UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
| o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
OR
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 | |||||
OR
| o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
OR
| o | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
Date of event requiring this shell company report _________________ For the transition period from _________________ to | |||||
Commission file number: 001-41072
Iris Energy Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not applicable
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
Australia
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Level 12, 44 Market Street
Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia
+61 2 7906 8301
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cesilia Kim, Chief Legal Officer
Tel: +61 2 7906 8301
Level 12, 44 Market Street
Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Copies to:
Byron B. Rooney
Marcel R. Fausten
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 450-4000
Fax: (212) 450-6858
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
| Ordinary shares, no par value | IREN | The Nasdaq Global Select Market | ||||||||||||
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
The number of outstanding shares as of June 30, 2024 was 187,864,454 Ordinary shares and two B Class shares.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No x
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No x
Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large Accelerated Filer | o | Accelerated Filer | x | Non-accelerated Filer | o | Emerging growth company | x | ||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
†The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report: o
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
| o | U.S. GAAP | ||||
| x | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board | ||||
| o | Other | ||||
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
o Item 17 o Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||||
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F-1 | ||||||||
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PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
All references to “U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “$,” “USD” or “US$” are to the U.S. dollar. All references to “Australian dollars,” “AUD” or “A$” are to the Australian dollar, the official currency of Australia. All references to “Canadian dollars,” “CAD” or “C$” are to the Canadian dollar, the official currency of Canada. All references to “IFRS” are to International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or the IASB.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this annual report to the terms “IREN,” “the Company,” “the Group,” “our,” “us,” and “we” refer to Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and its subsidiaries.
Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements cover IREN, consisting of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and the entities it controlled at the end of, or during, the year ended June 30, 2024. The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is the presentation currency for Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN). We prepared our annual consolidated financial statements for fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022 in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB. Unless otherwise noted, our financial information presented herein for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022 is stated in dollars, our presentation currency. All references herein to “our financial statements,” “our audited consolidated financial information,” and/or “our audited consolidated financial statements” are to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) was previously known as Iris Energy Pty Ltd until October 7, 2021, when it converted to an Australian public unlisted company limited by shares. Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is incorporated and domiciled in Australia. The Company’s Ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq under the trading ticker “IREN.” As of February 15, 2024, the Company commenced doing business as “IREN.” Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN)'s registered office and principal place of business are:
| Registered office | Principal place of business | ||||
| c/o Pitcher Partners | Level 12, 44 Market Street | ||||
| Level 13, 664 Collins Street | Sydney NSW 2000 | ||||
| Docklands VIC 3008 | Australia | ||||
| Australia | |||||
Our fiscal year ends on June 30. References in this annual report to a fiscal year, such as “fiscal year 2024,” “fiscal year 2023” and “fiscal year 2022,” relate to our fiscal year ended on June 30 of that calendar year.
Special Note Regarding Non-IFRS Measures
This annual report refers to certain measures that are not recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. IREN uses non-IFRS measures including “EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “net electricity costs” (each as defined below) as additional information to complement IFRS measures by providing further understanding of the Company’s operations from management’s perspective. As a capital intensive business, EBITDA excludes the impact of the cost of depreciation of mining equipment and other fixed assets, which allows us to measure the liquidity of our business on a current basis and, we believe, provides a useful tool for comparison to our competitors in a similar industry. Similarly, Adjusted EBITDA excludes the impact of share-based payments expense, which can vary significantly in comparison to other companies, so we believe this is a useful metric for comparing the profits/(losses) of the business to our competitors. In addition, net electricity costs allows us to measure the all-in-costs of electricity of our
business on a current basis, which we believe provides a useful tool for comparing our ability to secure low-cost power to
that of our competitors in a similar industry.
EBITDA is defined as IFRS profit/(loss) after income tax expense, excluding finance expense, interest income, depreciation and income tax benefit/expense, which are important components of our IFRS profit/(loss) after income tax expense. Further, “Adjusted EBITDA” also excludes share-based payments expense, foreign exchange gains/losses, impairment of assets, certain other non-recurring income, gain/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, gain on disposal of subsidiaries, unrealized (gains)/losses on financial assets and certain other expense items. Beginning in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Company has changed its definition of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude unrealized fair value gains/losses on financial instruments and has further changed its definition to exclude gain on disposal of
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subsidiaries. This is a change from the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA in prior periods, Net electricity costs is defined as the sum of electricity charges, realized gain/(loss) on financial asset, ERS revenue, and ERS fees and excludes the cost of REC purchases.
“EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “net electricity costs” have limitations as analytical tools. These measures should not be considered as alternatives to profit/(loss) after income tax expense, as applicable, determined in accordance with IFRS. They are supplemental measures of our operating performance only, and as a result you should not consider these measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, our profit/(loss) after income tax as determined in accordance with IFRS, which is the most comparable IFRS financial measure. For example, we expect depreciation of our fixed assets will be a large recurring expense over the course of the useful life of our assets, and that share-based compensation is an important part of compensating certain employees, officers and directors. Our non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool.
A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to loss after income tax expense, and a reconciliation of net electricity costs to electricity charges, the most directly comparable IFRS measures, can be found in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Key Indicators of Performance and Financial Condition.”
Market Share and Other Information
This annual report includes market, economic and industry data as well as certain statistics and information relating to our business, markets, and other industry data, which we obtained or extrapolated from various third-party industry and research sources, as well as assumptions that we have made that are based on those data and other similar sources. Industry publications and other third-party surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. While we believe that such data is reliable, we have not independently verified such data and cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness thereof. Additionally, we cannot assure you that any of the assumptions underlying these statements are accurate or correctly reflect our position in the industry, and not all of our internal estimates have been verified by any independent sources. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that a third-party using different methods to assemble, analyze, or compute market data would obtain the same results. There is no precise definition for what constitutes the Bitcoin mining market, the high performance computing (“HPC”) solutions market, the AI Cloud Services (“AI Cloud Services”) market or any other market or industry referenced in this annual report. We do not intend, and do not assume any obligations, to update industry or market data set forth in this annual report. Finally, behavior, preferences, and trends in the marketplace tend to change. As a result, investors and prospective investors should be aware that data in this annual report and estimates based on such data may not be reliable indicators of future results.
References to “market share” and “market leader” are based on global revenues in the referenced market, and, unless otherwise specified herein, are based on certain of the materials referenced above.
Rounding
Amounts in this report have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, the nearest dollar.
Presentation Currency and Exchange Rates
The Directors elected to change the Group’s presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements from Australian dollars to U.S. dollars effective as of July 1, 2021. The change in presentation currency is a voluntary change which is presented retrospectively. The functional currency of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and certain of its subsidiaries is Australian dollars, and for certain other subsidiaries the functional currency is one other than Australian dollars. Functional currency amounts are translated in the presentation currency in the manner described in Note 2 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business plan and strategies and trends we expect to affect our business. These statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “suggests,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are contained throughout this annual report, including matters
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discussed under “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” and in other sections of this annual report. We base these forward-looking statements or projections on our current expectations, plans and assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances and at such time. As you read and consider this annual report, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. The forward-looking statements and projections are subject to and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or projections. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements and projections are based on reasonable assumptions at the time they are made, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results or results of operations, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements and projections. Factors that may materially affect such forward-looking statements and projections include, but are not limited to:
•Bitcoin price and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
•our ability to obtain additional capital on commercially reasonable terms and in a timely manner to meet our capital needs and facilitate our expansion plans;
•the terms of any future financing or any refinancing, restructuring or modification to the terms of any future financing, which could require us to comply with onerous covenants or restrictions, and our ability to service our debt obligations, any of which could restrict our business operations and adversely impact our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations;
•our ability to successfully execute on our growth strategies and operating plans, including our ability to continue to develop our existing data center sites and to diversify and expand into the market for HPC solutions we may offer (including the market for AI Cloud Services);
•our limited experience with respect to new markets we have entered or may seek to enter, including the market for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services);
•expectations with respect to the ongoing profitability, viability, operability, security, popularity and public perceptions of the Bitcoin network;
•expectations with respect to the profitability, viability, operability, security, popularity and public perceptions of any current and future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer;
•our ability to secure and retain customers on commercially reasonable terms or at all, particularly as it relates to our strategy to expand into markets for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services);
•our ability to manage counterparty risk (including credit risk) associated with any current or future customers, including customers of our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), and other counterparties;
•the risk that any current or future customers, including customers of our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), or other counterparties may terminate, default on or underperform their contractual obligations;
•Bitcoin global hashrate fluctuations;
•our ability to secure renewable energy, renewable energy certificates, power capacity, facilities and sites on commercially reasonable terms or at all;
•delays associated with, or failure to obtain or complete, permitting approvals, grid connections and other development activities customary for greenfield or brownfield infrastructure projects;
•our reliance on power and utilities providers, third party mining pools, exchanges, banks, insurance providers and our ability to maintain relationships with such parties;
•expectations regarding availability and pricing of electricity;
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•our participation and ability to successfully participate in demand response products and services and other load management programs run, operated or offered by electricity network operators, regulators or electricity market operators;
•the availability, reliability and/or cost of electricity supply, hardware and electrical and data center infrastructure, including with respect to any electricity outages and any laws and regulations that may restrict the electricity supply available to us;
•any variance between the actual operating performance of our miner hardware achieved compared to the nameplate performance including hashrate;
•our ability to curtail our electricity consumption and/or monetize electricity depending on market conditions, including changes in Bitcoin mining economics and prevailing electricity prices;
•actions undertaken by electricity network and market operators, regulators, governments or communities in the regions in which we operate;
•the availability, suitability, reliability and cost of internet connections at our facilities;
•our ability to secure additional hardware, including hardware for Bitcoin mining and any current or future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer, on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and any delays or reductions in the supply of such hardware or increases in the cost of procuring such hardware;
•expectations with respect to the useful life and obsolescence of hardware (including hardware for Bitcoin mining as well as hardware for other applications, including any current or future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer);
•delays, increases in costs or reductions in the supply of equipment used in our operations;
•our ability to operate in an evolving regulatory environment;
•our ability to successfully operate and maintain our property and infrastructure;
•reliability and performance of our infrastructure compared to expectations;
•malicious attacks on our property, infrastructure or IT systems;
•our ability to maintain in good standing the operating and other permits and licenses required for our operations and business;
•our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights and confidential information;
•any intellectual property infringement and product liability claims;
•whether the secular trends we expect to drive growth in our business materialize to the degree we expect them to, or at all;
•any pending or future acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures or other strategic transactions;
•the occurrence of any environmental, health and safety incidents at our sites, and any material costs relating to environmental, health and safety requirements or liabilities;
•damage to our property and infrastructure and the risk that any insurance we maintain may not fully cover all potential exposures;
•ongoing proceedings relating to the default by two of the Company’s wholly-owned special purpose vehicles under limited recourse equipment financing facilities; ongoing securities litigation relating in part to the default; and any future litigation, claims and/or regulatory investigations, and the costs, expenses, use of resources, diversion of management time and efforts, liability and damages that may result therefrom;
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•our failure to comply with any laws including the anti-corruption laws of the United States and various international jurisdictions;
•any failure of our compliance and risk management methods;
•any laws, regulations and ethical standards that may relate to our business, including those that relate to Bitcoin and the Bitcoin mining industry and those that relate to any other services we offer, including laws and regulations related to data privacy, cybersecurity, the storage, use or processing of information and consumer laws;
•our ability to attract, motivate and retain senior management and qualified employees;
•increased risks to our global operations including, but not limited to, political instability, acts of terrorism, theft and vandalism, cyberattacks and other cybersecurity incidents and unexpected regulatory and economic sanctions changes, among other things;
•climate change, severe weather conditions and natural and man-made disasters that may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations;
•public health crises, including an outbreak of an infectious disease (such as COVID-19) and any governmental or industry measures taken in response;
•our ability to remain competitive in dynamic and rapidly evolving industries;
•damage to our brand and reputation;
•expectations relating to Environmental, Social or Governance issues or reporting (“ESG”);
•the costs of being a public company; and
•other risk factors disclosed under “Item 3.D.—Risk Factors” in this annual report.
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GLOSSARY OF INDUSTRY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
This annual report includes a number of industry terms and concepts which are defined as follows:
•AI Cloud Services: platforms that provide access to AI/ML capabilities through cloud-based infrastructure.
