

Section 8.5 Arbitration Procedures. Any hearing to be conducted shall be held no later than 180 days following appointment of the arbitrators or as soon thereafter as practicable.

 

Section 8.6 Discovery. The arbitrators, consistent with the expedited nature of arbitration, shall permit limited discovery only of documents directly related to the issues in dispute. There shall be no more than three depositions per party of no more than 8 hours each. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party will, upon the written request of the other Party, promptly provide the other with copies of documents on which the producing Party may rely in support of a claim or defense or which are relevant to the issues raised in the Agreement Dispute. All discovery, if any, shall be completed within 90 days following the appointment of the arbitrators or as soon thereafter as practicable. Adherence to formal rules of evidence shall not be required and the arbitrators shall consider any evidence and testimony that the arbitrators determine to be relevant, in accordance with the Rules and procedures that the arbitrators determine to be appropriate. In resolving any Agreement Dispute, the Parties intend that the arbitrators shall apply the substantive Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice of law principles thereof that would mandate the application of the Laws of another jurisdiction. The Parties intend that the provisions to arbitrate set forth herein be valid, enforceable and irrevocable, and any award rendered by the arbitrators shall be final and binding on the Parties. The Parties agree to comply and cause the members of their applicable Group to comply with any award made in any such arbitration proceedings and agree to enforcement of or entry of judgment upon such award, in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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Section 8.7 Confidentiality of Proceedings. Without limiting the provisions of the Rules, unless otherwise agreed in writing by or among the relevant Parties or permitted by this Agreement or as may be required by law or any regulatory authority, the relevant Parties shall keep, and shall cause the members of their applicable Group to keep, confidential all matters relating to the arbitration or the award. The arbitral award shall be confidential; provided, however, that such award may be disclosed (i) to the extent reasonably necessary in any proceeding brought to enforce this agreement to arbitrate or any arbitral award or for entry of a judgment upon the award and (ii) to the extent otherwise required by Law or regulatory authority.

 

Section 8.8 Pre-Hearing Procedure and Disposition. Nothing contained herein is intended to or shall be construed to prevent any Party, from applying to any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive or other similar equitable relief in connection with the subject matter of any Agreement Disputes, including to compel a party to arbitrate any Agreement Dispute, to prevent irreparable harm prior to the appointment of the arbitral tribunal or to require witnesses to obey subpoenas issued by the arbitrators. Without prejudice to such equitable remedies as may be available under the jurisdiction of a court, the arbitral tribunal shall have full authority to grant provisional remedies and to direct the parties to request that any court modify or vacate any temporary or preliminary relief issued by such court, and to award damages for the failure of any party to respect the arbitral tribunal’s orders to that effect. The Parties agree to accept and honor any orders relating to interim or provisional remedies that are issued by the arbitrators and agree that any such interim order or remedy may be enforced, as necessary, in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

Section 8.9 Continuity of Service and Performance. During the course of resolving an Agreement Dispute pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII, the Parties will continue to provide all other services and honor all other commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement with respect to all matters not the subject of the Agreement Dispute in arbitration.

 

Section 8.10 Awards. The arbitrators shall make an award and issue a reasoned opinion in writing setting forth the basis for such award within 30 days following the close of the hearing on the merits, or a soon thereafter as practicable. The arbitrators shall be entitled, if appropriate, to award any remedy in such proceedings that is permitted under this Agreement and applicable Law, including monetary damages, specific performance and other forms of legal and equitable relief. The Parties hereby waive any claim to exemplary, punitive, multiple or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses of arbitration, except as may be expressly required by statute or as necessary to indemnify a Party for a Third Party Claim and the arbitrators are not empowered to and shall not award such damages. Any final award must provide that the party against whom an award is issued shall comply with the order within a specified period of time, not to exceed 30 days.

 

Section 8.11 Costs. Provided the amount in dispute is less than $25,000, if any Party attempts, unsuccessfully, to prevent an Agreement Dispute from being arbitrated such Party shall reimburse the prevailing party for all costs incurred in compelling arbitration. Except as otherwise may be provided in any Ancillary Agreement, the costs of arbitration pursuant to this Article VIII shall be borne by the non-prevailing Party as determined by the arbitrator.

 

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Section 8.12 Adherence to Time Limits. In accepting appointment, each of the arbitrators shall commit that his or her schedule permits him or her to devote the reasonably necessary time and attention to the arbitration proceedings and to resolving the Agreement Dispute within the time periods set by this Agreement and by the Rules. Any time limits set out in this Article VIII or in the Rules may be modified upon written agreement of the Parties and the arbitrators or by order of the arbitrators for good cause shown. Any failure of the arbitrators to comply with such time limits or to render a final award within the time specified shall not impair the validity of the award or cause the award to be void or voidable, nor shall it be a basis for challenge of the validity or enforceability of the award or of the arbitration proceedings.

 

Article IX.

INSURANCE

 

Section 9.1 Policies to be Maintained by Cryptyde. Cryptyde agrees and covenants (on its own behalf and on behalf of each other member of the Cryptyde Group) that it will procure and maintain at its sole cost and expense, for a period of no less than three (3) years from the Effective Time, all insurance programs required to comply with Cryptyde’s statutory, contractual and regulatory obligations and all such other insurance policies as are reasonably necessary or customary for companies operating a business similar to the Cryptyde Business in every jurisdiction in which Cryptyde may operate. Such insurance programs may include, general and excess liability (the “Cryptyde General Liability Policies”), commercial general liability, worker’s compensation, employer’s liability, products liability and automobile liability coverage with commercially reasonable terms and limits. It is the intention of the Parties that the Cryptyde General Liability Policies shall act as primary insurance with respect to any claims asserted against Vinco and/or Cryptyde that arise out of the Cryptyde Liabilities with an occurrence date after the Effective Time.

 

Section 9.2 Policies to be Maintained by Vinco. Vinco agrees and covenants (on its own behalf and on behalf of each other member of the Vinco Group) that it will procure and maintain at its sole cost and expense, for a period of no less than three (3) years from the Effective Time, all insurance programs required to comply with Vinco’s statutory, contractual and regulatory obligations and all such other insurance policies as are reasonably necessary or customary for companies operating a business similar to the Vinco Business in every jurisdiction in which Vinco may operate. Such insurance programs may include, general and excess liability (the “Vinco General Liability Policies”), commercial general liability, worker’s compensation, employer’s liability, products liability and automobile liability coverage with commercially reasonable terms and limits. It is the intention of the Parties that the Vinco General Liability Policies shall act as primary insurance with respect to any claims asserted against Vinco and/or Cryptyde that arise out of the Vinco Liabilities with an occurrence date after the Effective Time.

 

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Article X.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.1 Complete Agreement. This Agreement, including the exhibits and schedules attached hereto, and the Ancillary Agreements (and the exhibits and schedules thereto) shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of the body of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Schedule, the terms and conditions of such Schedule shall control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, in the case of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Ancillary Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; provided, however, except as set forth on Schedule 10.1, that in relation to any matters concerning Taxes, the Tax Matters Agreement shall prevail over this Agreement and any other Ancillary Agreement. It is the intention of the Parties that the Transfer Documents shall be consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements. The Parties agree that the Transfer Documents are not intended and shall not be considered in any way to enhance, modify or decrease any of the rights or obligations of Vinco, Cryptyde or any member of their respective Groups from those contained in this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements.

 

Section 10.2 Ancillary Agreements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, this Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements (excluding the Transfer Documents).

 

Section 10.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in more than one counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and, except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 1.3, shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties. Execution of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic copy of a signature shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same effect as, executed by an original signature.

 

Section 10.4 Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

 

Section 10.5 Costs and Expenses; Payment.

 

(1) Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, Vinco shall bear all direct and indirect costs and expenses of any member of the Cryptyde Group or Vinco Group incurred on or prior to the Effective Time, in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery and implementation of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; provided, that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, from and after the Distribution, each Party shall bear its own direct and indirect costs and expenses related to its performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, any amount payable pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by one party (or any member of such party’s Group) shall be paid within 30 days after presentation of an invoice or a written demand by the party entitled to receive such payments. Such demand shall include documentation setting forth the basis for the amount payable.

 

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(2) With respect to any expenses incurred pursuant to a request for further assurances granted under Section 2.9, the Parties agree that any and all fees and expenses incurred by either Party shall be borne and paid by the requesting Party; it being understood that no Party shall be obliged to incur any Third Party accounting, consulting, advisor, banking or legal fees, costs or expenses, and the requesting Party shall not be obligated to pay such fees, costs or expenses, unless such fee, cost or expense shall have had the prior written approval of the requesting Party; notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party shall be responsible for paying its own internal fees, costs and expenses (e.g., salaries of personnel). With respect to any fees, costs and expenses incurred by either Party in satisfying its obligations under Section 5.2, the requesting Party shall be responsible for the other Party’s fees, costs and expenses; notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party shall be responsible for paying its own internal fees, costs and expenses (e.g., salaries and benefits of personnel).

 

Section 10.6 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement and, to the extent applicable and unless otherwise provided therein, under each of the Ancillary Agreements, as between the Parties, shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt unless the day of receipt is not a Business Day, in which case it shall be deemed to have been duly given or made on the next Business Day) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by electronic e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10.6):

 

  If to Vinco:
     
    Vinco Ventures, Inc.
    6 North Main Street
    Fairport, New York 14450
    Attn: Phil Jones

 

  If to Cryptyde:
     
    Cryptyde Inc.
    200 9th Avenue North, Suite 220
    Safety Harbor, Florida 34695
    Attn: Brian McFadden

 

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Section 10.7 Waiver.

 

(1) Any provision of this Agreement may be waived if, and only if, such waiver is in writing and signed by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

 

(2) No failure or delay by either Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

Section 10.8 Modification or Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended, modified or supplemented, in whole or in part, in a writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties in the same manner as this Agreement and which makes reference to this Agreement.

 

Section 10.9 No Assignment; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns. No Party to this Agreement may assign or delegate, by operation of law or otherwise, all or any portion of its rights, obligations or liabilities under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party to this Agreement, which such Party may withhold in its absolute discretion, except that (x) each Party hereto may assign any or all of its rights and interests hereunder to an Affiliate and (y) each Party may assign any of its obligations hereunder to an Affiliate; provided, however, that such assignment shall not relieve such Party of any of its obligations hereunder unless agreed to by the non-assigning Party, and any attempt to do so shall be ineffective and void ab initio. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement is binding upon, inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 10.10 Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement (including Article VI hereof) may be terminated and the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of Vinco without the approval of Cryptyde or the stockholders of Vinco. In the event of such termination, this Agreement shall become null and void and no Party, nor any of its officers, directors or employees, shall have any Liability to any other Party or any other Person. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.

 

Section 10.11 Payment Terms. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, any amount to be paid or reimbursed by any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the one hand, to any other Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the other hand, under this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed hereunder within twenty (20) Business Days after presentation of an undisputed invoice or a written demand therefor and setting forth, or accompanied by, reasonable documentation or other reasonable explanation supporting such amount.

 

Section 10.12 No Circumvention. The Parties agree not to directly or indirectly take any actions, act in concert with any Person who takes an action, or cause or allow any member of any such Party’s Group to take any actions (including the failure to take a reasonable action) such that the resulting effect is to materially undermine the effectiveness of any of the provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including adversely affecting the rights or ability of any Party to successfully pursue indemnification, contribution or payment pursuant to Article VI).

 

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Section 10.13 Subsidiaries. Each of the Parties shall cause (or with respect to an Affiliate that is not a Subsidiary, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause) to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party or by any Business Entity that becomes a Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party on and after the Effective Time. This Agreement is being entered into by Vinco and Cryptyde on behalf of themselves and the members of their respective groups (the Vinco Group and the Cryptyde Group). This Agreement shall constitute a direct obligation of each such entity and shall be deemed to have been readopted and affirmed on behalf of any Business Entity that becomes a Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party on and after the Effective Time. Either Party shall have the right, by giving notice to the other Party, to require that any Subsidiary of the other Party execute a counterpart to this Agreement to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Subsidiary.

 

Section 10.14 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except (a) as provided in Article VI relating to Indemnified Parties and (b) as may specifically be provided in any Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of each Party hereto and its respective Affiliates, successors or permitted assigns, and it is not the intention of the Parties to confer third party beneficiary rights upon any other Person, and should not be deemed to confer upon any third party any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, Proceedings or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

 

Section 10.15 Titles and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.16 Exhibits and Schedules. The exhibits and schedules hereto shall be construed with and be an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein. Nothing in the Exhibits or Schedules constitutes an admission of any liability or obligation of any member of the Vinco Group or the Cryptyde Group or any of their respective Affiliates to any third party, nor, with respect to any third party, an admission against the interests of any member of the Vinco Group or the Cryptyde Group or any of their respective Affiliates. The inclusion of any item or liability or category of item or liability on any Exhibit or Schedule is made solely for purposes of allocating potential liabilities among the Parties and shall not be deemed as or construed to be an admission that any such liability exists.

 

Section 10.17 Public Announcements. From and after the Effective Time, Vinco and Cryptyde shall consult with each other before issuing, and give each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, that portion of any press release or other public statements that relates to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except (a) as may be required by applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or national securities quotation system; (b) for disclosures made that are substantially consistent with disclosure contained in any Distribution Disclosure Document or Pre-Separation Disclosure, or (c) as otherwise set forth on Schedule 10.17.

 

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Section 10.18 Governing Law. This Agreement, and all actions, causes of action, or claims of any kind (whether at law, in equity, in contract, in tort, or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution, or performance of this Agreement (including any action, cause of action, or claim of any kind based upon, arising out of, or related to any representation or warranty made in, in connection with, or as an inducement to this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware, irrespective of the choice of Laws principles of the State of Delaware, including without limitation Delaware laws relating to applicable statutes of limitations and burdens of proof and available remedies.

 

Section 10.19 Consent to Jurisdiction. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII, each of the Parties hereto agrees that the appropriate, exclusive and convenient forum for any disputes between any of the Parties hereto arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; provided, that if jurisdiction is not then available in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, then any such legal action or proceeding may be brought in any federal court located in the State of Delaware or any other Delaware state court (the “Delaware Courts”). Each of the Parties further agrees that delivery of notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s respective address set forth in Section 10.6 shall be effective as to the contents of such notice or document; provided, that service of process or summons for any action, suit or proceeding in the Delaware Courts with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 10.19 shall be effective only pursuant to service on a Party’s registered agent for service of process. Each of the Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the Delaware Courts, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

Section 10.20 Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms. Accordingly, it is hereby agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to (i) an injunction or injunctions to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any arbitration in accordance with Article VIII, (ii) provisional or temporary injunctive relief in accordance therewith in any Delaware Court, and (iii) enforcement of any such award of an arbitral tribunal or a Delaware Court in any court of the United States, or any other any court or tribunal sitting in any state of the United States or in any foreign country that has jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy or relief to which they may be entitled.

 

Section 10.21 Waiver of Jury Trial. SUBJECT TO ARTICLE VIII, EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH ANY CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER AT LAW, IN EQUITY, IN CONTRACT, IN TORT, OR OTHERWISE) ASSERTED BASED UPON, ARISING FROM, OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, OR THE COURSE OF DEALING OR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, AND PERFORMANCE OF SUCH AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND THAT NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ASSIGNEE, SUCCESSOR, OR REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY PARTY SHALL REQUEST A JURY TRIAL IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING NOR SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH PROCEEDING WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.21.

 

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Section 10.22 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future Law, the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance here from.

 

Section 10.23 Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.

 

Section 10.24 Authorization. Each of the Parties hereby represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, that this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Party, that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each such Party enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equity principles.

 

Section 10.25 No Duplication; No Double Recovery. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer to or impose upon any Party a duplicative right, entitlement, obligation or recovery with respect to any matter arising out of the same facts and circumstances (including with respect to the rights, entitlements, obligations and recoveries that may arise out of one or more of the following Sections: Section 6.1, Section 6.2 and Section 6.3).

 

Section 10.26 Tax Treatment of Payments. Unless otherwise required by a Final Determination, this Agreement or the Tax Matters Agreement or otherwise agreed to among the Parties, for U.S. federal Tax purposes, any payment made pursuant to this Agreement (other than any payment of interest pursuant to Section 10.11) by: (i) Cryptyde to Vinco shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a distribution by Cryptyde to Vinco with respect to stock of Cryptyde occurring immediately before the Distribution; or (ii) Vinco to Cryptyde shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a tax-free contribution by Vinco to Cryptyde with respect to its stock occurring immediately before the Distribution; and in each case, no Party shall take any position inconsistent with such treatment. In the event that a Tax Authority asserts that a Party’s treatment of a payment pursuant to this Agreement should be other than as set forth in the preceding sentence, such Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to contest such challenge.

 

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Section 10.27 Cooperation and General Knowledge Transfer. Except as provided in any Ancillary Agreement, during the 180 days following the Effective Time, each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide (the “Disclosing Party”) the other Party (the “Receiving Party”) with reasonable access to its employees in order to assist the Receiving Party with general institutional knowledge transfer and to reasonably respond to questions. Except as otherwise provided for in any Ancillary Agreement, such access, cooperation, and assistance will be provided as reasonably requested at no cost to the Receiving Party; provided, however, that if a Disclosing Party determines in its sole discretion that the Receiving Party’s requests are unreasonable and/or unduly burdensome, to the level of interfering with the Disclosing Party’s employees primary work duties, then the Disclosing Party may, by written notice, notify the Receiving Party that it intends to charge the Receiving Party for the Disclosing Party’s out-of-pocket expenses related to responding to the unreasonable and overly burdensome request. If the Parties are unable to mutually reach an agreement for the provision of such services to be charged and the amount to be so charged, then the Disclosing Party shall not be required to fulfill or respond to such request. This Section 10.27 is intended to apply to general knowledge regarding the operations and conduct of the Vinco Business and Cryptyde Business; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10.27, this Section 10.27 is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements, and the provision of services to be provided pursuant to such services as covered by such Ancillary Agreement shall be controlled by such Ancillary Agreement.

 

Section 10.28 No Reliance on Other Party. The Parties hereto represent to each other that this Agreement is entered into with full consideration of any and all rights which the Parties hereto may have. The Parties hereto have relied upon their own knowledge and judgment and have conducted such investigations they and their in-house counsel have deemed appropriate regarding this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and their rights in connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. The Parties hereto are not relying upon any representations or statements made by any other Party, or any such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys, regarding this Agreement, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth or incorporated in this Agreement. The Parties hereto are not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of any other Party (or any such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys) to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or its preparation, it being expressly understood that no Party hereto shall ever assert any failure to disclose information on the part of any other Party as a ground for challenging this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

[Signature page follows. The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

59
 

 

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

 

  VINCO VENTURES, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Philip Jones
  Name:

Philip Jones

  Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

  CRYPTYDE, INC.
     
  By:

/s/ Brian McFadden

  Name: Brian McFadden
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

60

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

 

By and between

 

VINCO VENTURES, INC.

 

and

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

 

Dated as of May 5, 2022

 

THIS TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of May 5, 2022, by and between Vinco Ventures, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Vinco”), and Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Vinco (“Cryptyde”). Each of Vinco and Cryptyde is sometimes referred to herein as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties.”

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2022, by and between Vinco and Cryptyde (the “Separation Agreement”), Vinco agreed, among other things, to contribute certain assets to Cryptyde (the “Contribution”) and to distribute all of the outstanding stock of Cryptyde to Vinco’s stockholders (the “Distribution”);

 

WHEREAS, prior to consummation of the Distribution, Vinco was in “control” of Cryptyde (within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code);

 

WHEREAS, the Parties intend that, for federal income Tax purposes, the Contribution and the Distribution qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code and a distribution to which Section 355 of the Code applies and this Agreement and any related agreement constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code;

 

WHEREAS, the obligation of Vinco to consummate the Contribution and Distribution is conditioned, among other things, upon the receipt of a tax opinion from the Tax Advisor that the Contribution and the Distribution will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code and a distribution to which Section 355 of the Code applies (the “Tax Opinion”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to (a) provide for the payment of Tax liabilities and entitlement to refunds thereof, allocate responsibility for, and cooperation in the filing of Tax Returns, and provide for certain other matters relating to Taxes, and (b) set forth certain covenants and indemnities relating to the preservation of the intended Tax treatment of the Contribution and the Distribution.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms, conditions, covenants and provisions of this Agreement, each of the Parties mutually covenants and agrees as follows:

 

1

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01. General. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

“Affiliated Group” means an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code, or any other group filing consolidated, combined, or unitary Tax Returns under state, local or foreign law.

 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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

 

“Combined Tax Return” means a Tax Return filed in respect of federal, state, local or foreign income Taxes for an Affiliated Group, or any other affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary, fiscal unity or other group basis (including as permitted by Section 1501 of the Code).

 

“Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

“Cryptyde” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Cryptyde Group” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

 

“Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

“Distribution Date” means the date on which the Distribution occurs.

 

“Effective Time” means the time at which the Distribution becomes effective.

 

“Final Determination” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax for any taxable period, by or as a result of: (i) a final decision, judgment, decree, or other order by any court of competent jurisdiction that can no longer be appealed; (ii) a final settlement with the IRS, a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Section 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of other jurisdictions, that resolves the entire Tax liability for any taxable period; or (iii) any other final resolution, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or the execution of a pre-filing agreement with the IRS or other Tax Authority.

 

“Indemnified Party” means the Party that is entitled to seek indemnification from the other Party pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.01.

 

“Indemnifying Party” means the Party from which the other Party is entitled to seek indemnification pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.01.

 

“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service or any successor thereto, including its agents, representatives, and attorneys.

 

2

 

 

“Party” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7701(a)(1) of the Code.

 

“Post-Distribution Period” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Distribution Date.

 

“Pre-Distribution Period” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Distribution Date.

 

“Separation Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

“Spin-Off Businesses” means Cryptyde’s businesses relating to packaging, Bitcoin mining services, and Web3 products.

 

“Tax” means (i) all taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, or other similar assessments, imposed by any federal, state or local or foreign governmental authority, including income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise, payroll, withholding, social security, value added, real property transfer, intangible, recordation, registration, documentary, stamp, and other taxes of any kind whatsoever, and (ii) any interest, penalties, or additions attributable thereto.

 

“Tax Advisor” means Seward & Kissel LLP.

 

“Tax Arbiter” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.08.

 

“Tax Attributes” means net operating losses, capital losses, investment tax credit carryovers, earnings and profits, foreign tax credit carryovers, overall foreign losses, previously taxed income, separate limitation losses, deductions, credits or other comparable items, and assets basis that could affect a Tax liability for a past or future taxable period.

 

“Tax Authority” means any governmental authority or any subdivision, agency, commission or entity thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection, or imposition of any Tax (including the IRS).

 

“Tax Matter” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

 

“Tax Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06.

 

“Tax Opinion” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

“Tax Opinion Documents” means the Tax Opinion and the information and representations provided by, or on behalf of, Vinco or Cryptyde to the Tax Advisor in connection therewith.

 

“Tax Return” means any return, report, certificate, form, or similar statement or document (including any related or supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any information return, or declaration of estimated Tax) supplied or required to be supplied to, or filed with, a Tax Authority in connection with the payment, determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws relating to any Tax and any amended Tax return or claim for refund.

 

3

 

 

“Tax-Free Status of the Transactions” means the qualification of the Contribution and the Distribution as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code and a distribution with respect to which gain or loss is not recognized by Vinco, Cryptyde, or their respective shareholders pursuant to Section 355 of the Code and in which the Vinco Common Stock distributed is “qualified property” under Section 361(c) of the Code.

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement and the Separation Agreement.

 

“Transfer Taxes” means all sales, use, transfer, real property transfer, intangible, recordation, registration, documentary, stamp, or similar Taxes imposed on the Contribution or the Distribution.

 

“Treasury Regulations” means the final and temporary (but not proposed) income Tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

 

“Vinco” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Vinco Group” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

 

Section 1.02. Additional Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II

 

ALLOCATION, PAYMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 2.01. Responsibility for Taxes; Indemnification.

 

(a) Cryptyde shall be responsible for and shall pay, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Vinco for, (i) any of its taxes for all periods prior to and after the Distribution and (ii) any taxes of the Vinco Group for periods prior to the Distribution to the extent attributable to the Spin-Off Businesses.

 

(b) Vinco shall be responsible for and shall pay, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Cryptyde for, any of the taxes of the Vinco group other than taxes for which Cryptyde is responsible.

 

(c) If the Indemnifying Party is required to indemnify the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 2.01, the Indemnified Party shall submit its calculations of the amount required to be paid pursuant to this Section 2.01, showing such calculations in sufficient detail so as to permit the Indemnifying Party to understand the calculations. Subject to the following sentence, the Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party, no later than twenty (20) days after the Indemnifying Party receives the Indemnified Party’s calculations, the amount that the Indemnifying Party is required to pay the Indemnified Party under this Section 2.01. If the Indemnifying Party disagrees with such calculations, it must notify the Indemnified Party of its disagreement in writing within fifteen (15) days of receiving such calculations.

 

4

 

 

(d) For all Tax purposes, Vinco and Cryptyde agree to treat (i) any payment required by this Agreement (other than payments with respect to interest accruing after the Effective Time) as either a contribution by Vinco to Cryptyde or a distribution by Cryptyde to Vinco as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) any payment of interest or nonfederal Taxes by or to a Tax Authority as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise mandated by applicable law.

 

(e) The amount of any indemnification payment pursuant to this Section 2.01 shall be reduced by the amount of any reduction in Taxes actually realized by the Indemnified Party by the end of the taxable year in which the indemnity payment is made, and shall be increased if and to the extent necessary to ensure that, after all required Taxes on the indemnity payment are paid (including Taxes applicable to any increases in the indemnity payment under this Section 2.01(e)), the Indemnified Party receives the amount it would have received if the indemnity payment was not taxable.

 

(f) The determination of the Tax liabilities of Vinco and Cryptyde, respectively, shall be made in a manner consistent with the Separation Agreement.

 

Section 2.02. Determination of Taxes Attributable to the Spin-Off Businesses.

 

(a) For purposes of Section 2.01(a)(ii), the amount of Taxes attributable to the Spin-Off Businesses shall be determined by Cryptyde on a pro forma Combined Tax Return of Vinco Group prepared: (i) assuming that the members of the Vinco Group were not included in the group that filed the relevant Combined Tax Return; (ii) including only Tax items of members of the Vinco Group that were included in the relevant Combined Tax Return; (iii) using all elections, accounting methods, and conventions used on the relevant Combined Tax Return for such period; (iv) applying the highest statutory marginal corporate income Tax rate in effect for the relevant taxable period; (v) assuming that the Vinco Group elects not to carry back any net operating losses; and (vi) assuming that the Vinco Group’s utilization of any Tax Attribute carryforward or carryback is limited to the Tax Attributes of the Vinco Group that would be available if the Tax liability of Vinco for each prior taxable year were determined in accordance with this Section 2.02.

 

(b) The Parties shall cooperate in good faith in order to jointly determine the allocation of items of income and expense and intercompany eliminations for purposes of preparing the pro forma Combined Tax Return of Vinco pursuant to Section 2.02(a).

 

Section 2.03. Payment of Sales, Use or Similar Taxes. Transfer Taxes shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by Cryptyde and fifty percent (50%) by Vinco. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.03 to the contrary, the Party required by applicable law shall remit payment for any Transfer Taxes and duly and timely file any related Tax Returns, subject to any indemnification rights it may have against the other Party, which shall be paid in accordance with Section 2.01(c). The Parties shall cooperate in: (i) determining the amount of such Taxes; (ii) providing all available exemption certificates; and (iii) preparing and timely filing any and all required Tax Returns for or with respect to such Taxes with any and all appropriate Tax Authorities.

 

5

 

 

Section 2.04. Treatment of Equity Awards.

 

(a) To the extent permitted by law, income Tax deductions with respect to the issuance, exercise, vesting or settlement after the Distribution Date of any Cryptyde equity awards or Vinco equity awards shall be claimed: (i) in the case of an active officer or employee, solely by the group that employs such officer or employee at the time of such issuance, exercise, vesting, or settlement, as applicable; (ii) in the case of a former officer or employee, solely by the group that was the last to employ such former officer or employee; and (iii) in the case of a director or former director (who is not an officer or employee or former officer or employee of a member of either group), (A) solely by the Cryptyde Group if such person was, at any time before or after the Distribution, a director of any member of the Cryptyde Group, and (B) in any other case, solely by the Vinco Group.

 

(b) If, notwithstanding clause (a), the Vinco Group actually utilizes any deductions for a taxable period ending after the Distribution Date with respect to (i) the issuance, exercise, vesting or settlement after the Distribution Date of any Cryptyde equity awards, or (ii) any liability with respect to compensation required to be paid or satisfied by, or otherwise allocated to, any member of the Cryptyde Group in accordance with any Transaction Document, Vinco shall promptly remit an amount equal to the overall net reduction in actual cash Taxes paid by the Vinco Group (determined on a “with and without” basis) resulting from the event giving rise to such deduction in the year of such event. If a Tax Authority subsequently reduces or disallows the use of such a deduction by the Vinco Group, Cryptyde shall return an amount equal to the overall net increase in Tax liability of the Vinco Group owing to the Tax Authority to the remitting party.

 

(c) For any taxable period (or portion thereof), except as Cryptyde may at any time determine in its reasonable discretion, Cryptyde shall satisfy, or shall cause to be satisfied, all applicable withholding and reporting responsibilities (including all income, payroll, or other Tax reporting related to income to any current or former employees) with respect to the issuance, exercise, vesting or settlement of Cryptyde equity awards that settle with or with respect to stock of Cryptyde.

 

(d) For any taxable period (or portion thereof), Vinco shall satisfy, or shall cause to be satisfied, all applicable withholding and reporting responsibilities (including all income, payroll, or other Tax reporting related to income to any current or former employees) with respect to the exercise, vesting or settlement of Vinco equity awards that settle with or with respect to stock of Vinco. Cryptyde and Vinco acknowledge and agree that the Parties shall cooperate with each other and with third-party providers to effectuate withholding and remittance of Taxes, as well as required Tax reporting, in a timely manner.

 

Section 2.05. Tax Refunds. Cryptyde shall be entitled to any refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Taxes for which Cryptyde is responsible for hereunder, Vinco shall be entitled to any refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Taxes for which Vinco is responsible for hereunder, and a Party receiving a refund to which the other Party is entitled hereunder shall pay over such refund to such other Party within twenty (20) days after such refund is received.

 

6

 

 

Section 2.06. Audits and Proceedings.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if after the Distribution Date, an Indemnified Party receives any notice, letter, correspondence, claim, or decree from any Tax Authority (a “Tax Notice”) and, upon receipt of such Tax Notice, believes it has suffered or potentially could suffer any Tax liability for which it is indemnified pursuant to Section 2.01, the Indemnified Party shall deliver such Tax Notice to the Indemnifying Party within ten (10) days of the receipt of such Tax Notice; provided, however, that the failure of the Indemnified Party to provide the Tax Notice to the Indemnifying Party shall not affect the indemnification rights of the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 2.01, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by the Indemnified Party’s failure to deliver such Tax Notice. If the Indemnifying Party fails within a reasonable time after notice to defend any such Tax Notice or the resulting audit or proceeding as provided herein, the Indemnifying Party shall be bound by the results obtained by the Indemnified Party in connection therewith. The Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party the amount of any Tax liability within fifteen (15) days after a Final Determination of such Tax liability.

 

(b) If after the Distribution Date, Cryptyde or Vinco receive a Tax Notice that could have an impact on the other Party, Cryptyde or Vinco, as applicable, shall deliver such Tax Notice to the other Party within ten (10) days of the receipt of such Tax Notice.

 

Section 2.07. Carryforwards and Carrybacks.

 

(a) Cryptyde shall notify Vinco after the Distribution Date of any consolidated carryover item which may be partially or totally attributed to and carried over by Vinco or a member of its Affiliated Group and will notify Vinco of subsequent adjustments which may affect such carryover item.

 

(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, Vinco shall not carry back any federal income Tax item to any Pre-Distribution Period.

 

Section 2.08. Tax Attributes. Tax Attributes arising in a Pre-Distribution Period shall be allocated to the Cryptyde Group and the Vinco Group in accordance with the Code and Treasury Regulations. The Parties shall jointly determine the allocation of such Tax Attributes arising in Pre-Distribution Periods as soon as reasonably practicable following the Distribution Date, and hereby agree to compute all Taxes for Post-Distribution Periods consistently with that determination unless otherwise required by a Final Determination.

 

7

 

 

Section 2.09. Section 336(e) Election.

 

(a) Pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.336-2(h) and (j), Cryptyde and Vinco agree that Cryptyde may make a timely protective election under Section 336(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder with respect to the Distribution for each member of the Vinco Group that is a domestic corporation for federal income Tax purposes.

 

(b) In the event that an election contemplated in Section 2.9(a) is made and becomes effective, then the Parties shall share in any Tax benefit derived as a result of such election in accordance with the Parties’ relative responsibility for such Taxes under this Article II, and payments shall be made between the Parties, if necessary.

 

(c) The Parties shall cooperate in good faith in order to determine whether to make any elections contemplated in Section 2.09(a) and in the timely completion of such elections, if any.

 

ARTICLE III

 

TAX-FREE STATUS OF THE TRANSACTIONS

 

Section 3.01. Representations and Warranties.

 

(a) Vinco. Vinco hereby represents and warrants or covenants and agrees, as appropriate, that the facts presented and the representations made in the Vinco Tax Representation Letter are, or will be from the time presented or made through and including the Effective Time and thereafter, true, correct, and complete in all respects.

 

(b) Cryptyde. Cryptyde hereby represents and warrants or covenants and agrees, as appropriate, that the facts presented and the representations made in the Cryptyde Tax Representation Letter and any other materials (including the Revenue Procedure 96-30 checklist) delivered or deliverable by Cryptyde in connection with the rendering by the Tax Advisor of the Tax Opinion are, or will be from the time presented or made through and including the Effective Time and thereafter, true, correct, and complete in all respects.

 

(c) No Contrary Knowledge. Each of Cryptyde and Vinco represents and warrants that it knows of no fact that may cause the Tax treatment of the Contribution or the Distribution to be other than the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

 

Section 3.02. Covenants.

 

(a) Preservation of Tax-Free Status. Neither Cryptyde nor Vinco shall take or fail to take any action within its control that would negate the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

 

(b) Tax Reporting. Each of Cryptyde and Vinco covenants and agrees that it will not take any position on any Tax Return that is inconsistent with the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

 

(c) Actions Consistent with Representations and Covenants. Neither Cryptyde nor Vinco shall take any action, or to fail to take any action, which action or failure would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material information, covenant, or representation in this Agreement, the Separation Agreement, or the Tax Opinion Documents.

 

8

 

 

(d) Plan or Series of Related Transactions. For a period of two (2) years from the Distribution Date, none of Cryptyde, its affiliates, or any of their respective officers, directors or authorized agents will enter into any agreement, understanding or arrangement, or any substantial negotiations with respect to any transaction or series of transactions, including any issuance or transfer of an option (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code), that is for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including, for purposes of this Section 3.02(d), any proposed income tax regulations to the extent no final or temporary income tax regulations have been issued that supersede such proposed regulations), part of a plan or series of related transactions with the Distribution pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of Cryptyde.

 

(e) During the two-year period following the Distribution Date:

 

(i) Cryptyde shall (A) maintain its status as a company engaged in an active trade or business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, and (B) not engage in any transaction that would result in it ceasing to be a company engaged in an active trade or business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code.

 

(ii) Cryptyde shall not, and shall not agree to, liquidate or merge, consolidate, or amalgamate with any other Person.

 

(iii) Cryptyde shall not take any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the Transfer and Distribution to fail to qualify as tax-free transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

  

ARTICLE IV

 

COOPERATION

 

Section 4.01. General Cooperation. The Parties shall each cooperate fully with all reasonable requests in writing from the other Party, or from an agent, representative or advisor to such Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, claims for Tax refunds, Tax proceedings, and calculations of amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, related or attributable to or arising in connection with Taxes of any of the Parties covered by this Agreement and the establishment of any reserve required in connection with any financial reporting (a “Tax Matter”). Such cooperation shall include the provision of any information reasonably necessary or helpful in connection with a Tax Matter and shall include, at each Party’s own cost:

 

(a) the provision of any Tax Returns of the Parties, books, records (including information regarding ownership and Tax basis of property), documentation and other information relating to such Tax Returns, including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents relating to rulings or other determinations by Tax Authorities;

 

(b) the execution of any document (including any power of attorney) in connection with any Tax proceedings of any of the Parties, or the filing of a Tax Return or a Tax refund claim of the Parties;

 

(c) the use of the Party’s reasonable best efforts to obtain any documentation in connection with a Tax Matter; and

 

9

 

 

(d) the use of the Party’s reasonable best efforts to obtain any Tax Returns (including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents), documents, books, records or other information in connection with the filing of any Tax Returns of any of the Parties.

 

Each Party shall make its employees, advisors, and facilities available, without charge, on a reasonable and mutually convenient basis in connection with the foregoing matters.

 

Section 4.02. Retention of Records. Cryptyde and Vinco shall retain or cause to be retained all Tax Returns, schedules and workpapers, and all material records or other documents relating thereto in their possession, until sixty (60) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including any waivers or extensions thereof) of the taxable periods to which such Tax Returns and other documents relate or until the expiration of any additional period that any Party reasonably requests, in writing, with respect to specific material records or documents. A Party intending to destroy any material records or documents required to be retained pursuant to this Section 4.02 shall provide the other Party with reasonable advance notice and the opportunity to copy or take possession of such records and documents. The Parties hereto will notify each other in writing of any waivers or extensions of the applicable statute of limitations that may affect the period for which the foregoing records or other documents must be retained.

 

ARTICLE V

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 5.01. Tax Sharing Agreements. All Tax sharing, indemnification and similar agreements, written or unwritten, as between Cryptyde, on the one hand, and Vinco, on the other (other than this Agreement and any other Transaction Document), shall be or shall have been terminated no later than the Effective Time and, after the Effective Time, neither Cryptyde nor Vinco shall have any further rights or obligations under any such Tax sharing, indemnification or similar agreement.

 

Section 5.02. Interest on Late Payments. With respect to any payment between the Parties pursuant to this Agreement not made by the due date set forth in this Agreement for such payment, the outstanding amount will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate in effect for underpayments under Section 6621 of the Code from such due date to and including the payment date.

  

Section 5.03. Survival of Covenants. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms; provided, however, that the representations and warranties and all indemnification for Taxes shall survive until sixty (60) days following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (taking into account all extensions thereof), if any, of the Tax that gave rise to the indemnification; provided, further, that, in the event that notice for indemnification has been given within the applicable survival period, such indemnification shall survive until such time as such claim is finally resolved.

 

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Section 5.04. Termination. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated and the Distribution abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of Cryptyde without the prior approval of any Person, including Vinco. In the event of such termination, this Agreement shall become void and no party, or any of its officers and directors, shall have any liability to any Person by reason of this Agreement. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties to this Agreement.

 

Section 5.05. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any law or as a matter of public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties to this Agreement shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

Section 5.06. Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between or on behalf of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

Section 5.07. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective only upon the occurrence of the Distribution.

 

Section 5.08. Dispute Resolution. In the event of any dispute relating to this Agreement, the Parties shall work together in good faith to resolve such dispute within thirty (30) days. In the event that such dispute is not resolved, upon written notice by a Party after such thirty (30)-day period, the matter shall be referred to a Tax counsel or other tax advisor of recognized national standing (the “Tax Arbiter”) that will be jointly chosen by Cryptyde and Vinco. The Tax Arbiter may, in its discretion, obtain the services of any third party necessary to assist it in resolving the dispute. The Tax Arbiter shall furnish written notice to the parties to the dispute of its resolution of the dispute as soon as practicable, but in any event no later than ninety (90) days after acceptance of the matter for resolution. Any such resolution by the Tax Arbiter shall be binding on the Parties, and the Parties shall take, or cause to be taken, any action necessary to implement such resolution. All fees and expenses of the Tax Arbiter shall be shared equally by the Parties.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

  VINCO VENTURES, INC.
     
  By:
  /s/ Philip Jones
     
  CRYPTYDE, INC.
     
  By:            
  /s/ Brian McFadden

 

12

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.
2022 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

The Cryptyde, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors of Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), effective as of May 5, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders.

 

Article 1.
PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain the services of key Employees, key Contractors, and Outside Directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to provide such persons with a proprietary interest in the Company through the granting of Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalent Rights, and Other Awards whether granted singly, or in combination, or in tandem, that will:

 

(a) increase the interest of such persons in the Company’s welfare;

 

(b) furnish an incentive to such persons to continue their services for the Company or its Subsidiaries; and

 

(c) provide a means through which the Company may attract able persons as Employees, Contractors, and Outside Directors.

 

With respect to Reporting Participants, the Plan and all transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, such provision or action shall be deemed null and void ab initio, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.

 

Article 2.
DEFINITIONS

 

For the purpose of the Plan, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

 

2.1 “Applicable Law” means all legal requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans and the issuance and distribution of shares of Common Stock, if any, under applicable corporate laws, applicable securities laws, the rules of any exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted, the rules of any foreign jurisdiction applicable to Incentives granted to residents therein, and any other applicable law, rule or restriction.

 

2.2 “Authorized Officer” is defined in Section 3.2(b) hereof.

 

2.3 “Award” means the grant of any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Restricted Stock, SAR, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent Right or Other Award, whether granted singly or in combination or in tandem (each individually referred to herein as an “Incentive”).

 

 
 

 

2.4 “Award Agreement” means a written agreement between a Participant and the Company which sets out the terms of the grant of an Award.

 

2.5 “Award Period” means the period set forth in the Award Agreement during which one or more Incentives granted under an Award may be exercised.

 

2.6 “Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

2.7 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs, except as otherwise provided herein:

 

(a) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of paragraph (b) below;

 

(b) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in substantially the same proportion, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation which would result in the common stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in substantially the same proportion, more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

 

(c) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities or the outstanding common stock of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

 

For purposes hereof:

 

Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7, if an Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then an event shall not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of such Award under the Plan unless such event also constitutes a change in the Company’s ownership, its effective control or the ownership of a substantial portion of its assets within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.8 “Claim” means any claim, liability or obligation of any nature, arising out of or relating to this Plan or an alleged breach of this Plan or an Award Agreement.

 

2.9 “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

2.10 “Committee” means the Committee appointed or designated by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Article 3 of this Plan.

 

2.11 “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, which the Company is currently authorized to issue or may in the future be authorized to issue, or any securities into which or for which the common stock of the Company may be converted or exchanged, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms of this Plan.

 

2.12 “Company” means Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor entity.

 

2.13 “Contractor” means any natural person, who is not an Employee, rendering bona fide services to the Company or a Subsidiary, with compensation, provided that such services are not rendered in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

 

2.14 “Corporation” means any entity that (a) is defined as a corporation under Section 7701 of the Code and (b) is the Company or is in an unbroken chain of corporations (other than the Company) beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain. For purposes of clause (b) hereof, an entity shall be treated as a “corporation” if it satisfies the definition of a corporation under Section 7701 of the Code.

 

2.15 “Date of Grant” means the effective date on which an Award is made to a Participant as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that solely for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the Date of Grant of an Award shall be the date of stockholder approval of the Plan if such date is later than the effective date of such Award as set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

2.16 “Dividend Equivalent Right” means the right of the holder thereof to receive credits based on the cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Common Stock specified in the Award if such shares were held by the Participant to whom the Award is made.

 

2.17 “Effective Date” is defined in the preamble to the Plan.

 

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2.18 “Employee” means a common law employee (as defined in accordance with the Regulations and Revenue Rulings then applicable under Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, in the case of individuals whose employment status, by virtue of their employer or residence, is not determined under Section 3401(c) of the Code, “Employee” shall mean an individual treated as an employee for local payroll tax or employment purposes by the applicable employer under Applicable Law for the relevant period.

 

2.19 “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.20 “Exercise Date” is the date (a) with respect to any Stock Option, that the Participant has delivered both the Exercise Notice and consideration to the Company with a value equal to the total Option Price of the shares to be purchased (plus any income and/or employment tax withholding or other tax payment due with respect to such Award), and (b) with respect to any SAR, that the Participant has delivered both the written notice and consideration to the Company with a value equal to any income and/or employment tax withholding or other tax payment due with respect to such SAR.

 

2.21 “Exercise Notice” is defined in Section 8.3(b) hereof.

 

2.22 “Fair Market Value” means, as of a particular date, (a) if the shares of Common Stock are listed on any established national securities exchange, the closing sales price per share of Common Stock on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal securities exchange for the Common Stock on that date (as determined by the Committee, in its discretion), or, if there shall have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported; (b) if the shares of Common Stock are not so listed, but are quoted on an automated quotation system, the closing sales price per share of Common Stock reported on the automated quotation system on that date, or, if there shall have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported; (c) if the Common Stock is not so listed or quoted, the mean between the closing bid and asked price on that date, or, if there are no quotations available for such date, on the last preceding date on which such quotations shall be available, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealer, Inc.’s OTC Bulletin Board or the Pink OTC Markets, Inc. (previously known as the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.); or (d) if none of the above is applicable, such amount as may be determined by the Committee (acting on the advice of an Independent Third Party, should the Committee elect in its sole discretion to utilize an Independent Third Party for this purpose), in good faith, to be the fair market value per share of Common Stock. The determination of Fair Market Value shall, where applicable, be in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.23 “Immediate Family Members” is defined in Section 15.8 hereof.

 

2.24 “Incentive” is defined in Section 2.3 hereof.

 

2.25 “Incentive Stock Option” means an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, granted pursuant to this Plan.

 

2.26 “Independent Third Party” means an individual or entity independent of the Company having experience in providing investment banking or similar appraisal or valuation services and with expertise generally in the valuation of securities or other property for purposes of this Plan. The Committee may utilize one or more Independent Third Parties.

 

2.27 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means a nonqualified stock option, granted pursuant to this Plan, which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

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2.28 “Option Price” means the price which must be paid by a Participant upon exercise of a Stock Option to purchase a share of Common Stock.

 

2.29 “Other Award” means an Award issued pursuant to Section 6.9 hereof.

 

2.30 “Outside Director” means a director of the Company who is not an Employee or a Contractor.

 

2.31 “Participant” means an Employee, Contractor or an Outside Director to whom an Award is granted under this Plan.

 

2.32 “Performance Award” means an Award hereunder of cash, shares of Common Stock, units or rights based upon, payable in, or otherwise related to, Common Stock pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof.

 

2.33 “Performance Criteria” is defined in Section 6.10 hereof.

 

2.34 “Performance Goal” means any of the Performance Criteria set forth in Section 6.10 hereof.

 

2.35 “Plan” means this Cryptyde, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

2.36 “Reporting Participant” means a Participant who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

2.37 “Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock issued or transferred to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.4 of this Plan which are subject to restrictions or limitations set forth in this Plan and in the related Award Agreement.

 

2.38 “Restricted Stock Units” means units awarded to Participants pursuant to Section 6.6 hereof, which are convertible into Common Stock at such time as such units are no longer subject to restrictions as established by the Committee.

 

2.39 “Restriction Period” is defined in Section 6.4(b)(i) hereof.

 

2.40 “Retirement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement.

 

2.41 “SAR” or “Stock Appreciation Right” means the right to receive an amount, in cash and/or Common Stock, equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock as of the date the SAR is exercised (or, as provided in the Award Agreement, converted) over the SAR Price for such shares.

 

2.42 “SAR Price” means the exercise price or conversion price of each share of Common Stock covered by a SAR, determined on the Date of Grant of the SAR.

 

2.43 “Spread” is defined in Section 12.4(b) hereof.

 

2.44 “Stock Option” means a Nonqualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option.

 

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2.45 “Subsidiary” means (a) any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain, (b) any limited partnership, if the Company or any corporation described in item (a) above owns a majority of the general partnership interest and a majority of the limited partnership interests entitled to vote on the removal and replacement of the general partner, and (c) any partnership or limited liability company, if the partners or members thereof are composed only of the Company, any corporation listed in item (a) above or any limited partnership listed in item (b) above. “Subsidiaries” means more than one of any such corporations, limited partnerships, partnerships or limited liability companies.

 

2.46 “Termination of Service” occurs when a Participant who is (a) an Employee of the Company or any Subsidiary ceases to serve as an Employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for any reason; (b) an Outside Director of the Company or a Subsidiary ceases to serve as a director of the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason; or (c) a Contractor of the Company or a Subsidiary ceases to serve as a Contractor of the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason. Except as may be necessary or desirable to comply with applicable federal or state law, a “Termination of Service” shall not be deemed to have occurred when a Participant who is an Employee becomes an Outside Director or Contractor or vice versa. If, however, a Participant who is an Employee and who has an Incentive Stock Option ceases to be an Employee but does not suffer a Termination of Service, and if that Participant does not exercise the Incentive Stock Option within the time required under Section 422 of the Code upon ceasing to be an Employee, the Incentive Stock Option shall thereafter become a Nonqualified Stock Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.46, in the event an Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then, in lieu of the foregoing definition and to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the definition of “Termination of Service” for purposes of such Award shall be the definition of “separation from service” provided for under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.

 

2.47 “Total and Permanent Disability” means a Participant is qualified for long-term disability benefits under the Company’s or Subsidiary’s disability plan or insurance policy; or, if no such plan or policy is then in existence or if the Participant is not eligible to participate in such plan or policy, that the Participant, because of a physical or mental condition resulting from bodily injury, disease, or mental disorder, is unable to perform his or her duties of employment for a period of six (6) continuous months, as determined in good faith by the Committee, based upon medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Committee; provided that, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option, Total and Permanent Disability shall have the meaning given it under the rules governing Incentive Stock Options under the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.47, in the event an Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then, in lieu of the foregoing definition and to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the definition of “Total and Permanent Disability” for purposes of such Award shall be the definition of “disability” provided for under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.

 

Article 3.
ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1 General Administration; Establishment of Committee. Subject to the terms of this Article 3, the Plan shall be administered by the Board or such committee of the Board as is designated by the Board to administer the Plan (the “Committee”). The Committee shall consist of not fewer than two persons. Any member of the Committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by resolution of the Board. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Committee may be filled by appointment by the Board. At any time there is no Committee to administer the Plan, any references in this Plan to the Committee shall be deemed to refer to the Board.

 

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Membership on the Committee shall be limited to those members of the Board who are “non-employee directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The Committee shall select one of its members to act as its Chairman. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee.

 

3.2 Designation of Participants and Awards.

 

(a) The Committee or the Board shall determine and designate from time to time the eligible persons to whom Awards will be granted and shall set forth in each related Award Agreement, where applicable, the Award Period, the Date of Grant, and such other terms, provisions, limitations, and performance requirements, as are approved by the Committee, but not inconsistent with the Plan. The Committee shall determine whether an Award shall include one type of Incentive or two or more Incentives granted in combination or two or more Incentives granted in tandem (that is, a joint grant where exercise of one Incentive results in cancellation of all or a portion of the other Incentive). Although the members of the Committee shall be eligible to receive Awards, all decisions with respect to any Award, and the terms and conditions thereof, to be granted under the Plan to any member of the Committee shall be made solely and exclusively by the other members of the Committee, or if such member is the only member of the Committee, by the Board.

 

(b) Notwithstanding Section 3.2(a), to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board may, in its discretion and by a resolution adopted by the Board, authorize one or more officers of the Company (an “Authorized Officer”) to (i) designate one or more Employees as eligible persons to whom Awards will be granted under the Plan, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock that will be subject to such Awards; provided, however, that the resolution of the Board granting such authority shall (x) specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be made subject to the Awards, (y) set forth the price or prices (or a formula by which such price or prices may be determined) to be paid for the purchase of the Common Stock subject to such Awards, and (z) not authorize an officer to designate himself of herself as a recipient of any Award.

 

3.3 Authority of the Committee. The Committee, in its discretion, shall (a) interpret the Plan and Award Agreements, (b) prescribe, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations and sub-plans (including sub-plans for Awards made to Participants who are not resident in the United States), as necessary or appropriate for the administration of the Plan, (c) establish performance goals for an Award and certify the extent of their achievement, and (d) make such other determinations or certifications and take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan. Any interpretation, determination, or other action made or taken by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all interested parties. The Committee’s discretion set forth herein shall not be limited by any provision of the Plan, including any provision which by its terms is applicable notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary.

 

The Committee may delegate to officers of the Company, pursuant to a written delegation, the authority to perform specified functions under the Plan. Any actions taken by any officers of the Company pursuant to such written delegation of authority shall be deemed to have been taken by the Committee.

 

With respect to restrictions in the Plan that are based on the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, Section 422 of the Code, the rules of any exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted, or any other Applicable Law, to the extent that any such restrictions are no longer required by Applicable Law, the Committee shall have the sole discretion and authority to grant Awards that are not subject to such mandated restrictions and/or to waive any such mandated restrictions with respect to outstanding Awards.

 

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Article 4.
ELIGIBILITY

 

Any Employee (including an Employee who is also a director or an officer), Contractor or Outside Director of the Company whose judgment, initiative, and efforts contributed or may be expected to contribute to the successful performance of the Company is eligible to participate in the Plan; provided that only Employees of a Corporation shall be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options. The Committee, upon its own action, may grant, but shall not be required to grant, an Award to any Employee, Contractor or Outside Director. Awards may be granted by the Committee at any time and from time to time to new Participants, or to then Participants, or to a greater or lesser number of Participants, and may include or exclude previous Participants, as the Committee shall determine. Except as required by this Plan, Awards need not contain similar provisions. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan (including without limitation determinations of which Employees, Contractors or Outside Directors, if any, are to receive Awards, the form, amount and timing of such Awards, the terms and provisions of such Awards and the agreements evidencing same) need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Participants who receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan.

 

Article 5.
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

 

5.1 Number Available for Awards. Subject to adjustment as provided in Articles 11 and 12, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan is 3,742,246 shares (the “Initial Share Reserve Amount”), of which one hundred percent (100%) may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options. Shares to be issued may be made available from authorized but unissued Common Stock, Common Stock held by the Company in its treasury, or Common Stock purchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise. During the term of this Plan, the Company will at all times reserve and keep available the number of shares of Common Stock that shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall automatically increase on the first trading day of each calendar year, beginning with the 2023 calendar year, by such number of shares of Common Stock as are necessary so that the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to 19.9% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, determined on a fully diluted basis as of the applicable trading date (the “Stipulated Percentage”); (b) the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given calendar year to provide that (i) there will be no such automatic annual increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan or (ii) the increase in the number of shares for such calendar year will be a lesser number of shares than necessary to maintain the Stipulated Percentage of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; and (c) unless an increase in shares reserved for issuance under the Plan in excess of the Initial Share Reserve Amount has been approved by the Company’s stockholders, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed the Initial Share Reserve Amount or, if greater, the number of shares of Common Stock subsequently approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders entitled to vote thereon.

 

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5.2 Reuse of Shares. To the extent that any Award under this Plan shall be forfeited, shall expire or be canceled, in whole or in part, then the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award so forfeited, expired, or canceled may again be awarded pursuant to the provisions of this Plan. In the event that previously acquired shares of Common Stock are delivered to the Company in full or partial payment of the Option Price for the exercise of a Stock Option granted under this Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock available for future Awards under this Plan shall be reduced only by the net number of shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Stock Option. Awards that may be satisfied either by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or by cash or other consideration shall be counted against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan only during the period that the Award is outstanding or to the extent the Award is ultimately satisfied by the issuance of shares of Common Stock. Awards will not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to this Plan if the settlement of the Award will not require the issuance of shares of Common Stock, as, for example, a SAR that can be satisfied only by the payment of cash. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan to the contrary, only shares forfeited back to the Company, shares canceled on account of termination, expiration or lapse of an Award, shares surrendered in payment of the Option Price of a Stock Option or shares withheld for payment of applicable employment taxes and/or withholding obligations resulting from the exercise of an option shall again be available for grant of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan, but shall not increase the maximum number of shares described in Section 5.1 above as the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.

 

Article 6.
GRANT OF AWARDS

 

6.1 In General.

 

(a) The grant of an Award shall be authorized by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the Incentive or Incentives being granted, the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Incentive(s), the Option Price (if applicable), the Award Period, the Date of Grant, and such other terms, provisions, limitations, and performance objectives, as are approved by the Committee, but (i) not inconsistent with the Plan, and (ii) to the extent an Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. The Company shall execute an Award Agreement with a Participant after the Committee approves the issuance of an Award. Any Award granted pursuant to this Plan must be granted within ten (10) years of the date of adoption of this Plan by the Board. The Plan shall be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval; however, the Committee may grant Awards under the Plan prior to the time of stockholder approval. Any such Award granted prior to such stockholder approval shall be made subject to such stockholder approval. The grant of an Award to a Participant shall not be deemed either to entitle the Participant to, or to disqualify the Participant from, receipt of any other Award under the Plan.

 

(b) If the Committee establishes a purchase price for an Award, the Participant must accept such Award within a period of thirty (30) days (or such shorter period as the Committee may specify) after the Date of Grant by executing the applicable Award Agreement and paying such purchase price.

 

(c) Any Award under this Plan that is settled in whole or in part in cash on a deferred basis may provide for interest equivalents to be credited with respect to such cash payment. Interest equivalents may be compounded and shall be paid upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the grant.

 

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6.2 Option Price. The Option Price for any share of Common Stock which may be purchased under a Nonqualified Stock Option for any share of Common Stock must be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the share on the Date of Grant. The Option Price for any share of Common Stock which may be purchased under an Incentive Stock Option must be at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the share on the Date of Grant; if an Incentive Stock Option is granted to an Employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or Subsidiary), the Option Price shall be at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant. No dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid or granted with respect to any Stock Option granted hereunder.

 

6.3 Maximum ISO Grants. The Committee may not grant Incentive Stock Options under the Plan to any Employee which would permit the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (under this and any other plan of the Company and its Subsidiaries) are exercisable for the first time by such Employee during any calendar year to exceed $100,000. To the extent any Stock Option granted under this Plan which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option exceeds this limit or otherwise fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, such Stock Option (or any such portion thereof) shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option. In such case, the Committee shall designate which stock will be treated as Incentive Stock Option stock by causing the issuance of a separate stock certificate and identifying such stock as Incentive Stock Option stock on the Company’s stock transfer records.

 

6.4 Restricted Stock. If Restricted Stock is granted to or received by a Participant under an Award (including a Stock Option), the Committee shall set forth in the related Award Agreement: (a) the number of shares of Common Stock awarded, (b) the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock and the method of payment of the price, (c) the time or times within which such Award may be subject to forfeiture, (d) specified Performance Goals of the Company, a Subsidiary, any division thereof or any group of Employees of the Company, or other criteria, which the Committee determines must be met in order to remove any restrictions (including vesting) on such Award, and (e) all other terms, limitations, restrictions, and conditions of the Restricted Stock, which shall be consistent with this Plan, to the extent applicable and, to the extent Restricted Stock granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. The provisions of Restricted Stock need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

 

(a) Legend on Shares. Each Participant who is awarded or receives Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate or certificates in respect of such shares of Common Stock. Such certificate(s) shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, substantially as provided in Section 15.10 of the Plan.

 

(b) Restrictions and Conditions. Shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

 

(i) Subject to the other provisions of this Plan and the terms of the particular Award Agreements, during such period as may be determined by the Committee commencing on the Date of Grant or the date of exercise of an Award (the “Restriction Period”), the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge or assign shares of Restricted Stock. Except for these limitations, the Committee may in its sole discretion, remove any or all of the restrictions on such Restricted Stock whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date of the Award, such action is appropriate.

 

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(ii) Except as provided in sub-paragraph (a) above or in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to his or her Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares, and the right to receive any dividends thereon. Certificates for shares of Common Stock free of restriction under this Plan shall be delivered to the Participant promptly after, and only after, the Restriction Period shall expire without forfeiture in respect of such shares of Common Stock or after any other restrictions imposed on such shares of Common Stock by the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement have expired. Certificates for the shares of Common Stock forfeited under the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement shall be promptly returned to the Company by the forfeiting Participant. Each Award Agreement shall require that (1) (x) each Participant, by his or her acceptance of Restricted Stock, shall irrevocably grant to the Company a power of attorney to transfer any shares so forfeited to the Company and agrees to execute any documents requested by the Company in connection with such forfeiture and transfer, and (y) such provisions regarding returns and transfers of stock certificates with respect to forfeited shares of Common Stock shall be specifically performable by the Company in a court of equity or law, or (2) each Participant, in connection with the issuance of a certificate for Restricted Stock, shall endorse such certificate in blank or execute a stock power in form satisfactory to the Company in blank and deliver such certificate and executed stock power to the Company.

 

(iii) The Restriction Period of Restricted Stock shall commence on the Date of Grant or the date of exercise of an Award, as specified in the Award Agreement, and, subject to Article 12 of the Plan, unless otherwise established by the Committee in the Award Agreement setting forth the terms of the Restricted Stock, shall expire upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Award Agreement; such conditions may provide for vesting based on length of continuous service or such Performance Goals, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

(iv) Except as otherwise provided in the particular Award Agreement, upon Termination of Service for any reason during the Restriction Period, the nonvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited by the Participant. In the event a Participant has paid any consideration to the Company for such forfeited Restricted Stock, the Committee shall specify in the Award Agreement that either (1) the Company shall be obligated to, or (2) the Company may, in its sole discretion, elect to, pay to the Participant, as soon as practicable after the event causing forfeiture, in cash, an amount equal to the lesser of the total consideration paid by the Participant for such forfeited shares or the Fair Market Value of such forfeited shares as of the date of Termination of Service, as the Committee, in its sole discretion shall select. Upon any forfeiture, all rights of a Participant with respect to the forfeited shares of the Restricted Stock shall cease and terminate, without any further obligation on the part of the Company.

 

6.5 SARs. The Committee may grant SARs to any Participant, either as a separate Award or in connection with a Stock Option. SARs shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall impose, provided that such terms and conditions are (a) not inconsistent with the Plan, and (b) to the extent a SAR issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. The grant of the SAR may provide that the holder may be paid for the value of the SAR either in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof. In the event of the exercise of a SAR payable in shares of Common Stock, the holder of the SAR shall receive that number of whole shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the value obtained by multiplying (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the SAR Price as set forth in such SAR (or other value specified in the Award Agreement granting the SAR), by (b) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the SAR is exercised, with a cash settlement to be made for any fractional shares of Common Stock. The SAR Price for any share of Common Stock subject to a SAR may be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the share on the Date of Grant. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may place a ceiling on the amount payable upon exercise of a SAR, but any such limitation shall be specified at the time that the SAR is granted. No dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid or granted with respect to any SAR granted hereunder.

 

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6.6 Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units may be awarded or sold to any Participant under such terms and conditions as shall be established by the Committee, provided, however, that such terms and conditions are (a) not inconsistent with the Plan, and (b) to the extent a Restricted Stock Unit issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee determines, including, without limitation, (a) a prohibition against sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance for a specified period; or (b) a requirement that the holder forfeit (or in the case of shares of Common Stock or units sold to the Participant, resell to the Company at cost) such shares or units in the event of Termination of Service during the period of restriction.

 

6.7 Performance Awards.

 

(a) The Committee may grant Performance Awards to one or more Participants. The terms and conditions of Performance Awards shall be specified at the time of the grant and may include provisions establishing the performance period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during a performance period, and the maximum or minimum settlement values, provided that such terms and conditions are (i) not inconsistent with the Plan and (ii) to the extent a Performance Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. If the Performance Award is to be in shares of Common Stock, the Performance Awards may provide for the issuance of the shares of Common Stock at the time of the grant of the Performance Award or at the time of the certification by the Committee that the Performance Goals for the performance period have been met; provided, however, if shares of Common Stock are issued at the time of the grant of the Performance Award and if, at the end of the performance period, the Performance Goals are not certified by the Committee to have been fully satisfied, then, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary, the Common Stock shall be forfeited in accordance with the terms of the grant to the extent the Committee determines that the Performance Goals were not met. The forfeiture of shares of Common Stock issued at the time of the grant of the Performance Award due to failure to achieve the established Performance Goals shall be separate from and in addition to any other restrictions provided for in this Plan that may be applicable to such shares of Common Stock. Each Performance Award granted to one or more Participants shall have its own terms and conditions.

 

If the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that the established performance measures or objectives are no longer suitable because of a change in the Company’s business, operations, corporate structure, or for other reasons that the Committee deemed satisfactory, the Committee may modify the performance measures or objectives and/or the performance period.

 

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(b) Performance Awards may be valued by reference to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock or according to any formula or method deemed appropriate by the Committee, in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, achievement of Performance Goals or other specific financial, production, sales or cost performance objectives that the Committee believes to be relevant to the Company’s business and/or remaining in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary for a specified period of time. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock, or other consideration, or any combination thereof. If payable in shares of Common Stock, the consideration for the issuance of such shares may be the achievement of the performance objective established at the time of the grant of the Performance Award. Performance Awards may be payable in a single payment or in installments and may be payable at a specified date or dates or upon attaining the performance objective. The extent to which any applicable performance objective has been achieved shall be conclusively determined by the Committee.

 

6.8 Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Committee may grant a Dividend Equivalent Right to any Participant, either as a component of another Award or as a separate Award. The terms and conditions of the Dividend Equivalent Right shall be specified by the grant. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock (which may thereafter accrue additional dividend equivalents). Any such reinvestment shall be at the Fair Market Value at the time thereof. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, in a single payment or in installments. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may also contain terms and conditions different from such other Award; provided that (a) any Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to such Award shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account until such Award is vested, subject to such terms as determined by the Committee; and (b) such Dividend Equivalent Rights so withheld by the Company and attributable to any particular Award shall be distributed to such Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if applicable, upon vesting of the Award and if such Award is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalent Rights. No Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid or granted with respect to any Stock Option or SAR.

 

6.9 Other Awards. The Committee may grant to any Participant other forms of Awards, based upon, payable in, or otherwise related to, in whole or in part, shares of Common Stock, if the Committee determines that such other form of Award is consistent with the purpose and restrictions of this Plan. The terms and conditions of such other form of Award shall be specified by the grant. Such Other Awards may be granted for no cash consideration, for such minimum consideration as may be required by Applicable Law, or for such other consideration as may be specified by the grant.

 

6.10 Performance Goals. Awards (whether relating to cash or shares of Common Stock) under the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of Performance Goals relating to one or more business criteria which may consist of one or more or any combination of the following criteria: revenue, which includes net revenue, gross revenue, product revenue, system-wide revenue or revenue growth; operating or net income or loss, which includes profits, growth in profit margin (before or after taxes), or earnings or losses before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization, or profit margin or profit growth; and may be calculated before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus; earnings or loss per share (including on a diluted or undiluted basis, before or after taxes); return on equity; stockholder return or total stockholder return; return on assets or net assets; return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital); market share; reductions in costs or improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels or attainment of operating efficiencies; cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow) or cash flow per share (before or after dividends), or cash flow return on investment or capital; cash or cash margin, debt level or debt reduction, stockholders equity, return on stockholders’ equity, operating efficiencies, cost reduction or savings; customer or client retention and/or growth; productivity volume, gains or ratios; financial ratios, including those measuring liquidity, activity, profitability or leverage; financing and other capital raising transactions (including sales of the Company’s equity or debt securities); acquisitions, divestitures, reorganization and other corporate transactions; or expansion of specific business operations (“Performance Criteria”). Any Performance Criteria may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or any business unit of the Company and may be measured relative to a peer group or index. Any Performance Criteria may include or exclude (a) events that are of an unusual nature or indicate infrequency of occurrence, (b) gains or losses on the disposition of a business, (c) changes in tax or accounting regulations or laws, (d) the effect of a merger or acquisition, as identified in the Company’s quarterly and annual earnings releases, or (e) other similar occurrences. In all other respects, Performance Criteria shall be calculated in accordance with the Company’s financial statements, under generally accepted accounting principles, or under a methodology established by the Committee prior to the issuance of an Award which is consistently applied and identified in the audited financial statements, including footnotes, or the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s annual report.

  

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6.11 Tandem Awards. The Committee may grant two or more Incentives in one Award in the form of a “tandem Award,” so that the right of the Participant to exercise one Incentive shall be canceled if, and to the extent, the other Incentive is exercised. For example, if a Stock Option and a SAR are issued in a tandem Award, and the Participant exercises the SAR with respect to one hundred (100) shares of Common Stock, the right of the Participant to exercise the related Stock Option shall be canceled to the extent of one hundred (100) shares of Common Stock.

 

6.12 Recoupment for Restatements. Notwithstanding any other language in this Plan to the contrary, the Company may recoup all or any portion of any shares or cash paid to a Participant in connection with an Award, in the event of a restatement of the Company’s financial statements as set forth in the Company’s clawback policy, if any, approved by the Company’s Board from time to time.

 

Article 7.
AWARD PERIOD; VESTING

 

7.1 Award Period. Subject to the other provisions of this Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that an Incentive may not be exercised in whole or in part for any period or periods of time or beyond any date specified in the Award Agreement. Except as provided in the Award Agreement, an Incentive may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during its term. The Award Period for an Incentive shall be reduced or terminated upon Termination of Service. No Incentive granted under the Plan may be exercised at any time after the end of its Award Period. No portion of any Incentive may be exercised after the expiration of ten (10) years from its Date of Grant. However, if an Employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or Subsidiary) and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Employee, the term of such Incentive Stock Option (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no more than five (5) years from the Date of Grant.

 

7.2 Vesting. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that an Incentive will be immediately vested in whole or in part, or that all or any portion may not be vested until a date, or dates, subsequent to its Date of Grant, or until the occurrence of one or more specified events, subject in any case to the terms of the Plan. If the Committee imposes conditions upon vesting, then, subsequent to the Date of Grant, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the date on which all or any portion of the Incentive may be vested.

 

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Article 8.
EXERCISE OR CONVERSION OF INCENTIVE

 

8.1 In General. A vested Incentive may be exercised or converted, during its Award Period, subject to limitations and restrictions set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

8.2 Securities Law and Exchange Restrictions. In no event may an Incentive be exercised or shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Award if a necessary listing or quotation of the shares of Common Stock on a stock exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or any registration under state or federal securities laws required under the circumstances has not been accomplished.

 

8.3 Exercise of Stock Option.

 

(a) In General. If a Stock Option is exercisable prior to the time it is vested, the Common Stock obtained on the exercise of the Stock Option shall be Restricted Stock which is subject to the applicable provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement. If the Committee imposes conditions upon exercise, then subsequent to the Date of Grant, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the date on which all or any portion of the Stock Option may be exercised. No Stock Option may be exercised for a fractional share of Common Stock. The granting of a Stock Option shall impose no obligation upon the Participant to exercise that Stock Option.

 

(b) Notice and Payment. Subject to such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, a Stock Option may be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Option is to be exercised (the “Exercise Notice”) and the Exercise Date. The consideration due with respect to the exercise of a Stock Option shall be payable as provided in the Award Agreement, which may provide for payment in any one or more of the following ways: (i) cash or check, bank draft, or money order payable to the order of the Company, (ii) Common Stock (including Restricted Stock) owned by the Participant on the Exercise Date, valued at its Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, and which the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the Exercise Date, (iii) by delivery (including by FAX or electronic transmission) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form (or, to the extent permitted by the Company, exercise instructions, which may be communicated in writing, telephonically, or electronically) together with irrevocable instructions from the Participant to a broker or dealer, reasonably acceptable to the Company, to sell certain of the shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option or to pledge such shares as collateral for a loan and promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay such purchase price, (iv) by requesting the Company to withhold the number of shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise of the Stock Option by the number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price at the time of exercise (i.e., a cashless net exercise), and/or (v) in any other form of valid consideration that is acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion. In the event that shares of Restricted Stock are tendered as consideration for the exercise of a Stock Option, a number of shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Stock Option equal to the number of shares of Restricted Stock used as consideration therefor shall be subject to the same restrictions and provisions as the Restricted Stock so tendered. If the Participant fails to deliver the consideration described in this Section 8.3(b) within three (3) business days of the date of the Exercise Notice, then the Exercise Notice shall be null and void and the Company will have no obligation to deliver any shares of Common Stock to the Participant in connection with such Exercise Notice.

 

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(c) Issuance of Certificate. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.4 hereof (with respect to shares of Restricted Stock) or in the applicable Award Agreement, upon payment of all amounts due from the Participant, the Company shall cause certificates for the Common Stock then being purchased to be delivered as directed by the Participant (or the person exercising the Participant’s Stock Option in the event of his or her death) at its principal business office promptly after the Exercise Date; provided that if the Participant has exercised an Incentive Stock Option, the Company may at its option retain physical possession of the certificate evidencing the shares acquired upon exercise until the expiration of the holding periods described in Section 422(a)(1) of the Code. The obligation of the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock shall, however, be subject to the condition that, if at any time the Committee shall determine in its discretion that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Stock Option or the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the Stock Option or the issuance or purchase of shares of Common Stock thereunder, the Stock Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not reasonably acceptable to the Committee.

 

(d) Failure to Pay. Except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, if the Participant fails to pay for any of the Common Stock specified in such notice or fails to accept delivery thereof, that portion of the Participant’s Stock Option and right to purchase such Common Stock may be forfeited by the Participant.

 

8.4 SARs. Subject to the conditions of this Section 8.4 and such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, a SAR may be exercised by the delivery (including by FAX) of written notice to the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is to be exercised and the Exercise Date. Subject to the terms of the Award Agreement and only if permissible under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder (or, if not so permissible, at such time as permitted by Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder), the Participant shall receive from the Company in exchange therefor in the discretion of the Committee, and subject to the terms of the Award Agreement:

 

(a) cash in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Fair Market Value (as of the Exercise Date, or if provided in the Award Agreement, conversion, of the SAR) per share of Common Stock over the SAR Price per share specified in such SAR, multiplied by the total number of shares of Common Stock of the SAR being surrendered;

 

(b) that number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the Exercise Date, or if provided in the Award Agreement, conversion, of the SAR) equal to the amount of cash otherwise payable to the Participant, with a cash settlement to be made for any fractional share interests; or

 

(c) the Company may settle such obligation in part with shares of Common Stock and in part with cash.

 

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The distribution of any cash or Common Stock pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be made at such time as set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

8.5 Disqualifying Disposition of Incentive Stock Option. If shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of by a Participant prior to the expiration of either two (2) years from the Date of Grant of such Stock Option or one (1) year from the transfer of shares of Common Stock to the Participant pursuant to the exercise of such Stock Option, or in any other disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of such disposition. A disqualifying disposition by a Participant shall not affect the status of any other Stock Option granted under the Plan as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

Article 9.
AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE

 

Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article 9, the Board may at any time and from time to time, without the consent of the Participants, alter, amend, revise, suspend, or discontinue the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no amendment for which stockholder approval is required either (a) by any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or traded or (b) in order for the Plan and Incentives awarded under the Plan to continue to comply with Sections 421 and 422 of the Code, including any successors to such Sections, or other Applicable Law, shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Any such amendment shall, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee, be applicable to any outstanding Incentives theretofore granted under the Plan, notwithstanding any contrary provisions contained in any Award Agreement. In the event of any such amendment to the Plan, the holder of any Incentive outstanding under the Plan shall, upon request of the Committee and as a condition to the exercisability thereof, execute a conforming amendment in the form prescribed by the Committee to any Award Agreement relating thereto. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, unless required by law, no action contemplated or permitted by this Article 9 shall adversely affect any rights of Participants or obligations of the Company to Participants with respect to any Incentive theretofore granted under the Plan without the consent of the affected Participant.

 

Article 10.
TERM

 

The Plan shall be effective from the Effective Date. Unless sooner terminated by action of the Board, the Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, but Incentives granted before that date will continue to be effective in accordance with their terms and conditions.

 

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Article 11.
CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS

 

In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, rights offering, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, split-off, combination, subdivision, repurchase, or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the fair value of an Award, then the Committee shall adjust any or all of the following so that the fair value of the Award immediately after the transaction or event is equal to the fair value of the Award immediately prior to the transaction or event (a) the number of shares and type of Common Stock (or the securities or property) which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, (b) the number of shares and type of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, (c) the Option Price of each outstanding Award, (d) the amount, if any, the Company pays for forfeited shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 6.4, (e) the number of or SAR Price of shares of Common Stock then subject to outstanding SARs previously granted and unexercised under the Plan, to the end that the same proportion of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock in each instance shall remain subject to exercise at the same aggregate SAR Price; provided, however, that the number of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to any Award shall always be a whole number, (f) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Common Stock or other securities issued or reserved for issuance under the Plan, and (g) the annual Award limits or any other maximum limitations prescribed by the Plan with respect to certain types of Awards or the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such adjustment shall be made or authorized to the extent that such adjustment would cause the Plan or any Stock Option to violate Section 422 of the Code or Section 409A of the Code. Such adjustments shall be made in accordance with the rules of any securities exchange, stock market, or stock quotation system to which the Company is subject.

 

Upon the occurrence of any such adjustment, the Company shall provide notice to each affected Participant of its computation of such adjustment which shall be conclusive and shall be binding upon each such Participant.

 

Article 12.
RECAPITALIZATION, MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

 

12.1 No Effect on Company’s Authority. The existence of this Plan and Incentives granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes in the Company’s capital structure and its business, or any Change in Control, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or preference stocks ranking prior to or otherwise affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof (or any rights, options, or warrants to purchase same), or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

 

12.2 Conversion of Incentives Where Company Survives. Subject to any required action by the stockholders and except as otherwise provided by Section 12.4 hereof or as may be required to comply with Section 409A or Section 424 of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder, if the Company shall be the surviving or resulting corporation in any merger, consolidation or share exchange, any Incentive granted hereunder shall pertain to and apply to the securities or rights (including cash, property, or assets) to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Incentive would have been entitled.

 

12.3 Exchange or Cancellation of Incentives Where Company Does Not Survive. Except as otherwise provided by Section 12.4 hereof or as may be required to comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder, in the event of any merger, consolidation or share exchange pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving or resulting corporation, there shall be substituted for each share of Common Stock subject to the unexercised portions of outstanding Incentives, that number of shares of each class of stock or other securities or that amount of cash, property, or assets of the surviving, resulting or consolidated company which were distributed or distributable to the stockholders of the Company in respect to each share of Common Stock held by them, such outstanding Incentives to be thereafter exercisable for such stock, securities, cash, or property in accordance with their terms.

 

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12.4 Cancellation of Incentives. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 12.2 and 12.3 hereof, and except as may be required to comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder, all Incentives granted hereunder may be canceled by the Company, in its sole discretion, as of the effective date of any Change in Control, merger, consolidation or share exchange, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or preference stocks ranking prior to or otherwise affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof (or any rights, options, or warrants to purchase same), or of any proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or of any dissolution or liquidation of the Company, by either:

 

(a) giving notice to each holder thereof or his or her personal representative of its intention to cancel those Incentives for which the issuance of shares of Common Stock involved payment by the Participant for such shares, and permitting the purchase during the thirty (30) day period next preceding such effective date of any or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Incentives, including in the Board’s discretion some or all of the shares as to which such Incentives would not otherwise be vested and exercisable; or

 

(b) in the case of Incentives that are either (i) settled only in shares of Common Stock, or (ii) at the election of the Participant, settled in shares of Common Stock, paying the holder thereof an amount equal to a reasonable estimate of the difference between the net amount per share payable in such transaction or as a result of such transaction, and the price per share of such Incentive to be paid by the Participant (hereinafter the “Spread”), multiplied by the number of shares subject to the Incentive. In cases where the shares constitute, or would after exercise, constitute Restricted Stock, the Company, in its discretion, may include some or all of those shares in the calculation of the amount payable hereunder. In estimating the Spread, appropriate adjustments to give effect to the existence of the Incentives shall be made, such as deeming the Incentives to have been exercised, with the Company receiving the exercise price payable thereunder, and treating the shares receivable upon exercise of the Incentives as being outstanding in determining the net amount per share. In cases where the proposed transaction consists of the acquisition of assets of the Company, the net amount per share shall be calculated on the basis of the net amount receivable with respect to shares of Common Stock upon a distribution and liquidation by the Company after giving effect to expenses and charges, including but not limited to taxes, payable by the Company before such liquidation could be completed.

 

An Award that by its terms would be fully vested or exercisable upon a Change in Control will be considered vested or exercisable for purposes of Section 12.4(a) hereof.

 

Article 13.
LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION

 

Subject to Section 12.4 hereof, in case the Company shall, at any time while any Incentive under this Plan shall be in force and remain unexpired, (a) sell all or substantially all of its property, or (b) dissolve, liquidate, or wind up its affairs, then each Participant shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of each share of Common Stock of the Company which such Participant would have been entitled to receive under the Incentive, the same kind and amount of any securities or assets as may be issuable, distributable, or payable upon any such sale, dissolution, liquidation, or winding up with respect to each share of Common Stock of the Company. If the Company shall, at any time prior to the expiration of any Incentive, make any partial distribution of its assets, in the nature of a partial liquidation, whether payable in cash or in kind (but excluding the distribution of a cash dividend payable out of earned surplus and designated as such) and an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate to prevent the dilution of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, make such adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 hereof.

 

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Article 14.
INCENTIVES IN SUBSTITUTION FOR
INCENTIVES GRANTED BY OTHER ENTITIES

 

Incentives may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for similar instruments held by employees, independent contractors or directors of a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company who become or are about to become Employees, Contractors or Outside Directors of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company, the acquisition by the Company of equity of the employing entity, or any other similar transaction pursuant to which the Company becomes the successor employer. The terms and conditions of the substitute Incentives so granted may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in this Plan to such extent as the Committee at the time of grant may deem appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the incentives in substitution for which they are granted.

 

Article 15.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

15.1 Investment Intent. The Company may require that there be presented to and filed with it by any Participant under the Plan, such evidence as it may deem necessary to establish that the Incentives granted or the shares of Common Stock to be purchased or transferred are being acquired for investment and not with a view to their distribution.

 

15.2 No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Plan nor any Incentive granted under the Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

15.3 Indemnification of Board and Committee. No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer or Employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board and the Committee, each officer of the Company, and each Employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, determination, or interpretation to the fullest extent provided by law. Except to the extent required by any unwaiveable requirement under Applicable Law, no member of the Board or the Committee (and no Subsidiary of the Company) shall have any duties or liabilities, including without limitation any fiduciary duties, to any Participant (or any Person claiming by and through any Participant) as a result of this Plan, any Award Agreement or any Claim arising hereunder and, to the fullest extent permitted under Applicable Law, each Participant (as consideration for receiving and accepting an Award Agreement) irrevocably waives and releases any right or opportunity such Participant might have to assert (or participate or cooperate in) any Claim against any member of the Board or the Committee and any Subsidiary of the Company arising out of this Plan.

 

15.4 Effect of the Plan. Neither the adoption of this Plan nor any action of the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give any person any right to be granted an Award or any other rights except as may be evidenced by an Award Agreement, or any amendment thereto, duly authorized by the Committee and executed on behalf of the Company, and then only to the extent and upon the terms and conditions expressly set forth therein.

 

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15.5 Compliance with Other Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to sell or issue shares of Common Stock under any Incentive if the issuance thereof would constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or regulation of any governmental authority or any national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or other forum in which shares of Common Stock are quoted or traded (including without limitation Section 16 of the Exchange Act); and, as a condition of any sale or issuance of shares of Common Stock under an Incentive, the Committee may require such agreements or undertakings, if any, as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to assure compliance with any such law or regulation. The Plan, the grant and exercise of Incentives hereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.

 

15.6 Foreign Participation. To assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in foreign countries, the Committee may provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of, this Plan as it determines is necessary or appropriate for such purposes. Any such amendment, restatement or alternative versions that the Committee approves for purposes of using this Plan in a foreign country will not affect the terms of this Plan for any other country.

 

15.7 Tax Requirements. The Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary (for purposes of this Section 15.7, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include any applicable Subsidiary), shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid in cash or other form in connection with the Plan, any federal, state, local, or other taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with an Award granted under this Plan. The Company may, in its sole discretion, also require the Participant receiving shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan to pay the Company the amount of any taxes that the Company is required to withhold in connection with the Participant’s income arising with respect to the Award. Such payments shall be required to be made when requested by the Company and may be required to be made prior to the delivery of any certificate representing shares of Common Stock. Such payment may be made by (a) the delivery of cash to the Company in an amount that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding obligations of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the actual delivery by the exercising Participant to the Company of shares of Common Stock that the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the date of exercise, which shares so delivered have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding payment; (c) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the Company’s withholding of a number of shares to be delivered upon the exercise of the Award, which shares so withheld have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals (but does not exceed) the required tax withholding payment; or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c). The Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold any such taxes from any other cash remuneration otherwise paid by the Company to the Participant. The Committee may in the Award Agreement impose any additional tax requirements or provisions that the Committee deems necessary or desirable.

 

15.8 Assignability. Incentive Stock Options may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise conveyed or encumbered other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant’s legally authorized representative, and each Award Agreement in respect of an Incentive Stock Option shall so provide. The designation by a Participant of a beneficiary will not constitute a transfer of the Stock Option. The Committee may waive or modify any limitation contained in the preceding sentences of this Section 15.8 that is not required for compliance with Section 422 of the Code.

 

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Except as otherwise provided herein, Awards may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise conveyed or encumbered other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR to be granted to a Participant on terms which permit transfer by such Participant to (a) the spouse (or former spouse), children or grandchildren of the Participant (“Immediate Family Members”), (b) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, (c) a partnership in which the only partners are (1) such Immediate Family Members and/or (2) entities which are controlled by the Participant and/or Immediate Family Members, (d) an entity exempt from federal income tax pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code or any successor provision, or (e) a split interest trust or pooled income fund described in Section 2522(c)(2) of the Code or any successor provision, provided that (x) there shall be no consideration for any such transfer, (y) the Award Agreement pursuant to which such Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR is granted must be approved by the Committee and must expressly provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this Section, and (z) subsequent transfers of transferred Nonqualified Stock Options or SARs shall be prohibited except those by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

Following any transfer, any such Nonqualified Stock Option and SAR shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that for purposes of Articles 8, 9, 11, 13 and 15 hereof the term “Participant” shall be deemed to include the transferee. The events of Termination of Service shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant, following which the Nonqualified Stock Options and SARs shall be exercisable or convertible by the transferee only to the extent and for the periods specified in the Award Agreement. The Committee and the Company shall have no obligation to inform any transferee of a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR of any expiration, termination, lapse or acceleration of such Stock Option or SAR. The Company shall have no obligation to register with any federal or state securities commission or agency any Common Stock issuable or issued under a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR that has been transferred by a Participant under this Section 15.8.