•AI/ML: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is computer software that mimics human cognitive abilities in order to perform complex tasks, such as decision making, data analysis, language translation and a variety of tools and services across the emergent AI industry that have been developed to leverage AI capabilities. Machine Learning (“ML”) is a subset of AI in which algorithms are trained on data sets to become machine learning models capable of performing specific tasks.
•ASICs: An Application Specific Integrated Circuit is a type of integrated circuit that is custom-designed for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use.
•Bitcoin: A system of global, decentralized, scarce, digital money as initially introduced in a white paper titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System by Satoshi Nakamoto.
•Bitcoin network: The collection of all nodes running the Bitcoin protocol. This includes miners that use computing power to maintain the ledger and add new blocks to the blockchain.
•block: A bundle of transactions analogous with digital pages in a ledger. Transactions are bundled into blocks, which are then added to the ledger. Miners are rewarded for “mining” a new block.
•blockchain: A software program containing a cryptographically secure digital ledger that maintains a record of all transactions that occur on the network, that enables peer-to-peer transmission of transaction information, and that follows a consensus protocol for confirming new blocks to be added to the blockchain.
•Board: The board of directors of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN).
•CBDC: Central bank digital currency.
•cryptocurrency or digital asset: Bitcoin and alternative coins, or “altcoins,” launched after the success of Bitcoin. This category is designed to serve functions including as a medium of exchange, store of value, and/or to power applications.
•Co-Founders and Co-Chief Executive Officers: Daniel Roberts and William Roberts.
•difficulty: In the context of Bitcoin mining, a measure of the relative complexity of the algorithmic solution required for a miner to mine a block and receive the Bitcoin reward. An increase in global hashrate will temporarily result in faster block times as the mining algorithm is solved quicker – and vice versa if the global hashrate decreases. The Bitcoin network protocol adjusts the network difficulty every 2,016 blocks (approximately every two weeks) to maintain a target block time of 10 minutes.
•EH/s: Exahash per second. 1 EH/s equals one quintillion hashes per second (1,000,000,000,000,000,000 h/s).
•fiat currency: A government issued currency that is not backed by a physical commodity, such as gold or silver, but rather by the government that issued it.
•fork: A fundamental change to the software underlying a blockchain which may result in two different blockchains, the original, and the new version, each with their own token.
•GPUs: Graphics processing units are a type of computing technology designed for parallel processing, which can be used in a wide range of applications, including graphics and video rendering, gaming, creative production and AI.
•hash: To compute a function that takes an input, and then outputs an alphanumeric string known as the “hash value.”
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•hashrate: The speed at which a miner can produce computations (hashes) using the Bitcoin network’s algorithm, expressed in hashes per second. The hashrate of all miners on a particular network is referred to as the global hashrate.
•HPC: High-performance computing, which refers to the aggregation of computing power to achieve higher performance levels, often utilized to perform complex calculations in fields including science, engineering, finance, AI/ML, and business. It typically involves using supercomputers or clusters of computers, often employing parallel processing, to perform calculations simultaneously, thereby greatly reducing computation time.
•miner: Individuals or entities who operate a computer or group of computers that compete to mine blocks. Bitcoin miners who successfully mine blocks are rewarded with new Bitcoin as well as any transaction fees.
•mining: The process by which new Bitcoin blocks are created, and thus new transactions are added to the blockchain in the Bitcoin network.
•mining pools: Mining pools are platforms for miners to contribute their hashrate in exchange for digital assets, including Bitcoin, and in some cases regardless of whether the pool effectively mines any block. Miners tend to join pools to increase payout frequency, with pools generally offering daily payouts, and to externalize to the pool the risk of a block taking longer than statistically expected from the network difficulty. Mining pools offers these services in exchange for a fee.
•MW: Megawatts. 1MW equals 1,000 kilowatts.
•PH/s: Petahash per second. 1 PH/s equals one quadrillion hashes per second (1,000,000,000,000,000 h/s).
•proof-of-work: A protocol for establishing consensus across a system that ties mining capability to computational power. Hashing a block, which is in itself an easy computational process, now requires each miner to solve for a certain difficulty variable periodically adjusted by the Bitcoin network protocol. In effect, the process of hashing each block becomes a competition and, as a result, the overall process of hashing requires time and computational effort.
•proof-of-stake: An alternative consensus protocol, in which a “validator” typically may use their own digital assets to validate transactions or blocks. Validators may “stake” their digital assets on whichever transactions they choose to validate. If a validator validates a block (group of transactions) correctly, it will receive a reward. Typically, if a validator verifies an incorrect transaction, it may lose the digital assets that it staked. Proof-of-stake generally requires a negligible amount of computing power compared to Proof-of-work.
•protocol: The software that governs how a blockchain operates.
•public key or private key: Each public address on a blockchain network has a corresponding public key and private key that are cryptographically generated. A private key allows the recipient to access any digital assets associated with the address, similar to a bank account password. A public key helps validate transactions that are broadcasted to and from the address. Public keys are derived from private keys.
•REC: Renewable Energy Certificate.
•SEC: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
•TH/s: Terahash per second. 1 TH/s equals one trillion hashes per second (1,000,000,000,000 h/s).
•wallet: A place to store public and private keys for blockchains (similar to storage applications for usernames and passwords). Wallets are typically software, hardware, or paper-based.
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PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A.[Reserved]
B.Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D.Risk Factors
An investment in our Ordinary shares is subject to a number of risks. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, which should be read in conjunction with all the other information presented in this annual report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not know about or currently think are immaterial may also impair our business operations. Any of the following risks, if they occur, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
Summary of Key Risks
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, discussed in more detail below. These risks include, among others, the following key risks:
Risks Related to Our Business
•We have a limited operating history, with operating losses as the business has grown. If we cannot sustain greater revenues than our operating costs, we will incur operating losses, which could adversely impact our operations, strategy and financial performance.
•We have an evolving business model and strategy.
•Our increased focus on HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) may not be successful and may result in adverse consequences to our business, results of operations and financial condition.
•Our business, operating plans and expansion plans may be delayed or change in light of evolving market conditions and several other factors.
•We may be unable to raise additional capital needed to fulfill our capital or liquidity needs or grow our business and achieve expansion plans.
•Certain of our limited recourse wholly-owned subsidiaries have defaulted on equipment financing agreements and are subject to bankruptcy proceedings and legal action by the lender.
•Our future success will depend significantly on the price of Bitcoin, which is subject to risk and has historically been subject to significant price volatility, as well as a number of other factors.
•Our operating results have fluctuated significantly and may continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of several different factors.
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•Our business is highly dependent on a small number of equipment suppliers. Failure of our suppliers to perform under the relevant supply contracts or of our ability to fulfill our obligations thereunder could materially impact our operating results and financial condition.
•We may not be able to procure hardware on commercially acceptable terms or sufficient funding may not be available to finance the acquisition of hardware.
•Any electricity outage, non-supply or limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressures or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance.
•Any critical failure of key electrical or data center equipment may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance.
•Serial defects in our ASICs, GPUs and other equipment may result in failure or underperformance relative to expectations and impact our operations and financial performance.
•Adoption of custom firmware for our mining fleet could lead to failures that result in a substantial decrease in our mining fleet’s hashrate.
•Supply chain and logistics issues for us, our contractors or our suppliers may delay our expansion plans or increase the cost of constructing our infrastructure.
•Any environmental, health and safety incidents may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance.
•We may be vulnerable to climate change, severe weather conditions and natural and man-made disasters, as well as power outages and other industrial incidents, which could severely disrupt the normal operation of our business and adversely affect our results of operations.
•Our properties and equipment may experience damages, including damages that are not covered by insurance.
Risks Related to Bitcoin
•The potential transition of digital asset networks such as the Bitcoin network from proof-of-work mining algorithms to proof-of-stake validation may significantly impact the value of our capital expenditures and investments in machines and real property to support proof-of-work mining, which could make us less competitive and ultimately adversely affect our business and the value of our Ordinary shares.
•There is a risk of additional Bitcoin mining capacity from competing Bitcoin miners, which would increase the global hashrate and decrease our effective market share.
•The Bitcoin network is a form of technology which may become redundant or obsolete in the future.
•There is a lack of liquid markets in digital assets, and these markets are subject to possible manipulation.
•Our operations, investment strategies and profitability may be adversely affected by competition from other methods of investing in digital assets or tracking digital asset markets.
•The Bitcoin network will be subject to block reward halving several times in the future and Bitcoin’s value may not adjust to compensate us for the reduction in the block rewards that we receive from our mining activities.
Risks Related to Third Parties
•Banks, financial institutions, insurance providers and other counterparties may fail, may not provide relevant goods and services including bank accounts, or may cut off certain banking or other goods and services, including to digital assets investors or businesses that engage in Bitcoin-related activities or that accept Bitcoin as payment.
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•Disruptions at over-the-counter (“OTC”) trading desks and potential consequences of an OTC trading desk’s failure could adversely affect our business. We may be required to, or may otherwise determine it is appropriate to, switch to an alternative digital asset trading platform and/or custodian.
Risks Related to Regulations and Regulatory Frameworks
•The regulatory environment regarding digital assets and digital asset mining is in flux, and we may become subject to changes to and/or additional laws and regulations that may limit our ability to operate.
•Our business and financial condition may be materially adversely affected by changes to and/or increased regulation of energy sources.
•As we continue to expand and localize our international activities, our obligations to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and policies across a variety of jurisdictions will increase and we may be subject to investigations and enforcement actions by U.S. and non-U.S. regulators and governmental authorities.
•Bitcoin mining and HPC activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and operations, in particular, to locations with renewable sources of power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to Bitcoin miners or HPC operators, including us, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally.
Risks Related to Being a Foreign Private Issuer
•We currently report our financial results under IFRS, which differs from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP.
•As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from a number of rules under the U.S. securities laws and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a U.S. company.
•We are an Australian public company with limited liability. The rights of our shareholders may be different from the rights of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions and may not protect investors in the same similar fashion afforded by incorporation in a U.S. jurisdiction.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a limited operating history, with operating losses as the business has grown. If we cannot sustain greater revenues than our operating costs, we will incur operating losses, which could adversely impact our operations, strategy and financial performance.
We began Bitcoin mining in 2019. We have a limited operating history upon which an evaluation of the business and its prospects can be based. We may be subject to many risks common to new and growing companies, including under-capitalization, cash shortages, limitations concerning personnel, financial and other resources and lack of revenues and profitability. We generated a loss after income tax expense of $29.0 million and $171.9 million for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. There is no assurance that we will be successful in executing our business plan, that we will achieve profitability, that we will meet other metrics to measure success, or that you will achieve a return on your investment.
Our future business plan requires additional substantial expenses in the operation and growth of our business and there can be no assurance that operational objectives will be achieved. Our success will ultimately depend on our ability to generate cash from our business. If we do not reach our operating objectives, and to the extent that we do not generate cash flow and income, our financial performance and long-term viability may be materially and adversely affected.
We have an evolving business model and strategy.
Our business model has significantly evolved since our incorporation, and we expect it to continue to do so in the future. As digital assets become more widely available, we expect their services and products to evolve. In order to stay current with our industry, our business model will also need to evolve. As a result, from time to time, we may modify aspects of our business model relating to our strategy. Our growth strategy includes exploring the expansion and diversification of our revenue sources into new markets. Pursuant to that strategy, we are increasing our focus on diversification into HPC solutions, including the provision of AI Cloud Services. We cannot offer any assurance that these
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or any other modifications to our business model and strategy will be successful or will not result in harm to our business. Such modifications may increase the complexity of our business and place significant strain on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance, financial resources and internal financial control and reporting functions. Moreover, we may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth and adversely affect our operating results. Further, we cannot provide any assurance that we will successfully identify all emerging trends and growth opportunities within the digital assets industry, the HPC market or other markets we seek to expand into, and we may lose out on such opportunities. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
Our increased focus on HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) may not be successful and may result in adverse consequences to our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our growth strategy includes expanding and diversifying our revenue sources into new markets. Pursuant to that strategy, we are increasing our focus on diversifying into HPC solutions, including the provision of AI Cloud Services. In particular, we are exploring the use of our existing and future infrastructure to develop and offer HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) to a broad range of industries and applications, which may include scientific research, engineering, rendering and AI/ML. We believe our future success will depend in part on our ability to execute on our growth strategy and expand into new markets.