 

15.9 Use of Proceeds. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Incentives granted under this Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.

 

15.10 Legend. Each certificate representing shares of Restricted Stock issued to a Participant shall bear the following legend, or a similar legend deemed by the Company to constitute an appropriate notice of the provisions hereof (any such certificate not having such legend shall be surrendered upon demand by the Company and so endorsed):

 

On the face of the certificate:

 

“Transfer of this stock is restricted in accordance with conditions printed on the reverse of this certificate.”

 

On the reverse:

 

“The shares of stock evidenced by this certificate are subject to and transferable only in accordance with that certain Cryptyde, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan, a copy of which is on file at the principal office of the Company in Safety Harbor, Florida. No transfer or pledge of the shares evidenced hereby may be made except in accordance with and subject to the provisions of said Plan. By acceptance of this certificate, any holder, transferee or pledgee hereof agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of said Plan.”

 

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The following legend shall be inserted on a certificate evidencing Common Stock issued under the Plan if the shares were not issued in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws:

 

“Shares of stock represented by this certificate have been acquired by the holder for investment and not for resale, transfer or distribution, have been issued pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of applicable state and federal securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold or transferred other than pursuant to effective registration under such laws, or in transactions otherwise in compliance with such laws, and upon evidence satisfactory to the Company of compliance with such laws, as to which the Company may rely upon an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company.”

 

15.11 Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding any conflict of laws, rule or principle of Delaware law that might refer the governance, construction, or interpretation of this Plan to the laws of another state). A Participant’s sole remedy for any Claim shall be against the Company, and no Participant shall have any claim or right of any nature against any Subsidiary of the Company or any stockholder or existing or former director, officer or Employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. The individuals and entities described above in this Section 15.11 (other than the Company) shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Plan for purposes of enforcing the terms of this Section 15.11.

 

A copy of this Plan shall be kept on file in the principal office of the Company in Safety Harbor, Florida.

 

***************

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed as of May 5, 2022, by its Chief Executive Officer pursuant to prior action taken by the Board.

 

  CRYPTYDE, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Brian McFadden
  Name: Brian McFadden
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

Cryptyde, Inc.

 

2022 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Award of Restricted Stock Units. Pursuant to the Cryptyde, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for Employees, Contractors, and Outside Directors of Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company grants to

 

_________________________________

(the “Participant”)

 

an Award under the Plan for _______________(______) Restricted Stock Units (the “Awarded Units”) which may be converted into the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”). The “Date of Grant” of this Restricted Stock Unit Award is _____________, 202_. Each Awarded Unit shall be a notional share of Common Stock, with the value of each Awarded Unit being equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at any time.

 

2. Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall control to the extent not otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. The capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan. This Agreement is subject to any rules promulgated pursuant to the Plan by the Board or the Committee and communicated to the Participant in writing.

 

3. Vesting; Time of Delivery of Shares. Awarded Units which have become vested pursuant to the terms of this Section 3 are collectively referred to herein as “Vested RSUs.” All other Awarded Units are collectively referred to herein as “Unvested RSUs.” [TO BE UPDATED WITH SPECIFIC VESTING PROVISIONS]

 

a. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement and subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Awarded Units shall be vested as follows:

 

i. _____________ percent (___%) of the total Awarded Units shall vest on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant and become Vested RSUs, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

 

ii. _____________ percent (___%) of the total Awarded Units shall vest on the second anniversary of the Date of Grant and become Vested RSUs, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

 

 

 

 

iii. _____________ percent (___%) of the total Awarded Units shall vest on the third anniversary of the Date of Grant and become Vested RSUs, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

 

iv. _____________ percent (___%) of the total Awarded Units shall vest on the fourth anniversary of the Date of Grant and become Vested RSUs, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

 

[Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, all Unvested RSUs shall immediately become Vested RSUs, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.]

 

b. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, upon the vesting of Awarded Units, or as soon as practicable following vesting, and in no event, later than sixty (60) days after vesting of Awarded Units, the Company shall convert the Vested RSUs into the number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Vested RSUs and shall deliver to the Participant or the Participant’s personal representative a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Vested RSUs credited to the Participant. From and after the date of receipt of such shares, the Participant or the Participant’s estate, personal representative, or beneficiary, as the case may be, shall have full rights of transfer or resale with respect to such stock subject to applicable state and federal regulations.

 

4. Forfeiture of Awarded Units.

 

a. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.a. above, upon the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason, the Participant shall be deemed to have forfeited all of the Participant’s Unvested RSUs. Upon forfeiture, all of the Participant’s rights with respect to the forfeited Unvested RSUs shall cease and terminate, without any further obligations on the part of the Company.

 

b. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event the Participant fails to comply with the confidentiality, non-solicitation, and other restrictive covenant provisions contained in Exhibit A (which is attached hereto and incorporated herein) or in any other written agreement by and between the Participant and the Company that are in effect, then (i) the Participant shall be deemed to have forfeited all of the Participant’s Unvested RSUs, and all of the Participant’s rights with respect to the forfeited Unvested RSUs shall cease and terminate, without any further obligations on the part of the Company, (ii) any Vested RSUs that have not yet been converted into shares of Common Stock and delivered to the Participant in accordance with Section 3.b. above shall be immediately forfeited and this Agreement (other than the Surviving Provisions (defined below)) will be terminated on the date of such violation, and (iii) any Common Stock received in connection with the conversion of Vested RSUs within the one (1) year period prior to such violation shall be forfeited back to the Company (or, if such shares of Common Stock were sold, the Participant shall pay the proceeds from such sale to the Company).

 

5. Who May Receive Converted Awarded Units. During the lifetime of the Participant, the Common Stock received upon conversion of Awarded Units may only be received by the Participant or his or her legal representative. If the Participant dies prior to the date his or her Awarded Units are converted into shares of Common Stock as described in Section 3 above, the Common Stock relating to such converted Awarded Units may be received by any individual who is entitled to receive the property of the Participant pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

  

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6. No Fractional Shares. Awarded Units may be converted only with respect to full shares, and no fractional share of Common Stock shall be issued.

 

7. Nonassignability. The Awarded Units are not assignable or transferable by the Participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

8. Rights as Stockholder. The Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by this Agreement until the issuance of a certificate or certificates to the Participant or the registration of such shares in the Participant’s name for the shares of Common Stock. The Awarded Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the issuance of such certificate or certificates or the registration of such shares in the Participant’s name. The Participant, by his or her execution of this Agreement, agrees to execute any documents requested by the Company in connection with the issuance of the shares of Common Stock.

 

9. Adjustment of Number of Awarded Units and Related Matters. The number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Awarded Units shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Articles 11-13 of the Plan. [The Awarded Units shall be entitled to be credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights based upon the payment by the Company of dividends on shares of Common Stock after the Date of Grant. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights will be settled in [cash / shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value] on the date that the Awarded Units are converted in accordance with Section 3.b. above, equal to the amount of such applicable dividends, and shall be payable at the same time as the Awarded Units are converted in accordance with Section 3.b. above. In the event that any Awarded Unit is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect of such forfeited Awarded Units.]

 

10. Specific Performance. The parties acknowledge that remedies at law will be inadequate remedies for breach of this Agreement and consequently agree that this Agreement shall be enforceable by specific performance. The remedy of specific performance shall be cumulative of all of the rights and remedies at law or in equity of the parties under this Agreement.

 

11. Participant’s Representations. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Participant hereby agrees that the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock to the Participant hereunder, if the issuance of such shares shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority. Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Participant are subject to all Applicable Laws.

 

12. Investment Representation. Unless the shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant in a transaction registered under applicable federal and state securities laws, by his or her execution hereof, the Participant represents and warrants to the Company that all Common Stock which may be acquired hereunder will be acquired by the Participant for investment purposes for his or her own account and not with any intent for resale or distribution in violation of federal or state securities laws. Unless the Common Stock is issued to him or her in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws, all certificates issued with respect to the Common Stock shall bear an appropriate restrictive investment legend and shall be held indefinitely, unless they are subsequently registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws or the Participant obtains an opinion of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

 

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13. Lock-up Agreement. The Participant agrees that in connection with any underwritten public offering of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock acquired hereunder upon conversion of the Awarded Units may not be sold, offered for sale, pledged or otherwise disposed of or transferred without the prior written consent of the Company or the principal underwriter managing such public offering, as the case may be, for at least [one hundred eighty (180)] days after the effectiveness of the registration statement filed in connection with such offering, or such longer period of time as the Board or the principal underwriter may determine, if all of the Company’s directors and officers agree to be similarly bound. In the event of the declaration of a stock dividend, a spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding securities without receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities which are by reason of such transaction distributed with respect to any shares subject to this Section 13 or into which such shares thereby become convertible shall immediately be subject to this Section 13. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the distribution of such securities or property shall be made to the number and/or class of the shares subject to this Section 13. The obligations under this Section 13 shall remain effective for all underwritten public offerings with respect to which the Company has filed a registration statement on or before the date five (5) years after the closing of the Company’s initial public offering; provided, however, that this Section 13 shall cease to apply to any shares sold to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in a transaction that complied with the terms of this Agreement.

 

14. Participant’s Acknowledgments. The Participant acknowledges that a copy of the Plan has been made available for his or her review by the Company and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Award subject to all the terms and provisions thereof. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

 

15. Law Governing. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding any conflict of laws rule or principle of Delaware law that might refer the governance, construction, or interpretation of this agreement to the laws of another state). Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or the Plan to the contrary, if any suit or claim is instituted by the Participant or the Company relating to this Agreement or the Plan, the Participant hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of and venue in the courts of Delaware.

 

16. No Right to Continue Service or Employment. Nothing herein shall be construed to confer upon the Participant the right to continue in the employ or to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary, whether as an Employee, Contractor, or Outside Director, or to interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to discharge the Participant as an Employee, Contractor, or Outside Director at any time.

 

17. Legal Construction. In the event that any one or more of the terms, provisions, or agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement shall not affect any other term, provision, or agreement that is contained in this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement had never been contained herein.

 

18. Covenants and Agreements as Independent Agreements. Each of the covenants and agreements that are set forth in this Agreement shall be construed as a covenant and agreement independent of any other provision of this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Participant against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements that are set forth in this Agreement.

 

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19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the Plan supersede any and all other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with respect to the said subject matter. All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement or the Plan and that any agreement, statement, or promise that is not contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.

 

20. Parties Bound. The terms, provisions, and agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and permitted successors and assigns, subject to the limitation on assignment expressly set forth herein.

 

21. Modification. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the parties unless the change or modification is in writing and signed by the parties; provided, however, that the Company may change or modify this Agreement without the Participant’s consent or signature if the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that such change or modification is necessary for purposes of compliance with or exemption from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or any regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company may amend the Plan to the extent permitted by the Plan.

 

22. Headings. The headings that are used in this Agreement are used for reference and convenience purposes only and do not constitute substantive matters to be considered in construing the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

23. Gender and Number. Words of any gender used in this Agreement shall be held and construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held to include the plural, and vice versa, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

24. Notice. Any notice required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be deemed to be delivered only when actually received by the Company or by the Participant, as the case may be, at the addresses set forth below, or at such other addresses as they have theretofore specified by written notice delivered in accordance herewith:

 

  a. Notice to the Company shall be addressed and delivered as follows:
     
    Cryptyde, Inc.
    200 9th Avenue North, Suite 220
    Safety Harbor, Florida
    Attn: CFO
     
  b. Notice to the Participant shall be addressed and delivered as set forth on the signature page.

 

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25. Section 409A; Six Month Delay. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the case of a conversion of Awarded Units and distribution of shares of Common Stock on account of any Termination of Service (other than death), if the Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in § 1.409A-1(i) of the final regulations under Section 409A of the Code, then solely to the extent required under Section 409A of the Code, a distribution of the number of such shares to the Participant (determined after application of the withholding requirements set forth in Section 26 below), plus any dividends payable with respect to such number of shares, shall not occur until the date which is six (6) months following the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Participant). It is intended that each conversion and settlement of shares of Common Stock to be delivered under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

26. Tax Requirements. The Participant is hereby advised to consult immediately with his or her own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of this Agreement. Unless the Company otherwise consents in writing to an alternative withholding method, the Company, or if applicable, any Subsidiary (for purposes of this Section 26, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include any applicable Subsidiary) shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid in cash or other form in connection with the Plan, any federal, state, local, or other taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with this Award. The Company may, in its sole discretion and prior to the date of conversion of any Awarded Units, require the Participant receiving shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Awarded Units to pay the Company the amount of any taxes that the Company is required to withhold in connection with the Participant’s income arising with respect to this Award. Such payments shall be required to be made prior to the delivery of any certificate or the registration of such shares in the Participant’s name for such shares of Common Stock. Such payment may be made by (a) the delivery of cash to the Company in an amount that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares) the required tax withholding obligations of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the actual delivery by the Participant to the Company of shares of Common Stock that the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the date of conversion, which shares so delivered have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares) the required tax withholding payment; (c) any combination of (a) or (b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold any such taxes from any other cash remuneration otherwise paid by the Company to the Participant or withhold the number of shares to be delivered upon the conversion of the Awarded Units with an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares) the required tax withholding obligations of the Company; provided, however, if the Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in § 1.409A-1(i) of the final regulations under Section 409A of the Code who is subject to the six (6) months delay provided for in Section 25 above, the Company shall withhold the number of shares attributable to the employment taxes on the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service and withhold the number of shares attributable to the income taxes on the date which occurs six (6) months following the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Participant).

 

27. Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

28. Survival. The provisions of Section 4(b) (including, without limitation, Exhibit A) and Sections 13 – 27 creating obligations extending beyond the term of this Agreement (collectively, the “Surviving Provisions”) shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement and of the Participant’s employment with or service to the Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary, regardless of the reason for such expiration or termination.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank;

Signature Page Follows.]

 

6

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Participant, to evidence his or her consent and approval of all the terms hereof, has duly executed this Agreement, as of the date specified in Section 1 hereof.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  Cryptyde, Inc.
     
  By:                   
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  PARTICIPANT:
     
   
  Signature  
  Name:  
  Address:  

 

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[EXHIBIT A]

 

1. Confidentiality.

 

A. Definition of Confidential Information. The Participant understands that “Company Confidential Information” means information (including any and all combinations of individual items of information) that the Company has or will develop, acquire, create, compile, discover or own, that has value in or to the Company’s business which is not generally known and which the Company wishes to maintain as confidential. Company Confidential Information includes, without limitation, trade secrets, recipes and ingredients, manuals, slogans, training methods, cooking systems and methods, customer and prospective customer lists, other compilations of customer names and contact information, customer databases and customer research and development, other research or development, marketing strategies and materials, product plans or other information regarding the Company’s products, services, and actual or prospective markets, strategic plans, training materials, vendor lists, software and point of sale systems, song lists, technical and training information, handbooks and manuals regarding restaurant systems, processes, and methods, personnel information, internal financial data, information and material provided to Company or by third parties in confidence and/or with nondisclosure restrictions, computer software, company e-mail, access passwords, and internal/external market studies or surveys. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company Confidential Information shall not include any such information which the Participant can establish (i) was publicly known or made generally available prior to the time of disclosure by the Company to the Participant, (ii) becomes publicly known or made generally available after disclosure by the Company to the Participant through no wrongful action or omission by the Participant, or (iii) is in the Participant’s rightful possession, without confidentiality obligations, at the time of disclosure by the Company as shown by the Participant’s then-contemporaneous written records; provided that any combination of individual items of information shall not be deemed to be within any of the foregoing exceptions merely because one or more of the individual items are within such exception, unless the combination as a whole is within such exception. The Participant understands that nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit employees’ rights to discuss the terms, wages and working conditions of their employment, as protected by applicable law.

 

B. Nonuse and Nondisclosure. The Participant agrees that during and after the Participant’s employment with the Company, the Participant will hold in the strictest confidence, and take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of Company Confidential Information, and the Participant will not (i) use Company Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever other than for the benefit of the Company in the course of the Participant’s employment, or (ii) disclose Company Confidential Information to any third party without the prior written authorization of the Company. Prior to disclosure when compelled by applicable law, The Participant shall provide prior written notice to the Company’s president, Chief Executive Officer, or general counsel, as applicable. The Participant agrees that the Participant obtains no title to any Company Confidential Information, and that as between the Company and the Participant, the Company retains all Confidential Information as the sole property of the Company. The Participant understands that the Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of Company Confidential Information during the Participant’s employment may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination and legal action by the Company. The Participant understands that the Participant’s obligations under this section shall continue after termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company.

 

Exhibit A

 

 

C. Former Employer Confidential Information. During the Participant’s employment with the Company, the Participant will not improperly use, disclose, or induce the Company to use any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or other person or entity with which the Participant have an obligation to keep in confidence. Furthermore, the Participant will not bring onto the Company’s premises or transfer onto the Company’s technology systems any unpublished document, proprietary information, or trade secrets belonging to any such third party unless disclosure to, and use by, the Company has been consented to in writing by such third party.

 

D. Third Party Information. The Participant recognizes that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties (for example, customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, partners, and collaborators) as well as its subsidiaries and affiliates their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of this information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. By way of example, third party confidential information may include the habits or practices of such third parties, the technology of such third parties, requirements of such third parties, and information related to the business conducted between the Company and such third parties. The Participant will hold all of this confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not disclose it to any third party or use it except as necessary in carrying out the Participant’s work for the Company consistent with the Company’s agreements with these third parties. The Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of third parties’ confidential or proprietary information during the Participant’s employment will lead to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination and legal action by the Company.

 

E. Defend Trade Secrets Act. Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, the Participant acknowledge that the Participant shall not have criminal or civil liability under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made (a) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and (b) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. In addition, if the Participant file a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Participant may disclose the trade secret to the Participant’s attorney and may use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the Participant (x) files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and (y) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

2. No Solicitation of Employees. To further preserve Company Confidential Information, during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, (i) knowingly hire or engage any current employee of the Company, (ii) solicit or encourage any employee to terminate employment or services with the Company, or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with or provide services to the Participant or any business associated with the Participant.

 

3. Non-Disparagement and Duty of Loyalty. The Participant further agree that the Participant will not disparage or make negative statements regarding the Company or its directors, officers, employees, former employees, agents, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, or related entities. the Participant acknowledge and understand the Participant have a continuing duty of loyalty to the Company, including, but not limited to, a duty not to improperly profit from or seek to profit from knowledge the Participant acquired while in a position of trust at the Company, to the detriment of the Company.

 

Exhibit A

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement, made and entered into as of the __ day of ________, 2022 (“Agreement”), by and between Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and _______ (“Indemnitee”):

 

WHEREAS, highly competent persons may be reluctant to serve as directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries and other agents (“Representatives”) of corporations unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that difficulties in attracting and retaining such persons are detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future; and

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify such persons as set forth herein so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and/or to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of this Agreement the following terms shall have the meaning given here:

 

  1.01 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
     
  1.02 “Change of Control” shall mean the first of the following events to occur:

 

  (a) there is consummated a merger or consolidation to which the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company is a party if the merger or consolidation would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) less than 51% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

 

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  (b) the direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) in the aggregate of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of the Company’s then issued and outstanding securities is acquired by any person or entity, or group of associated persons or entities acting in concert; provided, however, that for purposes hereof, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (B) any acquisition directly from the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust or fiduciary) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, (D) any acquisition by an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (E) any acquisition by a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the members of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, (F) any acquisition in connection with which, pursuant to Rule 13d-1 promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, the individual, entity or group is permitted to, and actually does, report its beneficial ownership on Schedule 13G (or any successor Schedule); provided that, if any such individual, entity or group subsequently becomes required to or does report its beneficial ownership on Schedule 13D (or any successor Schedule), then, for purposes of this paragraph, such individual, entity or group shall be deemed to have first acquired, on the first date on which such individual, entity or group becomes required to or does so report on Schedule 13D, beneficial ownership of all of the voting securities of the Company beneficially owned by it on such date, and (G) any acquisition in connection with a merger or consolidation which, pursuant to Section 1.02(a) above, does not constitute a Change of Control; or
     
  (c) there is consummated a transaction contemplated by an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by members of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale; or
     
  (d) the members of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation of the Company, or
     
  (e) a change in the composition of the Board such that the “Continuity Directors” cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board. For purposes of this clause, “Continuity Directors” means (A) those members of the Board who were directors on the date hereof and (B) those members of the Board (other than a director whose initial assumption of office was in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) who were elected or appointed by, or on the nomination or recommendation of, at least a majority of the then-existing directors who either were directors on the date hereof or were previously so elected or appointed;
     
  (f) such other event or transaction as the Board shall determine constitutes a Change of Control.

 

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1.03 “Company” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph above. For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting Company, any constituent Company (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its Representatives, so that any person who is or was a Representative of such constituent Company, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent Company as a Representative of another Company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving Company as he or she would have with respect to such constituent Company if its separate existence had continued.

 

1.04 “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a Representative of the Company or, while a Representative of the Company, is or was serving at the express written request of the Company as a Representative of another Enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan.

 

1.05 “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

1.06 “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the introductory paragraph above.

 

1.07 “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, company, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request of the Company as a Representative.

 

1.08 “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements, costs, expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time (“ERISA”), and any other penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement thereof). Expenses also shall include, without limitation, (i) expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from, incurred by Indemnitee in connection with, arising out of, in respect of or relating to, any Proceeding, including, without limitation, the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) for purposes of Section 8.05 of this Agreement only, expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise, (iii) any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement and (iv) any interest, assessments or other charges in respect of the foregoing.

 

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1.09 “Good Faith” shall mean Indemnitee having acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, in a manner in which Indemnitee would have had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding the foregoing definition, the Indemnitee shall not be deemed to have acted in “Good Faith” in instances where the Indemnitee has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to have acted in a grossly negligent manner. The termination of any action, suit or 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 Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, have reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

1.10 “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or an attorney employed by or serving as a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and/or limited liability company law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’ s rights under this Agreement.

 

1.11 “Proceeding” includes any action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or any other threatened, pending or completed proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than one initiated by Indemnitee. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, a “Proceeding” shall not be deemed to have been initiated by Indemnitee where Indemnitee seeks to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII of this Agreement.

 

Article II

TERM OF AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (i) 10 years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a Representative of the Company or of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the express written request of the Company; or (ii) the final termination of all pending Proceedings in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of the indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article VIII of this Agreement relating thereto.

 

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Article III

SERVICES BY INDEMNITEE, NOTICE OF PROCEEDINGS

 

3.01 Services. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a Representative. The duties and obligations of a Representative may be set forth in the Company’s Bylaws, as may be amended from time to time (the “Bylaws”). Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law). Indemnitee, by his current and continuing Corporate Status, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Agreement in entering into or continuing such service.

 

3.02 Notice of Proceeding. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder.

 

3.03 Duty of Cooperation and Disclosure. In any Proceeding in which Company is advancing Expenses or providing an indemnification to the Indemnitee, the Indemnitee shall fully cooperate with the person, persons, insurers or entities acting on the Company’s or Indemnitee’s behalf, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and relates to the subject Proceeding, and the Company’s indemnification and advancement obligations hereunder shall at all times be subject to the Indemnitee’ s duty of cooperation. At the time of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification, Indemnitee shall disclose to the Company all relevant facts and circumstances within the Indemnitee’s personal knowledge that pertain to the request and underlying dispute.

 

Article IV

INDEMNIFICATION

 

4.01 In General. Notwithstanding any amendment, modification or repeal of the indemnification provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, or other applicable law or the Bylaws after the date of this Agreement, and subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 4.05 herein, if Indemnitee was or is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s (a) acts or omissions made in Good Faith and (b) his Corporate Status, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof and to such greater extent as applicable law may thereafter from time to time permit. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Agreement shall apply to claims made against an Indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses hereunder shall only apply to a Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee if such Proceeding has been authorized by the Board.

 

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4.02 Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 4.02 if, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee was or is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in Good Faith.

 

4.03 Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 4.03 if, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee was or is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in Good Faith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.

 

4.04 Indemnification of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 4.05 herein, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law, against all Expenses, actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein. Subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 4.05, if Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by law, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Subsection 4.04 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter, so long as there has been no finding (either adjudicated or pursuant to Article VI) that Indemnitee did not act in Good Faith.

 

4.05 Exceptions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall not be obligated to advance Expenses or indemnify the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement with respect to:

 

  (a) Expenses for which the Indemnitee is indemnified pursuant to any directors and officers insurance policy purchased and maintained by the Company (as provided in Article IX). It is specifically understood that the indemnity provided in this Agreement is in excess of any such directors and officers insurance policy and the Indemnitee will look first to the directors and officers insurance policy; or

 

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  (b) Remuneration paid to the Indemnitee if it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration was in violation of law; or
     
  (c) Indemnitee’s reimbursement to the Company of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation previously received by Indemnitee or payment of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in connection with an accounting restatement of the Company or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); or
     
  (d) Expenses incurred on account of any Proceeding in which judgment is rendered against the Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section l6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments to it or similar provisions of any federal, state or local law; or
     
  (e) Expenses incurred on account of the Indemnitee’s conduct which is finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been, or which Indemnitee has admitted facts sufficient for the Independent Counsel or court to reasonably conclude that the Indemnitee’s conduct was: (1) a breach of the duty of loyalty owed to the Company, (2) an act or omission which was not in Good Faith, (3) an act or omission which involved intentional misconduct or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, a knowing violation of law, or (4) a transaction from which the Indemnitee derived an improper personal benefit; or
     
  (f) If a final decision by a court of competent jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such indemnification is not lawful as against public policy; or
     
  (g) Any income taxes, or any interest or penalties related to them, in respect of compensation received for services as a director and/or officer.

 

4.06 Indemnification for Expenses as a Witness. To the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

 

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Article V

ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

 

5.01 Statement of Expenses. The Company shall advance all reasonable Expenses which, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, were incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses.

 

5.02 Assumption of Defense. In the event the Company (i) shall be obligated to advance the Expenses for any Proceeding against Indemnitee by a third party and (ii) acknowledges in writing the Company’s obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee with respect to such Proceeding (subject to the terms of this Agreement), the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding as provided herein. Such defense by the Company may include the representation of two or more parties by one attorney or law firm as permitted under the ethical rules and legal requirements related to joint representations, subject to exceptions set forth below in the event of a potential conflict of interest. Following delivery of written notice to Indemnitee of the Company’s election to assume the defense of such Proceeding and the Company’s acknowledgment of its indemnification obligation with respect to such Proceeding, the approval by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of counsel designated by the Company and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of separate counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding so long as such Proceeding is diligently defended. For the avoidance of doubt, a potential conflict of interest shall be deemed a reasonable basis for the Indemnitee to withhold consent under this section. If (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee shall have notified the Board in writing that Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there is likely to be a conflict of interest between the Company (or any other co-clients as provided above) and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (iii) the Company fails to employ counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s own counsel shall be subject to indemnification and/or advancement pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Nothing herein shall prevent Indemnitee from employing counsel for any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s own expense.

 

Article VI

PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO

INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.01 Initial Request. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The President or any other officer of the Company shall promptly advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

6.02 Method of Determination. A determination (if required by applicable law) with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made, as follows:

 

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  (a) if a Change in Control has occurred, unless Indemnitee shall request in writing that such determination be made in accordance with clause (b) of this Section 6.02, the determination shall be made by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee.
     
  (b) If a Change in Control has not occurred, and subject to Section 6.03, the determination shall be made by (i) a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum; (ii) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum; (iii) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, by the Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, or (iv) by the Company’s stockholders.

 

6.03 Selection, Payment, Discharge, of Independent Counsel. In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6.02 of this Agreement, the Independent Counsel shall be selected, paid, and discharged in the following manner:

 

  (a) If a Change of Control has not occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.
     
  (b) If a Change of Control has occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected the by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board, in which event clause (a) of this section shall apply) and approved by the Board, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
     
  (c) Following the initial selection described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 6.03, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within seven (7) days after such written notice of selection has been given, deliver to the other party a written objection to such selection. Such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirement of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1.10 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is made, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until a court has determined that such objection is without merit.
     
  (d) Either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction if the parties have been unable to agree on the selection of Independent Counsel within (30) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.01 of this Agreement. Such petition may request a determination whether an objection to the party’s selection is without merit and/or seek the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Court or by such other person as the Court shall designate. A person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.02 of this Agreement.

 

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  (e) The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to this Agreement, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.03, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
     
  (f) Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 8.01(c) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

6.04 Company Response. If a determination by the Company that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement is required, and the Company fails to respond within sixty (60) days to a written request for indemnity, the Company shall be deemed to have approved the request.

 

6.05 Cooperation. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any expenses, costs, disbursements and obligations (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

6.06 Payment. If it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination.

 

6.07 Reservation of Rights. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, the Company shall have the obligation to advance to the Indemnitee any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that all amounts advanced in respect of such Expenses shall be repaid to the Company by Indemnitee to the extent it shall be determined in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses.

 

10

 

 

Article VII

PRESUMPTIONS

 

7.01 Effect of Other Proceedings. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) be conclusive as to the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in Good Faith.

 

7.02 Reliance as Safe Harbor. For purposes of any determination of Good Faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in Good Faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or the expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 7.02 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

7.03 Service for Subsidiaries. If Indemnitee is serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Enterprise at least 50% of whose equity interests are owned by the Company shall, Indemnitee shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Company.

 

Article VIII

REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE

 

8.01 Application. This Article VIII shall apply in the event of a Dispute. For purposes of this Article, “Dispute”, shall mean any of the following events:

 

  (a) a determination is made pursuant to Article VI of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement;
     
  (b) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Article V of this Agreement; or
     
  (c) the determination of entitlement to be made pursuant to Section 6.02 of this Agreement has not been made within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification;
     
  (d) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 4.06 of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor; or
     
  (e) payment of indemnification is not made within thirty (30) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

 

11

 

 

8.02 Adjudication. In the event of a Dispute, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’ s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking adjudication within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 8.02.

 

8.03 De Novo Review. In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Article VI of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article VIII shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.

 

8.04 Company Bound. If a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to Article VI of the Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’ s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

8.05 Expenses of Adjudication. In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Article VIII, seeks a judicial adjudication to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company against, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in such adjudication, but only if Indemnitee prevails therein. If it shall be determined in such adjudication that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such adjudication shall be appropriately prorated.

 

Article IX

NON-EXCLUSIVITY, INSURANCE, SUBROGATION

 

9.01 Non-Exclusivity. The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, or under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. No amendment, alteration, rescission or replacement of this Agreement or any provision hereof shall be effective as to Indemnitee with respect to any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration, rescission or replacement.

 

9.02 Insurance. The Company shall maintain an insurance policy or policies against liability arising out of this Agreement or otherwise.

 

9.03 Subrogation. In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to any rights of recovery of Indemnitee who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

12

 

 

9.04 No Duplicative Payment. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

Article X

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

10.01 Binding Effect, Etc. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an officer or director of the Company or of any other enterprise at the Company’s request.

 

10.02 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever:

 

  (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and
     
  (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, which is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

10.03 No Adequate Remedy. The parties declare that it is impossible to measure in money the damages which will accrue to either party by reason of a failure to perform any of the obligations under this Agreement. Therefore, if either party shall institute any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions hereof, such party against whom such action or proceeding is brought hereby waives the claim or defense that such party has an adequate remedy at law, and such party shall not urge in any such action or proceeding the claim or defense that the other party has an adequate remedy at law.

 

10.04 Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

10.05 Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

10.06 Modification and Waiver. No supplement modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions thereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

10.07 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

 

13

 

 

  If to Indemnitee, to: As shown with Indemnitee’s Signature below.
     
  If to the Company to: Cryptyde, Inc.
    200 9th Avenue North, Suite 220
    Safety Harbor, FL 34695
    Attn: Chief Financial Officer

 

or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

10.08 Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the state of Delaware without application of the conflict of laws principles thereof. No amendment, repeal, adoption or modification of law, shall adversely affect any right or protection of any person granted pursuant hereto existing at, or arising out of or related to any event, act or omission that occurred prior to, the time of such amendment, repeal, adoption or modification (regardless of when any Proceeding relating to such event, act or omission arises or is first threatened, commenced or completed).

 

10.09 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement on any other person or persons other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to relieve or discharge the obligations or liability of any third persons to the Company. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no provision of this Agreement shall give any third parties any right of subrogation or action over or against the Company.

 

10.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto in reference to all the matters herein agreed upon. This Agreement replaces in full all prior indemnification agreements or understandings between the Company, including any of its subsidiaries, and the Indemnitee, and any all such prior agreements or understandings are hereby rescinded by mutual agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

14

 

 

IN WI1NESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY CRYPTYDE, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Brian McFadden
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
INDEMNITEE  
  Name:  
     
  Indemnitee’s Address for Notices:
     
   
   
   

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7.1

 

FIRST AMENDMENT

TO

AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

 

This First Amendment to Amendment Agreement (this “Amendment”) is entered as of May 5, 2022, by and among Vinco Ventures, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Vinco”), Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd. or its nominees (the “Buyer”) and Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. Vinco, the Buyer and the Company entered into the Amendment Agreement (the “Amendment Agreement”) dated as of November 11, 2021.

 

B. Vinco, the Buyer and the Company desire to amend the Amendment Agreement to remove Section 1(d)(2) from Exhibit A, “Form of Warrant”, attached to the Amendment Agreement.

 

C. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Amendment Agreement.

 

D. Based on the Recitals set forth above and the promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

AMENDMENTS

 

1. Amendment to Exhibit A of the Amendment Agreement. Exhibit A, entitled “Form of Warrant”, is hereby amended effective as of the date of the Amendment Agreement by removing Section 1(d)(2) in its entirety.

 

2. Confirmation of Amendment Agreement. The parties hereby confirm that, except to the extent specifically amended hereby, the provisions of the Amendment Agreement shall remain unmodified and the Amendment Agreement as so amended is hereby confirmed as being in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous. This Amendment and the Amendment Agreement as amended hereby shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties to the Amendment and the Amendment Agreement and their respective successors.

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

  BUYER:
     
  HUDSON BAY MASTER FUND LTD
     
  By: /s/ Richard Allison
  Name: Richard Allison
  Title: Authorized Signatory
     
  COMPANY:
     
  CRYPTYDE, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Brian McFadden
  Name: Brian McFadden
  Title: President and CEO
     
  VINCO:
     
  VINCO VENTURES, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Philip Jones
  Name: Philip Jones
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.10.1

 

FIRST AMENDMENT

TO

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This First Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Amendment”) is entered as of May 5, 2022, by and among Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd. or its nominees (the “Buyer”) and Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Buyer and the Company entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) dated as of January 26, 2022.

 

B. The Buyer and the Company desire to amend the Securities Purchase Agreement to reflect the fact that the Company has converted from a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation.

 

C. The Company as a Delaware corporation desires to reaffirm its entrance into, deliver of and its performance by the Company as a Nevada corporation of the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 26, 2022.

 

D. The Buyer and the Company desire to amend the applicable Schedules to the Securities Purchase Agreement to reflect that, since the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement, a certain milestone agreement (the “Milestone Agreement”) not reported in Schedule 3(m) of the Securities Purchase Agreement was entered into in connection with the settlement of a dispute between Vinco and Emmersive Entertainment, Inc., a party to a contract with Vinco.

 

E. The Buyer and the Company desire to amend the Securities Purchase Agreement to reflect that the number of shares issued and outstanding reported in Section 3(r) of the Securities Purchase Agreement has changed due to Vinco warrant exercises by the Buyer.

 

F. The Buyer and the Company desire to amend the Securities Purchase Agreement to reflect that, since the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement, there have been changes to representations contained in Section 3(bb) of the Securities Purchase Agreement with respect to the Internal Accounting and Disclosure Controls of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

G. The Buyer and the Company desire to provide that the Buyer must receive a legal opinion by Missouri counsel with respect to the Control Agreement (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) within fifteen (15) days after the Closing Date.

 

H. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

I. Based on the Recitals set forth above and the promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

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AMENDMENTS

 

1. Amendment to Reflect Delaware Conversion. The preamble to the Securities Purchase Agreement is hereby amended effective as of the date of the Securities Purchase agreement to read as follows:

 

“This SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of January 26, 2022, is by and among Cryptyde, Inc., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 2009 9th Avenue North, Suite 220, Safety Harbor, Florida 34695 (the “Company”),and each of the investors listed on the Schedule of Buyers attached hereto (individually, a “Buyer” and collectively, the “Buyers”), and solely in connection with Sections 3(ww) and 4(i), Vinco Ventures, Inc. (“Vinco”).”

 

2. Amendment to Certain Schedules Regarding the Milestone Agreement.

 

Schedule 3(m) of the Securities Purchase Agreement is hereby amended effective as of the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement to incorporate the following:

 

“See that certain Milestone Agreement by and among the Company and the parties set forth on Schedule 1 therein”

 

3. Amendment to Section 3(r)(ii). Section 3(r)(ii) of the Securities Purchase Agreement is hereby amended effective as of the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement to read as follows:

 

“Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (A) 10,000 shares of capital stock, all of which is issued and outstanding and none of which are reserved for issuance pursuant to Convertible Securities (other than the Notes and Warrants) exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, shares of Common Stock and (B) no shares of Preferred Stock. Zero (0) shares of Common Stock are held in the treasury of the Company. As of the date of the Spin-Off (as defined in the Note), the authorized capital stock of the Company will consist of (A) 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which a maximum of 20,305,259 will be issued and outstanding and 2,273,333 shares will be reserved for issuance pursuant to Convertible Securities (other than the Notes and the Warrants) exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, shares of Common Stock and (B) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, none of which will be issued and outstanding. Zero (0) shares of Common Stock will be held in treasury by the Company.”

 

4. Amendment to Section 3(bb). Section 3(bb) is hereby amended effective as of the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement to add the following:

 

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“The representations in this Section 3(bb) are qualified in their entirety by the information contained in the Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2022.”

 

5. Perfection Opinion. On or prior to May 20, 2022, the Collateral Agent shall have received a perfection opinion from Polsinelli PC, the Company’s Missouri counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent. Any breach of this Section 5 shall be deemed an “Event of Default” (as defined in the Notes) under the Notes.

 

6. Options and Convertible Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any agreement entered into by the Company and the Buyer on or prior to the date hereof, the Company shall not amend, modify or otherwise change the terms of any Options (as defined in the Warrants) or Convertible Securities (as defined in the Warrants) after their respective issuance (whether such Options or Convertible Securities were issued on or prior to the date hereof or will be issued at any time after the date hereof), unless Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., so long as it or any of its Affiliates (as defined in the Warrants) holds any of the Outstanding Warrants, consents to such amendment, modification or change in writing prior to the effective date of such amendment, modification or change.

 

7. Confirmation of Securities Purchase Agreement. The parties hereby confirm that, except to the extent specifically amended hereby, the provisions of the Securities Purchase Agreement shall remain unmodified and the Securities Purchase Agreement as so amended is hereby confirmed as being in full force and effect.

 

8. Affirmation. The Company as a Delaware corporation desires to reaffirm its entrance into, delivery of and its performance by the Company as a Nevada corporation of the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 26, 2022.

 

9. Miscellaneous. This Amendment and the Securities Purchase Agreement as amended hereby shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties to the Amendment and the Securities Purchase Agreement and their respective successors.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

  BUYER:
     
  HUDSON BAY MASTER FUND LTD
     
  By: /s/ Richard Allison
  Name: Richard Allison
  Title: Authorized Signatory
     
  COMPANY:
     
  CRYPTYDE, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Brian McFadden
  Name: Brian McFadden
  Title: President and CEO
     
  VINCO:
     
  VINCO VENTURES, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Philip Jones
  Name: Philip Jones
  Title: CFO

 

4

 

Exhibit 10.15.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 16.1

 

 

May 6, 2022

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

 

Commission:

 

We have read the statements under the heading “Business – Independent Accountant” in the information statement attached to Cryptyde, Inc.’s Registration Statement Form 10-12B (File No. 001-41033), and the amendments thereto, and agree with the statements made by Cryptyde, Inc. under such heading as they relate to our firm and respond to Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Marcum LLP

 

Marcum LLP

 

 

Marcum LLP ■ 730 Third Avenue ■ 11th Floor ■ New York, New York 10017 ■ Phone 212.485.5500 ■ Fax 212.485.5501 ■ marcumllp.com

 

 

 

Exhibit 21

 

Subsidiaries of Cryptyde, Inc.

 

1. Ferguson Containers, a New Jersey corporation
   
2. Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company
   
3. CW Machines, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company
   
4. BlockHiro, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

VINCO VENTURES, INC.

 

May ___, 2022

 

Dear Vinco Ventures, Inc. Stockholder:

 

As Vinco Ventures, Inc., or BBIG, (F/K/A Edison Nation, Inc.), previously announced, it plans to spin-off (the “Separation”) certain of its businesses. BBIG plans to include its packaging, Bitcoin mining services, and Web3 (decentralized internet) products businesses (the “Spin-Off Businesses”) as part of the spin-off. In anticipation of the Separation, BBIG has placed its assets and legal entities comprising the Spin-Off Businesses into or under a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of BBIG formed to facilitate the Separation, Cryptyde Inc. (“TYDE”). As a result of the Separation, TYDE will become an independent, publicly traded company comprised of the Spin-Off Businesses. The Separation is expected to be completed upon the distribution of the common stock of TYDE to stockholders of BBIG, described below, on or around May 27, 2022.

 

The Separation is subject to conditions described in the enclosed information statement. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of these conditions, the Separation will be completed by way of a pro rata distribution (the “Distribution”), of all the outstanding shares of TYDE common stock to the stockholders of record of BBIG as of the close of business on or around May 18, 2022, the anticipated record date for the Distribution (the “Record Date”). Each BBIG stockholder of record on the Record Date will receive one (1) share of TYDE common stock, for every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock held by such stockholder as of the close of business on the Record Date. The issuance of shares of TYDE common stock under the Distribution will be made in book-entry form, which means that no physical share certificates will be delivered. At any time following the consummation of the Distribution, stockholders may request that their shares of TYDE common stock be transferred to a brokerage or other account. No fractional shares of TYDE common stock will be delivered. The distribution agent for the Distribution will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing prices, and distribute the net cash proceeds from the sales pro rata to each stockholder that would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in connection with the Distribution.

 

BBIG expects to receive an opinion from counsel to the effect that, among other things, the transfer of the assets and legal entities, subject to any related liabilities, associated with the Spin-Off Businesses, and the Distribution should qualify as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except to the extent any cash is received in lieu of fractional shares. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the Distribution, including potential tax consequences under state, local, and non-U.S. tax laws.

 

The Distribution does not require BBIG stockholder approval, and you do not need to take any action to receive your shares of TYDE common stock in connection with the Distribution. Following the consummation of the Distribution, you will own common stock in both BBIG and TYDE. BBIG common stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BBIG,” and TYDE has applied to have its shares of common stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “TYDE.”

 

The enclosed information statement, which we are mailing to all BBIG stockholders as of the close of business on the Record Date, describes the Separation in detail and contains important business and financial information about TYDE. We urge you to read this information statement carefully.

 

We want to thank you for your support of BBIG, and we look forward to your continued support in the future.

 

  Sincerely,
   
  Lisa King
  Chief Executive Officer
  Vinco Ventures, Inc.

 

 
 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

 

May ___, 2022

 

Dear Future Cryptyde, Inc. Stockholder:

 

On behalf of Cryptyde, Inc., it is my great privilege to welcome you as a future stockholder of our company. Following our separation from Vinco Ventures, Inc., we will operate as an independent, publicly traded and growth-oriented company. We plan to have three initial business lines, Web3 (decentralized internet) products, Bitcoin mining services, and consumer packaging. Through our Web3 products business line, we will seek to acquire and build brands that use decentralized blockchain technologies in a variety of consumer facing industries, such as music, movies, digital art, ticketing and event services, and gaming. Our Bitcoin mining services will aim to make Bitcoin mining accessible to consumers previously priced out of the area. Additionally, we will continue to grow the 50 plus year history of our consumer packaging business.

 

We intend to expand through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. We hope to acquire and create Web3 products that are met with customer satisfaction and build customer loyalty. We plan to continue developing our Bitcoin mining services by growing or seeking to grow a customer base of both existing Bitcoin miners and those who have not yet entered the space. We also intend to grow and evolve our consumer packaging business to meet the demands of today’s e-commerce businesses, as well as customers in other industries.

 

Vinco Ventures, Inc. is expected to continue its operations other than the three business lines that will be part of Cryptyde. We expect Vinco Ventures, Inc. to continue its programs designed to help inventors share and develop their products. Historically, Vinco Ventures, Inc. has conducted programs for inventors under its Edison Nation brand. Recently, Vinco Ventures, Inc. has integrated its inventor focused programs into its Lomotif App and developed Everyday Edisons, which is expected to put inventors in front of industry experts.

 

We invite you to learn more about our company by reading the enclosed information statement, which details our strategy and plans for near and long-term growth to generate value for our stockholders. We are excited about our future as an independent company, and we look forward to your support as a Cryptyde, Inc. stockholder as we begin this new and exciting chapter.

 

  Sincerely,
   
  Brian P. McFadden
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  Cryptyde, Inc.

 

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Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Preliminary and Subject to Completion, dated May 6, 2022

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT

Cryptyde, Inc.

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

 

This information statement is being furnished to you as a holder of common stock of Vinco Ventures, Inc., (“BBIG”), in connection with the separation of its developing Web3 products and services business, Bitcoin mining services business, and packaging business from its current business operations, and the creation of an independent, publicly traded company, Cryptyde, Inc. (“We”, “TYDE”, or the “Company”), expected to take over the three businesses.

 

We have applied to have our common stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market as of the effective date of the distribution date of our common stock to the stockholders of BBIG. We, expect to directly or indirectly through our subsidiaries, hold the assets and legal entities, subject to any related liabilities. All of the shares of our common stock, currently owned by BBIG, will be distributed to the stockholders of BBIG.

 

Upon the distribution, each holder of BBIG common stock will receive one (1) share of our common stock for every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock held as of the close of business on May 18, 2022, the record date for the distribution. The distribution is expected to be completed on or about May 27, 2022, the distribution date. Immediately after BBIG completes the distribution of our common stock, we will be an independent, publicly traded company. We expect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no gain or loss should be recognized by you, and no amount should be included in your income in connection with the distribution of our common stock, except to the extent of any cash you receive in lieu of fractional shares.

 

No vote or other action is required by you to receive shares of our common stock. You will not be required to pay anything for the new shares or to surrender any of your shares of BBIG common stock. We are not asking you for a proxy, and you should not send us a proxy or your share certificates.

 

There currently is no trading market for our common stock. Assuming the Nasdaq Capital Market authorizes our common stock for listing, we anticipate that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, for our common stock will commence on or shortly before the record date for the distribution and will continue until the distribution of our common stock to BBIG stockholders. We expect the “regular-way” trading of our common stock will begin on the first trading day following the completion of the distribution of our common stock to BBIG stockholders.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Business—Emerging Growth Company.”

 

In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

 

The date of this information statement is May ___, 2022.

 

Prior to the distribution of our common stock to BBIG stockholders, the Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement or this Information Statement shall be mailed to the holders of BBIG common stock as of the record date for the distribution.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 6
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SEPARATION 7
INFORMATION STATEMENT SUMMARY 10
SUMMARY OF THE SEPARATION 13
RISK FACTORS 15
THE SEPARATION 34
DIVIDEND POLICY 42
CAPITALIZATION 42
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 43
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 48
BUSINESS 54
MANAGEMENT 61
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 69
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 71
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 72
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION 74
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 76
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 79
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

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ABOUT THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT

 

This information statement forms part of a registration statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-41033) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), with respect to the shares of our common stock to be distributed to BBIG stockholders in connection with the separation of BBIG and TYDE.

 

We and BBIG have supplied all information contained in this information statement relating to our respective companies. We and BBIG have not authorized anyone to provide you with information other than the information that is contained in this information statement. We and BBIG take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This information statement is dated May ___, 2022, and you should not assume that the information contained in this information statement is accurate as of any date other than such date.

 

Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this information statement about BBIG assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation of BBIG and TYDE.

 

Unless otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires, all references in this information statement to the following terms will have the meanings set forth below:

 

 

“TYDE,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company,” and “the Company” means Cryptyde, Inc. and, when appropriate in the context, also includes the subsidiaries of this entity;

     
 

“BBIG” means Vinco Ventures, Inc. and, when appropriate in the context, also includes the subsidiaries of this entity;

     
  “Distribution” means the distribution of all of the shares of our common stock, which are owned by BBIG, to stockholders of BBIG;
     
  “Distribution Date” means the date on which the Distribution is completed, which is expected to be on or about May 27, 2022;

     
  “Blockchain” means a secure online ledger that provides an irrefutable and tamper proof record of every asset purchase and sale;
     
  “token” or “digital token” means an asset that can be bought or sold on a blockchain;
     
 

“Transfer” means the contribution by BBIG to us of the assets, including the various legal entities, associated with the Spin-Off Businesses, subject to any related liabilities;

     
 

“Separation” means the separation of the Spin-Off Businesses from BBIG to TYDE;

     
 

“Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market;

     
  “Web3” means the decentralized web, which includes blockchains and the tokens on blockchains;
     
 

“Web3 Business” means the Web3 business, currently being developed, including the operations, products, services, and activities of such business, to be included in the Transfer to us from BBIG;

     
  “Packaging Business” means the packaging business, including the operations, products, services, and activities, of the packaging business to be included in the Transfer to us from BBIG;
     
  “Bitcoin Mining Services Business” means the Bitcoin mining service business, structured as a joint venture, including the operations, products, services, and activities of the Bitcoin mining service business to be included in the Transfer to us from BBIG; and
     
  “Spin-Off Businesses” means the Web3 Business, Packaging Business, and Bitcoin Mining Services Business.

 

Trademarks and Trade Names

 

We intend to submit applications for the trademark “CRYPTYDE.”

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The statements contained in this information statement that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts contained or incorporated herein by reference in this information statement, including statements regarding our future operating results, future financial position, business strategy, objectives, goals, plans, prospects, markets, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “targets,” “contemplates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “can,” “potential,” “continue,” “objective,” or the negative of those terms, or similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specific forward-looking statements in this information statement, include statements regarding our expectations regarding the methodology, effects, timing, and tax-free nature (except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of fractional shares) of the Transfer and the Distribution; our belief that BBIG will meet the requisite requirements under Nevada law to effect the Distribution; our belief that no other material governmental or regulatory filings or approvals will be necessary to consummate the Distribution, other than registration under the federal securities laws of our common stock and completion of the applicable listing requirements on Nasdaq for such shares; our expectation that our common stock will be listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “TYDE”; our expectation that after the Separation, BBIG common stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “BBIG”; our expectations regarding a “regular-way” market, an “ex-distribution” market, and a “when-issued” market in our shares of common stock between the Record Date and the Distribution Date; our belief that separating the Spin-Off Businesses from BBIG’s other current businesses is in the best interests of BBIG and its stockholders; our expectation to take advantage of certain of the reduced reporting and other requirements of the JOBS Act with respect to the periodic reports we will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and proxy statements that we use to solicit proxies from our stockholders; our intention to enter into certain agreements with BBIG in connection with the Separation to effect the Separation and provide a framework for our relationship with BBIG after the Separation, including a Separation and Distribution Agreement, and certain commercial agreements, and the proposed terms thereof; our expectations regarding the number of shares of our outstanding common stock, the number of such shares held by our affiliates, and the number of stockholders of record following the Separation; our anticipation regarding the adverse effects of COVID-19 on our business; our belief that maintaining and further enhancing the brand recognition and reputation of our brands is critical to retaining existing customers and attracting new customers and that the importance of our brand recognition and reputation will increase; our anticipation that our advertising, marketing, and promotional efforts will increase in the foreseeable future; our anticipation that we will increasingly rely on other forms of media advertising; our plan to continue to expand our brand recognition and product loyalty through social media and our websites with generation of original content; our anticipation that we will enter into new strategic alliances; our expectation that the various claims and lawsuits, arising in the ordinary course of business, we may become involved in will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition; our plan to introduce a continuing stream of new and differentiated products and services that drive customer satisfaction and loyalty; our plan to expand our addressable market by appealing to new and larger audiences in new product categories outside the non-fungible token, Bitcoin mining, and packaging markets; our plan to cultivate and enhance our direct-to-consumer relationships through our digital platforms; our plan to expand and enhance our supply chain; our intent to pursue acquisitions that financially and strategically complement our business; our belief that we will drive customer satisfaction and loyalty by offering high-quality, innovative products on a timely and cost-effective basis; our intent to pursue and challenge infringements of our intellectual property; our expectation to have certain insurance policies in place as of the date of the Separation; our anticipation that most contract assignments and new agreements related to the Spin-Off Businesses will be obtained prior to the Separation; our belief that none of the contracts or other assets requiring consent to transfer or the contracts requiring a new agreement are individually material to our business; our expectation that the increasing expenses incurred by public companies generally for reporting and corporate governance purposes will increase our legal and financial compliance costs; our anticipation that, to comply with reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act, we will need to duplicate information technology infrastructure, implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems, and procedures, hire additional accounting, finance, tax, treasury, and information technology staff; our expected executive officers, directors, and other key employees; our expected corporate governance policies, guidelines, and practices; our anticipated compensation and benefit plans; our belief that several provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) that may discourage, delay, or prevent a merger or acquisition that stockholders may consider favorable and will protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics; our intention to have no third-party indebtedness as of the consummation of the Distribution; our current intention to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business; our anticipation to not pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future; our expectations of costs and expenses associated with becoming an independent, publicly traded company; our expectation to incur expenditures to establish certain standalone functions, information technology systems, and other one-time costs subsequent to the completion of the Separation; our expectation that nonrecurring amounts, related to the Separation that are incurred prior to the completion of the Separation will include costs to separate and/or duplicate information technology systems, third-party legal and accounting fees, and similar costs; our belief we will meet known or reasonably likely future cash requirements through the combination of cash flows from operating activities, available cash balances, and available borrowings through the issuance of third-party debt; and our expectation to use our cash flows to continue to invest in our brands, including research and development of new products, talent and capabilities, and growth strategies, including any potential acquisitions, and to repay any indebtedness we may incur over time. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and speak only as of such date. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this information statement reflect our views as of the date of this information statement about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future events, results, performance, or achievements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including potential disruptions in our ability to source the raw materials necessary for production of our products, disruptions and delays in the manufacture of our products, difficulties encumbered by other components of the distribution channel for our products; lower levels of consumer spending; our ability to introduce new products that are successful in the marketplace; interruptions of our arrangements with third-party contract manufacturers that disrupt our ability to fill our customers’ orders; increases in costs or decreases in availability of finished products, product components, and raw materials; the failure to maintain or strengthen our brand recognition and reputation; the ability to forecast demand for our products accurately; our inability to compete in a highly competitive market; our dependence on large customers; an increase in private label products by our customers; pricing pressures by our customers; our ability to collect our account to receivable the risk of earthquakes, fire, power outages, power losses, and telecommunication failures; our abilities to identify acquisition candidates, to complete acquisitions of potential acquisition candidates, our ability to integrate their businesses with our business, and the success of acquired companies; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the risk of complying with any applicable foreign laws or regulations and the effect of increased protective tariffs; the performance and security of our information systems; the potential for product recalls, product liability, and other claims against us; our dependence on key personnel; economic, social, political, legislative, and regulatory factors; the state of the U.S. economy; risks associated with our facilities, including the expected benefits; and other factors detailed from time to time in our reports that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SEPARATION

 

Please see “The Separation” for a more detailed description of the matters summarized below.

 

Why am I receiving this document?

 

You are receiving this document because you are a BBIG stockholder as of the close of business on the Record Date and, as such, will be entitled to receive shares of our common stock upon completion of the transactions described in this information statement. We are sending you this document to inform you about the Separation and to provide you with information about our Company and our business and operations upon completion of the Separation.

 

What do I have to do to participate in the Separation?

 

Nothing. You will not be required to pay any cash or deliver any other consideration in order to receive the shares of our common stock that you will be entitled to receive in connection with the Distribution. In addition, no stockholder approval will be required for the Separation, you are not being asked to provide a proxy with respect to any of your shares of BBIG common stock in connection with the Separation, and you should not send us a proxy.

 

Why is BBIG separating the Spin-Off Businesses from its current business operations?

 

The BBIG Board of Directors believes that separating the Spin-Off Businesses from its current business operations and forming a new company to conduct the Spin-Off Businesses will enable the management team of each company to focus on its specific strategies, including, among others, (1) structuring its business to take advantage of growth opportunities in its specific markets, (2) tailoring its business operation and financial model to its specific long-term strategies, and (3) aligning its external financial resources, such as stock, access to markets, credit, and insurance factors, with its particular type of business. The Separation is intended to enhance the long-term performance of each business for the reasons discussed in the section entitled “The Separation—Reasons for the Separation.”

 

What is TYDE?

 

We are a newly formed Delaware corporation that expects to hold, directly or indirectly through our subsidiaries, all of the assets and legal entities, subject to any related liabilities, of the Spin-Off Businesses and will be publicly traded following the Separation.

 

How will BBIG accomplish the Separation of the Spin-Off Businesses?

 

The Separation will be accomplished through a series of transactions, some of which have occurred or are currently occurring, in which (i) the equity interests of the entities that hold assets and liabilities of the Spin-Off Businesses will be transferred to TYDE, (ii) other assets and liabilities will be assigned to or assumed by TYDE, and (iii) BBIG will then distribute all of the outstanding shares of common stock of TYDE to BBIG’s stockholders on a pro rata basis as a distribution.

 

What will I receive in the Distribution?

 

In connection with the Distribution, you will be entitled to receive one (1) share of our common stock for every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock held by you as of the close of business on the Record Date as well as a cash payment in lieu of any fractional shares, as discussed herein.

 

How does my ownership in BBIG change as a result of the Separation?

 

Your ownership of BBIG stock will not be affected by the Separation.

 

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When will the Distribution occur?

 

The Distribution is expected to occur on or around May 27, 2022.

 

As a BBIG stockholder as of the Record Date, how will shares of common stock be distributed to me?

 

At the effective time of the Distribution, we will instruct our transfer agent and Distribution Agent to make book-entry credits for the shares of our common stock that you are entitled to receive as a stockholder of BBIG as of the close of business on the Record Date. Since shares of our common stock will be in uncertificated book-entry form, you will receive share ownership statements in place of physical share certificates.

 

What if I hold my shares through a broker, bank, or other nominee?

 

BBIG stockholders that hold their shares through a broker, bank, or other nominee will have their bank, brokerage, or other account credited with our common stock. For additional information, those stockholders should contact their broker or bank directly.

 

How will fractional shares be treated in the Distribution?

 

You will not receive fractional shares of our common stock in connection with the Distribution. The Distribution Agent will, instead, aggregate and sell on the open market any fractional shares of our common stock that would otherwise be issued in connection with the Distribution, and, if you would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share of our common stock in connection with the Distribution, you will instead receive the net cash proceeds of the sale attributable to such fractional share after payment of brokerage fees and commissions, transfer taxes, and other costs, and after making appropriate deductions of the amounts required to be withheld for U.S. federal income tax purposes, if any.

 

What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences to me of the Distribution?

 

The Company believes and it is intended that Distribution should qualify under the Code, as a transaction that is tax-free to BBIG and to its stockholders. On the basis that the Distribution so qualifies for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you should not recognize any gain or loss, and no amount should be included in your income in connection with the Distribution, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. You should review the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution—The Distribution” for a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution.

 

How will I determine the tax basis I will have in my BBIG shares after the Distribution and the TYDE shares I receive in connection with the Distribution?

 

Generally, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, your aggregate basis in your shares of BBIG common stock and the shares of our common stock that you receive in connection with the Distribution (including any fractional shares for which cash is received) should equal the aggregate basis of BBIG common stock held by you immediately before the consummation of the Distribution. This aggregate basis should be allocated between your shares of BBIG common stock and the shares of our common stock that you receive in connection with the Distribution (including any fractional shares for which cash is received) in proportion to the relative fair market value of each immediately following the consummation of the Distribution. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution—The Distribution.”

 

How will BBIG’s common stock and TYDE’s common stock trade after the Separation?

 

There is currently no public market for our common stock. We have applied to have our common stock listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “TYDE.” BBIG common stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “BBIG.”

 

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If I sell my shares of BBIG common stock on or before the Distribution Date, will I still be entitled to receive TYDE shares in the Distribution with respect to the sold shares?

 

See “Trading Between Record Date and Distribution Date” on page 38 of this information statement for a discussion of selling BBIG common stock on or before the Distribution Date.

 

Will I receive a stock certificate for TYDE shares distributed as a result of the Distribution?

 

No. Registered holders of BBIG common stock that are entitled to receive the Distribution will receive a book-entry account statement reflecting their ownership of our common stock. For additional information, registered stockholders in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico should contact BBIG’s transfer agent, Nevada Agency & Transfer Company, in writing at 50 West Liberty Street, Suite 880, Reno, NV 89501, by telephone toll free at 775-322-0626 or through its website at www.natco.com. See “The Separation—When and How You Will Receive the Distribution of TYDE Shares.”

 

Can BBIG decide to cancel the Distribution even if all the conditions have been met?

 

Yes. BBIG has the right to terminate, or modify the terms of, the Separation at any time prior to the Distribution Date, even if all of the conditions to the Distribution are satisfied.

 

Do I have appraisal rights?

 

No. BBIG stockholders do not have any appraisal rights in connection with the Separation.

 

Will TYDE have any outstanding indebtedness immediately following the Separation?

 

Yes. We expect to be capitalized with approximately $3,000,000 of cash from BBIG as of the Distribution Date, and approximately $42,000,000 in cash from private placements. We expect to settle certain intercompany liabilities of $4,200,000 with BBIG through the funds received in the private placement. We have debt of approximately $33,333,333 pursuant to notes issued in a private placement. See “Information Statement Summary – Financings” and “The Separation – Incurrence of Debt.”

 

Does TYDE intend to pay cash dividends on its common stock?

 

No. We do not currently intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

Will the Separation affect the trading price of my BBIG stock?

 

Yes. The trading price of shares of BBIG common stock immediately following the consummation of the Distribution may be expected to be lower than immediately prior to that time because the trading price will no longer reflect the value of the Spin-Off Businesses. We cannot provide you with any assurance regarding the price at which the BBIG shares will trade following the Separation.

 

What will happen to outstanding BBIG equity compensation awards?

 

Outstanding BBIG equity compensation awards will be equitably adjusted simultaneously with the Distribution. These equitable adjustments are intended to maintain, immediately following the consummation of the Distribution, the intrinsic value of the award immediately prior to the consummation of the Distribution. For a more detailed description of how such awards will be adjusted, see “The Separation—Treatment of Outstanding Equity Compensation Awards.”

 

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What will the relationship between BBIG and TYDE be following the Separation?

 

Following the Separation, BBIG will not own any shares of our common stock, and BBIG and we each will be independent, publicly traded companies with our own management teams. In connection with the Separation, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with BBIG to effect the Separation and provide a framework for our relationship with BBIG after the Separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between us and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and BBIG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, of the assets, liabilities, legal entities, and obligations associated with the Spin-Off Businesses, on the one hand, and the businesses remaining with BBIG, on the other hand, and will govern the relationship between our company and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and BBIG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, subsequent to the Separation. In addition to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the other principal agreements to be entered into with BBIG include a Tax Matters Agreement, and certain commercial agreements. See “The Separation—Agreements with BBIG.”

 

Following the completion of the Distribution, BBIG and TYDE will be independent companies, and the relationship between BBIG and TYDE will be governed by, among others, a Separation and Distribution Agreement, and a Tax Matters Agreement. These agreements will provide for the allocation between BBIG and TYDE of BBIG’s and TYDE’s assets, employees, liabilities, and obligations (including employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at and after the Separation. For additional information, see the sections entitled “The Separation—Agreements with BBIG.”

 

Who is the Distribution Agent, Transfer Agent, and Registrar for TYDE?

 

Nevada Agency & Transfer Company will be the distribution agent for TYDE common stock and the transfer agent and registrar for TYDE common stock. For questions relating to the transfer or mechanics of the stock distribution, you should contact:

 

Nevada Agency & Transfer

50 West Liberty Street, Suite 880

Reno, NV 89501

 

Tel: 775-322-0626 (for stockholders in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico)

Tel: 1-919-481-4000 (for stockholders from outside the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico)

 

Who can I contact for more information?

 

If you have any questions relating to BBIG, you should contact:

 

Vinco Ventures, Inc.
6 North Main Street
Fairport, NY 14450
Tel: (866) 900-0992

 

After the Separation, if you have questions relating to TYDE, you should contact:

 

Cryptyde, Inc.

200 9th Avenue North, Suite 220

Safety Harbor, Florida 34695
Tel: (866) 980-2818

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information contained in this information statement relating to us and shares of our common stock being distributed by BBIG in connection with the Distribution. This summary may not contain all details concerning the Separation or other information that may be important to you. To better understand the Separation and our business and financial position, you should carefully review this entire information statement, including the risk factors, our historical financial statements, our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements, and the respective notes to those historical and pro forma financial statements.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this information statement to fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019 are to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Our historical financial statements have been prepared on a “carve-out” basis to reflect the operations, financial condition, and cash flows of the Spin-Off Businesses during all periods shown. Our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements adjust our historical financial statements to give effect to our Separation from BBIG and our anticipated post-Separation capital structure.

 

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Our Company

 

We were formed in 2021 to acquire the Web3 Business, Bitcoin Mining Services Business, and Packaging Business from our parent company, BBIG, in anticipation of the Separation. Certain of the businesses we expect to acquire have longer operating histories than us. Accordingly, our discussion of the businesses includes information related to their operations prior to our existence and acquisitions of them.

 

The Web3 Business, through BlockHiro, LLC, plans to use decentralized blockchain technology in established consumer facing industries such as video games, music, and art. TYDE intends to finalize a digital coin minting platform in 2022. TYDE believes its digital coin minting platform will enable TYDE to, together with partners and clients, quickly and efficiently create digital coins for use with projects in established consumer facing industries.

 

The Bitcoin Mining Services Business, through a joint venture, CW Machines, LLC, with Wattum Management Inc. and BBA Technology Inc., is focused on bringing Bitcoin mining to the consumer level by offering Bitcoin mining equipment and co-location services. The Packaging Business manufactures and sells custom packaging for a wide variety of products and through packaging helps customers generate brand awareness and promote brand image.

 

Our Packaging Business generated revenue in the year ended December 31, 2021. Our Bitcoin Mining Services Business and Web3 Business has not generated revenue as of December 31, 2021. We do not currently have any material commitments for capital expenditures. Should we incur any material commitments for capital expenditures, we plan to fund them through sales of debt and equity, including the private placements described in “Information Statement Summary – Financings”)

 

We are headquartered in Safety Harbor, Florida. Upon our separation from BBIG, we expect to trade under the ticker symbol “TYDE” on Nasdaq.

 

Our Strategy

 

We intend to build off the stability provided by our established Packaging Business as our Web3 Business looks to bring blockchain technology into establish consumer facing industries and our Bitcoin Mining Services Business seeks to develop a market of Bitcoin miners requiring access to equipment and services often unavailable to them. We intend to allocate resources among the various Spin Off Businesses based on a continual assessment of the performance and opportunities available to each. We plan to grow both organically, and through strategic acquisitions. Our management believes it is important to for each Spin-Off Business to maintain a dedicated focus on customer satisfaction.

 

Risks Associated with the Proposed Transaction and Our Business

 

In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15.

 

The Separation

 

BBIG previously announced that it was proceeding with a plan to spin-off certain of its operations. We are currently a wholly owned subsidiary of BBIG and expect to hold, directly or indirectly through our subsidiaries, all of the assets and legal entities, subject to any related liabilities, associated with the Spin-Off Businesses. In connection with the Distribution, BBIG stockholders will receive one (1) share of our common stock for every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock held as of the close of business on the Record Date. The Separation is expected to be completed on or about May 27, 2022, the date that is two weeks after the Record Date. Following the Separation, BBIG stockholders as of the close of business on the Record Date will own 100% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, we will be an independent, publicly traded company, and BBIG will retain no ownership interest in our Company.

 

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In connection with the Separation, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with BBIG to effect the Separation and provide a framework for our relationship with BBIG after the Separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between us and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and BBIG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, of the assets, liabilities, legal entities, and obligations associated with the Spin-Off Businesses, on the one hand, and the BBIG’s other current businesses, on the other hand, and will govern the relationship between our Company and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and BBIG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, subsequent to the Separation. In addition to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the other principal agreements to be entered into with BBIG include a Tax Matters Agreement and certain commercial agreements.

 

The Separation, as described in this information statement, is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. For more information, see “The Separation—Conditions to the Distribution” included elsewhere in this information statement. We cannot provide any assurances that BBIG will complete the Separation.

 

Following a strategic review, it was determined that separating the Spin-Off Businesses from BBIG’s current business operations would be in the best interests of BBIG and its stockholders and that the Separation would create two companies with attributes that best position each company for long-term success, including the following:

 

  Distinct Focus. Each company will benefit from a distinct strategic and management focus on its specific operational and growth priorities. BBIG is expected to continue operations of its media focused business. TYDE will operate the Spin-Off Businesses. Because each company will have smaller portfolio of businesses, management of each company is expected to better allocate time and resources to identifying and executing operational and growth strategies.
     
  Differentiated Investment Opportunities. Each company will offer differentiated and compelling investment opportunities based on its particular operating and financial model, allowing it to more closely align with its natural investor type. TYDE seeks to attract investors looking to invest in companies merging Web3 (decentralized blockchain) technology with consumer facing industries, such as music and art, while also maintaining the stability that comes with an established business, such as the Packaging Business. Whereas BBIG will likely appeal to investors looking to invest in a global media business.
     
  Optimized Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation Priorities. Each company will operate with a capital structure and capital deployment strategy tailored to its specific business model and growth strategies without having to compete with the other for investment capital. TYDE expects to monitor the performance and opportunities of the Spin-Off Businesses and allocate capital in a manner designed to grow TYDE. BBIG is expected to continue allocating resources towards its media business.
     
  Direct Access to Capital Markets. Each company will have its own equity structure that will afford it direct access to the capital markets and allow it to capitalize on its unique growth opportunities appropriate to its business.
     
  Alignment of Incentives with Performance Objectives. Each company will be able to offer incentive compensation arrangements for employees that are more directly tied to the performance of its business and may enhance employee hiring and retention by, among other things, improving the alignment of management and employee incentives with performance and growth objectives. TYDE expects to incentive management and employees with both cash and equity compensation upon attaining earnings, market capitalization, and user acquisition goals. By tailoring management’s and employees’ incentive to the performance of the Spin-Off Businesses, rather than the businesses that remain with BBIG, the Company hopes to advance the Spin-Off Businesses faster than should they remain with BBIG.
     
  Incremental Stockholder Value. Each company will benefit from the investment community’s ability to value its businesses independently within the context of its particular industry with the anticipation that, over time, the aggregate market value of the companies will be higher, on a fully distributed basis and assuming the same market conditions, than if BBIG were to remain under its current configuration.

 

Neither we, nor BBIG, can assure you that, following the Separation, any of the benefits described above or otherwise in this information statement will be realized to the extent anticipated or at all. For more information, see “Risk Factors.”

 

Regulatory Approvals and Appraisal Rights

 

We must complete the necessary registration under the federal securities laws of our common stock to be issued in connection with the Distribution. We must also complete the applicable listing requirements on Nasdaq for such shares. Other than these requirements, we do not believe that any other material governmental or regulatory filings or approvals will be necessary to consummate the Distribution.

 

BBIG stockholders will not have any appraisal rights in connection with the Distribution.

 

Financings

 

On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Note SPA”) with an accredited investor for the issuance and sale of a senior secured convertible note with an initial principal amount of $33,333,333 (the “Note”) at a conversion price of $10.00 per share of Cryptyde’s common stock, and a warrant (the “Note Investor Warrant”) to purchase up to 3,333,333 shares of Common Stock with an initial exercise price of $10.00 per share of Common Stock (the “Note Private Placement”), for consideration of $30,000,000. The Note Private Placement closed on May 5, 2022.

 

In connection with the Note Private Placement, Cryptyde also entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the same investor. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Cryptyde must file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) covering the resale of all of the common stock underlying the Note and 200% of the common stock underlying the Warrant on or before the 10th calendar day following the closing of the Note SPA, and cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC on or before the Distribution Date.

 

Pursuant to the Note SPA, in connection with the closing of the Notes SPA, Crytyde, and its subsidiaries, as applicable, provided guarantee agreements, a pledge agreement (the “Pledge Agreement”), a control agreement and all financing statements, security agreements, pledges, assignments, opinions of counsel, and other documents requested by the collateral agent in the Note Private Placement.

 

On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Equity SPA”) with an accredited investor (the “Equity Investor”) for the issuance of 1,500,000 shares of Cryptyde’s common stock, and a warrant (the “Equity Investor Warrant”) to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $8.00 per share of Common Stock (the “Equity Private Placement”). The Equity SPA includes provisions requiring the Company to register the shares issued under the Equity SPA and the shares of stock underlying the Equity Investor Warrant and cause such registration agreement to be declared effective by the SEC within thirty days of the closing of the Equity SPA. The Equity Private Placement is expected to close shortly after the closing conditions of the Separation have been met and TYDE’s common stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or certain other national exchanges, and is subject to the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions.

 

Copies of the each of the Note SPA, form of Note, form of Note Investor Warrant, Registration Rights Agreement, form of Pledge Agreement, Equity SPA, and form of Equity Investor Warrant are attached to the registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, as exhibits 10.12 – 10.18, respectively.

 

Corporate Information

 

We were incorporated in Nevada on September 21, 2021. We converted to a Delaware corporation on March 9, 2022. We maintain our principal executive offices at 200 9th Avenue North, Suite 220, Safety Harbor, Florida 34695. Our telephone number is (866) 980-2818. Our website will be located at www.cryptyde.com, and we expect it to launch prior the Distribution. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into this information statement or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

 

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SUMMARY OF THE SEPARATION

 

The following is a summary of the material terms of the Separation and other related transactions.

 

Distributing Company Vinco Ventures, Inc.

   
Distributed Company

Cryptyde, Inc.

 

We are currently a wholly owned subsidiary of BBIG and following the Separation we will be an independent, publicly traded company.

   
Distribution Ratio Each holder of BBIG common stock will receive one (1) share of our common stock for every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock held as of the close of business on the Record Date.
   
Distributed Securities BBIG will distribute 100% of the outstanding shares of our common stock in the Distribution. Based on the approximately 188,052,593 shares of BBIG common stock outstanding as of the Record Date, and applying the distribution ratio of one (1) share of our common stock for every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock. BBIG will distribute approximately 18,805,259 shares of our common stock to BBIG stockholders that hold BBIG common stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date.
   
Fractional Shares Nevada Agency & Transfer Company, acting as the Distribution Agent, will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock to BBIG stockholders. As soon as practicable on or after the Distribution Date, the Distribution Agent will, instead, aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices, and distribute the net cash proceeds from the sales, net of brokerage fees and commissions, transfer taxes, and other costs, and after making appropriate deductions of the amounts required to be withheld for U.S. federal income tax purposes, if any, pro rata to each stockholder that would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in connection with the Distribution. The Distribution Agent will determine when, how, through which broker-dealers, and at what prices to sell the aggregated fractional shares. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any minimum sale price for the fractional shares or to any interest on the amounts of payments made in lieu of fractional shares. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares generally will be taxable to the recipient stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution—The Distribution.”

 

Record Date The anticipated Record Date will be the close of business on or around May 18, 2022.
   
Distribution Date The Distribution Date is expected to be on or around May 27, 2022.
   
Distribution

On the Distribution Date, BBIG, with the assistance of Nevada Agency & Transfer Company, acting as the Distribution Agent, will electronically distribute shares of TYDE common stock to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf or through the systems of the DTC (if you hold the shares through a bank or brokerage firm that uses DTC) or to you in book-entry form. You will not be required to make any payment or surrender or exchange your shares of BBIG common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of TYDE on the distribution date. Your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares of TYDE common stock or the distribution agent will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your shares of TYDE.

 

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Conditions to the Distribution

The Distribution is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions, among other conditions described in this information statement:

   
 

● TYDE will hold all of the assets comprising the Spin-Off Businesses.

   
 

● The SEC will have declared effective our registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement is a part, under the Exchange Act; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form 10 will be in effect.

   
 

● BBIG will have received an opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, tax counsel to BBIG, to the effect that, among other things, the Distribution, together with certain related transactions, should qualify as tax-free for United States federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code.

   
 

● Nasdaq will have approved the listing of TYDE common stock, subject to official notice of issuance.

   
  ● No events or developments shall have occurred or exist that, in the sole and absolute judgment of the BBIG Board of Directors, make it inadvisable to effect the Distribution or would result in the Distribution and related transactions not being in the best interest of BBIG or its stockholders.
   
  The fulfillment of these conditions will not create any obligations on BBIG’s part to effect the Separation, and the BBIG Board of Directors has reserved the right, in its sole discretion, to abandon, modify, or change the terms of the Separation, including by accelerating or delaying the timing of the consummation of all or part of the Distribution, at any time prior to the Distribution Date.
   
Stock Exchange Listing We have applied to have our common stock listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “TYDE.”
   

Transfer Agent

Nevada Agency & Transfer Company.
   
Valuation Opinion The Company expects to receive a Valuation Opinion on BBIG that will demonstrate that its value exceeds the $133,687,042 million shareholder’s equity in its capitalization table.
   
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences The Company believes and it is intended that the Transfer and the Distribution should qualify under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) as a transaction that is tax-free to BBIG and to its stockholders. You should review the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution—The Distribution” for a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to you of the Distribution, including potential tax consequences under state, local, and non-U.S. tax laws.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Certain factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. You should carefully consider the risks described below, in addition to other information contained in this information statement, including our financial statements and related notes. If any of these risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. As a result, the market price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additionally, the risks and uncertainties described in this information statement are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may become material and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business is subject to a number of risks including risks related to our business generally, risks related to each of the Spin-Off Businesses individually, risks related to our securities and risks related to the Separation.

 

Summary of our Risk Factors

 

Risks Related to Our Business Generally

 

  We are a recently formed entity, led by management that has limited experience operating a public company, with little track record and limited historical financial information available;
  We are operating in highly competitive industries that could be affected by a decline in discretionary consumer spending or general economic conditions;
  We must retain our key management personnel;
  We may not be able to raise adequate capital to fund our business, and our ability to raise capital may be negatively affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. We are also subject to the expenses of operating a public company;
  We face cyber security risks and our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover losses from both cyber security and other losses; and
  COVID-19 or another pandemic may negatively impact our ability to operate the Spin-Off Businesses Risks.

 

Related to Our Web 3 Business

 

  We need to innovate and provide Web3 products and services that are attractive to our users;
  The success of our Web3 Business is substantially dependent on the entertainment professionals we partner with and consumer tastes and preferences for Web3 products;
  If the crypto assets we create are determined to be a “security,” we may be subject to regulatory scrutiny, inquiries, investigations, fines, and other penalties;
  Our Web3 Business intends to rely on the Ethereum blockchain, which we have no control over; and
  We are subject to current and future legislation and rulemaking regarding digital assets that may result in extraordinary, non-recurring expenses.

 

Risks Related to Our Bitcoin Mining Services Business

 

  Bitcoin mining is capital intensive and if our customers have a decline in discretionary spending, or the price of Bitcoin goes down, they may not engage in Bitcoin mining or buy our products; and
  We are subject to shifting public and governmental positions on digital asset mining activity could reduce our revenue and profitability.

 

Risks Related to Our Packaging Business

 

  We are subject to the costs and availability of raw materials, and we rely on a limited number of third-party suppliers of raw materials; and
  We may be affected by interruptions in the transportation of the materials we require to produce packaging.

 

Risks Related to Our Securities

 

  We do not expect to issue dividends;
  An active trading market for our securities may never develop, and the price of our securities may be volatile; and
  We may issue shares of preferred or common stock in the future, which could dilute your percentage ownership of the Company.

 

Risks Related to the Separation

 

  We may not realize the anticipated benefits from the Separation, and the Separation could harm our business;
  We may have indemnification liabilities to BBIG under the Separation and Distribution Agreement; and
  The combined post-Separation value of BBIG and TYDE shares may not equal or exceed the pre-Separation value of BBIG shares.

 

Risks Related to Our Business Generally

 

We are a recently formed entity with little track record and limited historical financial information available.

 

Cryptyde, Inc. was formed on September 21, 2021, in the State of Nevada and converted to a Delaware corporation on March 9, 2022. Our Packaging Business was formed in 1966, however the rest of our businesses were recently started. Because we are in the early stages of executing our business strategy, we cannot provide assurance that, or when, we will be profitable. We will need to make significant investments to develop and operate the Company and expect to incur significant expenses in connection with operating components, including costs for developing technology, talent fees, marketing, and salaries. We expect to incur significant capital, operational and marketing expenses for a few years in connection with our strategy and growth plan. Any failure to achieve or sustain profitability may have a material adverse impact on the value of the shares of our common stock.

 

We must retain our key management personnel.

 

We aim to recruit the most qualified candidates and strive for a diverse and well-balanced workforce. While we expect to reward and support employees through competitive pay, benefits, and perquisite programs that allow employees to thrive, due to our size we may not be able to provide compensation equal to our more established competitors and may not be able to attract qualified management personnel. If we are unable to retain the key management personnel at our Company, the underlying business could suffer.

 

We could be adversely affected by declines in discretionary consumer spending, consumer confidence and general and regional economic conditions.

 

Our success depends to a significant extent on discretionary consumer spending, which is heavily influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. We believe the markets that all of the Spin-Off Businesses depend on are heavily reliant on discretionary consumer spending. The current economic environment as a result of COVID-19, coupled with high volatility and uncertainty as to the future global economic landscape, may have an adverse effect on consumers’ discretionary income and consumer confidence. Future volatile, negative, or uncertain economic conditions and recessionary periods or periods of significant inflation may adversely impact consumer spending on our products and services, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such effects can be especially pronounced during periods of economic contraction or slow economic growth.

 

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The Company will operate in highly competitive industries and our revenues, profits or market share could be harmed if we are unable to compete effectively.

 

Each of the Spin-Off Businesses will face competition from existing competitors. Our competitors in the Web3 business will depend on what Web3 products we develop or acquire. We expect competition for Freespace, our video game we are developing and expect to launch in 2022, to include Decentraland, Sandbox and Fluf World. With respect to our Bitcoin Mining Services Business, our competitors include Compass Mining, Miners Dep and Alliance. With respect to the Packaging Business, our competitors include Sutherland Packaging, Acme Corrugated Box Company, and Trenton Corrugated Products, Inc.

 

Competition in each of these areas may increase as a result of technological developments, changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, changes in market structure, and other factors. Increased competition may divert consumers from our products, which could reduce our revenue or increase our marketing costs. Our competitors may have substantially greater financial resources than we do, and they may be able to adapt more quickly to changes in consumer preferences or devote greater resources to promotion of their offerings and services or to development or acquisition of offerings and services that are perceived to be of a higher quality or value than our offerings and services. As a result, we may not be able to compete successfully against such competitors.

 

We may not be able to fund capital expenditures and investment in projects and offerings.

 

A principal competitive factor for a large portion of the Spin-Off Businesses is the originality and perceived quality of our products and offerings. We will need to make continued capital investments to adapt to constantly changing consumer preferences. Our ability to fund capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations and to raise capital from third parties. We cannot assure you that our operations will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to fund such costs, or that we will be able to obtain sufficient financing on adequate terms, or at all, which could cause us to delay or abandon certain projects or plans.

 

Continuing general market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic may affect our ability to raise capital.

 

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States and worldwide national securities markets have undergone unprecedented stress due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting reactions and outcomes of government, business, and the general population. These uncertainties have resulted in declines in many market sectors. As a result, until the pandemic has stabilized, the markets may not be available to the Company for purposes of raising required capital. Should we not be able to obtain financing when required, in the amounts necessary to execute on our plans in full, or on terms which are economically feasible we may be unable to sustain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan and may have to reduce the planned future growth and/or scope of our operations.

 

Geopolitical risks, such as those associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, could result in a decline in the outlook for the U.S. and global economies.

 

The uncertain nature, magnitude, and duration of hostilities stemming from Russia’s recent military invasion of Ukraine, including the potential effects of sanctions and retaliatory cyber-attacks on the world economy and markets, have contributed to increased market volatility and uncertainty, and such geopolitical risks could have an adverse impact on macroeconomic factors which affect our businesses, as well as our access to capital.

 

Cyber security risks and the failure to maintain the integrity of internal, partner, and consumer data could result in damages to our reputation, the disruption of operations and/or subject us to costs, fines or lawsuits.

 

We anticipate that we will collect and retain large volumes of internal, partner and consumer data, including credit card numbers and other personally identifiable information, for business purposes, including for transactional or target marketing and promotional purposes, and our various information technology systems enter, process, summarize and report such data. We also expect to maintain personally identifiable information about our employees. Additionally, our Web 3 Business is predominately digital in nature and relies heavily on our ability to maintain the integrity of our computer systems. The integrity and protection of our customer, employee, and company data will be critical to our business and our customers and employees are likely to have a high expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. The regulatory environment, as well as the requirements imposed on us by the credit card industry, governing information, security and privacy laws is increasingly demanding and continues to evolve. Maintaining compliance with applicable security and privacy regulations may increase our operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market our products and services.