We have limited experience in developing and offering HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), or acquiring the relevant components to develop an offering of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) for customers in various industries and markets. We may experience difficulties with infrastructure development or modification, engineering, product design, product development, marketing or certification, which could result in excessive research and development expenses and capital expenditure, delays or prevent us from developing and offering HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) at all. For example, as we continue to increase our focus on HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and continue to expand our offering of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we may need to make modifications to existing data centers, or modify the design of new data centers, in order to meet customer requirements for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) or provide a competitive offering of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services). Any such modifications (if possible at all) may involve significant capital expenditures, and may result in increased cost of our facilities, delays in our development and construction schedules for our new facilities, or outages at existing data centers. Further, any such modifications could adversely impact the performance of our data centers, including cooling systems and electrical performance, among others. Our focus on developing and offering HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) may also disrupt our business, divert our resources, and require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for utilization within and development of our existing business. Additionally, our ability to develop and offer HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) relies on third-party components, including GPUs for which there are limited suppliers, which require significant capital expenditure and may be difficult to procure given the current elevated demand. We may be unable to raise the required capital as a result of the risks described under “—We may be unable to raise additional capital needed to fulfill our capital or liquidity needs and/or grow our business and achieve expansion plans.”
In addition, as we continue to enter into new markets for HPC solutions (including the market for AI Cloud Services or otherwise), we will face new sources of competition, new business models and new customer relationships, and our competitors may be larger, have longer operating histories and significantly greater resources than we do. In order to be successful, we will need to cultivate new industry relationships and strengthen existing relationships to bring any new solutions and offerings to market, and the success of any HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we develop will depend on many factors, including demand for those solutions, our ability to win and maintain customers, and the cost, performance and perceived value of any HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we develop. As a result, there can be no assurance that any HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we develop will be adopted by the market, or be profitable or viable. Our limited experience with respect to HPC solutions (and AI Cloud Services in particular) could limit our ability to successfully execute on this growth strategy or adapt to market changes. If we are unsuccessful in continuing to develop and offer HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The market for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) is driven in large part by demand for server clusters, specialized or high-performance applications, and hosted software solutions which require fast and efficient data processing, and is characterized by rapid advances in technologies. It is difficult to predict the development of demand for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), the size and growth rate for this market, the entry of competitive products, or the success of any existing or future products that may compete with any HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we may develop. There has been an increasing number of competitors providing HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), which has resulted in increasing competition and pricing pressure that may cause us to reduce our pricing in order to remain competitive. Meanwhile, if there is a reduction in demand for any HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), whether caused by a lack of customer acceptance, a slowdown in demand for computational power, an overabundance of
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unused computational power, advancements in technology, technological challenges, competing technologies and solutions, decreases in corporate and customer spending, weakening economic conditions or otherwise, it could result in reduced customer orders, early order cancellations, the loss of customers, or decreased sales, any of which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our investments in further developing and offering HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) in addition to our business of Bitcoin mining may result in new or enhanced governmental or regulatory scrutiny, litigation, confidentiality or security risks, ethical concerns or other complications that could adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations or financial condition. The increasing focus on the risks and strategic importance of certain HPC applications, such as AI Cloud Services, and AI/ML technologies, has already resulted in regulatory restrictions that target products and services capable of enabling or facilitating AI/ML, and may in the future result in additional restrictions impacting any offerings we may develop, including AI Cloud Services and other HPC solutions. Complying with multiple evolving laws, rules and regulations from different jurisdictions related to new solutions that we develop could increase our cost of doing business or may change the way that we operate in certain jurisdictions. Furthermore, concerns regarding third-party use of AI/ML for purposes contrary to governmental and societal interests, including concerns relating to the misuse of AI/ML applications, models, and solutions, could result in restrictions on AI/ML products which in turn reduce the demand for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and negatively impact our business and financial results. It is also unclear how our status as an infrastructure provider for customers developing and deploying AI/ML applications as opposed to developing such applications ourselves will affect the applicability of these regulations on any offerings. We may not be able to adequately anticipate or respond to these evolving laws and regulations, and we may need to expend additional resources to adjust our offerings in certain jurisdictions if applicable legal frameworks are inconsistent across jurisdictions.
For example, the European Union (“EU”) recently adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act (“AI Act”). Once the AI Act comes into effect, it will establish, among other things, a risk-based governance framework for regulating AI/ML systems operating in the EU. While the AI Act has not yet been formally enacted or enforced, there is a risk that it could have a negative impact on our current or future use of AI/ML. For example, the AI Act will prohibit certain uses of AI/ML systems and place numerous obligations on providers and deployers of permitted AI/ML systems, with heightened requirements based on AI/ML systems that are considered high risk. Once enacted, this regulatory framework is expected to have a material impact on the way AI/ML is regulated in the EU and beyond, and, together with developing regulatory guidance and judicial decisions in this area, may affect our use of AI/ML and our ability to provide and to improve our products and solutions, require additional compliance measures and changes to our operations and processes, result in increased compliance costs and potential increases in civil claims against us and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, concerns regarding third-party use of AI/ML for purposes contrary to governmental and societal interests, including concerns relating to the misuse of AI/ML applications, models, and solutions, could result in restrictions on AI/ML products which in turn reduce the demand for our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and negatively impact our business and financial results. It is also unclear how our status as an infrastructure provider for customers developing and deploying AI/ML applications as opposed to developing such applications ourselves will affect the applicability of these regulations on any offerings.
For more information with respect to the risks associated with the use of AI/ML in our business, see “Risks Related to Our Business—Our use of AI/ML may not be successful and may present business, compliance, and reputational challenges which could lead to operational or reputational damage, competitive harm, legal and regulatory risk, and additional costs, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.”
Failure to effectively manage our growth could place strains on our managerial, operational and financial resources and could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Our current and future growth, including increases in the number of our strategic relationships and our strategy of exploring diversification of our revenue sources, may place a strain on our managerial, operational and financial resources and systems, as well as on our management team. We may not be successful in growing our business, or at managing our growth effectively. We may also fail to develop and expand our managerial, operational and financial resources and systems as we grow. Any of the foregoing could limit our growth and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
Our business, operating plans and expansion plans may be delayed or change in light of evolving market conditions and several other factors.
Our business plan is predicated on multiple assumptions, including our ability to procure additional hardware for Bitcoin mining and for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) that we are offering and developing, in each case with
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certain performance specifications at certain future dates and prices, and the acquisition, development and construction of additional locations and infrastructure to host such hardware. Our business plan is subject to change due to various factors, including market conditions, our ability to raise additional capital, the ability to procure equipment in a quantity, at a cost, to a certain quality, to certain specifications and on a timeline that is consistent with our business plan, and the ability to identify and acquire additional locations for new data center and electrical infrastructure sites to replicate the existing operating model at our operational facilities or build facilities adopting new operating models consistent with our business plan.
We continue to monitor the market for funding and purchase opportunities for additional miners and GPUs in order to execute on our expansion plans. Expansion plans may take longer or be more expensive than we currently anticipate as a result of evolving market conditions, technological developments, customer requirements, our evolving business model or otherwise. We will continue to review our expansion plans in light of such factors, and our expansion plans may be delayed or may change as a result, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
We may be unable to raise additional capital needed to fulfill our capital or liquidity needs or grow our business and achieve expansion plans.
We will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations, increase our data center and hashrate capacity, meet hardware purchase commitments, replace hardware (such as miners and GPUs) as it ages, pursue growth strategies (such as developing HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and potential acquisitions of complementary businesses), and respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated working capital requirements.
In the future, we will also need to raise additional capital to finance our business operations and planned and potential growth, including to fund additional construction at existing or new sites, to develop new sites to increase our data center capacity and to fund the purchase of additional equipment to increase our operating capacity and potentially expand into new markets. We may seek to raise additional capital through future offerings of debt securities (including potentially convertible debt securities), which would rank senior to our Ordinary shares upon our bankruptcy or liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities, which may be senior to our Ordinary shares for the purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions. An issuance of additional equity securities or securities with a right to convert into equity, such as convertible bonds or warrant bonds, could adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary shares and would dilute the economic and voting interests of shareholders. We may be required to accept terms that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness or to take other actions including terms that require us to maintain specified liquidity or other ratios that could otherwise not be in the interests of our shareholders. As the timing and nature of any future offering would depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, it is not possible to predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of future offerings.
We may not be able to obtain additional debt, equity or equity-linked financing on favorable terms, if at all, which could impair our growth, adversely affect our existing operations and require us to seek additional capital, sell assets or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. In addition, if the terms of additional financing are less favorable or require us to comply with more onerous covenants or restrictions, our business operations could be restricted. Any of the foregoing could adversely impact our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Certain of our limited recourse wholly-owned subsidiaries have defaulted on equipment financing agreements and are subject to bankruptcy proceedings and legal action by the lender, and we may be exposed to claims in connection with such proceedings.
We previously entered into three limited recourse equipment financing facilities (each a “Facility” and, together, the “Facilities”) through three separate wholly-owned, non-recourse special purpose vehicles of the Company (“Non-Recourse SPV 1,” “Non-Recourse SPV 2” and “Non-Recourse SPV 3,” and collectively the “Non-Recourse SPVs”), pursuant to which certain lending entities of New York Digital Investment Group LLC (“NYDIG”) agreed to finance part of the purchase price of various miners that had been, or were scheduled to be, delivered to such subsidiaries of the Company.
We announced in November 2022 that the miners owned by Non-Recourse SPV 2 and Non-Recourse SPV 3 that secure their respective Facilities produce insufficient cash flow to service their respective debt financing obligations.
On November 4, 2022, the Non-Recourse SPVs received notices of defaults under which the lender claimed there was aggregate outstanding indebtedness of approximately $107.8 million as of November 18, 2022 (including accrued interest and late fees), which had been declared immediately due and payable pursuant to the November 4, 2022 purported acceleration notice. Following receipt of the purported acceleration notice on November 4, 2022, certain other subsidiaries
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of the Company terminated their respective hosting arrangements with Non-Recourse SPV 2 and Non-Recourse SPV 3, and none of the approximately 3.6 EH/s of miners owned by such Non-Recourse SPVs have been operating since that termination, which materially reduced our hashrate capacity.
In December 2022, Non-Recourse SPV 1 repaid in full one such Facility pursuant to which approximately $1.3 million of borrowings and fees were outstanding. The remaining two Facilities, pursuant to which $35.0 million and $77.2 million of borrowings were outstanding as of December 31, 2022, respectively, were not repaid by Non-Recourse SPV 2 and Non-Recourse SPV 3. In February 2023, the lenders to such Non-Recourse SPVs commenced steps to enforce the indebtedness and their asserted rights in the collateral securing such limited recourse facilities (including the approximately 3.6 EH/s of miners securing such facilities and other assets of such Non-Recourse SPVs), and appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. (the “Receiver”) as receiver in respect of the assets, undertakings and property of both Non-Recourse SPVs on February 3, 2023. On June 28, 2023, the Receiver filed an assignment in bankruptcy on behalf of such Non-Recourse SPVs and was appointed as trustee of the Non-Recourse SPVs’ estates, and this appointment was affirmed at the meeting of creditors held on July 18, 2023. The receivership and bankruptcy proceedings are ongoing.