 

We also expect to rely on accounting, financial and operational management information technology systems to conduct our operations. If these information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown and our business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

We may face various security threats, including cyber security attacks on our data (including our vendors’ and customers’ data) and/or information technology infrastructure. Although we will utilize various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate these threats, there can be no assurance that these procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent penetrations or disruptions to our systems. Furthermore, a penetrated or compromised data system or the intentional, inadvertent or negligent release or disclosure of data could result in theft, loss, fraudulent or unlawful use of customer, employee, or company data which could harm our reputation or result in remedial and other costs, fines or lawsuits and require significant management attention and resources to be spent. In addition, our insurance coverage and indemnification arrangements that we enter into, if any, may not be adequate to cover all the costs related to cyber security attacks or disruptions resulting from such events.

 

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Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all possible losses that we could suffer and our insurance costs may increase.

 

We expect to seek to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates. There can be no assurance that our insurance will be sufficient to cover the full extent of all losses or liabilities for which we are insured, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain insurance policies on favorable terms, or at all.

 

COVID-19 or another pandemic may negatively impact our ability to operate the Spin-Off Businesses which could decrease or eliminate the value of our common stock.

 

COVID-19 has resulted in significant uncertainty in many areas of our businesses. We do not know how long these conditions will last. This uncertainty may to negatively impact our operations. We may experience labor shortages, particularly in our Packaging Business, if our employees are unable or unwilling to come to work. If our suppliers cannot deliver the supplies we need to operate our business or if we are unable to ship our products due to trucking or rail shipping disruptions, we may be forced to suspend operations or reduce production. If we are unable to operate the Packaging Business at or near its historical rate, it may result in unfavorable operating results. Any shut down of operations or reduction in production, especially for an extended period of time, could reduce the value of our common stock.

 

Our management has limited experience in operating a public company.

 

Our executive officers have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Our management team may not successfully or effectively manage its transition to a public company that will be subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under federal securities laws. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities, which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of our business. We may not have adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal controls over financial reporting required of public companies in the U.S. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for us to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company in the U.S. may require costs greater than expected. It is possible that we will be required to expand our employee base and hire additional employees to support our operations as a public company, which will increase our operating costs in future periods.

 

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and distract management.

 

We expect to incur significant costs associated with our public company reporting requirements and costs associated with applicable corporate governance requirements. These applicable rules and regulations are expected to significantly increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time consuming and costly than those for privately owned companies that are not registrants with the SEC. Compliance with these rules and regulations may divert management’s attention from other business concerns.

 

Our business plan may require additional liquidity and capital resources that might not be available on terms that are favorable to us, or at all.

 

We currently expect to obtain a portion of the capital required for the development and operations of the Company from various forms of public and private financing, including the Note Private Placement and the Equity Private Placement, which are dependent on factors outside of our control. The Note Private Placement and the Equity Private Placement may not close, or the proceeds from the private placement may not be sufficient to fund future operations of the Company. We therefore may require additional capital and/or cash flow from future operations to fund the Company, our debt service obligations and our ongoing business. There is no assurance that we will be able to raise sufficient additional capital or generate sufficient future cash flow from our future operations to fund our ongoing business. If the amount of capital we are able to raise, together with any income from future operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital needs, including funding our current debt obligations, we may be required to abandon or alter our plans for the Company. The Company may also have to raise additional capital through the equity market, which could result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.

 

Our ability to obtain necessary financing may be impaired by factors such as the health of and access to capital markets, our limited track record and the limited historical financial information available, or the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Any additional capital raised through the sale of additional shares of our capital stock, convertible debt or other equity may dilute the ownership percentage of our stockholders.

 

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Risks Related to Our Web3 Business

 

If we do not innovate and provide Web3 based products and services that are attractive to our users, our business could be harmed.

 

Our success depends on our continued innovation to provide products and services that are attractive to potential users and customers. As a result, we must invest significant resources in research and development to first create then improve the attractiveness and comprehensiveness of our products and services and effectively incorporate new Web3 technologies into them. If we are unable to provide products and services that users and customers want to use, then users may become dissatisfied and use competitors’ products and services. If we are unable to continue offering innovative products and services, we may be unable to attract users, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The success of our Web3 Business is substantially dependent upon the continued success of the entertainment professionals we intend to partner with and our ability to continue to secure favorable contracts with and maintain a good working relationship with these individuals.

 

Our Web3 business is expected to include partnerships with entertainment professionals to help them use Web3 technology to distribute, manage, and receive payment for their art, music, or other content. Our ability to secure partnerships, and maintain a good working relationship, with artists, celebrities, athletes, and other public figures - through agreements, alliances, opportunities and otherwise – is of critical importance to our long-term success.

 

A particular crypto asset’s status as a “security” in any relevant jurisdiction is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and if we are unable to properly characterize a crypto asset we develop in our Web3 Business as not a security, we may be subject to regulatory scrutiny, inquiries, investigations, fines, and other penalties, which may adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

 

The SEC and its staff have taken the position that certain crypto assets fall within the definition of a “security” under the U.S. federal securities laws. The legal test for determining whether any given crypto asset is a security is a highly complex, fact-driven analysis that evolves over time, and the outcome is difficult to predict. The SEC generally does not provide advance guidance or confirmation on the status of any particular crypto asset as a security. Furthermore, the SEC’s views in this area have evolved over time and it is difficult to predict the direction or timing of any continuing evolution. It is also possible that a change in the governing administration or the appointment of new SEC commissioners could substantially impact the views of the SEC and its staff. For example, Chair Gary Gensler recently remarked on the need for further regulatory oversight on crypto assets, crypto trading, and lending platforms by the SEC. Public statements by senior officials at the SEC indicate that the SEC does not intend to take the position that Bitcoin or Ethereum are securities (in their current form). Bitcoin and Ethereum are the only crypto assets as to which senior officials at the SEC have publicly expressed such a view. Moreover, such statements are not official policy statements by the SEC and reflect only the speakers’ views, which are not binding on the SEC or any other agency or court and cannot be generalized to any other crypto asset. With respect to all other crypto assets, there is currently no certainty under the applicable legal test that such assets are not securities, notwithstanding the conclusions we may draw based on our assessment regarding the likelihood that a particular crypto asset could be deemed a “security” under applicable laws. Similarly, though the SEC’s Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology published a framework for analyzing whether any given crypto asset is a security in April 2019, this framework is also not a rule, regulation, or statement of the SEC and is not binding on the SEC.

 

Several foreign jurisdictions have taken a broad-based approach to classifying crypto assets as “securities,” while other foreign jurisdictions, such as Switzerland, Malta, and Singapore, have adopted a narrower approach. As a result, certain crypto assets may be deemed to be a “security” under the laws of some jurisdictions but not others. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the future, adopt additional laws, regulations, or directives that affect the characterization of crypto assets as “securities.”

 

The classification of a crypto asset as a security under applicable law has wide-ranging implications for the regulatory obligations that flow from the offer, sale, trading, and clearing of such assets. For example, a crypto asset that is a security in the United States may generally only be offered or sold in the United States pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC or in an offering that qualifies for an exemption from registration. Persons that effect transactions in crypto assets that are securities in the United States may be subject to registration with the SEC as a “broker” or “dealer.” Platforms that bring together purchasers and sellers to trade crypto assets that are securities in the United States are generally subject to registration as national securities exchanges, or must qualify for an exemption, such as by being operated by a registered broker-dealer as an ATS in compliance with rules for ATSs. Persons facilitating clearing and settlement of securities may be subject to registration with the SEC as a clearing agency. Foreign jurisdictions may have similar licensing, registration, and qualification requirements.

 

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We intend to analyze each crypto asset we develop under our Web3 Business to determine its likeliness to be deemed to be a “security” under applicable laws. Regardless of our conclusions, we could be subject to legal or regulatory action in the event the SEC, a foreign regulatory authority, or a court were to determine that a crypto asset we developed under our Web3 Business is a security under applicable laws. Because our Web3 platforms will not be registered or licensed with the SEC or foreign authorities as a broker-dealer, national securities exchange, or ATS (or foreign equivalents), and we do not seek to register or rely on an exemption from such registration or license to facilitate the offer and sale of crypto assets on our Web3 platforms, we will only develop and distributed digital assets for which we determine there are reasonably strong arguments to conclude that the crypto asset is not a security. We recognize that the application of securities laws to the specific facts and circumstances of crypto assets may be complex and subject to change, and that a listing determination does not guarantee any conclusion under the U.S. federal securities laws.

 

There can be no assurances that we will properly characterize any given crypto asset we develop under our Web3 Business as a security or non-security for purposes of determining whether we will distribute it on a Web3 platform. If the SEC, foreign regulatory authority, or a court were to determine that a crypto asset offered, sold, or traded on one of our future Web3 platform is a security, we would not be able to offer the Web3 product associated with the crypto asset until we are able to do so in a compliant manner. A determination by the SEC, a foreign regulatory authority, or a court that an asset that we support in the future for trading on our platform constitutes a security may also result in us determining that it is advisable to remove assets from our platform that have similar characteristics to the asset that was determined to be a security. In addition, we could be subject to judicial or administrative sanctions for failing to offer or sell the crypto asset in compliance with the registration requirements, or for acting as a broker, dealer, or national securities exchange without appropriate registration. Such an action could result in injunctions, cease and desist orders, as well as civil monetary penalties, fines, and disgorgement, criminal liability, and reputational harm.

 

Our Web3 Business intends to rely on the Ethereum blockchain, which we have no control over.

 

Our Web3 Business intends to operate on the Ethereum blockchain. Like other blockchains, Ethereum blockchain relies on a network of computers to run certain software programs to solve complex transactions in competition with other mining operations and to process transactions. We have no control over these networks, which subjects us to certain risks. For example, to the extent that any miners cease to record transactions in solved blocks, such transactions will not be recorded on the Ethereum blockchain. Currently, there are no known incentives for miners to elect to exclude the recording of transactions in solved blocks; however, to the extent that any such incentives arise (e.g., a collective movement among miners or one or more mining pools forcing Ethereum users to pay transaction fees as a substitute for or in addition to the award of new Ethereum upon the solving of a block), actions of miners solving a significant number of blocks could delay the recording and confirmation of transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. Such delay could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

Incidents or adverse publicity concerning the Company or our public-figure partners could harm our reputation as well as negatively impact our revenues and profitability.

 

Our reputation is an important factor in the success of our Web3 Business. Our ability to attract and retain both partners and customers depends, in part, upon the external perceptions of our Company, the brands and individuals we are associated with, and our corporate and management integrity. If market recognition or the perception of the Company diminishes, there may be a material adverse effect on our revenues, profits, and cash flow. In addition, changing public perception of the brand and public figures we partner with could negatively impact our business and results of operations.

 

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Changes in consumer tastes and preferences for Web3 products could reduce demand for our offerings and products and adversely affect the profitability of our Web3 Business.

 

The success of our Web3 Business depends on our ability to consistently provide, maintain and innovate Web3 products that meet changing consumer preferences. Our success depends in part on the continued and increasing popularity of Web3 products and on our ability to successfully predict and adapt to tastes and preferences of this consumer group. If our Web3 products do not achieve sufficient consumer acceptance or if consumer preferences change or consumers are drawn to other products, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Blockchain technology may expose us to specially designated nationals or blocked persons or cause it to violate provisions of law.

 

We are subject to the rules enforced by OFAC, including regarding sanctions and requirements not to conduct business with persons named on its specially designated nationals list. However, because of the pseudonymous nature of blockchain transactions, we may inadvertently and without our knowledge engage in transactions with persons named on OFAC’s specially designated nationals list, which may expose us to regulatory sanctions and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Current and future legislation and rulemaking regarding digital assets may result in extraordinary, non-recurring expenses and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Current and future legislation and rulemaking by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and SEC or other regulators, including interpretations released by a regulatory authority, may impact the manner in which digital assets are treated. For example, digital assets derivatives are not excluded from the definition of “commodity future” by the CFTC. Furthermore, according to the CFTC, digital assets fall within the definition of a commodity under the Commodities Exchange Act (the “CEA”) and as a result, we may be required to register and comply with additional regulations under the CEA, including additional periodic reporting and disclosure standards and requirements. We may also be required to register as a commodity pool operator and to register as a commodity pool with the CFTC through the National Futures Association. If we are required to register with the CFTC or another governmental or self-regulatory authority, we may seek to cease certain of our operations to avoid the registration requirement. Modifying our business to avoid a registration requirement with the CFTC or another governmental or self-regulatory authority may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Our Bitcoin Mining Services Business

 

The business of the end users of our Bitcoin mining equipment is capital intensive and declines in discretionary income could limit the market for our Bitcoin mining equipment, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Our Bitcoin Mining equipment is intended to lower the costs of constructing, developing, operating and maintaining digital asset mining and hosting facilities. However, users of our Bitcoin mining equipment may still face substantial costs associated with electricity usage, equipment replacement and upgrading, and other factors. A decline in discretionary income could prevent our intended end users from engaging in Bitcoin mining, and in turn from purchasing our Bitcoin mining equipment.

 

If future prices of Bitcoin are not sufficiently high, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected, which may have a negative impact on the trading price of our securities.

 

Our Bitcoin mining equipment allows users to engage in Bitcoin mining. If future prices of Bitcoin are not sufficiently high to cause our target customers to engage in Bitcoin mining and in turn purchase our products and services, our sales of Bitcoin mining equipment may be affected and our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

 

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Our business is heavily impacted by social, political, economic and other events and circumstances in the United States and abroad. Shifting positions on digital asset mining activity could reduce our revenue and profitability.

 

Our business is heavily impacted by social, political, economic, and other events and circumstances in the United States and abroad. These events and circumstances are largely outside of our influence and control. For example, we believe that historically China was a location of significant digital asset mining at low electric power rates. Recently, China and other foreign governments have taken action to prohibit or significantly restrict digital asset mining. Should China or other countries that currently restrict digital asset mining eliminate such restrictions or actually seek to enhance such mining activity, the demand for our Bitcoin mining equipment may be lowered, which would likely reduce the revenue and profitability of our Bitcoin Mining Services Business.

 

We are subject to risks associated with our customers’ need for significant electric power and the limited availability of power resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our customers using our Bitcoin mining equipment require a significant amount of electric power. Energy costs and availability are vulnerable to seasonality, with increased costs primarily in the summer months and risks of outages and power grid damage as a result of inclement weather, animal incursion, sabotage, and other events out of our control. Although we aim to offer energy efficient Bitcoin mining equipment, there can be no assurance that there will be sufficient energy availability to meet the needs of our Bitcoin mining equipment customers.

 

Governments and government regulators, at the federal, state, and local levels, may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to users of our Bitcoin mining equipment, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Governments or government regulators, at the federal, state, and local levels, may potentially restrict electricity suppliers from providing electricity to Bitcoin mining hosting facilities, including facilities used by our Bitcoin mining equipment target customers and facilities offered as part of our co-location services. For example, on May 14, 2018, the Chelan County Public Utility District in Washington approved a three-month extension of a moratorium on the approval of electric service for new digital asset transaction operators in Chelan County. In March 2018, the City of Plattsburgh, New York, placed an 18-month moratorium on transaction processing to preserve natural resources, the health of its residents and the “character and direction” of the city after residents complained about significantly higher electricity bills. In the event government regulators issue moratoriums or impose bans or restrictions involving transaction processing in jurisdictions in which our target Bitcoin mining equipment customers operate, the sales of our Bitcoin mining equipment may be negatively impacted and could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Our Packaging Business

 

An increase in the cost or a reduction in the availability of wood fiber, other raw materials, energy and transportation may have an adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.

 

Wood fiber, including old corrugated containers (“OCC”) is the principal raw material in many parts of the paper and packaging industry, including the corrugated cardboard on which our Packaging Business relies. Wood fiber is a commodity, and prices historically have been cyclical and have varied on a regional basis. Environmental litigation and regulatory developments have caused, and may cause in the future, significant reductions in the amount of timber available for commercial harvest in the United States. In addition, future domestic or foreign legislation and litigation concerning the use of timberlands, the protection of endangered species, the promotion of forest health and the response to and prevention of catastrophic wildfires could also affect timber supplies. Availability of harvested timber may further be limited by fire, insect infestation, disease, ice storms, windstorms, flooding and other causes, thereby reducing supply and increasing prices. Demand for OCC, especially from China, could result in shortages or spikes in the cost of OCC.

 

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Industry supply of commodity paper and wood products is also subject to fluctuation, as changing industry conditions can influence producers to idle or permanently close individual machines or entire mills. Oversupply in these markets can also result from producers introducing new capacity in response to favorable short-term pricing trends. Industry supply of commodity papers and wood products is also influenced by overseas production capacity, which has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. Wood fiber pricing is subject to regional market influences, and the cost of wood fiber may increase in particular regions due to market shifts in those regions. In addition, the ability to obtain wood fiber from foreign countries may be impacted by economic, legal and political conditions in those countries as well as transportation difficulties.

 

Energy is a significant input cost for the paper and packaging industry. Increases in energy prices can be expected to adversely impact businesses.

 

Because we rely on a supply of corrugated sheets of cardboard to produce packaging, these uncertainties in the supply and cost of raw materials used to produce paper product could affect the availability of the corrugated sheets of cardboard we rely on. Increases in costs may need to be passed on to our customers, and ultimately may negatively affect our business.

 

Disruptions in transportation could adversely affect our supply of raw materials and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, profitability, and liquidity.

 

Since we receive our supply of raw material from suppliers that use third-party shippers that rely on truck, rail, and other forms of transportation, the reduced availability of those modes of transportation could limit our ability to promptly produce products for our customers, which could have an adverse effect on our operations, financial condition, and liquidity. In addition, the increased cost of transportation of raw material from our suppliers may reduce our profitability if we are not able to recover those costs through price increases for our products.

 

Paper and packaging companies face strong competition.

 

We face competition from numerous competitors, domestic as well as foreign. Some of our competitors are larger, more vertically integrated companies that have greater financial and other resources, greater manufacturing economies of scale, greater energy self-sufficiency, and/or lower operating costs.

 

Certain paper and wood products are vulnerable to long-term declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials.

 

Companies in the paper and packaging industry are subject to possible declines in demand for their products as the use of alternative materials and technologies grows and the prices of such alternatives become more competitive. Any substantial shift in demand from wood and paper products to competing technologies or materials could result in a material decrease in sales of our products and could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, and financial position. We cannot ensure that any efforts we might undertake to adapt our product offerings to such changes would be successful or sufficient.

 

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Because we service customers in a variety of industries, we may be particularly impacted by general economic downturns.

 

Our Packaging Business provides packaging for third-party customers in a variety of industries, including pharmaceutical and e-commerce companies. Certain of our Packaging Business customers provide goods that are discretionary items for consumers. Therefore, their business, and in turn our Packaging Business, depends on the strength of the retail, commercial, and industrial sectors of the economy in various parts of the world, and trends therein. During a downturn in the economy, consumer purchases of discretionary items are affected, which could materially lower our customers’ demand for our packaging products, and negatively affect our profitability and financial condition.

 

We incur significant expenses to maintain our manufacturing equipment and any interruption in the operations of our facilities may harm our operating performance.

 

We regularly incur significant expenses to maintain our manufacturing equipment and facilities. The machines and equipment that we use to produce our products are complex, interdependent, and have many parts. We must perform routine maintenance on our equipment and will have to periodically replace a variety of parts

 

Disruptions to our Packaging Business could occur due to any number of circumstances, including prolonged power outages, mechanical or process failures, shortages of raw materials, natural catastrophes, disruptions in the availability of transportation, labor disputes, terrorism, changes in or non-compliance with environmental or safety laws, and the lack of availability of services from any of our facilities’ key suppliers. Any facility shutdowns may be followed by prolonged startup periods, regardless of the reason for the shutdown. Any prolonged disruption in operations at any of our facilities could cause significant lost production, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

We rely on a limited number of third-party suppliers for certain raw materials required for the production of our products.

 

Our dependence on a limited number of third-party suppliers, and the challenges we may face in obtaining adequate supplies of raw materials, involve several risks, including limited control over pricing, availability, quality and delivery schedules. We cannot be certain that our current suppliers will continue to provide us with the quantities of these raw materials that we require or will continue to satisfy our anticipated specifications and quality requirements. Any supply interruption in limited raw materials could materially harm our ability to manufacture our products until a new source of supply, if any, could be identified and qualified. Although we believe there are other suppliers of these raw materials, we may be unable to find a sufficient alternative supply channel in a reasonable time or on commercially reasonable terms. Any performance failure on the part of our suppliers could interrupt production of our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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Risks Related to Our Securities

 

We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock. Consequently, our stockholders’ ability to achieve a return on their investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

 

We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any future dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, financial condition, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, business opportunities, anticipated cash needs, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

As a result of becoming a public company, we will be obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting in order to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). We may not complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner, or these internal controls may not be determined to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the value of our common stock.

 

As a result of becoming a public company we will be subject to SEC reporting and other regulatory requirements. We will incur expenses and diversion of our management’s time in its efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding internal controls over financial reporting. Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm when required, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retrospective changes to our consolidated financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. If we are unable to assert that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would cause the price of our common stock to decline, and we may be subject to investigation or sanctions by the SEC.

 

One of our companies, Ferguson Containers, has material weaknesses in its controls over financial reporting, which could negatively impact investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

For Ferguson Containers’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively, Ferguson Containers had the following material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting:

 

Primarily due to the small size of Ferguson Containers, it does not maintain sufficient segregation of duties to ensure the processing, review and authorization of all transactions including non-routine transactions.
   
Ferguson Containers’s processes lacked timely and complete reviews and analysis of information used to prepare its financial statements and disclosures in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The material weaknesses of Ferguson Containers’s internal control over financial reporting could negatively impact investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

 

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An active, liquid trading market for our common stock may not develop, which may limit your ability to sell your shares.

 

Prior to this offering, there was no public market for our common stock. Although we have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq under the trading symbol “TYDE,” an active trading market for our common stock may never develop or be sustained following the Distribution. A public trading market having the desirable characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends upon the existence of willing buyers and sellers at any given time, such existence being dependent upon the individual decisions of buyers and sellers over which neither we nor any market maker has control. The failure of an active and liquid trading market to develop and continue would likely have a material adverse effect on the value of our common stock, and you may not be able to sell your shares of our common stock.

 

We may issue shares of preferred stock in the future, which could make it difficult for another company to acquire us or could otherwise adversely affect holders of our common stock, which could depress the price of our common stock.

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes us to issue one or more series of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors has the authority to determine the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares of preferred stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Our preferred stock could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to the rights of our common stock. The potential issuance of preferred stock may delay or prevent a change in control of us, discouraging bids for our common stock at a premium to the market price, and materially adversely affect the market price and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

 

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The trading price of our securities will likely be, and continue to be, volatile and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

The trading price of our securities could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to our general business condition, the release of our financial reports and general economic conditions and forecasts. Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our securities irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general, and Nasdaq, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of our securities, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to us could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our stockholders’ investment in our securities, and our securities may trade at prices significantly below the price they paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of our securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.

 

Anti-takeover provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.

 

TYDE’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Delaware law contain, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with TYDE’s Board of Directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions are expected to include, among others:

 

  rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings;

 

  the right of TYDE’s Board of Directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval;

 

  the ability of TYDE’s directors, and not stockholders, to fill vacancies (including those resulting from an enlargement of the Board of Directors) on TYDE’s Board of Directors;

 

  the division of TYDE’s Board of Directors into three classes of directors, with each class serving a staggered term; and

 

  a provision that directors serving on a classified board may be removed by stockholders only for cause.

 

In addition, following the Distribution, TYDE will be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 provides that, subject to limited exceptions, persons that (without prior board approval) acquire, or are affiliated with a person that acquires, more than 15 percent of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation shall not engage in any business combination with that corporation, including by merger, consolidation or acquisitions of additional shares, for a three-year period following the date on which that person or its affiliate becomes the holder of more than 15 percent of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock.

 

TYDE believes these provisions will protect its stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with TYDE’s Board of Directors and by providing TYDE’s Board of Directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make TYDE immune from takeovers. However, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that TYDE’s Board of Directors determines is not in the best interests of TYDE and its stockholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.

 

In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of TYDE’s stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code. For a discussion of Section 355(e), see the section entitled “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution”.

 

These anti-takeover provisions may also limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock. For a discussion of the anti-takeover provisions, See “Description of Capital Stock – Anti-Takeover Provisions.”

 

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Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or employees.

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the (i) Court of Chancery (the “Chancery Court”) of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for: (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of TYDE, (B) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of TYDE to TYDE or TYDE’s stockholders, (C) any action asserting a claim against the TYDE or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of the TYDE arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL, TYDE’s Certificate of Incorporation or TYDE’s Bylaws, or (D) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of TYDE governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Chancery Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, including in the event claims are brought under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the sole and exclusive forum for such action or proceeding shall be another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware.

 

The choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, and other employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in the proposed charter to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our securities will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If only a limited number of securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our Company, the trading price for our securities would likely be negatively impacted. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock or publishes unfavorable research about our business, our stock price may decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our Company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our securities could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.

 

We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and we are taking advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies or smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and are taking advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a registration statement under the Securities Act declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company, which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period, difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the closing of the Company’s initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common equity that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

 

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues did not equal or exceed $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $700 million as of the prior December 31.

 

Because we subject the above listed reduced reporting requirements, investors may not be able to compare us to other companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

 

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Your percentage ownership in our company may be diluted in the future.

 

In the future, your percentage ownership in our company may be diluted because of equity issuances for warrant exercises, acquisitions, strategic investments, capital market transactions, or otherwise, including equity compensation awards that we grant to our directors, officers and employees. Our Compensation Committee can be expected to grant additional equity compensation awards to our employees after the Separation. These awards would have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. From time to time, we may issue additional equity compensation awards to our employees under our employee benefits plans.

 

In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to create and issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more series of preferred stock having such powers, preferences, and rights, if any, and such qualifications, limitations, and restrictions, if any, as established by our Board of Directors. The terms of one or more series of preferred stock that is so created and issued by our Board of Directors may dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock. For example, our Board of Directors could create and issue one or more series of preferred stock having the right to elect one or more of our directors (in all events or on the happening of specified events) and/or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or dividend, distribution, or liquidation rights of a series of preferred stock created and issued by our Board of Directors could affect the residual value of the common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—Preferred Stock.”

 

Our common stock will be subordinate to all of our future indebtedness and any series of preferred stock, and effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and preferred equity claims against our subsidiaries.

 

Shares of our common stock will rank junior to all of our future indebtedness, including the Note under the Note Private Placement, and other liabilities. Additionally, holders of our common stock may become subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of holders of any series of preferred stock that our Board of Directors may designate and issue without any action on the part of the holders of our common stock. Furthermore, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon any of our subsidiaries’ liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors.

 

Investors are subject to litigation risk and their respective investments in the shares of our common stock may be lost as a result of our legal liabilities or the legal liabilities of our affiliates.

 

We or our affiliates may from time to time be subject to claims by third parties and may be plaintiffs or defendants in civil proceedings. There can be no assurance that claims will not be brought in the future if we cannot generate the revenue that we forecast or raise sufficient capital to pay our liabilities. The expense of prosecuting claims, for which there is no guarantee of success, and/or the expense of defending against claims by third parties and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments, would generally be borne by the Company and could result in the reduction or complete loss of all of the assets of the Company, and investors in our common stock could lose all or a part of their investment.

 

Risks Related to the Separation

 

We may not realize the anticipated benefits from the Separation, and the Separation could harm our business.

 

We may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the Separation and such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all. The Separation is designed to enhance strategic and management focus, provide a distinct corporate identity, and allow us to efficiently allocate resources and deploy capital. We may not achieve these and other anticipated benefits for a variety of reasons, including the following:

 

  the Separation will require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating and growing our business;

 

  following the Separation, we may be more susceptible to economic downturns and other adverse events than if we were still a part of BBIG;

 

  following the Separation, our business will be less diversified than BBIG’s business prior to the Separation;

 

  following the Separation, our business will experience a loss of scale and access to certain financial, managerial, and professional resources as well as product and brand power influence and recognition with some customers from which we have benefited in the past; and

 

  actions required to separate the respective businesses could disrupt our operations.

 

If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the Separation, or if such benefits are delayed, our business could be harmed.

 

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We have no history operating as an independent company, and our historical financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as an independent, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

 

Our historical financial information included in this information statement has been derived from BBIG’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records is not necessarily indicative of our future operating results, financial condition, or cash flows, nor do they reflect what our operating results, financial condition, or cash flows would have been as an independent public company during the periods presented. In particular, the historical financial information included in this information statement is not necessarily indicative of our future operating results, financial condition, or cash flows primarily because of the following factors:

 

  prior to the Separation, our business was operated by BBIG as part of its broader corporate organization rather than as an independent company, and BBIG or one of its affiliates provided support for various corporate functions for us, such as information technology, medical insurance, procurement, logistics, marketing, human resources, compliance, legal, finance, and internal audit;

 

  our historical financial results reflect the direct, indirect, and allocated costs for such services historically provided by BBIG, and these costs may significantly differ from the comparable expenses we would have incurred as an independent company;

 

  our working capital requirements and capital expenditures historically have been satisfied as part of BBIG’s corporate-wide cash management and centralized funding programs, and our cost of debt and other capital may significantly differ from that which is reflected in our historical combined financial statements;

 

  the historical financial information may not fully reflect the costs associated with the Separation, including the costs related to being an independent company;

 

  our historical financial information does not reflect our obligations under the various transitional and other agreements we will enter into with BBIG in connection with the Separation, though costs under such agreements are expected to be broadly similar to what was charged to the business in the past; and

 

  our business currently is integrated with that of BBIG and we benefit from BBIG’s size and scale in costs, employees, and vendor and customer relationships and the costs we will incur as an independent company may significantly exceed comparable costs we would have incurred as part of BBIG and some of our customer relationships may be weakened or lost.

 

We based the pro forma adjustments included in this information statement on available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable and factually supportable. Actual results, however, may vary. In addition, our unaudited pro forma financial information included in this information statement may not give effect to various ongoing additional costs that we may incur in connection with being an independent public company. Accordingly, our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements do not reflect what our operating results, financial condition, or cash flows would have been as an independent public company and are not necessarily indicative of our future financial condition or future operating results.

 

See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements” and the notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

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Until the Separation occurs, BBIG will have sole discretion to change the terms of the Separation in ways that may be unfavorable to us.

 

Until the Separation occurs, the Spin-Off Businesses will remain business segments of BBIG. Completion of the Separation remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, some of which are in the sole and absolute discretion of BBIG, including final approval by the Board of Directors of BBIG. Additionally, BBIG has the sole and absolute discretion to change certain terms of the Separation, including the amount of any cash transfer between us, the amount of our indebtedness, and the allocation of contingent liabilities, which changes could be unfavorable to us. In addition, BBIG may decide at any time prior to the completion of the Separation not to proceed with the Separation.

 

Potential indemnification liabilities to BBIG pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

The Separation and Distribution agreement, among other things, provides for indemnification obligations designed to make TYDE financially responsible for certain liabilities that may exist relating to its business activities. If TYDE is required to indemnify BBIG under the circumstances set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, TYDE may be subject to substantial liabilities.

 

TYDE may be subject to certain contingent liabilities of BBIG following the Separation.

 

After the Separation, there is the possibility that certain liabilities of BBIG could become TYDE’s obligations. For example, under the Code and the related rules and regulations, each corporation that was a member of the BBIG United States consolidated group during a taxable period or portion of a taxable period ending on or before the effective time of the Distribution is jointly and severally liable for the United States federal income tax liability of the entire BBIG United States consolidated group for that taxable period. Consequently, if BBIG is unable to pay the consolidated United States federal income tax liability for a prior period, TYDE could be required to pay the entire amount of such tax which could be substantial and in excess of the amount allocated to it under the Tax Matters Agreement between it and BBIG Other provisions of federal law establish similar liability for other matters, including laws governing tax-qualified pension plans as well as other contingent liabilities.

 

In connection with the Separation, BBIG will indemnify TYDE for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that the indemnity will be sufficient to insure TYDE against the full amount of such liabilities, or that BBIGs ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.

 

BBIG will agree to indemnify TYDE for certain pre-spin-off liabilities. However, third parties could also seek to hold TYDE responsible for liabilities that BBIG has agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that the indemnity from BBIG will be sufficient to protect TYDE against the full amount of such liabilities, or that BBIG will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. In addition, BBIG’s insurers may attempt to deny coverage to TYDE for liabilities associated with certain occurrences of indemnified liabilities prior to the Separation.

 

After the Separation, we will only have limited access to the insurance policies maintained by BBIG for events occurring prior to the Separation, BBIG’s insurers may deny or attempt to deny coverage to us under such policies, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain insurance coverage following the Separation on terms that justify its purchase, and any such insurance may not be adequate to offset costs associated with certain events.

 

In connection with the Separation, we will enter into agreements with BBIG to address various matters associated with the Separation, including insurance coverage. The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide that following the Separation, we will no longer have insurance coverage under BBIG insurance policies in connection with events occurring before, as of, or after the Separation, other than coverage for (i) events occurring prior to the Separation and covered by occurrence-based policies of BBIG as in effect as of the Separation and (ii) events or acts occurring prior to the Separation and covered by claims-made policies of BBIG for which a claim was received prior to the Separation. However, after the Separation, BBIG’s insurers may deny or attempt to deny coverage to us for losses associated with occurrences or claims made prior to the Separation. Accordingly, we may be required to temporarily or permanently bear the costs of such lost coverage. In addition, we will have to obtain our own insurance policies after the Separation is complete. Although we expect to have insurance policies in place as of the date of the Separation that cover certain, but not all, hazards that could arise from our operations, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to obtain or maintain such coverage, that the cost of such coverage will be similar to that incurred by BBIG, or that such coverage will be adequate to protect us from costs incurred with certain events. The occurrence of an event that is not insured or not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. See “The Separation—Agreements with BBIG.”

 

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After the Separation, some of our directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their equity ownership in BBIG.

 

Because of their current or former positions with BBIG, following the Separation, some of our directors and executive officers may own shares of BBIG common stock, and the individual holdings may be significant for some of these individuals compared to their total assets. This ownership may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for BBIG or us. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between BBIG and us regarding the terms of the agreements governing the Separation and the relationship thereafter between the companies.

 

The combined post-Separation value of BBIG and TYDE shares may not equal or exceed the pre-Separation value of BBIG shares.

 

After the Separation, we expect that BBIG common stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq. We have applied to list the shares of our common stock on Nasdaq. We cannot assure you that the combined trading prices of BBIG common stock and our common stock after the Separation, as adjusted for any changes in the combined capitalization of both companies, will be equal to or greater than the trading price of BBIG common stock prior to the Separation. Until the market has fully evaluated the business of BBIG without our business and potentially thereafter, the price at which BBIG common stock trades may fluctuate significantly. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated our business and potentially thereafter, the price at which our common stock trades may fluctuate significantly.

 

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We potentially could have received better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms we received in our agreements with BBIG.

 

The agreements we entered into with BBIG in connection with the Separation were negotiated while we were still part of BBIG’s business. See “The Separation—Agreements with BBIG.” The terms of the agreements negotiated in the context of the Separation relate to, among other things, the allocation of assets, intellectual property, liabilities, rights, and other obligations between BBIG and us as well as services to be provided to us by BBIG on an interim basis. Arm’s-length negotiations between BBIG and an unaffiliated third-party in another form of transaction, such as a buyer in a sale of a business transaction, may have resulted in more favorable terms to the unaffiliated third-party.

 

If the Transfer and the Distribution do not qualify as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, BBIG and/or holders of BBIG common stock could be subject to significant tax liability.

 

It is intended that the Transfer and the Distribution should qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 368(a)(1)(D) and Section 355 of the Code. The consummation of the Separation and the related transactions is conditioned upon the receipt of an opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP substantially to the effect that such transactions should qualify for this intended tax treatment. The opinion will rely on certain representations, assumptions, and undertakings, including those relating to the past and future conduct of our business, and the opinion would not be valid if such representations, assumptions, and undertakings were incorrect. Despite the opinion, the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, could determine that the Transfer or the Distribution should be treated as a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions, or undertakings that were relied upon for the opinion are false or have been violated, if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion, or for other reasons, including as a result of significant changes in the stock ownership of BBIG or us after the Distribution Date. For more information regarding the opinion see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.”

 

Even if the Transfer and the Distribution otherwise qualify under Section 368(a)(1)(D) and Section 355 of the Code, the Distribution could result in a material U.S. federal income tax liability to BBIG (but not to holders of BBIG common stock) under Section 355(e) of the Code if one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, a 50% or greater interest (measured by either vote or value) in the stock of BBIG or in the stock of our company (or any successor corporation) as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the Distribution. Any acquisition of the stock of BBIG or our company (or any successor corporation) within two years before or after the Distribution would generally be presumed to be part of a plan that includes the Distribution, although the parties may be able to rebut that presumption under certain circumstances. The process for determining whether an acquisition is part of a plan under these rules is complex, inherently factual in nature, and subject to a comprehensive analysis of the facts and circumstances of the particular case. Notwithstanding the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP described above, BBIG or we might inadvertently cause or permit a prohibited change in ownership of BBIG or us, thereby triggering tax liability to BBIG.

 

If either the Transfer or the Distribution fails to qualify for tax-free treatment for any reason, BBIG and/or holders of BBIG common stock could be subject to substantial U.S. taxes as a result of the Transfer and the Distribution and we could incur significant liabilities under applicable law. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.”

 

As described above, it is intended that the Transfer and the Distribution should qualify as tax-free transactions to BBIG and to holders of BBIG common stock, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. In addition, we will not control the resolution of any tax contest relating to taxes suffered by BBIG in connection with the Separation and we may not control the resolution of tax contests relating to any other taxes for which we may ultimately have an indemnity obligation under the Tax Matters Agreement. In the event that BBIG suffers tax-related losses in connection with the Separation that must be indemnified by us under the Tax Matters Agreement, the indemnification liability could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

 

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We will be subject to significant restrictions on our actions following the Separation in order to avoid triggering significant tax-related liabilities.

 

The Tax Matters Agreement generally will prohibit us from taking certain actions that could cause the Transfer and the Distribution to fail to qualify as tax-free transactions, including the following:

 

  during the two-year period following the Distribution Date (or otherwise pursuant to a “plan” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code), we may not cause or permit certain business combinations or transactions to occur;

 

  during the two-year period following the Distribution Date, we may not discontinue the active conduct of our business (within the meaning of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code);

 

  during the two-year period following the Distribution Date, we may not liquidate or merge, consolidate, or amalgamate with any other person;

  

  more generally, we may not take any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the Transfer and the Distribution to fail to qualify as tax-free transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Due to these restrictions and indemnification obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement, we may be limited in our ability to pursue strategic transactions, equity or convertible debt financings, or other transactions that may otherwise be in our best interests. In addition, our potential indemnity obligation to BBIG might discourage, delay, or prevent a change of control that our stockholders may consider favorable.

 

Our accounting and other management systems and resources may not be robust enough to meet the financial reporting and other requirements to which we will be subject following the Separation.

 

Prior to the Separation, our financial results were included within the consolidated results of BBIG, and we were not directly subject to reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. These and other obligations will place significant demands on our management, administrative, and operational resources, including accounting and information technology resources. To comply with these requirements, we anticipate that we will need to duplicate information technology infrastructure; implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems, and procedures; and hire additional accounting, finance, tax, treasury, and information technology staff. If we are unable to do this in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to independent public companies could be impaired and our business could be harmed.

 

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THE SEPARATION

 

General

 

BBIG intends to distribute 100% of the shares of our common stock held by BBIG to holders of shares of BBIG common stock, subject to certain conditions. The Distribution of our common stock is expected to take place on May 27, the Distribution Date. On the Distribution Date, each holder of BBIG common stock will receive one (1) share of TYDE common stock for every ten (1) shares of BBIG common stock held at the close of business on the Record Date, as described below. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your BBIG common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of TYDE common stock to which you are entitled on the Distribution Date.

 

The Distribution of our common stock as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. We cannot provide any assurances that the Distribution will be completed. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see the section “The Separation—Conditions to the Distribution.” We cannot provide any assurances that BBIG will complete the Separation.

 

Reasons for the Separation

 

The BBIG Board of Directors believes that separating the Spin-Off Businesses from the remainder of BBIG is in the best interests of BBIG and its stockholders for a number of reasons, including:

 

Distinct Focus. Each company will benefit from a distinct strategic and management focus on its specific operational and growth priorities. BBIG is expected to continue operations of its media focused business; TYDE will operate the Spin-Off Businesses. Because each company will have smaller portfolio of businesses, management of each company is expected to better allocate time and resources to identifying and executing operational and growth strategies;

 

Differentiated Investment Opportunities. Each company will offer differentiated and compelling investment opportunities based on its particular operating and financial model, allowing it to more closely align with its natural investor type. TYDE seeks to attract investors looking to invest in companies bringing Web3, and blockchain technology generally, into consumer facing industries, such as music and art, while also maintaining the stability that comes with an established business, such as the Packaging Business. Whereas BBIG will likely appeal to investors looking to invest in a global media business;

 

Optimized Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation Priorities. Each company will operate with a capital structure and capital deployment strategy tailored to its specific business model and growth strategies without having to compete with the other for investment capital. TYDE expects to monitor the performance and opportunities of the Spin-Off Businesses, and allocate capital in a manner designed to grow TYDE. BBIG is expected to continue allocating resources towards its media business;

 

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Direct Access to Capital Markets. Each company will have its own equity structure that will afford it direct access to the capital markets and allow it to capitalize on its unique growth opportunities appropriate to its business;

 

Alignment of Incentives with Performance Objectives. Each company will be able to offer incentive compensation arrangements for employees that are more directly tied to the performance of its business and may enhance employee hiring and retention by, among other things, improving the alignment of management and employee incentives with performance and growth objectives. TYDE expects to incentive management and employees with both cash and equity compensation upon attaining earnings, market capitalization, and user count goals. By tailoring management’s and employees’ incentive to the performance of the Spin-Off Businesses, rather than the businesses that remain with BBIG, the Company hopes to advance the Spin-Off Businesses faster than should they remain with BBIG; and

 

Incremental Stockholder Value. Each company will benefit from the investment community’s ability to value its businesses independently within the context of its particular industry with the anticipation that, over time, the aggregate market value of the companies will be higher, on a fully distributed basis and assuming the same market conditions, than if BBIG were to remain under its current configuration.

 

BBIG’s Board of Directors also considered potentially negative factors in evaluating the Separation, including risks relating to the creation of a new public company, possible increased administrative costs and one-time separation costs, but concluded that the potential benefits of the Separation outweighed these factors. The anticipated benefits of the spin-off are based on a number of assumptions, and there can be no assurance that such benefits will materialize to the extent anticipated, or at all. In the event the spin-off does not result in such benefits, the costs associated with the spin-off could have an adverse effect on each company individually and in the aggregate. For more information, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

Formation of a Holding Company Prior to the Distribution

 

In connection with and prior to the Separation, BBIG formed TYDE as a Nevada Corporation, and converted to a Delaware corporation on March 9, 2022. TYDE was formed for the purpose of transferring to TYDE assets and liabilities, including the entities holding assets and liabilities, associated with the Spin-Off Businesses.