NYDIG filed an application with The Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Trial Court”) seeking, among other things, declarations to the effect that any difference between revenue generated by the Non-Recourse SPVs through the provision of hashpower services to Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and Bitcoin mined by Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is collateral securing the Facilities, as well as substantive consolidation of certain Group entities and claims of fraudulent conveyance and oppression. A hearing was held in the Trial Court on June 13 to 15, 2023 in respect of such application, among other things. On August 10, 2023, the Trial Court issued a ruling affirming the Company’s position that, among other things, the Bitcoin mined by Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is not collateral securing such facilities and there is no parent guarantee with respect to the equipment financing facilities, and no relief in respect of remedies sought by NYDIG for substantive consolidation and oppression was granted. However, the Trial Court declared transactions pursuant to hashpower services provided by the relevant Non-Recourse SPVs to Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) to be void as fraudulent conveyances, and noted that based on the submissions to date the discrepancy between the value that Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) received for the hashpower and the consideration paid to the Non-Recourse SPVs is between $3.0 million and $11.9 million. The Company disagreed with the decision and certain factual findings and Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and the Non-Recourse SPVs filed a notice to appeal with the Court of Appeal of British Columbia ("Court of Appeal") on August 21, 2023. On January 30, 2024, NYDIG filed a notice of cross appeal with the Court of Appeal to appeal the dismissal of the substantive consolidation and oppression remedy relief that was dismissed. In particular, NYDIG sought an order that the substantive consolidation and oppression remedies be remitted to the Trial Court for consideration and reasons. A hearing was held before the Court of Appeal on March 12, 2024, regarding the notice of appeal filed August 21, 2023, and the notice of cross-appeal filed by NYDIG on January 30, 2024. On June 27, 2024, the Court of Appeal released its reasons for judgment. The Court of Appeal: (a) granted the appeal by the Non-Recourse SPVs and Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN), finding that the intercompany transactions were not fraudulent conveyances (b) denied NYDIG’s cross-appeal by finding that there is no basis for appellate interference in relation to the trial court’s dismissal of NYDIG’s substantive consolidation claim; and (c) upheld NYDIG’s cross-appeal in part by finding that the application for relief in relation to the oppression remedy is remitted to the Trial Court for the judge for consideration. The matter has not been listed in the Trial Court as of the date of these consolidated financial statements.
Legal proceedings are subject to many uncertainties and there can be no assurances as to the final outcome of such proceedings more generally, including the amount of any potential damages, settlement payments or liability that may be incurred by the Company, any of which could be higher than anticipated. Moreover, the lender or the Receiver under each such Facility could also bring other claims against the Company and/or its other subsidiaries, which could result in further litigation and/or additional claims in the current legal proceedings. Any of the foregoing could result in legal and other costs and damage to the Company’s reputation, and could divert management’s attention and resources. If successful, any such proceedings could also result in liability for the Company and/or its other subsidiaries.
Depending on the outcome of the foregoing bankruptcy and Court proceedings, they could result in a material adverse effect on our business, expansion plans, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, and may also cause the market value of our Ordinary shares to decline. In addition, the foregoing could also have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern, which may exacerbate the risks described under “—General Risk Factors—There is material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern.”
If at any time we have additional special purpose vehicles that are borrowers under equipment financing or other facilities, such borrowers could be subject to similar risks to those described above. In particular, the ability of any such borrowers to satisfy obligations under any such facilities may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin, the Bitcoin network global hashrate and other factors outside our control, including those described herein. To the extent any such other borrowers are unable to make required payments on their debt obligations or they are otherwise unable to comply with covenants under such facilities, a default or event of default may be triggered under such debt obligations.
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There can be no assurance that any such borrower would be able to restructure, refinance or modify any such facility or obtain a waiver on commercially reasonable terms or otherwise, in which case the relevant lender could seek to accelerate such debt and pursue one or more remedies available to it, including foreclosing on any applicable collateral, any of which could lead to bankruptcy or liquidation of the relevant borrower.
Our future success will depend significantly on the price of Bitcoin, which is subject to risk and has historically been subject to significant price volatility, as well as a number of other factors.
We generate our revenue from the sale of Bitcoin as a result of rewards and transaction fees received in exchange for contributing computational power to mining pools to validate transactions on the Bitcoin network. Similarly, our operating cash flow substantially depends on our ability to sell Bitcoin for fiat currency as needed. In developing our business plan and operating budget, as well as expansion plans, we make certain assumptions regarding future Bitcoin prices. While part of our business strategy includes expanding and diversifying our revenue sources, any potential further expansion into additional markets (such as HPC solutions, including AI Cloud Services) will take time to implement, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so in the near term or at all.
The prices that we receive for our Bitcoin depend on numerous market factors beyond our control. Accordingly, some underlying Bitcoin price assumptions we rely on may materially change and actual Bitcoin prices may differ materially from those expected. For instance, the introduction of digital assets backed by central banks, known as “CBDCs,” that are designed to correspond to a stable value (such as the U.S. dollar), known as “stablecoins,” or even other digital assets which fluctuate in value but which compete with Bitcoin, could significantly reduce the demand for Bitcoin. Due to the highly volatile nature of the price of Bitcoin, our historical operating results have fluctuated, and may continue to fluctuate, significantly from period to period in accordance with market sentiment and movements in the broader digital assets ecosystem. For example, the price of Bitcoin has fluctuated considerably during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, from a low of approximately $25,600 per Bitcoin in September 2023 to a high of approximately $71,500 per Bitcoin in March 2024.
There is no assurance that any digital asset, including Bitcoin, will maintain its value or that there will be meaningful levels of trading activities to support markets in any digital asset and any adverse movements in Bitcoin prices or exchange rates (including the rates at which we may convert Bitcoin to fiat currency) may adversely affect our financial performance, financial condition, prospects, expansion plans and the results of operations. We are also exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations because portions of our revenue and expenses are currently, and may continue to be in the future, denominated in currencies other than our presentation currency (U.S. dollars), and because our income is in Bitcoin rather than in any fiat currency. Exchange rate fluctuations may adversely affect the results of operations, financial performance and the value of our assets in the future. A decline in the market value of Bitcoin could lead to a decline in the demand for trading Bitcoin and the number of transactions on the Bitcoin network, each of which could lead to a corresponding decline in the value of our Bitcoin assets.
Further, revenue for Bitcoin miners consists of the block reward and transaction fees. Transaction fees are not pre-determined by the Bitcoin protocol and vary based on market factors, such as user demand, the number of transactions and the capacity of the network. In addition, “off-chain” solutions (for example, the Lightning Protocol and Statechains), which have been introduced to allow users to transact away from the blockchain, may lower miner revenues from transaction fees. Any of the factors could adversely impact our opportunities to earn block rewards and transaction fees, which could adversely affect our business, financial performance, financial condition and results of operations.
Any decline in the amount of Bitcoin that we successfully mine, the price of Bitcoin or market liquidity for Bitcoin, and digital assets generally, would adversely affect our revenue and ability to fund our operations and expansion plans. There has been high volatility in the market price of Bitcoin and other digital assets, as well as the market price of many technology stocks, including ours.
Our operating results have fluctuated significantly and may continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of several different factors.
Annual expenses and revenues reflected in our financial statements may differ significantly from historical levels. As a result of this and other factors, it is difficult for us to forecast growth trends accurately and our business and prospects are difficult to evaluate, particularly in the short term. In addition, due to the rapidly evolving nature of our business and the digital assets ecosystem, as well as our evolving business strategy and any potential further expansion into additional markets (such as HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services)) that we pursue, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful, and you should not rely upon them as an indication of future performance. Our
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operating results in one or more future periods may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. As a result, the trading price of our Ordinary shares may increase or decrease significantly.
In addition, our operating results may continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are unpredictable and in certain instances are outside of our control, including:
•market conditions across the broader blockchain ecosystem;
•investment and trading activities of highly active retail and institutional users, speculators, miners and investors;
•the financial strength of market participants and our counterparties and customers;
•changes in consumer preferences and perceived value of digital assets, including Bitcoin, as well as AI Cloud Services;
•publicity and events relating to the blockchain ecosystem, including public perception of the impact of the blockchain ecosystem on the environment as well as high-profile failures of and/or dishonest or illegal actions by market participants;
•the correlation between the prices of digital assets, including the potential that a crash in one digital asset or widespread defaults on one digital asset exchange or trading venue may cause a crash in the price of other digital assets, or a series of defaults by counterparties on digital asset exchanges or trading venues;
•loss of confidence in the Bitcoin market as a result of business failures in the broader digital asset ecosystem;
•fees and speed associated with processing Bitcoin transactions;
•our evolving business strategy, including expanding and diversifying into additional markets (such as HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services)) and the development and introduction of existing and new products and technology by us, our competitors or others;
•our ability to effectively grow our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) business and penetrate the market;
•increases in operating expenses that we expect to incur to grow and expand our operations and to remain competitive;
•the level of interest rates and inflation;
•changes in the legislative or regulatory environment or ethical standards, or actions by governments or regulators that impact monetary policies, fiat currency devaluations, trade restrictions, the provision of electricity to mining or HPC operations, the digital assets industry generally, or mining operations specifically, the HPC industry generally or our plans to explore the offering of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) specifically;
•difficulty obtaining new hardware and related installation costs;
•access to cost-effective sources of electrical power and renewable energy or renewable energy certificates;
•evolving cryptographic algorithms and emerging trends in the technology securing blockchains, including proof-of-stake;
•adverse legal proceedings or regulatory enforcement actions, judgments, settlements or other legal proceeding and enforcement-related costs;
•system or equipment failure or outages, including with respect to our hardware, custom firmware, data center infrastructure, power supply and third party networks;
•breaches of security or data privacy;
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•loss of trust in the network due to a latent fault in the Bitcoin network;
•our ability to attract and retain talent;
•our ability to hedge risks related to our ownership of digital assets;
•the introduction of new digital assets, leading to a decreased adoption of Bitcoin; and
•our ability to compete.
Our operating results in one or more future periods may continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of these or other factors. Fluctuations in our operating results may in turn cause the trading price of our Ordinary shares to increase or decrease significantly.
We have incurred significant net losses since inception, and we expect to continue to incur net losses. Our operating expenses may also outpace our revenue in future periods, which could seriously harm our business or increase our losses.
Since our inception in 2018, we have incurred significant net losses. Our net losses after income taxes were $29.0 million, $171.9 million and $419.8 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we had accumulated losses of $683.2 million. We expect to continue to incur net losses as we continue to grow and diversify our business.
In addition, our operating expenses in some historical periods have exceeded our mining revenue, resulting in operating losses. Our operating expenses may be greater than we anticipate in future periods, and our investments to make our business more efficient and, if applicable, to diversity our revenue sources may not succeed and may outpace monetization efforts. Our operating expenses have increased as a result of compliance and other costs associated with being a publicly listed company as well as costs incurred as we grow and develop our managerial, operational and financial resources and systems, and may continue to increase in the future, including as a result of increasing inflationary pressures, as well as the growth of our business and expansion and diversification into additional markets such as HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services). Increases in our operating costs without a corresponding increase in our revenue could result in operating losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations.
Our business is highly dependent on a small number of equipment suppliers. Failure of our suppliers to perform under the relevant supply contracts or of our ability to fulfill our obligations thereunder could materially impact our operating results and financial condition.
We have historically relied on a single digital asset mining equipment supplier, Bitmain, to supply us with digital asset mining machines to meet our expansion plans and to replace mining hardware as it ages. Our expansion into the HPC market requires equipment specifically designed for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), which typically comes from different suppliers. There can be no assurance that additional supplies of digital asset mining equipment or HPC solutions equipment, or any other equipment we require in order to construct, operate and maintain our facilities, will be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, or that any supplier would be able to provide sufficient equipment to us to meet our requirements. Even if we were able to procure equipment, we may encounter delays and incur added costs as a result of the time it takes to negotiate terms and install new hardware, and the pricing, delivery schedule and other terms of any such alternative source may be less favorable. As a result, any change in our equipment suppliers could adversely affect our expansion plans, business, financial performance, financial condition and results of operations.
There are a limited number of digital asset mining and HPC solutions equipment suppliers in the market today, and the market price and availability of equipment can be volatile based on market supply and demand dynamics. In relation to Bitcoin, higher Bitcoin prices increase the demand for mining equipment and increases the cost. In addition, as more companies seek to enter the mining industry, the demand for machines may outpace supply and create mining machine equipment shortages. In relation to hardware required for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer, demand for Nvidia GPU chipsets and certain networking equipment currently far exceeds supply.
There are no assurances that suppliers will be able to keep pace with any surge in demand for equipment.
Further, equipment purchase contracts may not be favorable to purchasers and we may have little or no recourse in the event an equipment manufacturer defaults on its delivery commitments. If we cannot obtain a sufficient quantity of mining
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equipment or, if applicable, other equipment such as HPC solutions equipment, at commercially acceptable prices, our growth expectations, our ability to expand into additional markets such as HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely impacted.
Additionally, if our third-party manufacturers and suppliers are late in delivery, cancel or default on their supply obligations or deliver underperforming or faulty equipment, it could cause material delays or affect the performance of our operations. Some of our supply contracts may contain equipment warranties and protections with respect to late delivery; however, these warranties may not be able to be successfully claimed against or may be inadequate to compensate for the impact to our operating results and financial condition.
We may not be able to procure hardware on commercially acceptable terms or sufficient funding may not be available to finance the acquisition of hardware.
The success of our business is dependent on our ability to acquire and configure appropriate hardware solutions to remain competitive. There can be no assurances that the most efficient Bitcoin mining hardware, HPC solutions equipment, or other equipment will be readily available when we identify the need for it, that it will be available to us at a commercially acceptable price or that funding will be available to finance its acquisition. Similarly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to procure necessary hardware at commercially acceptable prices or at all in order to implement our business strategy which includes the expansion and diversification of our revenue sources by offering HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) or otherwise, or that funding will be available, particularly in light of the scarcity of the equipment required to offer HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services). Further, the acquisition of hardware for Bitcoin mining and HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) requires significant upfront capital expenditures. Inability to secure funding or appropriate hardware may delay or prevent the timely completion of our growth strategies and anticipated increases in capacity, and may adversely affect our operations, financial position and financial performance.
The price of new miners is typically linked to the market price of Bitcoin and, if the market price of Bitcoin increases, our costs of obtaining new and replacement miners may increase, which may have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The price of new miners is subject to market fluctuations. Such fluctuations are influenced by factors including, but not limited to, the price of Bitcoin, the global hashrate, as well as supply and demand for mining equipment. A similar dynamic may also be observed in the HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) market where demand for Nvidia GPUs and certain networking equipment far exceeds supply, impacting the price and availability of such hardware.
As a result, the cost of new machines and equipment has been and may in the future be unpredictable, and may also be significantly higher than our historical cost.
We have historically incurred significant upfront capital costs each time we acquire new miners, and, if future prices of Bitcoin are not sufficiently high, we may not realize the benefit of these capital expenditures. If this occurs, our business, financial performance, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, which may in turn have an adverse impact on the trading price of our Ordinary shares.
Any electricity outage, non-supply or limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressures or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance.
Our primary input is electricity. We rely on third parties, including utility providers, for the reliable and sufficient supply of electricity to our infrastructure. We cannot guarantee that these third parties will be able to provide any electrical power including at sufficient levels and consistently, or will have the necessary infrastructure to deliver any power that we may require, or that we will be able to procure power from or recontract with them on commercially acceptable terms. As we continue to increase our focus on HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and continue to expand our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), we may decide to add one or more alternative sources of backup power supply at existing or new data centers, in response to customer requirements or otherwise. Any such backup power supply arrangements may be costly and timely to install. Non-supply or restrictions on the supply of, or our failure to procure sufficient electricity to ensure sufficient backup generation sources for our data centers, could adversely affect our operating performance and revenue by constraining the number of ASICs or other hardware (including hardware for any HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer) that we can operate at any one time. This may adversely impact customers for any hosting or HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer, for example by adversely impacting our ability to meet contractual requirements in respect of uptime, availability or performance. Moreover, electricity outages, or the perception that our data centers do not have adequate backup electricity generation, could adversely impact our ability to compete in the market for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services).
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Our access to electricity, or sufficient electricity, may be affected by climate change, severe weather, acts of God, natural and man-made disasters, political or market operator interventions, utility equipment failure or scheduled and unscheduled maintenance that results in electricity outages to the utility’s or the broader electrical network’s facilities. These electricity outages may occur with little or no warning and be of unpredictable duration. Further, our counterparties may be unable to deliver the required amount of power for various technical, economic or political reasons. As Bitcoin mining and operation of data centers generally (including, for example, to provide HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services)) are energy intensive and backup power generation may be expensive to procure, any backup electricity supplies may not be available or may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, or be sufficient to power some or all of our hardware in an affected location for the duration of the outage. Any such events, including any significant nonperformance by counterparties, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial performance, financial condition and results of operations.
The price we pay for electricity depends on numerous factors including sources of generation, regulatory environment, electricity market structure, commodity prices, instantaneous supply/demand balances, severe or prolonged weather events, counterparties and procurement method. These factors may be subject to change over time and result in increased power costs. In particular, in British Columbia, Canada (BC), we purchase our electricity pursuant to a regulated tariff which is subject to adjustment annually which may result in an increase in the cost of electricity we purchase. For example, on April 21, 2023, as part of the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority ("BC Hydro")’s electricity rate review, the British Columbia Utilities Commission released an order approving, for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2023: (i) an increase in the regulated rate by 0.97%; and (ii) setting of the Deferral Account Rate Rider (effectively a discount applicable to a user’s electricity costs) at 1% (previously at 2%). The combined impact of the above order, all else being equal, was an increase in the Company’s all-in unit cost of electricity in British Columbia of approximately 2%. In September 2023, we were notified by BC Hydro of a further 0.17% increase to its rates for the April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 period (to be applied retroactively) as well as a further 0.20% increase to its rates for the April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 period. This updated rate is generally fixed for a period of 12 months. In February 2024, BC Hydro announced an electricity affordability credit that is applicable to our operations in British Columbia. The electricity affordability credit may result in electricity cost savings in the 12 month period starting from April 15, 2024. We can provide no assurances that any future BC Hydro rate changes will be at a similar level, and it is possible future changes could be material increases.
In addition, in Texas, the electricity market is deregulated and operates through a competitive wholesale market. Electricity prices in Texas are subject to many factors, such as, for example, fluctuations in commodity prices including the price of fossil fuels and other energy sources. The market for oil, gas and other fossil fuel energy sources was volatile during calendar year 2022, and we can provide no assurances that such price disruptions in such deregulated markets will not result in material increases in the price for electricity in such markets in the future. Similarly, high temperatures experienced in Texas during the Summer of 2023 were partially responsible for historically high electrical demand from the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”), the organization that operates Texas’ electrical grid, which was reflected in higher than usual wholesale electricity prices during this period. High wholesale electricity prices directly impact the price we pay for electricity. As part of our electricity procurement strategies in Texas, we may participate in demand response programs, load curtailment in response to prices, or other programs, including the use of automated systems to reduce our power consumption in response to market signals. Such automated systems may activate incorrectly or fail from time to time, or our manual operations may not be able to respond as intended, and there is no guarantee that our participation in demand response programs, load curtailment in response to prices, or other programs, will result in electricity price reductions or additional revenue. In addition, although there are currently no federal laws or regulations that explicitly apply to digital asset mining activities as such, there are certain state regulations which vary state by state. For example, in Texas, miners with an energy capacity of more than 75 megawatts may be required to register their mining operations with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (“PUCT”), which shares that data with ERCOT. Such Texas regulations are currently in the rulemaking stage with PUCT and ERCOT. Another recent bill passed by the Texas Senate in April 2023 would essentially provide that Bitcoin miners can only account for less than 10% of demand response at any given time. Although the bill was not voted on by the House, it can still be reintroduced at a later time. Some demand response programs have regulatory compliance obligations that, if not adhered to or met, may result in fines or penalties. While we aim to mitigate price disruptions (for example, we may, from time to time, seek to purchase electricity market derivatives or hedges to minimize wholesale price volatility), there is no guarantee that any such arrangements will be successful in mitigating volatility or increases in wholesale market prices. Increases and fluctuations in the cost of electricity we purchase could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial performance, financial condition and results of operations. For example, electricity hedge prices vary throughout the year, with higher hedge prices typically during periods where there is expected higher volatility in the ERCOT market. If the expected volatility does not eventuate in the ERCOT market, this may lead to higher power prices as a result of lower revenues from load curtailment in response to prices. Further, if we purchase our electricity from the ERCOT spot market, we may not be able to curtail our operations when prices are high (in particular, we may not be able to curtail our operations relating to the delivery of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) due to customer expectations or requirements relating to uptime), and even if we do curtail the electricity prices may remain high for a long period meaning our operations are curtailed for extended periods of time,
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any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial performance, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, the supply of electricity for our existing or future operations could be limited as a result of political pressure or regulation. For example, in December 2022, the Government of British Columbia announced an 18-month suspension on new and early-stage BC Hydro connection requests from cryptocurrency mining projects, which was subsequently extended for another 18-months in June 2024. Additionally, in May 2024, the Government of British Columbia amended the Utilities Commission Act to enable the province to enact regulations regarding public utilities’ provision of electricity service to cryptocurrency miners. While this suspension and amendment have not currently impacted our existing Bitcoin mining operations or late-stage connection requests from cryptocurrency mining projects, there can be no assurance that our existing operations and our ability to grow our business will not be impacted by those or similar actions in the future or the issuance of new regulations. See also “—Risks Related to Regulations and Regulatory Frameworks—Bitcoin mining and HPC activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and operations, in particular, to locations with renewable sources of power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to Bitcoin miners or HPC operators, including us, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally.”
Any long-term outage or limitation of the internet connection at our sites could materially impact our operations and financial performance.
Our ability to validate and verify Bitcoin transactions, secure transaction blocks and add those to the Bitcoin network, either directly or through a mining pool, is dependent on our ability to connect to the Bitcoin network or mining pools through the internet. Similarly, our ability to offer HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) or other products or services using our data center capacity is also dependent on our ability to connect to the internet. Any extended downtime, limitations in bandwidth or other constraints may affect our ability to contribute some or all of our computing power to the network or mining pools. We may not have backup internet connections at our operations, and any backup internet connections may not be sufficient to support all of our, or our customers, Bitcoin mining and HPC solutions equipment in an affected location for the duration of the outage, limitations or constraints to the primary internet connection. Any such events could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
Additionally, outside internet routing issues to mining pools could present additional risks. For example, if there are routing problems that prevent efficient communication among mining pools, or if there is heavy packet loss, our ability to validate and verify transactions could be severely impaired. This could result in delayed block submissions, missed block rewards, and reduced overall efficiency of our mining operations.
Moreover, internet outages or disruptions can lead to loss of connectivity to critical network services and applications necessary for our operations. This includes potential impacts on remote monitoring and management tools, which are essential for maintaining optimal performance and responding to issues in real-time. Any delay in identifying and resolving problems can lead to prolonged downtime and further financial losses.
Furthermore, the reliability of our internet connection is crucial for maintaining the security of our operations. Interruptions or limitations in connectivity can expose us to increased risk of cyberattacks or unauthorized access, as certain security measures may be compromised during periods of reduced connectivity. In the event of an internet outage or limitations in connectivity, our ability to maintain regular business operations could be severely impacted, potentially leading to decreased revenue, increased operational costs, and damage to our reputation. Features of the Bitcoin network, such as decentralization, open-source protocol and reliance on peer-to-peer connectivity, are essential to preserve the stability of the Bitcoin network and decrease of the risk of fraud. A disruption of the internet or the Bitcoin network could affect the ability to transfer Bitcoin, and consequently the value of Bitcoin, as well as our ability to mine Bitcoin. A significant disruption of internet connectivity (for example, affecting large numbers of users or geographic regions) could prevent the Bitcoin network's functionality and operations until the internet disruption is resolved. As we continue to increase our focus on HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and continue to expand our offering of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), the reliability of our internet connections could also negatively affect our customers who rely on our data center services for our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and the reliability of such solutions, leading to potential loss of business and long-term financial repercussions. Moreover, internet outages, or the perception that our data centers may be exposed to the risk of internet outages where we have limited or no backup internet connections at all, could adversely impact our ability to compete in the market for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services).
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Any critical failure of key electrical or data center equipment may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance.
Certain key pieces of electrical or data center equipment may represent single points of failure for some or all of the power capacity at our operating sites. Any failure or imminent risk of failure of such equipment may result in our inability to utilize some or all of our equipment in an affected location for the duration of time it takes to repair or remediate equipment, or procure and install replacement parts.
For example, high voltage circuit breakers represent a single point of failure at all of our sites. If it fails, this will result in the site being non-operational. We estimate that the current lead time required to replace the various circuit breakers is 15 to 113 weeks, which lead time could increase. There are other items of equipment at each of our sites that, upon failure, could result in the entire site or certain sections of the site being non-operational. These include, but are not limited to, the high voltage transformers, low voltage transformers and switchgear, all of which currently have estimated lead times ranging between 16 to 72 weeks, and are subject to increase.