 

The Number of Shares You Will Receive

 

For every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock you own as of the close of business on the Record Date, you will receive one (1) share of our common stock on the Distribution Date.

 

Treatment of Fractional Shares

 

Nevada Agency & Transfer Company, acting as the Distribution Agent, will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock to BBIG stockholders. As soon as practicable on or after the Distribution Date, the Distribution Agent will, instead, aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing prices, and distribute the net cash proceeds from the sales, net of brokerage fees and commissions, transfer taxes, and other costs, and after making appropriate deductions of the amounts required to be withheld for U.S. federal income tax purposes, if any, pro rata to each stockholder that would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in connection with the Distribution. The Distribution Agent will determine when, how, through which broker-dealers, and at what prices to sell the aggregated fractional shares. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any minimum sale price for the fractional shares or to any interest on the amounts of payments made in lieu of fractional shares. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares generally will be taxable to the recipient stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution—The Distribution.”

 

When and How You Will Receive the Distribution of TYDE Shares

 

BBIG will distribute the shares of our common stock on May 27, 2022, the Distribution Date, to holders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date. The Distribution is expected to be completed following the Nasdaq market closing on the Distribution Date. BBIG’s transfer agent and registrar, Nevada Agency & Transfer Company, will serve as transfer agent and registrar for our common stock and as Distribution Agent in connection with the Distribution.

 

If you own BBIG common stock as of the close of business on the Record Date, the shares of our common stock that you are entitled to receive in connection with the Distribution will be issued electronically, as of the Distribution Date, to your account as follows:

 

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  Registered Stockholders. If you own your shares of BBIG stock directly, either in book-entry form through an account at Nevada Agency & Transfer Company and/or if you hold paper stock certificates, you will receive your shares of our common stock by way of direct registration in book-entry form. Registration in book-entry form is a method of recording stock ownership when no physical paper share certificates are distributed to stockholders, as is the case in connection with the Distribution

 

  On or shortly following the Distribution Date, the Distribution Agent will mail to you a direct registration account statement that reflects the number of shares of our common stock that have been registered in book-entry form in your name. Stockholders having any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares of our common stock registered in book-entry form may contact Nevada Agency & Transfer Company at the address set forth under “Questions and Answers About the Separation” in this information statement.; and  

 

Beneficial Stockholders. Many BBIG stockholders hold their shares of BBIG common stock beneficially through a bank or brokerage firm. In such cases, the bank or brokerage firm would be said to hold the stock in “street name” and ownership would be recorded on the bank or brokerage firm’s books. If you hold your BBIG common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account with the shares of our common stock that you are entitled to receive in connection with the Distribution. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares of common stock held in “street name,” we encourage you to contact your bank or brokerage firm.

 

Treatment of Outstanding Equity Compensation Awards

 

The following discussion describes the expected treatment of BBIG equity awards in connection with the separation. We expect that the treatment described below would become effective as of the Distribution Date.

 

Holders of BBIG awards whose post-Separation employer is TYDE will receive as a replacement of the BBIG awards, an identical award with respect to approximately 1/10 of a share of our common stock for each share of BBIG common stock underlying the BBIG award, such that the resulting TYDE award will have an intrinsic value immediately following the consummation of the Distribution equal to the intrinsic value of the existing BBIG award immediately prior to the consummation of the Distribution, taking into account any necessary adjustments to the exercise price of the new awards, if applicable, to maintain such intrinsic value. To the extent the existing BBIG award is subject to vesting based upon continued service with BBIG, the new awards will also remain subject to the same vesting conditions based upon continued employment with the holder’s post-Separation employer. In addition, to the extent the existing BBIG award is subject to the achievement of certain BBIG performance-based target goals, appropriate adjustments will be made to such target goals and incorporated into the new awards to reflect equivalent TYDE performance-based target goals.

 

There are currently no unvested equity awards held by employees of BBIG that are remaining with BBIG after the Separation.

 

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Fractional Interests

 

To the extent any adjustments to be made to outstanding BBIG awards result in fractional share interests, the fractional interests will be rounded down to the nearest whole share, and we will make a cash payment to our respective employees and/or directors in lieu of such fractional interests.

 

Results of the Separation

 

After the Separation, we will be an independent, publicly traded company that directly or indirectly holds the assets and legal entities, subject to any related liabilities, associated with the Spin-Off Businesses previously conducted by BBIG. Immediately following the Separation, we expect to have approximately 400 stockholders of record. Based on the number of registered stockholders of BBIG common stock on May 6, 2022, applying the distribution ratio of one (1) share of our common stock for every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock, and adding the 1,500,000 shares of our common stock issuable under the Equity SPA, we expect to have approximately 20,305,259 shares of our common stock outstanding following the Separation. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined on the Record Date. 

 

Incurrence of Debt

 

In connection with the Separation, we incurred debt from the Note SPA. In addition, in connection with and/or after the Separation, we may incur debt in the ordinary course of business.

 

Regulatory Approvals

 

We must complete the necessary registration under the federal securities laws of our common stock to be issued in connection with the Distribution. We must also complete the applicable listing requirements on Nasdaq for such shares. Other than these requirements, we do not believe that any other material governmental or regulatory filings or approvals will be necessary to consummate the Distribution.

 

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Appraisal Rights

 

No BBIG stockholder will have any appraisal rights in connection with the Separation.

 

Listing and Trading of Our Common Stock

 

As of the date of this information statement, there is no public market for our common stock. We have applied to have our common stock listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “TYDE.”

 

Trading Between Record Date and Distribution Date

 

Beginning on the Record Date and continuing up to and including the Distribution Date, we expect that there will be two markets in BBIG common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of BBIG common stock that trade on the “regular-way” market will trade with an entitlement to receive shares of our common stock in connection with the Distribution. Shares of BBIG common stock that trade on the “ex-distribution” market will trade without an entitlement to receive shares of our common stock in the Distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of BBIG common stock on the “regular-way” market after the close of business on the Record Date and up to and including through the Distribution Date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of our common stock in connection with the Distribution. If you own shares of BBIG common stock as of the close of business on the Record Date and sell those shares on the “ex-distribution” market, up to and including through the Distribution Date, you will still receive the shares of our common stock that you would be entitled to receive in respect of your ownership, as of the Record Date, of the shares of BBIG common stock that you sold.

 

Furthermore, beginning on the Record Date and continuing up to and including the Distribution Date, we expect there will be a “when-issued” market in our common stock. “When-issued” trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The “when-issued” trading market will be a market for shares of our common stock that will be distributed to BBIG stockholders on the Distribution Date. If you own shares of BBIG common stock as of the close of business on the Record Date, you would be entitled to receive shares of our common stock in connection with the Distribution. You may trade this entitlement to receive shares of our common stock, without trading the shares of BBIG common stock you own, in the “when-issued” market. On the first trading day following the Distribution Date, we expect “when-issued” trading with respect to our common stock will end and “regular-way” trading in our common stock will begin.

 

Conditions to the Distribution

 

We expect the Distribution will be effective on May 27, 2022, the Distribution Date, provided that, among other conditions described in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the following conditions will have been satisfied or waived by BBIG in its sole discretion:

 

  TYDE will hold all of the assets comprising the Spin-Off Businesses;
     
 

The SEC will have declared effective our registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement is a part, under the Exchange Act; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form 10 will be in effect;

 
  BBIG will have received an opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, tax counsel to BBIG, to the effect that, among other things, the Distribution, together with certain related transactions, should qualify as tax-free for United States federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”);
     
  Nasdaq will have approved the listing of TYDE common stock, subject to official notice of issuance; and
     
 

No events or developments shall have occurred or exist that, in the sole and absolute judgment of the BBIG Board of Directors, make it inadvisable to effect the Distribution or would result in the Distribution and related transactions not being in the best interest of BBIG or its stockholders.

 

The fulfillment of these conditions will not create any obligations on BBIG’s part to effect the Separation, and the BBIG Board of Directors has reserved the right, in its sole discretion, to abandon, modify, or change the terms of the Separation, including by accelerating or delaying the timing of the consummation of all or part of the Distribution, at any time prior to the Distribution Date.

 

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Agreements with BBIG

 

In connection with the Separation, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with BBIG to effect the Separation and provide a framework for our relationship with BBIG after the Separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between us and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and BBIG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, of the assets, liabilities, legal entities, and obligations associated with the Spin-Off Businesses, on the one hand, and the other current BBIG businesses, on the other hand, and will govern the relationship between our company and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and BBIG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, subsequent to the Separation.

 

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will contain many of the key provisions related to our Separation from BBIG and the Distribution of our shares of common stock to BBIG stockholders.

 

The forms of the principal agreements described below have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part. The following descriptions of these agreements are summaries of the material terms of these agreements.

 

Separation and Distribution Agreement

 

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will govern the overall terms of the Separation. Generally, the Separation and Distribution Agreement will include BBIG’s and our agreements relating to the internal restructuring steps to be taken to complete the Separation, including the assets, legal entities, and rights to be transferred, liabilities to be assumed, and related matters.

 

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Subject to the receipt of required governmental and other consents and approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions, in order to accomplish the Separation, the Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide, as applicable, for BBIG and us to transfer specified assets between the companies that will operate the Spin-Off Businesses, on the one hand, and BBIG’s other current businesses, on the other hand, after the Distribution Date. The determination of the assets to be transferred between the companies will be made by BBIG in its sole discretion. The Separation and Distribution Agreement will require BBIG and us to use reasonable efforts to obtain consents, approvals, and amendments required to assign the assets, legal entities, and liabilities that are to be transferred pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any of the related ancillary agreements, all assets will be transferred on an “as is, where is” basis. Generally, if the transfer of any assets or any claim or right or benefit arising thereunder requires a consent that will not be obtained before the Distribution, or if the transfer or assignment of any such asset or such claim or right or benefit arising thereunder would be ineffective or would adversely affect the rights of the transferor thereunder so that the intended transferee would not in fact receive all such rights, the party retaining any asset that otherwise would have been transferred will hold such asset in trust for the use and benefit of the party entitled thereto and retain such liability for the account of the party by whom such liability is to be assumed, and take such other action as may be reasonably requested by the party to which such asset is to be transferred, or by whom such liability is to be assumed, as the case may be, in order to place such party, insofar as reasonably possible, in the same position as would have existed had such asset or liability been transferred prior to the consummation of the Distribution.

 

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will specify those conditions that must be satisfied or waived by BBIG prior to the completion of the Separation, which are described further in “—Conditions to the Distribution.” In addition, BBIG will have the right to determine the date and terms of the Separation and will have the right, at any time until completion of the Distribution, to determine to abandon or modify the Distribution and to terminate the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

In addition, the Separation and Distribution Agreement will govern the treatment of indemnification, insurance, and litigation responsibility and management of the Spin-Off Businesses, on the one hand, and BBIG’s other current businesses, on the other hand, after the Distribution Date. Generally, the Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide for uncapped cross-indemnities primarily designed to place financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of our business with us and financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of BBIG’s other current businesses with BBIG, in either case after applicable insurance coverage (which generally are occurrence policies) intended to cover such obligations and liabilities and whether incurred prior to, on, or after the Distribution Date. We and BBIG have each agreed to indemnify the other for any liabilities caused by a material misstatement or omission in materials supplied by one of us to the other for inclusion in this information statement regarding the business, operations, financial results, stockholder communications, risks, management, management compensation levels, and stock ownership of the applicable company. The Separation and Distribution Agreement will also establish procedures for handling claims subject to indemnification and related matters.

 

Tax Matters Agreement

 

In connection with the Separation, we and BBIG will enter into a Tax Matters Agreement that will contain certain tax matters arrangements (the “Tax Matters Agreement”) and will govern the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities, and obligations with respect to taxes, including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any, incurred as a result of the failure of the Transfer and the Distribution to qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Tax Matters Agreement will also set forth the respective obligations of the parties with respect to the filing of tax returns, the administration of tax contests, and assistance and cooperation on tax matters.

 

In general, the Tax Matters Agreement will govern the rights and obligations that we and BBIG will have after the Separation with respect to taxes for both pre- and post-closing periods. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we generally will be responsible for (i) any of our taxes for all periods prior to and after the Distribution and (ii) any taxes of BBIG for periods prior to the Distribution to the extent attributable to the Spin-Off Businesses. BBIG generally will be responsible for any of the taxes of BBIG other than taxes for which we are responsible.

 

40

 

 

The Tax Matters Agreement will further provide as follows:

 

  We will generally indemnify BBIG against taxes arising in the ordinary course of business for which we are responsible under the Tax Matters Agreement; and

 

  BBIG will indemnify us against any taxes of BBIG other than taxes for which we are responsible.

 

In addition to the indemnification obligations described above, the indemnifying party will generally be required to indemnify the indemnified party against any interest, penalties, additions to tax, losses, assessments, settlements, or judgments arising out of or incident to the event giving rise to the indemnification obligation, along with costs incurred in any related contest or proceeding.

 

The Tax Matters Agreement also generally will prohibit us and our affiliates from taking certain actions that could cause the Transfer and the Distribution to fail to qualify for their intended tax treatment, including the following:

 

  during the two-year period following the Distribution Date (or otherwise pursuant to a “plan” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code), we may not cause or permit certain business combinations or transactions to occur;

 

  during the two-year period following the Distribution Date, we may not discontinue the active conduct of our business (within the meaning of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code);

 

  during the two-year period following the Distribution Date, we may not liquidate or merge, consolidate, or amalgamate with any other person;

  

  more generally, we may not take any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the Transfer and the Distribution and to fail to qualify as tax-free transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

In the event that the Transfer and the Distribution fail to qualify for their intended tax treatment, in whole or in part, and BBIG is subject to tax as a result of such failure, the Tax Matters Agreement will determine whether BBIG must be indemnified for any such tax by us.

 

41

 

 

Transferability of Shares of Our Common Stock

 

The shares of our common stock that you will receive in connection with the Distribution will be freely transferable, unless you are considered an “affiliate” of ours pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Persons that can be considered our affiliates after the Separation generally include individuals or entities that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with us, and may include certain of our officers and directors. In addition, individuals who are affiliates of BBIG on the Distribution Date may be deemed to be affiliates of ours. We estimate that our directors and executive officers, who may be considered “affiliates” for purposes of Rule 144, will beneficially own approximately 441,250 shares of our common stock immediately following the Separation. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” included elsewhere in this information statement. Our affiliates may sell shares of our common stock received in connection with the Distribution only:

 

  under a registration statement that the SEC has declared effective under the Securities Act; or

 

  under an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144.

 

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, an affiliate will be entitled to sell, within any three-month period, a number of shares of our common stock that does not exceed the greater of the following:

 

  one percent of our common stock then outstanding; or

 

  the average weekly trading volume of our common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 for the sale.

 

Rule 144 also includes notice requirements and restrictions governing the manner of sale for sales by our affiliates. Sales may not be made under Rule 144 unless certain information about us is publicly available.

 

Reason for Furnishing this Information Statement

 

This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to BBIG stockholders who are entitled to receive shares of our common stock in connection with the Distribution. The information statement is not, and is not to be construed as, an inducement or encouragement to buy, hold, or sell any of our securities. We believe the information contained in this information statement is accurate as of the date set forth on the cover. Changes may occur after that date and neither BBIG nor we undertake any obligation to update such information except in the normal course of our respective public disclosure obligations.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends on our common stock will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on various factors, including applicable laws, our results of operations, financial condition, future prospects, the terms of our outstanding indebtedness, and any other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our cash and equivalents and our capitalization as of December 31, 2021, on a historical and pro forma basis to give effect to the Separation.

 

The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable; however, such adjustments are subject to change based on the finalization of the terms of the Separation and the agreements that define our relationship with BBIG after the completion of the Separation. In addition, such adjustments are estimates and may not prove to be accurate.

 

You should read the information in the following table together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” and our historical financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

We are providing the capitalization table for information purposes only. The capitalization table below may not reflect the capitalization or financial condition that would have resulted had we been operating as an independent, publicly traded company on December 31, 2021, and is not necessarily indicative of our future capitalization or financial condition.

 

   As of December 31, 2021 
Capitalization:  Historical   Pro Forma 
Cash and cash equivalents1  $911,194   $ 38,511,194  
Shareholders’ equity         
Parent’s net investment   2,121,351    - 
Common stock2   50,000    20,305 
Additional paid in capital   -    (20,305)
Total capitalization  $3,082,545   $ 38,511,194  

 

(1) Includes $30,000,000 of cash from the Note Private Placement, and assumes $12,000,000 of cash from Equity Private Placement and $2,000,000 cash payment to the Parent upon the Distribution.
(2)The number of TYDE shares expected to be outstanding upon the Distribution, 20,305,259, multiplied by the par value of $0.001. The number of TYDE shares expected to be outstanding includes 18,805,259 anticipated shares to be issued upon the Distribution to the shareholders of Vinco Ventures, Inc. and 1,500,000 TYDE shares to be issued pursuant to the Equity SPA.

 

The capitalization table above assumes that there will be 20,305,259 shares of TYDE common stock outstanding upon consummation of the Separation and excludes (i) 10,220,193 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants the Company anticipates issuing upon the consummation of an Amendment Agreement among the Company, BBIG and an accredited investor, (ii) 3,333,333 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of Note Investor Warrant, (iii) 3,333,333 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note, (iv) 533,333 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Placement Agent Warrant and (v) 1,500,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants the Company anticipates issuing upon the consummation of the Equity SPA.

 

42

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and the related unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, are presented as if the Separation had occurred on January 1, 2020.

 

The financial statements of the Company, which includes Ferguson Containers, Cryptyde, Inc., Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC, CW Machines, LLC, and BlockHiro, LLC, have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements to give effect to events that are directly attributable to the acquisition, are factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact on the combined company. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for informational purposes only. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are not necessarily indicative of what the combined company’s financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the acquisition been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined company.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of Ferguson Containers for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and audited financial statements of Cryptyde, Inc. for the period from September 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not reflect any cost savings from operating synergies or revenue enhancements that the combined company may achieve as a result of the acquisition and the effects of the foregoing items could, individually or in the aggregate, materially impact the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

43

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2021

 

   Ferguson Containers   Cryptyde, Inc.   Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC   CW Machines, LLC.   BlockHiro, LLC   Pro Forma Adjustments   Combined Cryptyde, Inc. 
                             
Assets                                   
Current assets:                                   
Cash and cash equivalents  $844,619   $66,485   $           -   $90   $

           -

   $ 37,600,000 (1)  $ 38,511,194  
Accounts receivable   867,027    -    -    -    

-

    -    867,027 
Inventory   110,664    -    -    -    -    -    110,664 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   48,343    33,395    -    6,999,955    -    -    7,081,693 
Total current assets   1,870,653    99,880    -    7,000,045    -     37,600,000      46,570,578  
Property and equipment, net   1,007,770    -    -    -    -    -    1,007,770 
Intangible assets, net   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Loan held for investment   -    4,000,000    -    -    -    -    4,000,000 
Due from Parent   418,004    -    -    -         (418,004 )(2)   - 
Total assets  $3,296,427   $4,099,880   $-   $-   $    $ 37,181,996    $ 51,578,348  
              -    -                
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity                                   
Current liabilities:                                   
Accounts payable  $44,547   $120   $-   $98,547   -   $-  $143,214 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   7,551    27,960    -    -    -    -    35,511 
Customer deposits   -    -    -    

6,999,980

    -    -    

6,999,980

 
Income tax payable   319,997    -    -    -    -    -    319,997 
Current portion of notes payable   15,530    -    -    -    -    -    15,530 
Total current liabilities   387,625    28,080    -    7,098,527    -    -    7,514,232 
              -    -                
Notes payable, net of debt issuance costs of $5,733,333, net of current portion   12,114    -    -    -    -    

27,600,000

(3)    27,612,114  
Deferred tax liabilities   82,104    -    -    -    -    -    82,104 
Due to Parent   -    4,452,053    -    164,498         

(4,616,551

)(2)   - 
Total liabilities  $481,843   $4,480,133   $-   $7,263,025       $

22,983,449

   $ 35,208,450  
Stockholders’ equity                                   
Common stock, no par value, 400 shares authorized as of December 31, 2021  $50,000   $-   $-   $-   $-   $(29,625)(4)  $20,305 
Additional paid-in-capital   -    -    -    -    -     14,228,642 (3)(4)   

14,228,242

 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)   2,764,584    (380,253)   -    (262,980)   -         2,121,351 
Total stockholders’ equity   2,814,584    (380,253)   -    (262,980)    

-

     14,198,547      16,369,898  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $3,296,427   $4,099,880   $-   $7,000,045    

-

   $ 39,581,996    $ 51,578,348  

 

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

 

44

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

    Ferguson Containers     Cryptyde, Inc.     Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC     CW Machines, LLC.     BlockHiro, LLC     Pro Forma Adjustments     Cryptyde, Inc.  
Revenues, net   $ 7,874,285     $ -     $ -     $ -     $

            -

    $ -     $ 7,874,285  
Cost of revenues     5,682,117             -             -             -       -       -       5,682,117  
Gross profit     2,192,168       -       -       -               -       2,192,168  
                                                         
Operating expenses:                                                        
Selling, general and administrative     1,946,832       413,648       -       262,980       -       770,000 (5)(6)     3,393,460  
Operating income     245,336       (413,648 )     -       (262,980 )     -       (770,000 )     (1,201,292 )
                                                         
Other (expense) income:                                                      
Rental income     71,543       -       -       -      

-

      (71,543 )(7)     -  
Interest income (expense)     (44,816 )     33,395       -       -       -       -       (11,421 )
Other income     481,090       -       -       -       -       (475,419 )(7)     5,671  
Total other income, net     507,817       33,395       -       -       -       (546,962 )     (5,750
Income (loss) before income taxes     753,153       (380,253 )     -       (262,980 )     -       (1,316,962 )     (1,207,042 )
Income tax expense     210,000       -       -       -      

-

      (210,000 )(8)     -  
Net income (loss)   $ 543,153     $ (380,253 )   $ -     $ (262,980 )   $

-

      (1,106,562 )   $ (1,207,042 )
Net income (loss) per share:                                                      
Net income (loss) per share – basic     1,357.88       (38.03 )                             (0.06 )
Net income (loss) per share – diluted     1,357.88       (38.03 )                             (0.03 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic     400       10,000      

 

                        20,305,259  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted     400       10,000                               39,225,452  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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CRYPTYDE, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

   Ferguson Containers   Cryptyde, Inc.   Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC   CW Machines, LLC.   BlockHiro, LLC     Pro Forma Adjustments    Cryptyde, Inc. 
Revenues, net  $6,719,894   $     -   $     -   $     -   $              $-    $6,719,894 
Cost of revenues   4,691,451    -    -    -            -     4,691,451 
Gross profit   2,028,443    -    -    -            -     2,028,443 
                                        
Operating expenses:                                       
Selling, general and administrative   1,759,117    -    -    -            560,000 (9)(10)   2,319,117 
Operating income (loss)   269,326    -    -    -            (560,000 )   (290,674)
                                        
Other (expense) income:                                       
Rental income   102,815    -    -    -            

(102,815

)(11)   - 
Interest expense   (112,295)   -    -    -            -     (112,295)
Total other (expense)   (9,480)   -    -    -            

(102,815

   (112,295)
Income (loss) before income taxes   259,846    -    -    -            (662,815 )   (402,969)
Income tax expense   67,399    -    -    -            

(67,399

)(12)   - 
Net income (loss)  $192,447   $-   -   $-            

(595,416

)  $(402,969)
Net loss per share:                                       
Net loss per share – basic   481.12    -    -    -                  (0.02)
Net loss per share – diluted   481.12    -    -    -                  (0.02)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   400    -    -    -                  18,805,259 

 

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NOTES TO PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

As used herein, the Company refers to Ferguson Containers, a New Jersey corporation incorporated on September 14, 1966 under the laws of the state of New Jersey, Cryptyde, Inc., a Nevada corporation incorporated on September 21, 2021, Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company formed on September 16, 2021, CW Machines, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company formed on October 2, 2021 and BlockHiro, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company formed on November 8, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are based on Ferguson Container, Inc.’s historical financial statements and the newly formed Cryptyde, Inc., Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC, CW Machines, LLC, and BlockHiro, LLC as adjusted to give effect to the Separation. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, give effect to the Separation as if it had occurred on January 1, 2020. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, gives effect to the Separation as if it had occurred on January 1, 2021. The Company has historically operated as part of Vinco Ventures, Inc. (“Parent”) and not as a standalone company. Financial statements representing the historical operations of the Packaging Business have been derived from the Parent’s historical accounting records and are presented on a carve-out basis. All revenues and costs as well as assets and liabilities directly associated with the business activity of the Company are included in the financial statements. The financial statements also include allocations of certain general, administrative, sales and marketing expenses and cost of sales from Parent. However, amounts recognized by the Company are not necessarily representative of the amounts that would have been reflected in the financial statements had the Company operated independently of Parent. Parent allocations are discussed further in Note 2. As part of Parent, the Company is dependent upon Parent for a majority of its working capital and financing requirements as the Parent uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of its operations. Financial transactions relating to the Company are accounted for through the Parent due to/from account. Accordingly, none of Parent’s cash, cash equivalents or debt at the corporate level have been assigned to the Company in the financial statements. All significant transactions between the Company and Parent have been included in the accompanying combined financial statements. Transactions with Parent are reflected in the accompanying Unaudited Pro-Forma Combined Balance Sheets within “Due From Parent and Due To Parent.”

 

2. PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

 

Pro forma adjustments are based on our preliminary estimates and assumptions that are subject to change. The following are corresponding to the footnotes in the above financial statements.

 

Balance Sheet – December 31, 2021

 

  1) Reflects the $30,000,000 of cash from senior convertible note less fees of $2,400,000 to the Placement Agent, $12,000,000 of cash from equity private placement and $2,000,000 cash payment to the Parent upon the Distribution;
  2) Reflects the elimination of the due to/from Parent upon the Separation;
  3) Reflects the adjustment for the senior convertible note of $33,333,333 with a purchase price of $30,000,0000; and
  4) Reflects the anticipated shares to be issued upon the Distribution to the shareholders of Vinco Ventures, Inc on May 18, 2022 and based on the number of shares outstanding of 188,052,593 as of May 6, 2022 and giving effect to one share of common stock to be received for every ten shares of Vinco Ventures, Inc. common stock. In addition, the number of TYDE shares expected to be outstanding includes 1,500,000 anticipated shares to be issued related to the equity private placement of $12,000,000.

 

Statements of Operations – December 31, 2021

 

  5) Reflects the elimination of portion of the management fee for the salaries of the CEO and CFO included below and employees remaining with Vinco Ventures, Inc. of $130,000;
  6) Reflects the anticipated salaries of the CEO, CFO and COO of $700,000 and $140,000 of benefits and corporate office rent expenses of $60,000;
  7) Reflects the elimination of income from rental operations and the gain on the sale of the building which is non-recurring; and
  8) Reflects the elimination of income taxes due to proforma loss before income taxes after adjustments.

 

Statements of Operations – December 31, 2020

 

  9) Reflects the elimination of portion of the management fee for the salaries of the CEO and CFO included below and employees remaining with Vinco Ventures, Inc. of $160,000. ;
  10) Reflects the anticipated salaries of the CEO, CFO, and COO of $700,000 and $140,000 of benefits;
  11) Reflects the elimination of income from rental operations which is non-recurring; and
  12) Reflects the elimination of income taxes due to proforma loss before income taxes after adjustments.

 

47

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

As explained above, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company,” and “the Company” refer to Cryptyde, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Company’s financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this information statement. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this information statement, including information with respect to the Company’s plans and strategy for the Company’s business and related financing, includes forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties and should be read together with the “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forwarding- Looking Statements” sections of this information statement. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

 

Overview

 

BBIG plans to spin-off its Packaging Business, Web3 Business, and Bitcoin Mining Services Business. To accomplish this spin-off, BBIG will transfer those businesses to us, then BBIG will distribute all of its equity interest in us, consisting of all of the outstanding shares of our common stock, to BBIG’s stockholders on a pro rata basis (the “Dristribution”). Following the Separation, BBIG will not own any equity interest in us, and we will operate independently from BBIG.

 

Our financial statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and are derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of BBIG. Our financial statements reflect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows as we were historically managed, in conformity with GAAP. Our financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at the BBIG corporate level but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to us.

 

48

 

 

All intercompany transactions between us and BBIG have been included in our financial statements and are considered to be settled in our consolidated financial statements at the time the Separation becomes effective. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected in our unaudited pro forma combined balance sheets as “Due to/from Parent.”

 

The historical costs and expenses reflected in our financial statements for Ferguson Containers include an allocation for certain corporate shared service functions historically provided by BBIG including executive oversight, accounting, treasury, tax, legal, human resources, occupancy, procurement, information technology and other shared services. These expenses have been allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis based on sales, headcount, tangible assets or other measures considered to be a reasonable reflection of the historical utilization levels of these services.

 

Our management believes the assumptions underlying our Ferguson Containers financial statements, including the assumptions regarding the allocation of general corporate expenses from BBIG are reasonable. Nevertheless, our financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had we operated as a stand-alone company during the periods presented and may not reflect what our actual results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been if we had operated as a stand-alone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if we had operated as a stand-alone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. Following the Separation, we will perform these functions using our own resources or purchased services.

 

TYDE is comprised of the Packaging Business, the Web3 Business, and the Bitcoin Mining Services Business. The Packaging Business includes Ferguson Containers and has been operating for over 50 years. The Bitcoin Mining Services Business is a joint venture through CW Machines, LLC and began operating in October 2021. The joint venture is expected to be accounted for as a variable interest entity and will be fully consolidated with Cryptyde, Inc. The Web3 business expects to begin offering Web3 products in 2022.

 

The Packaging Business – Ferguson Containers

 

Ferguson Containers manufactures and sells custom packaging for a variety of products. In our experience, packaging has the capability to “tell” the products’ story, generating increased product awareness, promote brand image, and drive unit growth. Senior management has more than 100 years of combined experience marketing, producing and delivering packaging materials. A hallmark of our operation is our quick production cycle. We can often begin a production run within minutes of receipt of an order. Many of our products are manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled material. When production is complete, we typically ship the product using our own trucks rather than relying on a common carrier. Ferguson Containers does not have long-term agreements with its customers, and instead manufactures and sells its packaging products subject to purchase orders from its customers.

 

The Web3 Business – BlockHiro, LLC

 

BlockHiro, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company was formed on November 8, 2021, was formed to hold the Web3 Business. The Web3 Business plans to use decentralized blockchain technology in established consumer facing industries such as video games, music, and art. TYDE intends to finalize a digital coin minting platform in 2022. TYDE believes its digital coin minting platform will enable TYDE to, together with partners and clients, quickly and efficiently create digital coins for use with projects in established consumer facing industries.

 

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Bitcoin Mining Services Business – CW Machines, LLC

 

CW Machines, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company formed on October 2, 2021, was formed to hold the Bitcoin Mining Services Business. The Bitcoin Mining Services Business, CW Machines, LLC, through a joint venture with Wattum Management Inc. and BBA Technology Inc., is focused on bringing Bitcoin mining to the consumer level by offering Bitcoin mining equipment and co-location services.

 

Key Components of our Results of Operations

 

Revenues

 

We sell corrugated custom packaging to a wide array of customers. In addition, we will generate revenues from the sales of Bitcoin mining equipment offered through CW Machines, LLC and Web3 Products and services offered through BlockHiro, LLC.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Our cost of revenues includes inventory costs, materials and supplies costs, internal labor costs and related benefits, subcontractor costs, depreciation, overhead and shipping and handling costs. In addition, we will incur costs to purchase Bitcoin mining equipment which will be resold to customers and costs from the development of Web3 products and services.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of selling, marketing, advertising, payroll, administrative, finance and professional expenses.

 

Rental Income

 

We earned rental income from a month-to-month lease on a portion of the building located in Washington, New Jersey that we previously owned. The building was sold in August 2021.

 

Interest Expense and Income, Net

 

Interest expense includes the cost of our borrowings under our debt arrangements. Interest income includes the interest earned under our notes receivable.

 

Other Income

 

Other income includes the gain on disposal of the building located in Washington, New Jersey.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Ferguson Containers

 

Year Ended December 31, 2021 versus Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

The following table sets forth information comparing the components of net (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

    Years Ended December 31,     Period over Period Change  
    2021     2020     $     %  
                         
Revenues, net   $ 7,874,285     $ 6,719,894     $ 1,154,391       17.18 %
Cost of revenues     5,682,117       4,691,451       990,666       21.12 %
Gross profit     2,192,168       2,028,443       163,725       8.07 %
                                 
Operating expenses:                                
Selling, general and administrative     1,946,832       1,759,117       187,715       10.67 %
Operating income     245,336       269,326       (23,990 )     -8.91 %
                                 
Other (expense) income:                                
Rental income     71,543       102,815       (31,272 )     -30.42 %
Interest (expense)     (44,816 )     (112,295 )     67,479       -60.09 %
Other income     481,090       -       481,090       100.00 %
Total other (loss) income, net     507,817       (9,480 )     517,297       -5,456.72 %
Income before income taxes     753,153       259,846       493,307       189.85 %
Income tax expense (benefit)     210,000       67,399       142,601       211.58 %
Net income (loss)     543,153       192,447       350,706       182.24 %

 

Revenue

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenues increased by $1,154,391 or 17.18%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily the result of increased sales due to more demand for packaging materials related to increased shipment of goods by customers.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, cost of revenues increased by $990,666 or 21.12%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in total revenues as well as increased costs of materials and production.

 

Gross Profit

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, gross profit increased by $163,725, or 8.07%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily a result of the increase in revenues offset by the increased costs of materials and production.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1,946,832 and $1,759,117 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, representing an increase of $187,715, or 10.67%. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in payroll costs related to stock-based compensation of $144,000 allocated to Ferguson Containers from the Parent.

 

Rental Income

 

Rental income was 71,543 and $102,815 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively representing a decrease of $31,272, or 30.42%. The decrease was related to the sale of the building in Washington, New Jersey in August 2021.

 

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Interest expense

 

Interest expense was $44,816 for the year ended December 31, 2021, versus $112,295 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in interest expense was related to repayment of outstanding lines of credit.

 

Other income

 

Other income was $475,418 for the year ended December 31, 2021 versus $0 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was related to the sale of the building in Washington, New Jersey in August 2021.

 

Income tax expense

 

Income tax expense was $210,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021, versus $67,399 for the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively. The increase was a result of income before income taxes.

 

Cryptyde, Inc.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Cryptyde, Inc. was formed on September 21, 2021. The results of operations are presented from September 21, 2021 through December 31, 2021. There were no operations prior to September 21, 2021.

 

The following table sets forth information from September 21, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

 

   For the Period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021
     
Revenues, net  $- 
Cost of revenues   - 
Gross profit   - 
      
Operating expenses:     
Selling, general and administrative   676,628 
Operating loss   (676,628)
      
Other income:     
Interest income   33,395 
Total other income, net   33,395 
Income before income taxes   (643,233)
Income tax expense   - 
Net income   (643,233)

 

Revenue

 

Cryptyde, Inc. was formed on September 21, 2021 and the Company does not currently generate any revenues.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $676,628 for the period from September 21, 2021 through December 31, 2021. The components of operating expenses were the result of payroll and related benefits and consulting and developmental expenses.

 

Interest income

 

Interest income was $33,395 for the period from September 21, 2021 through December 31, 2021. The components of interest income were the result of interest earned on the note receivable from Wattum Management, Inc..

 

Income tax expense

 

Income tax expense was $0 for the period from September 21, 2021 through December 31, 2021. No income taxes or benefit were recognized due to the Company’s loss before income taxes.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Ferguson Containers has historically been positive cash flows from operations. In addition, the Company has no significant debt obligations. Since inception, Ferguson Containers Inc.’s operations have been funded principally through its operations.

 

Cryptyde, Inc. has required funding from the Parent to launch operations.

 

At the Distribution, the Company expects to have approximately $40 million in cash from BBIG, the Equity Private Placement, and the Note Private Placement. The Company believes it will have sufficient funds for the next 12 months to accomplish its strategic plan.

  

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Cash Flows

 

Ferguson Containers

 

Since inception, Ferguson Containers has primarily used its available cash to fund its operations. The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows for the periods presented:

 

   

For the Years Ended

December 31,

 
    2021     2020  
Cash (used in) provided by:                
Operating Activities   $ 352,817     $ 193,075  
Investing Activities     294,244     (276,478 )
Financing Activities     20,799       181,461
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash   $ 667,860     $ 98,058

 

Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $352,817 during the year ended December 31, 2021, which consisted primarily of a net income of $537,487 offset by a gain on disposal of $475,418, non-cash depreciation expense of $144,765, increases in changes in operating assets and liabilities $144,317. Net cash provided by operating activities was $193,075 during the year ended December 31, 2020, which consisted primarily of net income of $192,447, non-cash depreciation expense of $95,861, amortization of note discounts of $15,573, and a decrease in changes in operating assets and liabilities of $110,806.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash provided by investing activities increased to $294,244 during the year ended December 31, 2021 from net cash used of $276,478 during the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase consisted of proceeds from the sale of a building of $808,395 offset by cash used for property and equipment purchases of $514,151 compared to $276,478 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

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Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $20,799 during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $181,461 for the year ended December 31, 2020. This decrease consisted of changes in cash received from Parent of $103,641 offset by changes in repayments under lines of credit of $263,650.

 

Cryptyde, Inc.

 

Since inception, Cryptyde, Inc. has required funding from the Parent to fund its operations. The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows for the periods presented:

 

  

For the Period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to

December 31, 2021

    
Cash (used in) provided by:     
Operating Activities  $(549,976)
Investing Activities   (4,000,000)
Financing Activities   4,616,551 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash  $66,575 

 

Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $549,976 during the period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021, which consisted primarily of net loss of $643,233, offset by operating assets and liabilities of $93,257.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $4,000,000 during the period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021. This consisted solely of cash used for a loan provided to Wattum Management, Inc., a partner in CW Machines, LLC.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $4,616,551 during the period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021 solely from cash provided by the Parent to fund the note and operations.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

The Company has no debt covenants that require certain financial information to be met.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2021.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

 

This discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based on the Company’s combined financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

For information on the Company’s significant accounting policies please refer to Note 2 to the Company’s Financial Statements included in this information statement.

 

BUSINESS

 

We were formed in 2021 and expect to acquire the Web3 Business, Bitcoin Mining Services Business, and Packaging Business from our parent, BBIG, in anticipation of the Separation. The businesses we acquired have longer operating histories than us. Accordingly, our discussion of the businesses includes information related to their operations prior to our existence and acquisitions of them.

 

We are headquartered in Safety Harbor, Florida. Upon the Separation, we expect to trade under the ticker symbol “TYDE” on Nasdaq.

 

Web3 Business

 

BlockHiro, LLC was formed in November 2021 to do business as a Web3 company. BlockHiro had no activity through December 31, 2021. The Web3 Business plans to use decentralized blockchain technology in established consumer facing industries such as video games, music, and art. TYDE intends to finalize a digital coin minting platform in 2022. TYDE believes its digital coin minting platform will enable TYDE to, together with partners and clients, quickly and efficiently create digital coins for use with projects in established consumer facing industries.

 

Web3 is the tokenized web, which includes blockchains and the tokens on blockchains. Web3 is decentralized. On Web3, transaction are conducted peer-to-peer and can have high degrees of privacy. Blockchains can be used to create smart contracts, which take real world contacts and program onto a blockchain allowing for the automatic execution of contracts. Blockchains, under the umbrella of Web3, provide the platform for managing transactions using tokens that represent digital and physical assets, such as music, art, money, collectibles, and real estate. We believe our digital coin minting platform will allow us to create solutions for moving established consumer facing industries on to blockchains through use of smart contracts other blockchain applications.

 

Our Web3 Business includes our upcoming game Freescape. Freescape is a character driven virtual ecosystem comprised of themed interactive environments. Freescape will allow users the ability to explore and experience a wide range of activities in the Metaverse including concerts, movies, and more. The initial launch of Freescape will begin with the “Space Cowboys” character launch targeted for release in the second quarter of 2022. Freescape characters will be minted in-house by TYDE through its NFT platform on the Ethereum blockchain. End consumers will then store their NFTs in their personal wallets.

 

TYDE intends to grow the Web3 Business into a portfolio company with a portfolio of products that use decentralized blockchain technology in established consumer facing industries. TYDE is in the early stages of investigating Web3 uses in music, movies, digital art, ticketing and event services, and gaming.

 

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The Web3 Business expects to take payment in the form of the digital currency Ethereum. TYDE will store the Ethereum it receives in a digital wallet. TYDE intends to adopt a policy for the conversion of Ethereum into fiat currency in accordance with industry standards.

 

The Web3 Business has not had any revenues. The Web3 Business does not currently have any material commitments for capital expenditures. In the event the Web3 Business requires a material capital expenditure, TYDE expects to fund it through capital raises.

 

Bitcoin Mining Services Business

 

CW Machines, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company formed on October 2, 2021, was formed to hold the Bitcoin Mining Services Business. The Bitcoin Mining Services Business, CW Machines, LLC, through a joint venture with Wattum Management Inc. and BBA Technology Inc., is focused on bringing Bitcoin mining to the consumer level by offering Bitcoin mining equipment and co-location services. TYDE holds a 51% interest in CW Machines, LLC.

 

CW Machines LLC is a reseller of Bitcoin mining equipment and services. The equipment sales primarily focus on Bitcoin mining equipment including Antminer S19s, Antminer S19 Pros, Whatsminer, and Canaan. Our Bitcoin mining services include reselling co-location services, which offer a physical location and ancillary services allowing Bitcoin miners to mine for Bitcoin. These services are provided by third-parties.

 

The Bitcoin Mining Services Business was formed in the fourth quarter of 2021 and began receiving revenue after December 31, 2021. The Bitcoin Mining Services Business does not currently have any material commitments for capital expenditures. In the event the Bitcoin Mining Services Business requires a material capital expenditure, TYDE expects to fund it through capital raises.

 

Packaging Business

 

The Packaging Business, through Ferguson Containers, manufactures and sells custom packaging for a wide variety of products. In our experience, packaging has the capability to “tell” the products story, generating increased product awareness, promote brand image, and drive unit growth. Senior management has more than 100 years of combined experience marketing, producing and delivering packaging materials. A hallmark of our operation is our quick production cycle. We can often begin a production run within minutes of receipt of an order. Many of our products are manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled material. When production is complete, we typically ship the product using our own trucks rather than relying on a common carrier. Ferguson Containers does not have long-term agreements with its customers, and instead manufactures and sells its packaging products subject to purchase orders from its customers.

 

In the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Packaging Business had revenue of $7,874,285 and $6,719,894, respectively.

 

Business Strategy

 

Derive revenue from a diverse group of industries and sources to allow us to focus resources toward the best opportunities. We intend for the Spin-Off Businesses to derive revenue from established industries such as consumer packaging, as well as newly emerging markets such as Web3, Bitcoin mining equipment and services, and creating NFTs. Our revenue is expected to come from a wide variety of sources. Our consumer packaging and Bitcoin Mining Services Business earn revenue from the sale of goods and related services. Products under our Web3 Businesses are expected to generate revenue from several sources including fees for using services developed by us, in-game sales for games we create, advertising integrated into the products expected to be offered by the Web3 Business, and transaction fees for various services.

 

Continually assess our businesses to best allocate resources. We expect our diverse group of industries and sources of revenue will allow our management to evaluate how to best allocate resources, and ultimately grow the Company. Because the industries that we expect to participate in include traditional and recently formed industries, our management believes we will be well prepared for changing economic conditions and customer preferences.

 

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Expand through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisition. We believe the Packaging Business and Bitcoin Mining Services Business are positioned well to grow organically. The Packaging Business has been operating for over 50 years and has a track record of expanding. The Bitcoin Mining Services Business is tapping into a relatively new market of less-established Bitcoin miners who traditionally could not enter the space due to economic and logistical hurdles. Our management may seek strategic acquisitions for Packaging Business and Bitcoin Mining Services Business but believes these two businesses can be grown organically through continued sales efforts. The Web3 Business is expected to grow both organically, and through strategic acquisitions. Our management believes that our future ability to quickly and efficiently mint digital tokens will allow us to make acquisitions and quickly add value by integrating blockchain into the existing consumer facing industries.

 

Maintain dedicated customer focus. We believe that maintaining a close partnership with our customers will allow us to effectively focus our efforts and respond to their changing demands. Our customers will expect us to offer products and services that remain relevant in industries that are constantly evolving. Our management believes listening to our customers will allow us to adapt to their needs and preferences.

 

Employees

 

As of May 6, 2022, the companies that will comprise TYDE had 28 employees that perform various administrative, finance and accounting, technology, and corporate management functions. Of the 28 employees, 17 employees were employed by Ferguson Containers and 11 employees were employed by Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC. None of our employees are represented by a union in collective bargaining with us. We consider relations with our employees to be good.

 

Properties, Facilities, and Distribution

 

We currently lease office space located in Safety Harbor, FL pursuant a lease that expires on July 31, 2024. In addition, we lease office space in Alpha, NJ on a month-to-month basis.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

During the normal course of its business, the Company may be subject to occasional legal proceedings and claims. There are currently no legal proceedings or claims asserted against the Company or its subsidiaries.

 

Supply Chain and Production

 

Our Packaging Business does not have long-term contractual arrangements with any of our suppliers that guarantee us production capacity, prices, lead times, or delivery schedules. Our reliance on independent party suppliers exposes us to vulnerability because of our dependence on a few sources of supply. We believe, however, that other sources of supply are available. In addition, we continually strive to develop relationships with other sources of supply in order to reduce our dependence on any one source of supply. As a result, we believe that our current and other available suppliers will ensure that we obtain a sufficient supply of goods built to our specifications in a timely manner and on satisfactory economic terms. The main raw material used by our Packaging Business is corrugated cardboard. Our main suppliers of corrugated cardboard are Corrugated Supplies Company, Georgia Pacific, and Freedom Corrugated. We also purchased certain finished products from Delta Packaging for resale to end users.

 

Our Bitcoin Mining Services Business is reliant on third-party suppliers. We are a reseller and require the availability of the products we purchase at wholesale, then distribute to final customers. We do not have long-term contractual arrangements with any of our suppliers that guarantee us adequate supply of Bitcoin mining equipment to satisfy the needs of our Bitcoin Mining Services Business. Our main suppliers of Bitcoin mining equipment sold under the Bitcoin Mining Services Business is Wattum Management, Inc.

 

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Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

 

We recognize the importance of innovation and protecting our intellectual property. We will apply for patents whenever we develop innovative new products, unique designs, or processes of commercial importance and seek trademark protection when we believe they provide a marketing advantage. We do not believe that our business is materially dependent on any single patent or trademark.

 

We rely on a combination of trade secrets, trademarks, trade dress, customer records, monitoring, brand protection services, confidentiality agreements, and other contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property.

 

We intend to vigorously pursue and challenge infringements of our patents, trademarks, service marks, trade dress, and copyrights, as we believe the goodwill associated with them is a cornerstone of our branding strategy.

 

Information Systems

 

Our information systems use software enterprise resource platforms, including procurement, inventory management, receivables management, and accounting. We utilize QuickBooks Enterprise as our ERP system.

 

After the Separation, we will either convert to our own instance of QuickBooks Enterprise or we will implement a new ERP system. Regardless of which decision is made, we believe our information systems infrastructure will support our growth strategy in the future.

 

Competition

 

We operate and plan to operate in a competitive markets and encounter competition from both domestic and foreign participants. We believe we can effectively compete with our present competitors. We compete, and plan to compete, primarily based upon innovation, performance, price, quality, reliability, durability, consumer brand awareness, and customer service and support. Our competitors include a large number of private companies that directly compete with a number of our brands. Certain of our competitors may have more established brand names and stronger distribution channels than we do and have, or have through their owners, access to financial and marketing resources that are greater than we possess that may afford them the ability to invest more than we can in product development, intellectual property and marketing.

 

Competitors to our Packaging Business include Sutherland Packaging, based in Andover NJ, Acme Corrugated Box Company, based in Hatboro PA, and Trenton Corrugated Products, Inc., based in Ewing PA. Competitors for our Bitcoin Mining Services Business include Compass Mining, Miners Dep, and Alliance Miners. Our competitors in the Web3 business will depend on what Web3 products we develop or acquire. We expect competition for Freespace to include Decentraland, Sandbox and Fluf World.

 

Seasonality

 

Our business is not seasonal and there are not large fluctuations with our operations between quarterly revenues based on the time of year.

 

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Government Regulation

 

Packaging Business

 

Like other manufacturers and distributors of consumer products, we are required to comply with a wide variety of federal, state, and international laws, rules, and regulations, including those related to consumer products and consumer protection, advertising and marketing, labor and employment, data protection and privacy, intellectual property, workplace health and safety, the environment, the import and export of products, and tax matters. Our failure to comply with applicable federal, state, and international laws, rules, and regulations may result in our being subject to claims, lawsuits, fines, and adverse publicity that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. These laws, rules, and regulations currently impose significant compliance requirements on our business, and more restrictive laws rules and regulations may be adopted in the future.

 

Web3 Business and Bitcoin Mining Services Business

 

The laws and regulations applicable to digital assets, including those we intend to produce under our Web3 Business and the Bitcoins mined by our Bitcoin Mining Services Business customers, are evolving and subject to interpretation and change. Governments around the world have reacted differently to digital assets; certain governments have deemed them illegal, and others have allowed their use and trade without restriction, while in some jurisdictions, such as in the U.S., digital assets are subject to extensive, and in some cases overlapping, unclear and evolving regulatory requirements. As digital assets have grown in both popularity and market size, the U.S. Congress and a number of U.S. federal and state agencies, including FinCEN, the CFTC, the SEC, FINRA, the CFPB, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS and state financial regulators, have been examining the operations of digital assets networks, digital assets users and digital assets exchange markets. Ongoing and future regulatory actions may alter, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the nature of digital assets markets and our digital assets operations. Additionally, U.S. state and federal and foreign regulators and legislatures have taken responsive action against digital assets businesses or enacted restrictive regimes in response to hacks, consumer harm, or criminal activity stemming from digital assets activity. There is also increasing attention being paid by U.S. federal, state, and local energy regulatory authorities as the total electricity consumption of cryptocurrency-mining grows and potentially alters the supply and dispatch functionality of the wholesale grid and retail distribution systems. Many state legislative bodies are also actively reviewing the impact of cryptocurrency-mining in their respective states.

 

Due to the relatively short history of Bitcoin and digital assets, and their emergence as a new asset class, government regulation of blockchain and digital assets is constantly evolving, with increased interest expressed by U.S. and international regulators.

 

Government regulation of blockchains and digital assets is under active consideration by the United States federal government via its agencies and regulatory bodies, as well as by similar entities in other countries and transnational organizations. State and local regulations also may impact our activities and other activities in which we may participate in the future. Other governmental regulatory bodies have shown an interest in regulating or investigating companies engaged in blockchain or digital asset businesses.

 

The effect of any regulatory change, either by the federal, state, local or foreign governments or any self-regulatory agencies on us is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. While we are unaware of significant adverse governmental or regulatory action adverse to Bitcoin mining in the United States, there is no guarantee that future regulation or adverse action will not take place and interpretation of existing regulations in a manner adverse to our business is possible.

 

In addition, various foreign jurisdictions either have adopted, or may adopt, laws, regulations or directives that affect digital assets, digital asset networks, and their users and participants. Such laws, regulations or directives may conflict with those of the United States, may negatively impact the acceptance of digital assets by users, merchants, and service providers outside of the United States, and may therefore impede the growth of digital assets. Several Eastern European and Asian countries have a more restrictive posture toward digital assets and, thereby, have reduced the rate of expansion of digital asset use, as well as mining, in each of those countries. Presently, we do not believe any U.S. federal or state regulatory body has taken any action or position adverse to Bitcoin, with respect to its production, sale, and use as a medium of exchange; however, future changes to existing regulations or entirely new regulations may affect our business in ways it is not presently possible for us to predict with any reasonable degree of reliability.

 

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We are unable to predict the effect that any future regulatory change, or any overlapping or unclear regulations, may have on us, but such change, overlap or lack of clarity could be substantial and make it difficult for us to operate our business or materially impact the market for digital assets that we mine or may mine in the future. FinCEN has issued guidance stating its position that it does not differentiate between fiat currency (which FinCEN calls “real currency”) and digital assets that are convertible into fiat currency or other forms of convertible virtual currencies (which FinCEN calls “virtual currency”) for purposes of determining whether a person or entity is engaging in “money transmission services”. Persons and entities engaging in virtual currency activities that amount to “money transmission services,” or otherwise cause them to be deemed a “money services business” under FinCEN’s regulations, must register with FinCEN as a money services business, implement an “effective” anti-money laundering program and comply with FinCEN’s reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

 

In May 2019, FinCEN issued guidance relating to how the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and its implementing regulations relating to money services businesses apply to certain businesses that transact in convertible virtual currencies. Although the guidance generally indicates that certain mining and mining pool operations will not be treated as money transmission services, the guidance also addresses when certain activities, including certain services offered in connection with operating mining pools such as hosting convertible virtual currency wallets on behalf of pool members or purchasers of computer mining power, may be subject to regulation. Although we believe that our activities under the Web3 Business and the Bitcoin Mining Services Business do not presently trigger FinCEN registration requirements under the BSA, if our activities cause us to be deemed a “money transmitter,” “money services business” or equivalent designation, under federal law, we may be required to cease certain of our operations. Ceasing such operating could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Backlog

 

We currently do not have a material backlog of orders through our Packaging Business. Backlog consists of orders for which purchase orders have been received and which are generally scheduled for shipment within six months or subject to capacity constraints, including lack of available product. We allow orders received that have not yet shipped to be cancelled; therefore, our backlog may not be indicative of future sales.

 

Emerging Growth Company

 

As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 the (“JOBS Act”). We will continue to be an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of the following:

 

  the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the Distribution;
     
  the last day of the fiscal year with at least $1.07 billion in annual revenue;
     
  the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means that we have been public for at least 12 months, have filed at least one annual report, and the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last day of our then-most recently completed second fiscal quarter; or
     
 

the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.

 

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Until we cease to be an emerging growth company, we plan to take advantage of reduced reporting requirements generally unavailable to other public companies. Those provisions allow us to do the following:

 

  provide reduced disclosure regarding our executive compensation arrangements pursuant to the rules applicable to smaller reporting companies, which means we do not have to include a compensation discussion and analysis and certain other disclosures regarding our executive compensation;
     
  not provide an auditor attestation of our internal control over financial reporting as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“Sarbanes-Oxley”); and
     
 

not hold a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

We have elected to adopt the reduced disclosure requirements described above for purposes of this information statement. In addition, for so long as we qualify as an emerging growth company, we expect to take advantage of certain of the reduced reporting and other requirements of the JOBS Act with respect to the periodic reports we will file with the SEC and proxy statements that we use to solicit proxies from our stockholders. As a result of these elections, the information that we provide in this information statement may be different than the information you may receive from other public companies in which you hold equity interests. In addition, it is possible that some investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of these elections, which may result in a less active trading market for our common stock and higher volatility in our stock price.

 

In addition, the JOBS Act permits an emerging growth company to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period that allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

 

Independent Accountant

 

Ferguson Containers

 

Effective February 21, 2022, Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) was dismissed by Ferguson Containers as its independent registered public accounting firm. For Ferguson Containers’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, Marcum’s reports on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended of Ferguson Containers did not contain any adverse opinions or a disclaimers of opinion, and no report was qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

 

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For Ferguson Containers’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and the subsequent interim periods through September 30, 2021, there were no disagreements between Marcum and Ferguson Containers on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Marcum, would have caused Marcum to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report of Ferguson Containers for such periods.

 

For Ferguson Containers’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and the subsequent interim periods through September 30, 2021, there were no reportable events of the type described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, other than a material weakness in internal controls related to limited accounting personnel and segregation of duties to ensure that all material transactions and developments impacting its financial statements are reflected.

 

On January 27, 2022, Ferguson Containers engaged Morison Cogen.

 

Prior to engaging Morison Cogen, Ferguson Containers did not consult Morison Cogen regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, completed or proposed, the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on Ferguson Containers’s financial statements or a reportable event, nor did Ferguson Containers consult with Morison Cogen regarding any disagreements with Ferguson Containers’s prior auditor on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope of procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the prior auditor, would have caused it to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Executive Officers Following the Separation

 

The following table sets forth information, as of the date of this information statement, regarding certain individuals who are expected to serve as our directors and executive officers following the Separation. We expect that those individuals noted below, who are current employees of BBIG, except for Brian McFadden who resigned from his positions with BBIG effective as of September 23, 2021, will transfer from their respective employment with BBIG to our Company and, immediately prior to the Separation, resign from any officer roles with BBIG.

 

The Company’s current and directors and executive officers as of May 6, 2022, are as follows:

 

Name   Age   Position
Brian McFadden   36   President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
Brett Vroman   41   Chief Financial Officer
Kevin O’Donnell   45   Chairman
Frank Jennings   49   Director
Louis Foreman   52   Director
Mary Ann Halford   56   Director

 

Brian McFadden. Mr. McFadden has served as a member of the Board since October 13, 2021. Mr. McFadden also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. McFadden previously served as the Chief Strategy Officer for Vinco Ventures, Inc. A serial entrepreneur himself, Mr. McFadden is charged with identifying and targeting company acquisitions to ensure long term growth and scale. Mr. McFadden served as a Managing Member of MAC Capital Holdings, a marketing and consulting firm, from 2019 to 2020, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stealth Technologies Inc, a direct response distribution company, from 2012 to 2019. Mr. McFadden brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the media acquisitions, and consumer products markets. Mr. McFadden recently was involved in the acquisition and merger of a large social platform in the short form content space. A Hamilton College graduate, Mr. McFadden supports entrepreneurs in their early-stage growth efforts.

 

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Brett Vroman Mr. Vroman has served as Chief Financial Officer since October 13, 2021. Mr. Vroman served as Vinco Venture, Inc.’s Chief Financial Officer from June 2019 to November 22, 2021, and previously served as its Controller from May 2018 through May 2019. From October 2014 to May 2018, Mr. Vroman was Director of Financial Reporting at Avantor, Inc., a global manufacturer and distributor of high-quality products, services and solutions to customers and suppliers in the life science, advanced technology, and applied materials industries. From March 2011 to October 2014, Mr. Vroman was employed as an Assurance Senior Manager at BDO USA, LLP, a public accounting, tax, consulting. Mr. Vroman is a certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from York College of Pennsylvania. Mr. Vroman bring to Tyde accounting and management experience.

 

Kevin O’Donnell. Mr. O’Donnell has the served as the Chairman of the Board since October 15, 2021. Mr. O’Donnell founded Poptop Partners, LLC, a boutique operating and investment firm specializing in small to mid-market companies with an emphasis on the retail sector in April 2011 and continues to serve as its Managing Partner. From May 2007 to June 2010, Mr. O’Donnell served as the Founder/President of KOR Capital, LLC, a private equity and consulting firm specializing in turn around management of mid-market companies. Mr. O’Donnell has been an early-stage investor in multiple industries including hospitality, beverage, cannabis, hemp and technology. Mr. O’Donnell has served or continues to serve on numerous private and public boards including but not limited to SRM Entertainment, Vinco Ventures, Inc., Lakeside Alternatives Hospital Foundation, and The University Club. Mr. O’Donnell will bring to TYDE close to 25 years of strategic corporate growth, financial structuring, leadership, and business development initiatives to emerging growth companies.

 

Frank Jennings. Mr. Jennings has served as a member of the Board since October 13, 2021. Since 2019, Mr. Jennings has served as the Chief Sales Officer at Castlight Health. From August 2014 to 2019, Mr. Jennings was employed as the Vice President of Sales, North America by Doctor on Demand, Inc., an innovative healthcare telemedicine provider. He currently serves as an advisor at Aptihealth and Covera Health and is on the Board of Directors for Vinco Ventures, Inc. Mr. Jennings is a co-founder of the CMK Foundation, a charitable organization which has been helping people in local communities since 2009. Mr. Jennings brings to TYDE 30 years of experience in business development and management of sales professionals in a variety of technology-adjacent industries.

 

Mary Ann Halford. Ms. Halford has served as a member of the Board since October 13, 2021. She is currently a Partner in the Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (“TMT”) strategy consultancy Altman Solon. Previously she was a Senior Advisor to OC&C Strategy Consultants from December 2017 to December 2020. From March 2012 to April 2017, Ms. Halford was both a Managing Director and then a Senior Managing Director in FTI Consulting’s TMT Group working both in NY and London. Ms. Halford built out the digital operations for ITN Networks from 2008 – 2009 and from 1997 through 2002, Ms. Halford built and developed the platform for the Fox International Channels Group. In addition, from 2007 through 2014, Ms. Halford served on the Board of Directors of Triton Digital. Ms. Halford received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Economics from Georgetown University and her Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard University. Ms. Halford brings to TYDE over 30 years of experience as both an operator and consultant to the global media and entertainment industry.

 

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Louis Foreman. Louis Foreman has served as a member of the Board since October 15, 2021. Mr. Foreman is the founder and Chief Executive of Enventys, an integrated product design and engineering firm. Over the past 34 years Louis has created 10 successful start-ups and has been directly responsible for the creation of over 20 others. In 2013, Mr. Foreman was appointed by the SBA Administrator to serve on the National SBDC Advisory Board until the end of 2022. In 2008, Mr. Foreman was appointed by United States Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez to serve for a three-year term on the nine-person Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In 2011, he was appointed by Secretary Gary Locke to serve an additional three-year term. In addition to being an inventor, Mr. Foreman was the creator of the Emmy® Award winning PBS TV show, Everyday Edisons, and served as the Executive Producer and lead judge. Mr. Foreman currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the James Dyson Foundation, the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), New Dominion Bank, The Federal Reserve Bank Industry Roundtable, Beyond Campus Innovations, Vinco Ventures, Inc., and the Intellectual Property Owners Educational Foundation (IPOEF). Mr. Foreman has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Illinois. Mr. Foreman brings to TYDE significant experience with start-ups and knowledge of intellectual property matters.

 

Corporate Governance

 

Director Nominations Process

 

Each year the Board is expected to nominate a slate of directors for election by stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders based on the recommendations of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In identifying prospective director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may seek referrals from other members of the Board, management, stockholders and other sources, including third-party recommendations.

 

Director and Executive Officer Qualifications

 

Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with our Board, on an annual basis, the appropriate experience, skills and characteristics for the Board as a whole and its individual members. In evaluating the suitability of individuals for Board membership, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, takes into account many factors, including but not limited to: the individual’s qualification as independent, as well as consideration of diversity, skills, age, education and experience and the general needs of the Board. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of recommending a group of directors that can best perpetuate the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment, using its diversity of experience. In determining whether to recommend a director for re-election, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the director’s past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board.

 

The Company’s officers and Board of Directors is composed of a diverse group of leaders in their respective fields. Many of these officers or directors have senior leadership experience at various companies. In these positions, they have also gained experience in core management skills, such as strategic and financial planning, public company financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and leadership development. Many of the Company’s officers and directors also have experience serving on boards of directors and/or board committees of other public companies and private companies and have an understanding of corporate governance practices and trends, which provides an understanding of different business processes, challenges, and strategies. Further, these officers and directors have other experience that makes them valuable, such as managing and investing assets or facilitating the consummation of business investments and combinations.

 

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The Company, along with its officers and directors, believe that the above-mentioned attributes, along with the leadership skills and other experiences of the Company’s directors and executive officers described above, provide the Company with a diverse range of perspectives and judgment necessary to facilitate the Company’s goals of stockholder value appreciation through organic and acquisition growth.

 

Board Structure, Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors

 

Our Board of Directors consists of five Directors. In accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation, the minimum number of directors we may have is five and maximum number of Directors is eleven. The number of Directors may be increased or decreased by our Board of Directors from time to time. In accordance with our Bylaws and Delaware law, our Board of Directors will oversee the management of the business and affairs of the Company. Our Directors will be elected by our stockholders at our annual stockholders meeting for three-year terms and to serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, or removal. Stockholders will not be entitled to cumulative voting in the election of our directors. Our Board of Directors will be classified, meaning the directors will be divided into three classes each consisting of as close to 1/3 of the total Directors as possible. At each annual meeting of the stockholders, one class of Directors will be up for election. Directors will serve three-year terms. No determination has been made regarding the directors to be in the individual classes. This classification of the Board of Directors may delay or prevent a change in control of our company or our management.

 

Director Independence

 

Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship that, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board intends to affirmatively determine that Frank Jennings, Louis Foreman, and Mary Ann Halford qualify as independent directors in accordance with the Nasdaq listing rules.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

Our Board of Directors is not expected to have a formal policy regarding the combination of the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer because the Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company to have the flexibility to determine, from time to time, whether the positions should be held by the same person or by separate persons. The Board of Directors believes that it is currently in the best interest of our stockholders that the role of Chairman be held by Kevin O’Donnell, upon his anticipated appointment to the Board of Directors.

 

The Board of Directors may reconsider this leadership structure from time to time based on the leadership needs of our Board of Directors and the Company at any particular time. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is expected to evaluate on an ongoing basis whether the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate to effectively address the evolving needs of the Company’s business and the long-term interests of our stockholders. The committee is expected to then makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the Board of Directors’ leadership structure, including whether the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separated or combined.

 

Lead Independent Director

 

Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, if the Chairman of the Board of Directors is not an independent director, as determined by the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board, the independent directors will annually appoint one independent director to be the Lead Independent Director in accordance with the Director Nominating Agreement. Given that our Chairman will not be an independent director, our independent directors have appointed Frank Jennings as our Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director’s responsibilities are to: (i) preside over executive sessions of the independent directors and at all meetings at which the Chairman of the Board of Directors is not present; (ii) call meetings of the independent directors as he or she deems necessary; (iii) serve as a liaison between the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the independent directors; (iv) propose agendas and schedules for Board meetings in consultation with the Chairman of the Board of Directors; and (v) be available for consultation and communication if requested by stockholders.

 

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Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

Our management is responsible for identifying risks facing our Company, including strategic, financial, operational, and regulatory risks, implementing risk management policies and procedures and managing our day-to-day risk exposure. The Board is expected to have overall responsibility for risk oversight, including, as part of regular Board of Directors and committee meetings, general oversight of executives’ management of risks relevant to the Company. While the full Board of Directors has overall responsibility for risk oversight and is currently overseeing the Company’s business continuity risks, it is expected to be supported in this function by its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee once the committees have been formed. The committees are expected to be formed prior to the Distribution, and each of the committees is expected to regularly reports to the Board of Directors.

 

The Audit Committee will review and discuss with management and the Company’s auditors, as appropriate, the risks faced by the Company and the policies, guidelines, and process by which management assesses and manages the Company’s risks, including the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.

 

The Compensation Committee will review the Company’s incentive compensation arrangements to determine whether they encourage excessive risk-taking, to review and discuss at least annually the relationship between risk management policies and practices and compensation, and to evaluate compensation policies and practices that could mitigate any such risk.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will be responsible for developing and recommending to the Board of Directors for approval an officer succession plan (the “Succession Plan”), reviewing the Succession Plan periodically with the Chief Executive Officer, evaluating potential candidates for executive positions and recommending to the Board of Directors any changes to and any candidates for succession under the Succession Plan.

 

In addition, the Board of Directors will be presented with information at its regularly scheduled and special meetings regarding risks facing our Company, and management will provide more frequent, informal communications to the Board of Directors between regularly scheduled meetings which will be designed to give the Board of Directors regular updates about our business. The Board of Directors will consider this information and will provide feedback, will make recommendations, and, as appropriate, will authorize or direct management to address particular exposures to risk.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our Board of Directors has three standing committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Frank Jennings, Mary Ann Halford and Louis Foreman, have been appointed to serve on the Company’s Audit Committee, with Louis Foreman serving as the chair and qualifying as an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. Frank Jennings, Mary Ann Halford, Louis Foreman have been appointed to serve on the Company’s Compensation Committee, with Frank Jennings serving as the chair. Frank Jennings, Mary Ann Halford, Louis Foreman have been appointed to serve on the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with Frank Jennings serving as the chair. Each of the committee charters will be available on the Company’s website at www.cryptyde.com prior to the Distribution.

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee’s duties, which are specified in its charter include, but are not limited to:

 

  reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the Board of Directors whether the audited financial statements should be included in our annual reports;

 

  discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;

 

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  discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;

 

  monitoring the independence of the independent auditor;
     
  verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law;

 

  reviewing and approving all related-party transactions;

 

  inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

 

  pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;

 

  appointing or replacing the independent auditor;

 

  determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work; and

 

  establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s duties, which are specified in its charter, include, but are not limited to:

 

  identifying, evaluating, and selecting, or recommending that the Board of Directors approve, nominees for election to the Board of Directors;

 

  evaluating the performance of the Board of Directors and of individual directors;

 

  reviewing developments in corporate governance practices;

 

  evaluating the adequacy of corporate governance practices and reporting;

 

  reviewing management succession plans; and

 

  developing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding corporate governance guidelines and matters.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for determining and approving the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and reviewing and approving the annual base salaries and annual incentive opportunities of the Company’s executive officers. The Company may utilize the services of independent consultants to perform analyses and to make recommendations relative to executive compensation matters. These analyses and recommendations will be conveyed to the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee takes such information into consideration in making its compensation decisions.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

Mr. Jennings, Ms. Halford and Mr. Foreman comprise our Compensation Committee. None of these individuals will have any material contractual or other relationships with our company except as directors. None of our executive officers served on the compensation committee or Board of Directors of any entity whose executive officers will serve as a member of our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee at the Distribution.

 

Executive Sessions

 

Independent directors are expected to regularly meet in executive session at Board of Directors meetings without any members of management being present. The Lead Independent Director will preside over the executive sessions, and may, as applicable, call executive sessions as appropriate.

 

Board and Board Committee Meetings and Attendance

 

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that directors are expected to prepare themselves for and attend all Board of Directors meetings, the annual meeting of stockholders and the meetings of the Board of Directors’ standing committees on which they serve.

 

Anti-Hedging Policy

 

Our Board of Directors adopted an Insider Trading Policy, which prohibits, among other things, our directors, officers, and employees from engaging in any hedging or monetization transactions with respect to the Company’s securities. In addition, our Insider Trading Policy prohibits our directors, officers, and employees from engaging in certain short-term or speculative transactions in the Company’s securities, such as short-term trading, short sales, and publicly traded options, which could create heightened legal risk and/or the appearance of improper or inappropriate conduct by our directors, officers, and employees.

 

Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy

 

The Board of Directors adopted a Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy that applies to all of the Company’s directors, officers, and employees. The Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy covers areas such as conflicts of interest, insider trading and compliance with laws and regulations. The Code of Conduct and Ethics will be available on our website at www.cryptyde.com prior to the Distribution. We intend to post any amendments to or waivers from our Code of Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy at this location on our website.

 

Stockholder Communications

 

Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board may do so by writing the Company’s Office of the Secretary by mail at 200 9th Avenue, Suite 220, Safety Harbor, Florida 34695, Attention: Office of the Secretary or by email at investors@cryptyde.com. All communications that relate to matters within the scope of the responsibilities of the Board and its standing committees will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Communications that relate to ordinary business matters that are not within the scope of the responsibilities of the Board of Directors are to be sent to the appropriate executive officer or employee.

 

Our “whistleblower” policy prohibits our Company or any of our employees from retaliating or taking any adverse action against anyone for raising a concern. If a stockholder or an employee nonetheless prefers to raise his or her concern in a confidential or anonymous manner, he or she may call our external service provider, toll-free at 866-980-2818.

 

Certain Legal Proceedings

 

To the knowledge of the Company’s management, there is no litigation currently pending or contemplated against any of its officers or directors in their capacity as such.

 

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Board Diversity

 

It is anticipated that we will seek diversity in experience, viewpoint, education, skill, and other individual qualities and attributes to be represented on our Board of Directors. We believe directors should have various qualifications, including individual character and integrity; business experience; leadership ability; strategic planning skills, ability, and experience; requisite knowledge of our industry and finance, accounting, and legal matters; communications and interpersonal skills; and the ability and willingness to devote time to our company. We also believe the skill sets, backgrounds, and qualifications of our anticipated directors, taken as a whole, should provide a significant mix of diversity in personal and professional experience, background, viewpoints, perspectives, knowledge, and abilities. Nominees will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis proscribed by law. It is anticipated that the assessment of prospective directors will be made in the context of the perceived needs of our Board of Directors from time to time.

 

We expect that all of our directors will be individuals of high character and integrity, able to work well with others, and committed to devote sufficient time to the business and affairs of our company. In addition to these attributes, the description of each anticipated director’s background set forth above indicates the specific qualifications, skills, perspectives, and experience necessary to conclude that each individual should serve as a director of our company.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

We believe that effective board leadership structure can depend on the experience, skills, and personal interaction between persons in leadership roles as well as the anticipated needs of our company at any point in time. Our anticipated Corporate Governance Guidelines will support flexibility in the structure of our Board of Directors by not requiring the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Board.

 

Our Board of Directors is not expected to have a formal policy regarding the combination of the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. It is anticipated that our Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for setting our strategic direction and day-to-day leadership and performance of our company. Our Bylaws will provide that the Chairperson of our Board of Directors will, when present, preside over all meetings of our stockholders, unless another person is so designated by the Board of Directors, and Board of Directors. We anticipate that the Chairperson of the Board will provide input to the Chief Executive Officer and set the agenda for board meetings of our Board of Directors.

 

Clawback Policy

 

We maintain a compensation recovery, or clawback, policy. In the event we are required to prepare an accounting restatement of our financial results as a result of a material noncompliance by us with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws caused by misconduct of any officer of the Company or its subsidiaries, we will have the right to use reasonable efforts to recover from any then-current or then-former executive officers whose misconduct was a material factor in causing the misstatement and who have received incentive compensation (whether cash or equity) from us during the three-year period preceding the date on which we will have been required to prepare the accounting restatement, any excess incentive compensation awarded as a result of the misstatement. It is anticipated that this policy will be administered by the Board of Directors or a board committee of our Board of Directors. Once final rules are adopted by the SEC regarding clawback requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, it is anticipated that we will review this policy and make any amendments necessary to comply with the new rules.

 

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” under applicable federal securities laws and therefore permitted to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements. As such, we provide in this information statement the scaled disclosure permitted under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, including the compensation disclosures required of a “smaller reporting company,” as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our executive officers who are named in the “Summary Compensation Table” below.

 

Summary Compensation Table.

 

The following table presents summary information regarding the total compensation incurred by Vinco Ventures, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, for the named executive officers of the Company.

 

Name and Principal Position  Year  Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Stock Awards ($)   Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)   All Other Compensation ($)   Total
($)
 
Brian McFadden  2021   

207,245

    -    

2,139,328

    -    

480,000

    

2,826,573

 
Chief Operating Officer  2020   -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                  
Brett Vroman  2021   246,247    -    

1,819,173

    -    

480,000

    2,545,420 
Chief Financial Officer  2020   176,924    -    -    -    -    176,924 

 

Overview

 

The Company expects to provide total compensation packages that are competitive, tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of the Company within its industry, and adequately reward its executives for their roles in creating value for our stockholders. The Company expects that it will be competitive in its executive compensation with other similarly situated companies in its industry. The compensation decisions regarding the Company’s executives are expected to be based on its need to attract individuals with the skills necessary to achieve its business plan, to reward those individuals fairly over time and to retain those individuals who continue to perform at or above the Company’s expectations.

 

The Company’s executive compensation program is expected to consist of three primary components: salary, incentive bonus and stock-based awards issued under an equity incentive plan. The Company determines the appropriate level for each compensation component based in part, but not exclusively, on its view of internal equity and consistency, individual performance, the Company’s performance, and other information deemed relevant and timely.

 

Employment Agreements

 

Brian McFadden Employment Agreement

 

On March 8, 2022, TYDE entered into an employment agreement with Brian McFadden (the “McFadden Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the McFadden Employment Agreement, Mr. McFadden will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and receive a base salary of $250,000 cash per year and 150,000 shares of TYDE common stock. Mr. McFadden will also receive a cash bonus of up to 150% of his base salary based on the satisfaction of performance targets to be set by mutual agreement between the Board of Directors and Mr. McFadden. Mr. McFadden may receive an equity bonus upon certain milestones relating to acquisitions, market capitalization, and cash flow. Mr. McFadden will be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental and life insurance policies offered to employees of TYDE, and TYDE will pay all applicable premiums. TYDE will reimburse Mr. McFadden up to $10,000 per year as a car allowance, and reimburse Mr. McFadden for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in the conduct of TYDE’s business. The McFadden Employment Agreement provides Mr. McFadden with four (4) weeks of paid vacation and five (5) days of paid personal time. The initial term of the McFadden Employment Agreement is from January 1, 2022 (retroactive) through January 31, 2024, and will automatically renew for one-year terms unless either party provides notice of intent to terminate the McFadden Employment Agreement to the other party not more than 270 days and not less than 180 days before the end of the then-existing term of employment. In the event TYDE terminates Mr. McFadden’s employment without cause (as defined in the McFadden Employment Agreement) or Mr. McFadden terminates his employment as a result of a constructive termination (as defined in the McFadden Employment Agreement), TYDE shall pay Mr. McFadden severance in the amount of two times his then-existing base salary and previous year’s bonus, cause the vesting of all TYDE common stock held by Mr. McFadden and cause him to retain all benefits he received under the McFadden Employment agreement for the remainder of the term of the applicable benefit plan and as permitted by the benefit plan.

 

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A complete copy of the McFadden Employment Agreement is included as Exhibit 10.5 to TYDE’s registration statement on Form 10, which this information statement forms a part.

 

Brett Vroman Employment Agreement

 

On March 8, 2022, TYDE entered into an employment agreement with Brett Vroman (the “Vroman Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Vroman Employment Agreement, Mr. Vroman will serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and receive a base salary of $250,000 cash per year and 135,000 shares of TYDE common stock. Mr. Vroman will also receive a cash bonus of up to 150% of his base salary based on the satisfaction of performance targets to be set by mutual agreement between the Board of Directors and Mr. Vroman. Mr. Vroman may receive an equity bonus upon certain milestones relating to acquisitions, market capitalization, and cash flow. Mr. Vroman will be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental and life insurance policies offered to employees of TYDE, and TYDE will pay all applicable premiums. TYDE will reimburse Mr. Vroman up to $10,000 per year as a car allowance, and reimburse Mr. Vroman for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in the conduct of TYDE’s business. The Vroman Employment Agreement provides Mr. Vroman with four (4) weeks of paid vacation and five (5) days of paid personal time. The initial term of the Vroman Employment Agreement is from January 1, 2022 (retroactive) through January 31, 2024, and will automatically renew for one-year terms unless either party provides notice of intent to terminate the Vroman Employment Agreement to the other party not more than 270 days and not less than 180 days before the end of the then-existing term of employment. In the event TYDE terminates Mr. Vroman’s employment without cause (as defined in the Vroman Employment Agreement) or Mr. Vroman terminates his employment as a result of a constructive termination (as defined in the Vroman Employment Agreement), TYDE shall pay Mr. Vroman severance in the amount of two times his then-existing base salary and previous year’s bonus, cause the vesting of all TYDE common stock held by Mr. Vroman and cause him to retain all benefits he received under the Vroman Employment agreement for the remainder of the term of the applicable benefit plan and as permitted by the benefit plan.

 

A complete copy of the Vroman Employment Agreement is included as exhibit 10.6 to TYDE’s registration statement on Form 10, which this information statement forms a part.

 

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Retirement Benefits

 

The Company expects to maintain a tax-qualified defined contribution plan that meets the requirements of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), commonly called a 401(k) plan, for substantially all of its employees. The 401(k) plan will be made available on the same basis to all employees, including the named executive officers. Each participant in the 401(k) plan will be able to elect to defer from 0% to 100% of compensation, subject to limitations under the Code and Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

 

Director Compensation

 

The Company’s Board of Directors’ compensation program is expected to be designed to provide competitive compensation necessary to attract and retain high quality non-employee directors and to encourage ownership of Company stock to further align their interests with those of our stockholders.

 

The director annual compensation program is expected to provide the following compensation for independent, non-employee directors following the Business Combination:

 

  A quarterly retainer (the “Quarterly Retainer”) of $10,000, and 10,000 shares of TYDE common stock, a supplemental $10,000 annual retainer for each of the Audit Committee Chair, the Compensation Committee Chair, and the Nominating and Governance Committee Chair;

 

  Meeting attendance fees (the “Meeting Attendance Fees”) of $1,000 per in-person meeting attended; and

 

  Additional compensation for ad hoc services on a case-by-case basis.

 

The 2022 Annual Retainer and Meeting Attendance Fees are expected to be paid in equal installments in arrears as soon as practicable after the last business day of each calendar quarter.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a written related person transaction policy that sets forth the following policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions.

 

A “Related Party Transaction” is a transaction, arrangement, or relationship in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was, is or will be a participant, the amount of which involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related party had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A “Related Party” means:

 

  any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was, one of the Company’s executive officers or a member of or nominee for the Board of Directors;

 

  any person (including any entity or group) who is known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our voting stock;

 

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  any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of a director, officer, or a beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our voting stock, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, or beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our voting stock;
     
  any of the foregoing persons that qualify as such at any time during the fiscal year in which a transaction that would otherwise be subject to this the policy occurs, even if such person has ceased to have such status during such fiscal year; and
     
  any firm, corporation, or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a ten percent (10%) or greater beneficial ownership interest.

 

In addition, we will have in place policies and procedures designed to minimize potential conflicts of interest arising from any dealings the Company may have with its affiliates and to provide appropriate procedures for the disclosure of any real or potential conflicts of interest that may exist from time to time. Specifically, pursuant to the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee will have the responsibility to review related party transactions.

 

The Separation from BBIG

 

In connection with the Separation, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with BBIG to effect the Separation and provide a framework for our relationship with BBIG after the Separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between us and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and BBIG and its subsidiaries on the other hand, of the assets, liabilities, legal entities, and obligations associated with the Spin-off Businesses, on the one hand, and BBIG’s other current businesses, on the other hand, and will govern the relationship between our company and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and BBIG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, subsequent to the Separation (including with respect to transition services, employee matters, intellectual property matters, tax matters, and certain other commercial relationships). See “The Separation—Agreements with BBIG” for more information regarding these agreements.

 

Other Related Party Transactions

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements require us to indemnify and advance litigation expenses incurred by such individuals by reason of (i) their status as directors and/or officers of TYDE, (ii) acts or omissions made in good faith, (iii) their service in any capacity with respect to an employee benefit plan of our company or one or more of our majority owned subsidiaries, or (iii) their service as directors, officers, managers, general partners, trustees, employees, or agents of another entity (including a majority owned subsidiary of our company) at our request while directors and/or officers of our company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. See “Limitations on Personal Liability of Directors, Indemnification and Advancement Rights of Directors and Officers, and Director and Officer Insurance” for more detail on the extent to which Delaware law permits the indemnification of Directors and Officers under the indemnification agreement.

 

Pursuant to the indemnification agreements, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses to be incurred by the indemnitee related to a proceeding for which the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The indemnitee shall repay to the TYDE any expenses advance to the indemnitee if it is ultimately be determined that indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such expenses.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

As of the date of this information statement, all of the outstanding shares of our common stock are owned by BBIG. After the Separation, BBIG will not directly or indirectly own any of our common stock. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the expected beneficial ownership of our common stock immediately following the consummation of the Distribution by (1) each named executive officer and director of our company, (2) all directors and executive officers of our company as a group, and (3) each person known by us to own more than 5% of BBIG common stock, which persons would be expected to own more than 5% of our common stock immediately following the consummation of the Distribution. We based the share amounts on each person’s beneficial ownership of BBIG common stock as of the close of business on May 6, 2022 and applying the distribution ratio of one (1) share of our common stock for every ten (10) shares of BBIG common stock held as of the close of business on the Record Date and the issuance of 1,500,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the Equity SPA, unless we indicate some other date or basis for the share amounts in the applicable footnotes. Immediately following the consummation of the Distribution, we expect that approximately 20,305,259 shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding, based on the number of shares of BBIG common stock expected to be outstanding as of the Record Date and the shares of our common stock due under Equity SPA. The actual number of outstanding shares of BBIG common stock immediately following the consummation of the Distribution will be determined on the Record Date.

 

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The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock as of May 6, 2022 based on current BBIG ownership:

 

  each person known by the Company to be an expected beneficial owner of more than 5% of the common stock of the Company;

 

  each of the Company’s officers and directors; and

 

  all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the Commission, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she, or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. The information below is based upon information provided by BBIG and TYDE.

 

The beneficial ownership percentages set forth in the table below are based on approximately 20,305,259 shares of common stock anticipated to be issued and outstanding upon the Distribution.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the Company believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them.

 

   Beneficial Ownership 
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)  Number of Shares   Percentage 
5% Stockholders          
Hudson Bay Master Fund, Ltd. (2)    3,409,018     9.99%
Current Executive Officers and Directors          
Brian McFadden   

81,686

    * 
Brett Vroman   

141,962

    * 
Kevin O’Donnell    

70,316

    * 
Frank Jennings   

40,750

      
Louis Foreman   

73,286

    * 
Mary Ann Halford   

33,250

    * 
Total Executive Officers and Directors    

441,250

   

2.2

%

 

(1) Includes 18,805,259 shares of common stock issuable upon the Distribution based upon 188,052,593 shares of BBIG outstanding as of May 6, 2022, and 1,500,000 shares issuable under the Equity SPA.
   