Due to the long-lead times required to acquire some of the equipment used in our operations, the failure of such parts could result in lengthy outages at an affected location, and could materially impact our operations (including impacts on hosting or HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) customers), financial results and financial condition.
Serial defects in our ASICs, GPUs and other equipment may result in failure or underperformance relative to expectations and impact our operations and financial performance.
Our operations contain certain items of equipment that have a high concentration from one manufacturer (for example, our ASICs and HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) hardware). Additionally, the equipment we rely on may experience defects in workmanship or performance on arrival or throughout its operational life. If such defects are widespread across equipment we have used in the construction of our facilities, we could suffer material outages or underperformance compared to expectations. Such circumstances could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results and could result in a substantial decrease in our mining fleet’s hashrate, leading to reduced rewards and revenue from Bitcoin mining. Such defects could also result in any existing HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) customers choosing to use another provider and may adversely impact the competitiveness of our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services). Such circumstances could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Adoption of custom firmware for our mining fleet could lead to failures that result in a substantial decrease in our mining fleet’s hashrate.
We may adopt custom firmware for our Bitmain mining fleet, which, if unsuccessfully implemented on a large scale, or if it does not operate as intended, could lead to failures and significantly impact our hashrate. There is also the risk of potentially voiding mining hardware manufacturer warranties through use of custom firmware. While our trials with two alternate software providers have demonstrated positive results on older models after review by our R&D program, there is a possibility that custom firmware solutions may not perform as reliably or efficiently with newer models.
Technical issues, compatibility problems, exposure to malicious activities, or unforeseen bugs could result in a substantial decrease in our mining fleet’s hashrate, leading to reduced rewards and revenue from Bitcoin mining.
Any disruption of service experienced by certain of our third-party service providers, the equipment they provide to us, or our ineffective management of relationships with third-party service providers could harm our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flows and prospects.
We rely on several third-party service providers for services that are essential to our business model, the most important of which are our suppliers of power, electrical equipment, building materials, specialist maintenance services and construction services. Additionally, our business strategy includes expanding and diversifying our revenue sources. Pursuant to that strategy, we are undertaking the expansion and diversification of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), as well as the development of other new products and services leveraging data center capacity and access to power. As we expand into any new markets and develop new solutions, we may also rely on third parties to supply us the equipment which we then use to provide a service to potential customers. HPC solutions, including AI Cloud Services, require certainty and reliability in uptake times. If these third parties experience difficulty in providing the services or products we require, or if they experience disruptions or financial distress or cease operations temporarily or permanently, or if the products they supply are defective or cease to operate for any reason, it could make it difficult for us to execute our operations. If we are unsuccessful in identifying or finding highly qualified third-party suppliers or service providers, if we
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fail to enter into suitable commercial arrangements with them, or if we fail to negotiate cost-effective relationships with them or if we are ineffective in managing and maintaining these relationships, it could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition, operating results, cash flows, and prospects.
Our mining hardware suppliers have previously had, and may continue to have, operations in China, and China’s economic, political and social conditions, as well as changes in any government policies, laws and regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, international trade policies with China continue to be in flux, and a policy change could adversely affect our business, prospects or operations.
Our mining hardware suppliers have previously had, and may continue to have, operations in China and a significant portion of our revenues may be derived from material produced in China. Accordingly, our business, financial conditions, results of operations and prospects may be subject, to a significant extent, to economic, political and legal developments in China.
The People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) government exercises significant control over China’s economy through allocations of resources, control over the incurrence and payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting of monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. The PRC legal system also continues to evolve rapidly, so interpretations of laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of such laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties. Uncertainties due to evolving laws and regulations could also impede the ability of a China-based company, such as Bitmain, to obtain or maintain permits or licenses required to conduct business in China. Changes in any of these policies, laws and regulations, or the interpretations thereof, as they relate to the mining hardware suppliers, could have an adverse impact on our business.
For example, if the PRC government were to prevent mining hardware suppliers from doing business with companies who engage in Bitcoin-related activities, we would be required to find replacement suppliers for our digital asset mining equipment. Certain mining hardware suppliers have decided to move some of their production of miners out of China and into other countries, notably Southeast Asian countries. Any interruptions in mining hardware suppliers' operations could still result in cancellations or delays and may adversely impact our ability to receive mining equipment on a timely basis or at all. Moreover, if we were unable to find a replacement supplier able to meet our supply demands and promptly, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.
In China, it is illegal to accept payment in Bitcoin for consumer transactions and banking institutions are barred from accepting deposits of digital assets. The PRC government has also restricted digital asset operations and transactions by banning digital asset mining activity. If the PRC government were to further restrict digital asset mining related activities, including production of materials used in such activities, it would have a material adverse impact on mining hardware suppliers’ operations and in turn our business prospects.
In addition, international trade policies with China remain in flux, and changes to such policies may impact our supply chain. For example, the countries in which we operate could expand or impose, as applicable, economic sanctions on China, or businesses operating in China, that would impact our ability to do business with and import from businesses that operate in China. Any such actions, or countermeasures taken by China, could materially impact our business, prospects or operations.
Bitcoin miners and other necessary hardware are subject to malfunction, obsolescence and shortages.
The Bitcoin mining industry has historically seen periodic improvements in the hardware technology used to mine Bitcoin. There is a risk that our current hardware will be superseded by more powerful technology, including ASICs with a materially higher hashrate (relative to power consumption), which would make Bitcoin mining with our current hardware less commercially viable. Moreover, much of the hardware we use in our facilities has a finite life and will require
replacement over time as our hardware ages.
Similarly, our business strategy includes expanding and diversifying our revenue sources including HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), as well as aiming to develop new products and services leveraging our data center capacity and access to power. Hardware required for any such new products and services is subject to similar risks. In particular, the rapid pace of technological advancements in HPC GPU hardware presents a risk of hardware obsolescence. As newer and more efficient GPUs are continually developed, existing hardware may quickly become outdated, leading to reduced performance, compatibility issues with new software or systems, and potential difficulties in sourcing customers looking to utilize the hardware. This can result in increased operational costs and may necessitate unexpected capital investment to upgrade hardware, hindering the ability to maintain competitive performance in compute-intensive applications. Further, if we seek to update our existing hardware in response to significant improvements in available hardware technology or to
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replace underperforming or malfunctioning hardware, there is no guarantee that such technology will be available to us, available on commercially acceptable terms, successfully implemented in our operations or achieve the expected operational performance.
Given the long production period to manufacture and assemble hardware and exposure to potential shortages in global semiconductor chip supply, there can be no assurance that we can acquire enough hardware or replacement parts on a cost-effective basis, or at all, for the maintenance and expansion of our operations. In relation to hardware required for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), demand for Nvidia GPUs and certain networking equipment currently far exceeds supply.
We rely on third parties to supply us with hardware and shortages of Bitcoin mining hardware, GPUs, networking equipment or their component parts, material increases in hardware costs or delays in delivery of our hardware orders could significantly interrupt our plans for expanding and diversifying our business. We face competition in acquiring hardware from major manufacturers and, at a given time, hardware may only be available for pre-order months in advance.
In relation to Bitcoin mining hardware, the lead time for new Bitcoin mining hardware from manufacturers currently varies from one to 12 months depending on a number of factors, including the manufacturer, type of hardware and technology and market conditions. When mining conditions are favorable, the lead time usually increases from all suppliers and manufacturers in the industry and could exceed 12 months. If we are unable to acquire new mining machines, or if our cost for new mining machines is excessively high, we may not be able to keep up with our competitors, which may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. In some periods the industry has experienced, and we expect may experience again in the future, a scarcity of advanced mining machines, as few manufacturers are capable of producing a sufficient number of mining machines of adequate quality to meet demand. It is necessary for us to establish and maintain relationships with mining machine manufacturers, and we may face competition from larger or other preferred customer relationships. As a result of intense competition for the latest generation mining machines, or if we unexpectedly need to replace our mining machines due to a faulty shipment or other failure, we may not be able to secure replacement machines at a reasonable cost on a timely basis. The market pricing of digital asset mining equipment is subject to fluctuations that are influenced by factors including, but not limited to, the price of Bitcoin, the global hashrate, as well as supply and demand for mining equipment. As a result, the cost of new machines has been and may in the future be unpredictable, and may also be significantly higher than our historical cost for new miners.
Failure to secure appropriate hardware and/or technology may delay or prevent the timely completion of our growth strategies and anticipated increases in capacity, and may have a significant adverse impact on our results from operations and delay our expansion plans.
Supply chain and logistics issues for us, our contractors or our suppliers may delay our expansion plans or increase the cost of constructing our infrastructure.
The equipment used in our operations is generally manufactured by third parties using a large amount of commodity inputs (for example, steel, copper, aluminum). Many manufacturing businesses globally are currently experiencing supply chain issues and increased costs with respect to such commodities and other materials and labor used in their production processes, which is due to a complex array of factors including increased demand from the Bitcoin mining and other industries, and which can occur from time to time. Procurement from suppliers which manufacture equipment outside of North America is also exposed to additional risks such as regulatory changes (for example, a tariff or ban on equipment imported or exported from certain jurisdictions) and global freight disruptions. Additionally, shortages in global semiconductor chip supply may impact procurement timelines for equipment. Such issues may cause delays in the delivery of, or increases in the cost of, the equipment used in our operations, which could materially impact our operating results and may delay our expansion plans.
For example, shipments of Bitmain equipment from Southeast Asia to our sites may face significant hurdles due to logistical constraints and bottlenecks. The delivery of equipment is subject to the fluctuations of supply and demand for air and sea freight, as well as the availability of local logistics companies, coupled with possible local congestion at key processing locations, such as airports or pickup warehouses. Additionally, there are inherent risks associated with transit, including potential damage, loss or theft of equipment. These logistical challenges could materially impact our operations, causing delays or losses in equipment delivery and potentially hindering our expansion plans.
In addition, public health crises, including an outbreak of an infectious disease (such as COVID-19), terrorist acts, and political or military conflict, such as the conflict in Ukraine, have increased the risks and costs of doing business abroad. Many of the manufacturers of our equipment are located outside of the jurisdictions in which we have facilities and sites, necessitating international shipping to enable us to incorporate the equipment into our facilities. Political and economic
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instability have caused many businesses to experience logistics issues in the past resulting in delayed deliveries of equipment, which could occur again in the future. Supply chain disruptions may also occur from time to time due to a range of factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to, climate change, seasonal and unseasonal weather events, shipping constraints (for example, blocked shipping canals or closure of shipyards), increased costs of labor, inflationary pressure, freight costs, industrial disputes, political or military blockades and raw material prices along with a shortage of qualified workers. Such supply chain disruptions can potentially cause material impacts to our operating performance and financial position if delivery of equipment for our facilities is delayed.
It may take significant time and expenditure to grow our Bitcoin mining operations and develop HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) through continued development at our existing and planned sites, and our efforts may not be successful.
The continued development of our existing and planned facilities is subject to various factors beyond our control. There may be difficulties in integrating new equipment into existing infrastructure, constraints on our ability to connect to or procure the expected electricity supply capacity at our facilities, defects in design, construction or installed equipment, diversion of management resources, insufficient funding or other resource constraints. Actual costs for development may exceed our planned budget. In particular, our business strategy includes expanding and diversifying our revenue sources into additional markets (such as our current operations in HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services)), as well as the development of other new products and services leveraging our data center capacity and access to power. Our ability to execute on our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) strategy could be challenging in our current data center designs and may require retrofits, alterations or other custom designed solutions to enable the operating environment to function for further HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), which may be cost prohibitive, if the operating environment or site is capable of doing so at all. For example, this may necessitate close collaboration with cooling experts, engineers and specialized vendors to ensure thermal management is aligned with specific hardware requirements.
We intend to expand by acquiring and developing additional sites, taking into account a number of important characteristics such as availability of renewable energy, electrical infrastructure and related costs, geographic location and the local regulatory environment. We may have difficulty finding sites that satisfy our requirements at a commercially viable price or our timing requirements. Furthermore, there may be significant competition for suitable data center sites, and government regulators, including local permitting officials, may restrict our ability to set up data center operations in certain locations.
Transfer of sites that we have contractually secured may ultimately fail to complete due to factors beyond our control (for example, due to default or non-performance by counterparties). In addition, estimated power availability at sites secured could be materially less than initially expected or not available at all. Furthermore, the ability to secure connection agreements to access such power sources and permits, approvals and/or licenses to construct and operate our facilities could be delayed in regulatory processes, may not be successful or may be cost prohibitive. For example, in December 2022, the Government of British Columbia announced a temporary 18-month suspension on new and early-stage BC Hydro connection requests from cryptocurrency mining projects, which was subsequently extended for another 18-months in June 2024. Additionally, in May 2024, the Government of British Columbia amended the Utilities Commission Act to enable the province to enact regulations regarding public utilities’ provision of electricity service to cryptocurrency miners. While this suspension and amendment have not currently impacted our existing operations, these actions and future actions by Government regulators, or the issuance of any new regulations, may reduce the availability and/or increase the cost of electricity in the geographic locations in which our operating facilities are located, or could otherwise adversely impact our business.
Development and construction delays, cost overruns, changes in market circumstances, environmental or community constraints, an inability to find suitable data center locations as part of our expansion and other factors may adversely affect our operations, expansion plans, financial position and financial performance. We will continue to review our expansion plans in light of evolving market conditions. Any such delays, and any failure to increase our total data center or hashrate capacity in the future, could adversely impact our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
See “—Our business is subject to customary risks in developing infrastructure projects.”
Cancellation or withdrawal of required operating and other permits and licenses could materially impact our operations and financial performance.
In each jurisdiction in which we operate, it is typical that we must obtain certain permits, approvals and/or licenses in order to construct and operate our facilities. If, for whatever reason, such permits, approvals and/or licenses are not granted, or if they are lost, suspended, terminated or revoked, it may result in delays in construction of our facilities, require us to
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halt all or part of our operations, or cause us to be exposed to financial or other penalties at the affected locations. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, expansion plans, financial condition and operating results.
Our business is subject to customary risks in developing infrastructure projects.
The build-out of our platform is subject to customary risks relevant to developing greenfield and brownfield infrastructure projects that may adversely impact our development plans, operations and financial performance, including:
•difficulty finding sites that satisfy our requirements at a commercially viable price;
•planning approval processes, permitting and licensing requirements or the ability to obtain required permits and licenses in certain jurisdictions;
•site condition risks (for example, geotechnical, environmental, flooding, seismic and archaeological) in developing greenfield and brownfield sites;
•site specific encumbrances, for example wind leases at our West Texas development site that confer certain ongoing rights to a third party;
•obtaining releases, easements and rights of way (for example, in relation to access rights, constructing transmission lines or existing encumbrances), if required;
•local community objections or feedback preventing or limiting permits and approvals, or a ‘social license’ to operate in the community;
•availability of power and the satisfactory outcome of relevant studies, as well as completion of the process to connect to the electrical grid and execution of connection agreements and electricity supply agreements with the relevant entities, which may also be cost prohibitive;
•interface and operational risks;
•availability, timing of delivery, and cost of construction materials and equipment to each site;
•contracting and labor issues (i.e. industry-wide labor strikes, ability to engage experienced labor and contractors/subcontractors in remote areas, labor shortages due to competing demand);
•non-performance by contractors and sub-contractors impacting quality assurance and quality control;
•lack of interest from contractors or design builders and potential increase in project costs due to competing infrastructure development worldwide;
•severe or inclement weather or other natural or man made disasters;
•climate change;
•construction delays generally;
•delays arising from changes to design;
•delays or impacts arising from public health crises, including an outbreak of an infectious disease (such as COVID-19);
•obtaining any required regulatory or other approvals to invest or own land and infrastructure in foreign jurisdictions; and
•availability of capital to fund construction activities and associated contractual commitments.
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We operate in a highly competitive industry and rapidly evolving sector.
The Bitcoin mining and HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) ecosystems are highly innovative, rapidly evolving and characterized by intense competition, experimentation and frequent introductions of new products and services, and are subject to uncertain and evolving industry and regulatory requirements. We expect competition to increase in the future as existing competitors expand their operations, new competitors enter the industry, and new products are introduced or existing products are enhanced. We compete against a number of companies operating globally that focus on mining digital assets and/or HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services).
Our existing and potential competitors may have various competitive advantages over us, such as:
•greater name recognition, longer operating histories and larger market shares;
•more established marketing, banking and compliance relationships;
•more efficient hardware;
•greater mining or data center capabilities (for example, through adoption of proprietary technology);
•more developed sales and customer management capabilities;
•more timely introduction of new technologies;
•preferred relationships with suppliers, including of mining machines, hardware for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and other equipment;
•better access to more competitively priced power;
•greater reliability in electricity supply, whether as a result of a greater number of backup sources of power or otherwise;
•greater financial resources and access to capital to acquire new hardware, businesses, capabilities and enable growth;
•more reliable internet connections as a result of the location of their data centers to key internet connections;
•lower labor, compliance, risk mitigation and research and development costs;
•larger and more mature intellectual property portfolios;
•greater number of applicable licenses or similar authorizations;
•fewer regulatory restrictions, including with respect to energy supply;
•established core business models outside of the mining or trading of digital assets, allowing them to operate on lesser margins or at a loss;
•operations in certain jurisdictions with lower compliance costs and greater flexibility to explore new product offerings; and
•substantially greater financial, technical and other resources.
If we are unable to compete successfully, or if competing successfully requires us to take costly actions in response to the actions of our competitors, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We cannot provide any assurance that we will successfully identify all emerging trends and growth opportunities in the industries we operate in and we may fail to capitalize on certain important business and market opportunities. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
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Public health crises, including an outbreak of infectious disease (such as COVID-19), and any governmental or industry measures taken in response to such infectious disease, may adversely impact our operations.
Public health crises, including an outbreak of infectious disease (such as COVID-19), and any governmental or industry measures taken in response, could significantly disrupt or prevent us from operating our business in the ordinary course for an extended period, and thereby adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The extent to which a public health crisis could impact our business and results of operations, including cash flows, will depend on numerous evolving factors, known and unknown, that we cannot predict, including without limitation: the trajectory, duration, scope, severity, and any resurgences of the epidemic or pandemic; any government public health orders, travel restrictions or other restrictive measures instituted in response to such public health crises; the health of, and the effect on, our workforce; the potential effects on our internal controls, including our internal control over financial reporting, as a result of changes in working environments for our employees and business partners; and the continued impact on worldwide macroeconomic conditions (including on the global capital markets, the global economy and Bitcoin prices).
We cannot offer any assurance that any future resurgences or future outbreaks of public health crises in Australia, Canada, the United States or elsewhere, including an outbreak of infectious disease (such as COVID-19), will not occur, or that the global economy will fully recover, either of which could seriously harm our business and adversely affect our Ordinary share price.
The loss of any of our management team or an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could adversely affect our operations, strategy and business.
We operate in a competitive and specialized industry where our continued success is in part dependent upon our ability to attract and retain skilled and qualified personnel in a timely manner. A loss of a significant number of our skilled and experienced employees or, alternatively, difficulty in attracting additional adequately skilled and experienced employees, may adversely impact our operations and financial performance.
The employment contracts of certain of our employees contain non-competition and non-solicitation provisions designed to limit the impact of employees departing the business by restricting their ability to obtain employment with our competitors. Such provisions may not be enforceable, may only be partially enforceable, or may not be enforced, which could impede our ability to protect our business interests.
Additionally, our ability to successfully execute on our growth strategies, including our strategy of expanding and diversifying our revenue sources, such as our offerings of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), and offering new products and services, will depend on our ability to identify, hire, train and retain qualified employees with the right mix of skills to build and maintain relationships with customers and who can provide the technical, strategic, and marketing skills required to develop HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer and any other new products and services we may seek to develop in a timely manner. There is a shortage of qualified personnel in some of these fields, and we will be competing with other companies for this limited pool of potential employees. There is no assurance that we will be able to recruit or retain qualified personnel, and this failure could negatively impact our ability to develop and deliver new services to the market.
The potential acquisition or disposition of businesses, services or technologies, joint ventures or other strategic transactions may not be successful or may adversely affect our existing operations.
As part of our strategy, we may, from time to time, seek to acquire businesses, services or technologies or enter into joint ventures or other strategic transactions, that we believe could complement or expand our current business, enhance our technical capabilities or otherwise offer growth opportunities.
We may not be successful in identifying and acquiring suitable acquisition targets at an acceptable cost. Further, joint venture transactions typically involve a number of risks and present financial, managerial and operational challenges, including the existence of unknown potential disputes, liabilities or contingencies that arise after entering into the joint venture related to the counterparties to such joint venture. The pursuit of potential acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures or other strategic transactions may divert the attention of management and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating and pursuing suitable acquisitions, regardless of whether or not they are ultimately completed.
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If we acquire additional businesses, we may not be able to integrate the acquired personnel, operations and technologies successfully, or effectively manage the combined business following the acquisition. We also may not achieve the anticipated synergies, strategic advantages or earnings from the acquired business due to a number of factors, including:
•incurrence of acquisition-related costs;
•unanticipated costs or liabilities associated with the acquisition;
•the potential loss of key employees of the target business;
•use of resources that are needed in other parts of our business; and
•use of substantial portions of our available cash to complete the acquisition.
Acquisitions may also result in dilutive issuances of equity securities, including our Ordinary shares, or the incurrence of debt. The amount of any equity securities issued in connection with an investment or acquisition could constitute a material portion of our then-outstanding Ordinary shares. Any issuance of additional securities in connection with investments or acquisitions may result in additional dilution to you, which could adversely affect the trading price of our Ordinary shares. In addition, if an acquired business fails to meet expectations, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Further, as we may settle acquisitions in new industries and new geographic regions, there is a risk that we may not fully comply with laws, regulations, business operations or risks associated with these industries or regions. There is a risk that we could face legal, tax or regulatory sanctions or reputational damage as a result of any failure to comply with (or comply with developing interpretations of) applicable laws, regulations and standards of good practice. Our failure to comply with such laws, regulations and standards could result in fines or penalties, the payment of compensation or the cancellation or suspension of our ability to carry on certain activities or service offerings, interrupt or adversely affect parts of our business and may have an adverse effect on our operations and financial performance.
In addition, we may from time to time, seek to dispose of assets where we believe we can receive value from any such disposition that is accretive to the business. For example, in July 2024 we announced that we were exploring potential monetization opportunities for our broader power and land portfolio, including asset sales (including the 1,400MW West Texas development site), colocation deals, joint ventures, build-to-suit data centers, and acquiring additional GPUs to expand our HPC capabilities. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in completing any such transaction, including because there may not be buyers willing to enter into a transaction, we may not receive sufficient consideration for the relevant businesses or assets or the process of selling such businesses or assets may take too long. These transactions, if completed, may reduce the size of our business and we may not be able to replace the volume associated with the business.
We may be vulnerable to climate change, severe weather conditions and natural and man-made disasters, including earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and severe storms (including impacts from rain, hail, snow, lightning and wind), as well as power outages and other industrial incidents, which could severely disrupt the normal operation of our business and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our business may be subject to the risks of climate change, severe weather conditions and natural and man- made disasters, including earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and severe storms (including impacts from rain, hail, snow, lightning and wind), as well as power outages and other industrial incidents, any of which could result in system failures, damage to equipment, power supply disruptions and other interruptions that could harm our business.
The potential physical impacts of climate change on our properties and operations are highly uncertain and would be particular to the geographic circumstances in areas in which we operate. These may include changes in rainfall and storm patterns and intensities, water shortages, changing sea levels and changing temperatures. Natural disasters may become more frequent, such as the 2023 British Columbia wildfires, which combined have burned a record-breaking land area in the region. In addition, Texas has experienced numerous power outages as a result of severe storms and hurricanes. The increased prevalence of natural disasters and other impacts attributable to climate change may materially and adversely impact the cost of production, operational efficiency and financial performance of our operations. Further, any impacts to our business and financial condition as a result of climate change are likely to occur over a sustained period of time and are therefore difficult to quantify with any degree of specificity. For example, extreme weather events may result in adverse physical effects on portions of our infrastructure, which could impact the operational efficiency of our assets or disrupt our supply chain and ultimately our business operations. In addition, disruption of transportation, power and distribution systems could result in delays to potential expansion plans, additional costs or reduced operational efficiency.
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The reliability and operating efficiency of our ASICs, GPUs and other equipment is linked to weather conditions, including temperature and humidity. If we are unable to appropriately manage climatic conditions for the operating equipment inside our data centers, whether caused by either long or short term variations in weather conditions outside of optimal operating thresholds or as a result of ventilation equipment failure, our ASICs, GPUs and other equipment may be subject to reduced operating efficiency, increased equipment failure and higher maintenance costs. More severe or sustained climate-related events have the potential to disrupt our business and may cause us to experience higher attrition, losses and additional costs to resume operations.
Our current insurance policies cover certain costs due to loss of property but do not include business interruption insurance sufficient to compensate for the lost profits that may result from interruptions in our operations as a result of inability to operate or failures of equipment and infrastructure at our facilities. A system outage could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Our properties may experience damages, including damages that are not covered by insurance.
Our current and planned operations, and any other future sites we establish (including during the construction phase), will be subject to a variety of risks relating to physical condition and operation, including but not limited to:
•the presence of construction or repair defects or other structural or building damage;
•any noncompliance with, or liabilities under, applicable regulations, including but not limited to, environmental, health or safety regulations or requirements of building codes, permits and zoning requirements;
•any damage resulting from climate change, extreme weather conditions or natural or man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms (including impacts from rain, snow, hail, lightning and wind), or extreme cold or hot weather; and
•claims by employees and/or others for injuries sustained at our properties.
We currently maintain insurance coverage in respect of our property and personal injury claims and may decide to obtain additional coverage in the future, such as business interruption insurance, where doing so would be practicable and in line with industry practice. There can be no assurance that adequate insurance will be available, and, even if available, that such insurance will be available at economically acceptable premiums or will be adequate to cover any claims made, or that we will decide to take out coverage. We do not carry any environmental insurance. If we incur uninsured losses or liabilities, our assets, profits and/or prospects may be materially impacted. The occurrence of an event that is not covered, in full or in part, by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial position and financial performance.
We may be affected by price fluctuations in the wholesale and retail power markets.
Our power arrangements may vary depending on the markets in which we operate, and comprise fixed and variable power prices, including arrangements that may contain price adjustment mechanisms in case of certain events. Furthermore, some portion of our power arrangements may be priced by reference to published index prices and, thus, reflect market movements outside of our control.
A substantial increase in electricity costs could render Bitcoin mining or HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer ineffective or not viable for us. Market prices for power, generation capacity and ancillary services are unpredictable. An increase in market prices for power, generation capacity or ancillary services may adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results. Long-term and short-term power prices may fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors outside of our control, including, but not limited to:
•increases and decreases in the supply and type of generation capacity;
•changes in network and/or market regulator fees and charges;
•fuel costs;
•commodity prices;
•new generation technologies;
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•changes in power transmission constraints or inefficiencies;
•climate change and volatile weather conditions, particularly unusually hot or mild summers or unusually cold or warm winters, and other natural or man-made disasters, including the impacts of such on the demand or power;
•technological shifts resulting in changes in the demand for power or in patterns of power usage, including the potential development of demand-side management tools, expansion and technological advancements in power storage capability and the development of new fuels or new technologies for the production or storage of power;
•federal, state, local and foreign power, market and environmental policy, regulation and legislation;
•changes in capacity prices and capacity markets; and
•power market structure (for example, energy-only versus energy and capacity markets).
See “—Any electricity outage, non-supply or limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressures or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance.”
We may fail to anticipate or adapt to technology innovations in a timely manner, or at all.
The digital asset, data center and HPC solutions markets (including markets for AI Cloud Services) are experiencing rapid technological changes. In addition, use of AI/ML is becoming more prevalent. Failure to anticipate technology innovations or adapt to such innovations in a timely manner, or at all, may result in our current and future capabilities becoming obsolete. The process of developing and marketing new products, services, solutions or capabilities, and implementing the use of new technologies in our business, is inherently complex and involves significant uncertainties. There are a number of risks, including the following:
•our product or service planning efforts may fail in resulting in the development or commercialization of new technologies or ideas;
•our research and development efforts may fail to translate new product plans into commercially feasible solutions;
•our new products or solutions (including AI Cloud Services and other HPC solutions we offer) may not be well received by consumers or otherwise may fail to achieve their intended purpose or functionality;
•we may not have adequate funding and resources necessary for continual investments in product planning and research and development;
•to the extent that we do not have sufficient rights to use the data or other material or content used in or produced by AI/ML tools that we may use in our business, or if we experience cybersecurity incidents in connection with our use of AI/ML, it could adversely affect our reputation and expose us to legal liability or regulatory risk, including with respect to third-party intellectual property, privacy, publicity, contractual or other rights;
•in the United States, a number of civil lawsuits have been initiated related to the use of AI/ML, which may, among other things, require us to limit the ways in which our AI/ML systems in our business;
•our products or solutions may become obsolete due to rapid advancements in technology and changes in consumer preferences; and
•high level of competition in the digital asset, data center, and HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) markets means that competitors may introduce superior products or services before we can develop or market our own innovations.
Any failure to anticipate the next generation technology roadmap or changes in customer preferences or to timely develop new or enhanced products or implement use of new technologies in our business, including AI/ML, in response could result in decreased revenue and market share. An inability to adapt could tarnish our reputation as an innovator and leader in our industry, further affecting our competitive position and long-term viability.In addition, as the utilization of AI/ML becomes more prevalent, we anticipate that it will continue to present new or unanticipated ethical, reputational, technical, operational, legal, competitive, and regulatory issues, among others. We expect that our incorporation of AI/ML in our business will require additional resources, including the incurrence of additional costs, to develop and maintain our
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offerings, to minimize potentially harmful or unintended consequences, to comply with applicable and emerging laws and regulations, to maintain or extend our competitive position, and to address any ethical, reputational, technical, operational, legal, competitive or regulatory issues which may arise as a result of any of the foregoing. Further, our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI/ML into their products more quickly or more successfully than us, which could impair our ability to compete effectively. As a result, the challenges presented with our use of AI/ML could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Bitcoin
The potential transition of digital asset networks such as the Bitcoin network from proof-of-work mining algorithms to proof-of-stake validation may significantly impact the value of our capital expenditures and investments in machines and real property to support proof-of-work mining, which could make us less competitive and ultimately adversely affect our business and the value of our Ordinary shares.
Proof-of-stake is an alternative method of validating digital asset transactions. Proof-of-stake methodology does not rely on resource intensive calculations to validate transactions and create new blocks in a blockchain; instead, the validator of the next block is determined, sometimes randomly, based on a methodology in the blockchain software. Rewards, and sometimes penalties, are issued based on the amount of digital assets a user has “staked” in order to become a validator.
Our business strategy currently focuses on mining Bitcoin (as opposed to other digital assets). Additionally, all of our mining hardware is limited to mining using a “proof-of-work” protocol based on the complex cryptographic algorithm known as Secure Hash Algorithm 256 (“SHA-256”). Should Bitcoin, like certain other digital asset networks did in calendar year 2022, shift from a proof-of-work validation method to a proof-of-stake method (or, alternatively, to a less competitive hashing algorithm), the transaction verification process (i.e. “mining” or “validating”) would require less power and may render any company that maintains advantages in the current climate with respect to proof-of-work mining (for example, from lower-priced electricity, processing, computing power, real estate, or hosting) less competitive or less profitable, including ours. For example, the Ethereum network, another popular blockchain network with a widely traded digital asset, completed its transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake in September 2022, in part to achieve more efficiency in relation to the energy consumption of its network and production and verification of its blockchain. Large numbers of Ethereum mining equipment and other investments in Ethereum mining operations became obsolete, while a minority of Ethereum mining equipment was repurposed for mining other digital assets, which were less profitable. Additionally, the successful Ethereum transition to proof-of-stake could lead to pressure on Bitcoin to also transition to proof-of-stake.
If the Bitcoin network shifts to proof-of-stake validation, we may lose the benefit of our capital investments and their competitive advantage, which were intended to improve the efficiency of our digital asset mining operations only with respect to proof-of-work networks. Further, a shift in market demand from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake protocols could impair our business and operations which are based on hardware that is strictly limited to mining digital assets based on SHA-256 algorithm. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our business strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
There is a risk of additional Bitcoin mining capacity from competing Bitcoin miners, which would increase the global hashrate and decrease our effective market share.
The barriers to entry for new Bitcoin miners are relatively low, which can give rise to additional capacity from competing Bitcoin miners. The Bitcoin protocol responds to increasing global hashrate by increasing the “difficulty” of Bitcoin mining. If this “difficulty” increases at a significantly higher rate, we would need to increase our hashrate at the same rate in order to maintain market share and generate equivalent block rewards. A decrease in our effective market share would result in a reduction in our share of block rewards and transaction fees, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and financial position.
Furthermore, foreign governments may decide to subsidize or in some other way support certain large-scale Bitcoin mining projects, thus adding hashrate to the overall network. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on the amount of Bitcoin we may be able to mine, the value of Bitcoin and any other digital assets we may potentially acquire or hold in the future and, consequently, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
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Bitcoin is a form of technology which may become redundant or obsolete in the future.
Bitcoin currently holds a “first-to-market” advantage over other digital assets and is currently the market leader, in terms of value and recognition, in the digital assets market. This first-to-market advantage is driven in large part by having the largest user base and, more importantly, the largest combined mining power in use to secure the Bitcoin network. It is generally understood that having more users and miners makes a digital asset more useful and secure, which makes it more attractive and valuable to new users and miners, resulting in a network effect that strengthens this first-to-market advantage. Despite the current first-to-market advantage of the Bitcoin network over other digital asset networks, the digital asset market continues to grow rapidly as the value of existing digital assets rises, new digital assets enter the market and demand for digital assets increases. Therefore, it is possible that another digital asset could become comparatively more popular than Bitcoin in the future. If an alternative digital asset obtains significant market share-either in market capitalization, mining power, use as a payment technology or use as a store of value-this could reduce Bitcoin’s market share and value. All of our mining revenue is derived from mining Bitcoin and, while we could potentially consider mining other digital assets in the future, doing so may result in significant costs. For example, our ASICs are principally utilized for mining Bitcoin and cannot mine other digital assets that are not based on SHA-256. As a result, the emergence of a digital asset that erodes Bitcoin’s market share and value could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The utilization of a digital asset technology is influenced by public acceptance and confidence in its integrity and potential application, and if public acceptance or confidence is lost for any reason (for example, as a result of hacking or demand for greater power efficiency), the use of that technology may become less attractive, with users instead utilizing alternative digital assets. If preferences in the digital assets markets shift away from proof-of work networks such as the Bitcoin network, or the market otherwise adopts new digital assets, this could result in a significant reduction in the value of Bitcoin, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations, including the value of the Bitcoin that we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account.
If a malicious actor or botnet obtains control of more than 50% of the processing power on the Bitcoin network, such actor or botnet could manipulate the Bitcoin network, which would adversely affect your investment in our securities or our ability to operate.
If a malicious actor or botnet (a volunteer or hacked collection of computers controlled by networked software coordinating the actions of the computers) obtains a majority of the processing power dedicated to mining a digital asset, such actor or botnet may be able to alter the digital asset network or blockchain on which transactions of the digital asset are recorded by constructing fraudulent blocks or preventing certain transactions from completing in a timely manner, or at all. The malicious actor or botnet could control, exclude or modify the ordering of transactions, though it could not generate new coins or transactions using such control. The malicious actor could “double-spend” its own digital asset (i.e. spend the same Bitcoin in more than one transaction) and prevent the confirmation of other users’ transactions for as long as it maintained control. To the extent that such malicious actor or botnet does not yield its control of the processing power on the network or the digital asset community does not reject the fraudulent blocks as malicious, reversing any changes made to the effected digital asset network may not be possible. The Bitcoin network and other digital asset networks may be vulnerable to other network-level attacks, non-exhaustive examples of which include miners colluding to: (i) cease validating transactions to effectively halt the network, (ii) mine only “empty” blocks (i.e. blocks with no transactions), thus censoring all transactions, (iii) “reorganize the chain” which would revert transactions made over some time period, removing previously confirmed transactions from the blockchain or (iv) execute a “doublespend” attack, which involves erasing specific transactions from the