(2)

Includes (1) 1,200,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the September 2021 Hudson Bay warrants; and (2) 2,209,018 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the November 2021 Hudson Bay warrants. Does not include (1) 190,982 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the November 2021 Hudson Bay warrants, (2) 5,052,383 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the December 2021 warrants (3) 3,333,333 share of common stock issuable conversion of the Note, and (4) 3,333,333 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Note SPA Warrants. Pursuant to the terms of the aforementioned warrants, Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd. may not convert such note or exercise such warrants to the extent (but only to the extent) such selling stockholder or any of its affiliates would beneficially own upon such conversion or exercise a number of shares of our common stock which would exceed 9.99% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. The number of shares and percentage reflect this limitation. as of May 6, 2022.

   
* Less than 1%.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION

 

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution to BBIG and U.S. Holders (as defined herein) of BBIG common stock. This discussion is based on the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect as of the date of this information statement and all of which may change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion assumes that the Separation will be consummated in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement and as described in this information statement.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of BBIG common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

  an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

  a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein, or the District of Columbia;

 

  an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

  a trust if it: (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to the control all substantial decisions; or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

This discussion addresses only the consequences of the Distribution to U.S. Holders that hold BBIG common stock as a capital asset. It does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a U.S. Holder in light of that stockholder’s particular circumstances or to a U.S. Holder subject to special treatment under the Code, such as:

 

  a financial institution, underwriter, real estate investment trust, regulated investment company, or insurance company;

 

  a tax-exempt organization;

 

  a dealer or broker in securities or currencies;

 

  a stockholder that holds BBIG common stock as part of a hedge, appreciated financial position, straddle, conversion, or other risk reduction transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

  former citizens or former long-term residents of the United States;

 

  a stockholder that owns, or is deemed to own, at least 10%, by voting power or value, of BBIG’s equity;

 

  a stockholder that is subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

  a stockholder that holds BBIG common stock through a partnership or other pass-through entity;

 

  a stockholder that is required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to BBIG common stock as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement;

 

  a stockholder that holds BBIG common stock in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account; or

 

  a stockholder that acquired BBIG common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation.

 

If a partnership, or any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds BBIG common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its tax adviser.

 

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This discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences is not a complete analysis or description of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution. In addition, it does not address any estate, gift, or other non-income tax consequences or any non-U.S., state, or local tax consequences of the Distribution. Accordingly, holders of BBIG common stock should consult their tax advisers to determine the particular U.S. federal, state, or local or non-U.S. income or other tax consequences of the Distribution.

 

The Distribution

 

It is intended, and the following discussion assumes, that the Transfer and the Distribution should qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 368(a)(1)(D) and Section 355 of the Code. Seward & Kissel LLP, tax counsel to BBIG, will deliver an opinion to the effect that such transactions should qualify for this intended tax treatment. The opinion will rely on certain representations, assumptions, and undertakings, including those relating to the past and future conduct of our business, and the opinion would not be valid if such representations, assumptions, and undertakings were incorrect. Despite the opinion, the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, could determine that the Transfer or the Distribution should be treated as a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions, or undertakings that were relied upon for the opinion are false or have been violated, if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion, or for other reasons, including as a result of significant changes in the stock ownership of BBIG or us after the Distribution Date.

 

Assuming that the Transfer and the Distribution qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 368(a)(1)(D) and Section 355 of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

  the Distribution will not result in the recognition of gain or loss to BBIG;

 

  no gain or loss will be recognized by, and no amount will be included in the income of, U.S. Holders of BBIG common stock solely as a result of the receipt of our common stock in connection with the Distribution;

 

  the aggregate tax basis of the shares of BBIG common stock and our common stock in the hands of each U.S. Holder of BBIG common stock immediately following the consummation of the Distribution (including any fractional shares deemed received, as discussed herein) will be the same as the aggregate tax basis such U.S. Holder has in the shares of BBIG common stock held immediately before the consummation of the Distribution, allocated between such BBIG common stock and our common stock (including any fractional shares deemed received) in proportion to their relative fair market values immediately following the consummation of the Distribution;

 

  the holding period of any shares of our common stock received by a U.S. Holder of BBIG common stock in the Distribution (including any fractional shares deemed received) will include the holding period of the shares of BBIG common stock; and

 

  a U.S. Holder of BBIG common stock that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock will recognize capital gain or loss, measured by the difference between the cash received for such fractional share and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in that fractional share, determined as described above, and such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the BBIG common stock is more than one year as of the closing date of the Distribution Date.

 

U.S. Holders of BBIG common stock that have acquired different blocks of BBIG common stock at different times or at different prices should consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of their aggregate adjusted basis among, and their holding period of, our common stock distributed with respect to blocks of BBIG common stock.

 

If it is ultimately determined that the Transfer and the Distribution does not qualify as tax-free under Section 368(a)(1)(D) and Section 355 of the Code, then BBIG would recognize corporate level taxable gain on the Distribution in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our common stock distributed to holders of BBIG common stock on the Distribution Date over BBIG’s tax basis in such stock. In addition, in such circumstances, each holder of BBIG common stock that receives shares of our common stock in connection with the Distribution would be treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of our common stock received, which generally would be taxed as a dividend to the extent of such holder’s ratable share of BBIG’s earnings and profits, including BBIG’s taxable gain, if any, on the Distribution, then treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the holder’s basis in BBIG common stock and thereafter treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of BBIG common stock.

 

Even if the Transfer and the Distribution were otherwise to qualify as a tax-free transaction under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, the Distribution may result in corporate level taxable gain to BBIG under Section 355(e) of the Code if either we or BBIG undergoes a 50% or greater ownership change as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the Distribution, potentially including transactions occurring after the Distribution. The process for determining whether one or more acquisitions or issuances triggering Section 355(e) has occurred, the extent to which any such acquisitions or issuances results in a change of ownership and the cumulative effect of any such acquisitions or issuances together with any prior acquisitions or issuances is complex, inherently factual and subject to interpretation of the facts and circumstances of a particular case. If Section 355(e) applies as a result of such an acquisition or issuance, BBIG would recognize taxable gain as described above, but the Distribution would be tax-free to you (except for tax on any cash received in lieu of fractional shares).

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Applicable Treasury Regulations generally require holders who own at least 5% of the total outstanding stock of BBIG (by vote or value) and who receive our common stock pursuant to the Distribution to attach to their U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which the Distribution occurs a detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to the tax-free nature of the Distribution. BBIG and/or we will provide the appropriate information to each holder upon request, and each such holder is required to retain permanent records of this information.

 

In addition, payments of cash to a U.S. Holder of BBIG common stock in lieu of fractional shares of our common stock in connection with the Distribution may be subject to information reporting, unless the U.S. Holder provides the withholding agent with proof of an applicable exemption. Such payments that are subject to information reporting may also be subject to backup withholding, unless such U.S. Holder provides the withholding agent with a correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with the requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding does not constitute additional tax, but merely an advance payment, which may be refunded or credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely supplied to the IRS.

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following summary of the material terms of our securities is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities and is qualified by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and the warrant-related documents described herein, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this information statement is a part. We urge to you read each of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the warrant-related documents described herein in their entirety for a complete description of the rights and preferences of our securities.

 

General

 

Immediately following the Distribution, TYDE’s authorized capital stock will consist of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

 

Common Stock

 

Voting Rights. Holders of common stock will exclusively possess all voting power and each share of common stock will have one vote on all matters submitted to our stockholders for a vote. Holders of common stock do not have any cumulative voting rights.

 

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Dividend Rights. Holders of common stock will be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor and share equally on a per share basis in all such dividends and other distributions.

 

Liquidation Rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, holders of common stock will be entitled to receive their ratable and proportionate share of our remaining assets.

 

Other Rights. Holders of common stock will have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to our common stock.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our Board of Directors is expressly granted authority to issue shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to fix for each such series such voting powers, full or limited, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by our Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The number of authorized shares of preferred stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, without a separate vote of the holders of the preferred stock, or any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to any Preferred Stock Designation.

 

We currently have no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

 

Holders

 

Immediately following the Distribution, TYDE expects that approximately 20,305,259 million shares of its common stock will be issued and outstanding based upon approximately 188,052,593 million shares of BBIG common stock outstanding as of May 6, 2022 and the shares of our common stock to be issued under the Equity Private Placement. All outstanding shares of TYDE common stock, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Immediately following the Distribution, TYDE expects no shares of its preferred stock will be issued and outstanding.

 

Immediately following the Distribution, TYDE expects that 8,191,659 warrants to purchase common shares of TYDE will be issued and outstanding.

 

Special Meeting of Stockholders

 

Our Bylaws, provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our Board of Directors the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

 

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

 

Our Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before a special meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our Bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Authorized but Unissued Shares

 

Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

Warrants

 

The Company entered into a certain Amendment Agreement (the “Amendment Agreement”) on November 11, 2021 by and among the Company, BBIG and an accredited investor (the “Investor”) holding warrants to purchase BBIG common stock (the “BBIG Warrants”). The BBIG Warrants provide that, upon a dividend or distribution, the Investor will be entitled to participate to the same extent that the Investor would have participated therein if the Investor had held the number of shares of BBIG acquirable upon complete exercise of the BBIG Warrants (the “Standard Warrant Distribution”), and, in addition, the Investor will receive an additional distribution, as though the Investor held shares of BBIG in upon the occurrence of a spin-off (the “Spin-Off Warrant Distribution”). Under the Amendment Agreement, the Investor agreed to waive the Standard Warrant Distribution and the Spin-Off Warrant Distribution, and in its place receive a warrant (the “TYDE Warrant”) to purchase such number of shares of TYDE common stock equal to (i) such number of shares of TYDE common stock the Investor would have been entitled to receive in the Spin-off Distribution equal to 100% of the shares underlying all BBIG Warrants held by the Investor, other than the BBIG Warrants issued to the Investor on July 22, 2021, and (ii) such number of shares of TYDE common stock the Investor would have been entitled to receive in the Spin-off Distribution equal to 200% of the shares underlying all BBIG Warrants held by the Investor that were issued to the Investor on July 22, 2021.

 

The exercise price applicable to the TYDE Warrant is $0.001, subject to adjustment as provided therein and an Alternate Cashless Exercise, as defined therein.

 

The Company entered into the Note SPA and Equity SPA on January 26, 2022. On May 5, 2022, the Note Private Placement closed. Pursuant to the Note SPA, the Company issued the investor under the Note SPA warrants to purchase up to 3,3333,333 shares of the Company Common Stock with an exercise price of $10.00 per share. Pursuant to the Equity SPA, TYDE expects to issue additional warrants to purchase Common stock. See Financings under the heading Information Statement Summary, above.

 

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Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

Provisions of the DGCL and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire TYDE by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our Board of Directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with our Board of Directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure it outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

TYDE intends to convert to a Delaware corporation and will be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the acquisition of shares that resulted in a stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) 15 percent or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our Board of Directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.

 

Classified Board

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our Board of Directors will be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible, and with the directors serving three-year terms. As a result, approximately one-third of our Board of Directors will be elected each year. The classification of directors will have the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our Board of Directors. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that, subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.

 

Exclusive Forum Selection

 

TYDE’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of TYDE, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of TYDE to TYDE or TYDE’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against TYDE or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of TYDE arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL or TYDE’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against TYDE or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of TYDE governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The exclusive forum contained in the TYDE Certificate of incorporation will not include actions arising under the Securities Act or Exchange Act.

 

However, if (and only if) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an action, the exclusive forum for such action is another state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware.

 

Limitations on Personal Liability of Directors, Indemnification and Advancement Rights of Directors and Officers, and Director and Officer Insurance

 

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors, and our certificate of incorporation includes such an exculpation provision. Our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers include provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of TYDE, or for serving at TYDE’s request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers also provide that we must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to our directors and officers, subject to our receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL. TYDE’s Bylaws expressly authorizes TYDE to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect TYDE, its directors, officers, and certain employees against certain liabilities.

 

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that are in our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit TYDE and its stockholders. Your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, TYDE pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. However, these provisions will not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. The provisions will not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws.

 

78
 

 

Sale of Unregistered Securities

 

Prior to the Distribution, we will issue shares of our common stock to BBIG pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, which shares will be distributed to BBIG stockholders in the Distribution. We do not intend to register the issuance of the shares under the Securities Act because the issuance will not constitute a public offering.

 

On January 26, 2022, we entered into the Note SPA and the Equity SPA. On May 5, 2022, we closed the private placement under the Note SPA. The sale of securities under the Note SPA and Equity SPA is pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated by the SEC thereunder. See “Information Statement Summary – Financings”

 

In April 2022, we entered into a Milestone Agreement (the “Emmersive Milestone Agreement”) with Emmersive Entertainment, Inc. (“Emmersive”), and certain former shareholders of Emmersive (the “Emmersive Shareholders, and together with Emmersive, the “Emmersive Parties”), in connection with a Termination and Release Agreement between Emmersive, certain former shareholders of Emmersive, EVNT Platform, LLC and BBIG (the “Emmersive Release Agreement”). Under the Emmersive Milestone Agreement, in consideration for entering into the Emmersive Release Agreement, we must issue the Emmersive Parties 300,000 registered shares of our common stock within 30 days after the effectiveness of our first registration statement following the Separation. In addition, upon satisfying certain revenue milestones through September 30, 2024, we must issue up to 400,000 additional shares of our unregistered common stock to the Emmersive Parties. The issuance of our unregistered shares under the Emmersive Milestone Agreement will be made pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

After the consummation of the Distribution, the transfer agent and registrar for TYDE common stock will be Nevada Agency & Transfer Company.

 

Listing

 

We have applied to have our common stock listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “TYDE.”

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the shares of our common stock being distributed as contemplated by this information statement. This information statement is a part of and does not contain all of the information set forth in, the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and our common stock, please refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules. While statements made in this information statement relating to any contract or other document include the material provisions of such contracts or other documents, such statements are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, as well as the annual and quarterly reports of BBIG and other information filed by BBIG with the SEC, on the Internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Information contained on any website referenced in this information statement is not incorporated by reference into this information statement.

 

As a result of the consummation of the Distribution, we will become subject to the full information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, we will be required to file periodic reports with the SEC and will also file proxy statements, current reports, and other information with the SEC, which will be available on the Internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

You can obtain any of the documents listed above from the SEC, through the SEC’s website at the address described above, through our website, when we launch it, at www.cryptyde.com, or by requesting them in writing or by telephone at the following address:

 

Cryptyde Inc.

200 9th Avenue

Suite 220

Safety Harbor, Florida 34695

Phone: (866) 980-2818

Attention: Investor Relations

 

These documents are available without charge, excluding any exhibits to them, unless the exhibit is specifically listed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form 10 of which this information statement forms a part.

 

Following the Distribution Date, we intend to furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and audited and reported on by, and with an opinion expressed by, an independent registered public accounting firm.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.

 

79
 

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    Page
Audited Financial Statements of Ferguson Containers    
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID Number 00536)   F-2
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID Number 00688)   F-3
     
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020   F-4
     
Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020   F-5
     
Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020   F-6
     
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020   F-7
     
Notes to the Financial Statements   F-8
     
Audited Financial Statements of Cryptyde, Inc.    
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID Number 00536)   F-15
     
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021   F-16
     
Statements of Comprehensive Income For the Period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021   F-17
     
Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity For the Period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021   F-18
     
Statements of Cash Flows For the Period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021   F-19
     
Notes to the Financial Statements   F-20

  

F-1

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Stockholder and Board of Directors of

Ferguson Containers

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Ferguson Containers (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Morison Cogen LLP  

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.

 

Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

March 8, 2022

 

F-2

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

Ferguson Containers, Inc.

 

Report on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Ferguson Containers, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020, the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, 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 the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year in the period ended December 31, 2020, 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 audits. 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 audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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 audits 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 audits 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 audits 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Marcum LLP  

Marcum LLP

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor from September 2021 through February 21, 2022.

 

New York, NY

November 5, 2021

 

F-3

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020

 

   2021   2020 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $844,619   $176,759 
Accounts receivable   867,027    836,153 
Inventories   110,664    114,198 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   48,343    7,209 
Total current assets   1,870,653    1,134,319 
Property and equipment, net   1,007,770    967,361 
Due from parent   418,004    821,627 
Total assets  $3,296,427   $2,923,307 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Line of credit  $-   $367,976 
Note payable, current portion   15,530    14,848 
Accounts payable   44,547    38,507 
Accrued expenses   7,551    10,799 
Income tax payable   319,997    109,998 
Total current liabilities   387,625    542,128 
Note payable, less current portion   12,114    27,644 
Deferred tax liabilities   82,104    82,104 
Total liabilities   481,843    651,876 
           
Stockholder’s equity:          
Common stock, 400 shares authorized and outstanding, no par value   50,000    50,000 
Retained earnings   2,764,584    2,221,431 
Total stockholder’s equity   2,814,584    2,271,431 
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity  $3,296,427   $2,923,307 

 

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

 

F-4

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

 

   2021   2020 
         
Revenues, net  $7,874,285   $6,719,894 
Cost of revenues   5,682,117    4,691,451 
Gross profit   2,192,168    2,028,443 
           
Selling, general and administrative expenses   1,946,832    1,759,117 
           
Operating income   245,336    269,326 
           
Non-operating income (expense):          
Interest expense, net   (44,816)   (112,295)
Rental income   71,543    102,815 
Other income   481,090    - 
Total non-operating income (expense)   507,817    (9,480)
           
Net income before income tax expense   753,153    259,846 
           
Income tax expense   210,000    67,399 
           
Net income  $543,153   $192,447 
Earnings per share:          
Earnings per share – basic and diluted  $1,357.88   $481.12 
Weight average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   400    400 

 

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

 

F-5

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

 

   Common Stock   Retained     
   Shares   Amount   Earnings   Total 
                 
Balance, January 1, 2020   400   $50,000   $2,028,984   $2,078,984 
                     
Net income        -    192,447    192,447 
                     
Balance, December 31, 2020   400    50,000    2,221,431    2,271,431 
                     
Net income        -    543,153    543,153 
                     
Balance, December 31, 2021   400   $50,000   $2,764,584   $2,814,584 

 

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

 

F-6

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

 

   2021   2020 
         
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $543,153   $192,447 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   140,765    95,861 
Amortization of debt issuance costs   -    15,573 
Gain on sale of building   (475,418)   - 
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (30,874)   (140,091)
Inventories   3,534    (24,958)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (41,134)   (290)
Accounts payable   6,040    9,100 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   206,751    45,433 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities   352,817    193,075 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (514,151)   (276,478)
Proceeds from sale of land and building   808,395    - 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   294,244    (276,478)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Repayments under lines of credit   (367,976)   - 
Borrowings under lines of credit   -    (104,326)
Repayments under notes payable   (14,848)   (14,196)
Due from parent   403,623    299,983 
Net cash provided by financing activities   20,799    181,461 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   667,860    98,058 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year   176,759    78,701 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year  $844,619   $176,759 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid for interest  $47,688   $112,295 
Cash paid for income taxes  $-   $- 

 

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

 

F-7

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

As used herein, “Fergco” and the “Company” refer to Ferguson Containers and/or where applicable, its management, a New Jersey corporation incorporated on September 14, 1966 under the laws of the State of New Jersey. The Company produces and sells a variety of container board, corrugated products and specialty paper products in North America. The Company is 100% owned by Vinco Ventures, Inc. (“Vinco” or “Parent”).

 

As of December 31, 2021, Fergco’s wholly-owned subsidiary included Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC (“Cryptyde Shared”), which was formed on September 16, 2021. All of Cryptyde Shared Services, LLC costs are paid by and billed to Cryptyde, Inc. and therefore Cryptyde Shared had no assets or activity as of December 31, 2021. The accompanying consolidated financial statements exclude EVNT Platform, LLC which was transferred to Fergco on September 16, 2021, and the transfer was rescinded on January 24, 2022, with an effective recission date of September 16, 2021.

 

During 2021, the Parent announced it plans to spin-off (the “Separation”) certain of its businesses. The Parent plans to include Ferguson Containers as well as other subsidiaries of the Parent (the “Spin-Off Businesses”) as part of the spin-off. In anticipation of the Separation, the Parent has placed its assets and legal entities comprising the Spin-Off Businesses to facilitate the Separation. As a result of the Separation, the Company will become an independent, publicly traded company comprised of the Spin-Off Businesses. The Separation is expected to be completed upon the distribution of the common stock of the Spin-Off Businesses to stockholders of the Parent in early 2022.

 

Basis of Presentation.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company’s significant estimates used in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition and the determination of the economic useful life of depreciable property and equipment. Certain of the Company’s estimates could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company and general economic conditions. It is reasonably possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and could cause actual results to differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 

Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable are carried at their contractual amounts, less an estimate for uncollectible amounts. Management estimates the allowance for bad debts based on existing economic conditions, historical experience, the financial conditions of the customers, and the amount and age of past due accounts. Receivables are considered past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for bad debts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted. All accounts receivable is currently deemed collectible and no allowance for doubtful account was required as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. There was one customer who represented 27% of total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2021.

 

F-8

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Inventories. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company reduces the carrying value of inventories for those items that are potentially excess, obsolete, or slow moving based on changes in customer demand, technology developments, or other economic factors.

 

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, which is recorded commencing at the in-service date using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows: 3 to 5 years for office equipment, 5 to 7 years for furniture and fixtures, 6 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, 10 to 15 years for building improvements, 5 years for software, 5 years for molds, 5 to 7 years for vehicles and 40 years for buildings. When fixed assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the statements of operations for the respective period. Minor additions and repairs are expensed in the period incurred. Major additions and repairs which extend the useful life of existing assets are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method over their remaining estimated useful lives.

 

On August 25, 2021, the Company sold the building located in Washington, NJ for gross proceeds of $858,730. The net proceeds of $763,665 were used to partially payoff the note on the Parent Company, Vinco Ventures, Inc. to the Ferguson Family of $876,500. The note payable was related to the September 30, 2018 acquisition of Ferguson Containers

 

The table below presents the gain on sale of building:

 

   August 25, 2021 
Proceeds  $858,730 
Less: Land   (79,100)
Less: Building, net   (253,877)
Less: Fees   (50,335)
Gain on sale of building  $475,418 

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets. The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets using undiscounted cash flows. If an asset is found to be impaired, the amount recognized for impairment is equal to the difference between the carrying value and the asset’s fair value. The Company did not record any impairment charges related to long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

Contingent Liabilities. The Company, from time to time, may be involved in certain legal proceedings. Based upon consultation with outside counsel handling its defense in these matters and the Company’s analysis of potential outcomes, if the Company determines that a loss arising from such matters is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an estimate of the contingent liability is recorded in its consolidated financial statements. If only a range of estimated loss can be determined, an amount within the range that, based on estimates, assumptions and judgments, reflects the most likely outcome, is recorded as a contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements. In situations where none of the estimates within the estimated range is a better estimate of probable loss than any other amount, the Company records the low end of the range. Any such accrual would be charged to expense in the appropriate period. Litigation expenses for these types of contingencies are recognized in the period in which the litigation services were provided.

 

F-9

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Revenue Recognition. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies performance obligations, by transferring promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for fulfilling those performance obligations. Revenue for product sales is recognized upon receipt by the customer. There are no contract assets or contract liabilities and therefore no unsatisfied performance obligations. The Company does not offer any warranties, however; damaged products can be returned for credit or refund.

 

Disaggregation of Revenue. The Company’s primary revenue streams include the sale of corrugated packaging materials. There are no other material operations that were separately disaggregated for segment purposes. The Company has income from rental operations which is included as part of other income in the statements of operations.

 

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues includes freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, depreciation and inspection costs.

 

Comprehensive income. The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 220 in reporting comprehensive income. Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of certain financial information that historically has not been recognized in the calculation of net income. Since the Company has no items of other comprehensive income, comprehensive income is equal to net income.

 

Earnings Per Share. The Company follows ASC 260 when reporting Earnings Per Share resulting in the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Because the Company does not have any common stock equivalents, such as stock options and warrants, the amounts reported for basic and diluted earnings per share were the same.

 

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 740 “Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”). The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items that have been included or excluded in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the difference between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their respective financial reporting amounts (“temporary differences”) at enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company utilizes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has evaluated and concluded that there were no material uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company does not expect any significant changes in its unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months of the reporting date. The Company’s policy is to classify assessments, if any, for tax related interest as interest expense and penalties as general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.

 

F-10

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Fair Value Measurements. The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable

Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)

 

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, such as cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

Concentration of Credit Risks. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are cash equivalents, accounts receivable and revenues. Cash and cash equivalents are invested in deposits with certain financial institutions and may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. As of December 31, 2021, there were no recently adopted accounting pronouncements that had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through March 8, 2022, the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. Based upon the evaluation, except for items described in Note 11, the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Segment Reporting. The Company uses “the management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Company’s reportable segments. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the entire Company. The Company’s primary revenue streams include the sale of corrugated packaging materials and therefore the Company only identifies one reportable operating segment.

 

3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

Accounts receivable consist of the following at December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

   2021   2020 
         
Trade accounts receivable  $867,027   $836,153 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts   -    - 
Total accounts receivable  $867,027   $836,153 

 

4. INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following at December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

   2021   2020 
         
Raw materials  $13,366   $71,484 
Finished goods   97,298    42,714 
Total inventories  $97,298   $114,198 

 

5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

   2021   2020 
         
Land  $-   $79,100 
Building and building improvements   781,985    1,263,861 
Equipment and machinery   4,621,878    4,119,632 
Furniture and fixtures   260,426    260,426 
Vehicles   533,867    521,962 
    6,198,156    6,244,981 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (5,190,386)   (5,277,620)
Total property and equipment, net  $1,007,770   $967,361 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense was $140,765 and $95,861 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

6. DUE TO AND FROM PARENT

 

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, due from parent consists of net amounts due from Vinco Ventures, Inc. related to borrowings for working capital needs and management fees charged by Vinco Ventures, Inc. to Ferguson Containers as well as other operating expenses that were paid for on behalf of one to the other. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the net amount due from parent was $418,004 and $821,627, respectively. Such amounts are not due currently. The Parent billed the Company management fees of $316,500 and $200,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The due to and from Parent will be considered to be settled at the time of the anticipated Spin-Off of Ferguson Containers

 

F-12

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

7. DEBT

 

Principal due under the line of credit and note payable was as follows as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

   2021   2020 
         
Line of credit  $-   $367,976 
           
Note payable   27,644    42,492 
Less: note payable, current portion   (15,530)   (14,848)
Note payable, net of current portion  $12,114   $27,644 

 

On February 21, 2020, the Company entered into a receivables financing line of credit arrangement (the “Factoring Agreement”) for certain receivables of the Company not to exceed $1,250,000 at any one time. The agreement allows for borrowings up to 85% of the outstanding receivable based on the credit quality of the customer. The fee is between 1% and 2% of the total invoices financed. The balance at December 31, 2020 was $367,976. On March 31, 2021, the Company fully paid off the remaining balance of the Factoring Agreement.

 

8. INCOME TAXES

 

Ferguson Containers is taxed as a corporation and pays corporate federal, state and local taxes on income.

 

Components of income before income taxes were as follows:

 

   2021   2020 
         
United States  $753,153   $259,846 
Income before income tax expense  $753,153   $259,846 

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets or liabilities are presented below:

 

   2021   2020 
         
Deferred tax assets:          
Net operating loss carryforwards  $-    - 
Net deferred tax assets  $-   $- 
           
Deferred tax liabilities:          
Property and equipment  $(82,104)   (82,104)
Net deferred tax liabilities  $(82,104)  $(82,104)
Net deferred taxes  $(82,104)  $(82,104)

 

The income tax provision consists of the following:

 

   2021   2020 
         
Current:          
Federal  $142,845   $33,315 
State   67,155    9,244 
Total current   210,000    42,559 
Deferred:          
Federal   -    16,887 
State   -    7,953 
Total deferred   -    24,840 
Total income tax provision  $210,000   $67,399 

 

F-13

 

 

FERGUSON CONTAINERS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:

 

   2021   2020 
         
Tax at federal statutory rate   21.0%   21.0%
State and local income taxes   7.1%   4.7%
Other   0.2%   0.2%
Total income tax provision   27.9%   25.9%

 

9. STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

Common Stock. Vinco Ventures, Inc. owns 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Ferguson Containers As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has 400 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, respectively.

 

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Operating Leases. The Company leases certain office space from an entity affiliated through common ownership under an operating lease agreement on a month-to-month basis.

 

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $106,800 and $106,800, respectively. Rental payments are expensed in the statements of comprehensive income in the period to which they relate.

 

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On January 24, 2022, Vinco Ventures, Inc. rescinded the transfer of the ownership units of EVNT Platform, LLC to Ferguson Containers and 100% of the ownership units of EVNT Platform, LLC reverted back to Vinco Ventures, Inc. with an effective recission date of September 16, 2021.

 

F-14

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Stockholder and Board of Directors of

Cryptyde, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Cryptyde, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in stockholder’s deficit and cash flows for the period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Morison Cogen LLP  

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.

 

Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

March 8, 2022

 

F-15

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

As of December 31, 2021

 

ASSETS     
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents  $66,575 
Other current assets   7,033,350 
Total current assets   7,099,925 
      
Loan held-for-investment, related party   4,000,000 
Total assets  $11,099,925 
      
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT     
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   126,627 
Customer deposit   6,999,980 
Total current liabilities   7,126,607 
Due to parent   4,616,551 
Total liabilities   11,743,158 
      
Commitments and contingencies   - 
      
Stockholder’s deficit:     
Common stock, 10,000 shares authorized and outstanding, $0.001 par value   10 
Additional paid-in capital   (10)
Accumulated deficit   (514,373)
Total stockholder’s deficit attributable to Cryptyde, Inc.   (514,373)
Non-controlling interest   (128,860)
Total stockholder’s deficit   (643,233)
Total liabilities and stockholder’s deficit  $11,099,925 

 

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

 

F-16

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

For the Period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021

 

Revenues, net  $- 
Cost of revenues   - 
Gross profit   - 
      
Selling, general and administrative expenses   676,628 
      
Operating loss   (676,628)
      
Non-operating income:     
Interest income, net   33,395 
      
Total non-operating income   33,395 
      
Net loss before income tax expense (benefit)   (643,233)
      
Income tax expense (benefit)   - 
      
Net loss  (643,233)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest   (128,860)
Net loss attributable to Cryptyde, Inc.  $(514,373)
Net loss per share:     
Net loss per share – basic and diluted  $(51.44)
      
Weight average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   10,000 

 

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

 

F-17

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT

For the Period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021

 

   Common Stock   Additional Paid in   Non controlling   Accumulated     
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Interest   deficit   Total 
                         
Balance, September 21, 2021 (Inception)   -  

$

-   $-  

$

-   $-   $- 
                               
Contributions   10,000    10    (10)   

-

    -    - 
                               
Net loss        -    -    (128,860)   (514,373)   (643,233)
                               
Balance, December 31, 2021   10,000   $10   $(10)  $(128,860)  $(514,373)  $(643,233)

 

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

 

F-18

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the Period from September 21, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021

 

Cash flows from operating activities:     
Net loss  $(643,233)
      
Changes in assets and liabilities:     
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (7,033,350)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   126,627 
Customer deposit    6,999,980 
Net cash used in operating activities   (549,976)
      
Cash flows from investing activities:     
Loan-held for investment, related party    (4,000,000)
Net cash used in investing activities   (4,000,000)
      
Cash flows from financing activities:     
      
Due to parent   4,616,551 
Net cash provided by financing activities   4,616,551 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   66,575 
      
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period   - 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period  $66,575 
      
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:     
Cash paid for interest  $- 
Cash paid for income taxes   - 

 

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

 

F-19

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

As used herein, “Cryptyde” and the “Company” refer to Cryptyde, Inc. and/or where applicable, its management, a Nevada corporation incorporated on September 21, 2021 (date of inception) under the laws of the State of Nevada. The Company sells mining equipment in the blockchain. The Company is 100% owned by Vinco Ventures, Inc. (“Vinco” or “Parent”).

 

As of December 31, 2021, Cryptyde, Inc. had one wholly-owned subsidiary: BlockHiro, LLC (“BH”). Cryptyde owns 51% of CW Machines, LLC which is consolidated under the voting interest entity model. Under the voting interest entity model, control is presumed by the holder of a majority voting interest unless noncontrolling shareholders have substantive participating rights.

 

During 2021, the Parent announced it plans to spin-off (the “Separation”) certain of its businesses. The Parent plans to include Cryptyde, Inc. as well as other subsidiaries of the Parent (the “Spin-Off Businesses”) as part of the spin-off. In anticipation of the Separation, the Parent has placed its assets and legal entities comprising the Spin-Off Businesses into or under to facilitate the Separation. As a result of the Separation, the Company will become an independent, publicly traded company comprised of the Spin-Off Businesses. The Separation is expected to be completed upon the distribution of the common stock of the Company to stockholders of the Parent in early 2022.

 

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company’s significant estimates used in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition and the determination of the economic useful life of depreciable property and equipment. Certain of the Company’s estimates could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company and general economic conditions. It is reasonably possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and could cause actual results to differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 

Contingent Liabilities. The Company, from time to time, may be involved in certain legal proceedings. Based upon consultation with outside counsel handling its defense in these matters and the Company’s analysis of potential outcomes, if the Company determines that a loss arising from such matters is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an estimate of the contingent liability is recorded in its consolidated financial statements. If only a range of estimated loss can be determined, an amount within the range that, based on estimates, assumptions and judgments, reflects the most likely outcome, is recorded as a contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements. In situations where none of the estimates within the estimated range is a better estimate of probable loss than any other amount, the Company records the low end of the range. Any such accrual would be charged to expense in the appropriate period. Litigation expenses for these types of contingencies are recognized in the period in which the litigation services were provided.

 

F-20

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Revenue Recognition. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies performance obligations, by transferring promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for fulfilling those performance obligations. There are no contract assets or contract liabilities and therefore no unsatisfied performance obligations.

 

Disaggregation of Revenue. The Company’s primary revenue streams will include the sale of mining equipment. There are no material operations that were disaggregated for segment purposes.

 

Comprehensive income (loss). The Company follows ASC 220 in reporting comprehensive income (loss). Comprehensive income (loss) is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of certain financial information that historically has not been recognized in the calculation of net income (loss). Since the Company has no items of other comprehensive income (loss), comprehensive loss is equal to net loss.

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Share. The Company follows ASC 260 when reporting Earnings (Loss) Per Share resulting in the presentation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share. Because the Company does not have any common stock equivalents, such as stock options and warrants, the amounts reported for basic and diluted net loss per share were the same.

 

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 740 “Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”). The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items that have been included or excluded in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the difference between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their respective financial reporting amounts (“temporary differences”) at enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company utilizes a recognition threshold and measurement process for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has evaluated and concluded that there were no material uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021. The Company does not expect any significant changes in its unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months of the reporting date. The Company’s policy is to classify assessments, if any, for tax related interest as interest expense and penalties as general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. The Company is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.

 

Fair Value Measurements. The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable

Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)

 

F-21

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, such as cash, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

Concentration of Credit Risks. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are invested in deposits with certain financial institutions and may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents.

 

Recent Accounting Standards. The recent accounting pronouncements that the Company identified that could have an impact on its consolidated financial statements were as follows:

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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. The amendments in this Update affect entities that issue convertible instruments and/or contracts in an entity’s own equity. For convertible instruments, the instruments primarily affected are those issued with beneficial conversion features or cash conversion features because the accounting models for those specific features are removed. However, all entities that issue convertible instruments are affected by the amendments to the disclosure requirements in this Update. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, the contracts primarily affected are freestanding instruments and embedded features that are accounted for as derivatives under the current guidance because of failure to meet the settlement conditions of the derivatives scope exception related to certain requirements of the settlement assessment. The Board simplified the settlement assessment by removing the requirements (1) to consider whether the contract would be settled in registered shares, (2) to consider whether collateral is required to be posted, and (3) to assess shareholder rights. Those amendments also affect the assessment of whether an embedded conversion feature in a convertible instrument qualifies for the derivatives scope exception. Additionally, the amendments in this Update affect the diluted EPS calculation for instruments that may be settled in cash or shares and for convertible instruments. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities that meet the definition of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filer, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective 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 Board specified that an entity should adopt the guidance as of the beginning of its annual fiscal year. The Board decided to allow entities to adopt the guidance through either a modified retrospective method of transition or a fully retrospective method of transition. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt – Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges or Freestanding Equity – Classified Written Call Options. The amendments in this Update clarify an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity – classified written call options (for example, warrants) that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity should apply the amendments prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity elects to early adopt the amendments in this Update in an interim period, the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period. The Company early adopted this standard on the date of inception. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through March 8, 2022, the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. Based upon the evaluation, except for items described in Note 10, the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-22

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 

Other current assets consist of the following at December 31, 2021:

 

Vendor deposits, related party  $6,999,955 
Interest receivable, related party   33,395 
Total other assets  $7,033,350 

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had deposits with a vendor, Wattum Management, Inc., of $6,999,955 related to a contract for the delivery of mining equipment. Wattum Management, Inc. is a partner in CW Machines, LLC.

 

4. LOAN HELD-FOR-INVESTMENT, RELATED PARTY

 

Loan held-for-investment, related party, represents a senior secured promissory note (“Note”) from Wattum Management Inc., a non-controlling member of CW Machines, LLC, a related party. The note bears interest of 5% per annum and matures on October 12, 2026 with the entire outstanding principal and accrued interest due at maturity date. The Note is secured by assets of Wattum Management, Inc.

 

F-23

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5. CUSTOMER DEPOSITS

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had deposits from a customer of $6,999,980 related to a contract to deliver mining equipment.

 

6. DUE TO PARENT

 

As of December 31, 2021, due to parent consists of net amounts due to Vinco related to borrowings for financing needs of Cryptyde, Inc. as well as other operating expenses that were paid for on behalf of one to the other. As of December 31, 2021, the net amount due to parent was $4,616,551. Such amounts are not due currently. The due to Parent will be settled at the time the anticipated Spin-Off of Cryptyde, Inc. from Vinco Ventures, Inc. becomes effective.

 

7. INCOME TAXES

 

Cryptyde, Inc. is taxed as a corporation and pays corporate federal, state and local taxes on income.

 

CW Machines, LLC is a limited liability company for income tax purposes and is owned 51% by Cryptyde, Inc. The Company pays corporate federal, state and local taxes on income allocated to it from CW Machines, LLC.

 

Components of net loss before income taxes were as follows:

 

   2021 
     
United States  $(643,233)
Net loss before income taxes  $(643,233)

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets or liabilities are presented below:

 

   2021 
     
Deferred tax assets:     
Net operating loss carryforwards  $108,018 
Less: valuation allowance   (108,018)
Net deferred tax assets  $- 

 

F-24

 

 

CRYPTYDE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The income tax benefit consists of the following:

 

   2021 
     
Current:     
Federal  $- 
State   - 
Total current   - 
Deferred:     
Federal   (108,018)
State   - 
Less: valuation allowance   108,018 
Total deferred   - 
Total income tax provision (benefit)  $- 

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:

 

   2021 
     
Tax at federal statutory rate   21.0%
U.S. income taxes subject to valuation allowance   -16.8%
State and local income taxes   0.0%
Losses attributable to noncontrolling interests   -4.2%
Total income tax provision (benefit)   0.0%

 

8. STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

Common Stock. Vinco Ventures, Inc. owns 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Cryptyde, Inc. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has 10,000 shares of issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Operating Leases. The Company does not have any leases that extend beyond one year.

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On January 26, 2022, the Company, entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Note Securities Purchase Agreement”) with an accredited investor (the “Note Investor”) for the issuance and sale of a Senior Convertible Note with an initial principal amount of $33,333,333 (the “Note”) at a conversion price of $10.00 per share of Cryptyde’s common stock, par value $0.001 (the “Common Stock”), a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 3,333,333 shares of Common Stock with an initial exercise price of $10.00 per share of Common Stock (the “Note Private Placement”). The entire outstanding principal balance and any outstanding fees or interest shall be due and payable in full on the third anniversary of the date the note is issued (“Maturity Date”). The Note shall not bear interest, provided, however, that the Note will bear interest at 18% per annum upon the occurrence of an event of default. The Note Investor may terminate its obligations under the Note Securities Purchase Agreement if the closing has not occurred by June 30, 2022. In connection with the Note Private Placement, Cryptyde also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Note Investor, and will enter into a Security Agreement, a Pledge Agreement and various ancillary certificates, disclosure schedules and exhibits in support thereof prior to the closing of the Purchase Agreement.

 

On January 26, 2022, the Company, with respect to certain sections, entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Equity Securities Purchase Agreement”) with an accredited investor (the “Equity Investor”) for the issuance of a (i) 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock, and (ii) a warrant (the “Equity Investor Warrant”) to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $8.00 per share of Common Stock (the “Equity Private Placement”). The consideration to be paid to Cryptyde under the Equity Securities Purchase Agreement is $12,000,000. The Equity Securities Purchase Agreement will close upon the satisfaction of certain conditions of the Equity Investor and Cryptyde, as well as: (i) closing conditions to the Spin-Off have been satisfied or waived, and (ii) the Common Stock shall be approved for Trading on the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange. The Equity Securities Purchase Agreement contains covenants on the part of Cryptyde, including that Cryptyde will reserve for the purpose of issuance at least 100% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Equity Investor Warrant. In addition, under the Equity Securities Purchase agreement, Cryptyde will grant the Equity Investor certain rights to participate in any Subsequent Placements for the same duration as the participation right pursuant to the Note Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

F-25

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Materials

 

Vinco Ventures, Inc.

 

You are receiving this communication because you hold securities in Vinco Ventures, Inc. (“Vinco”). Vinco has released informational materials regarding the spin-off of Cryptyde, Inc. (“Cryptyde”) and its consolidated subsidiaries from Vinco that are now available for your review. This notice provides instructions on how to access Vinco materials for informational purposes only.
   

Vinco Ventures, Inc.

6 North Main Street

Fairport, NY 14450

To effect the spin-off, Vinco will distribute on a pro rata basis to its stockholders one (1) share of Cryptyde common stock for every ten (10) shares of Vinco common stock as referenced in the Information Statement. Immediately following the distribution, which will be effective as of the date and time referenced in the Information Statement that Cryptyde has prepared in connection with the spin-off, Cryptyde will be an independent, publicly traded company. Cryptyde is not soliciting proxy or consent authority in connection with the spin-off.
   
  The materials consist of the Information Statement, plus any supplements, that Cryptyde has prepared in connection with the spin-off. You may view the materials online at https://investors.vincoventures.com and easily request a paper or e-mail copy (see reverse side).
   
  See the reverse side for instructions on how to access materials.

 

 
 

 

How to Access the Materials

 

Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT

 

How to View Online:

 

CONTROL NO.

 

Visit: https://investors.vincoventures.com/

 

How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:

 

If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these materials, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:

 

1) BY INTERNET: https://investors.vincoventures.com

2) BY TELEPHONE: 866-900-0992

3) BY E-MAIL*: investors@vincoventures.com

 

* If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the 12-digit control number located in the shaded gray box above in the subject line. No other requests should be included within the e-mail.

 

Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor.

 

THIS NOTICE WILL ENABLE YOU TO ACCESS

MATERIALS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY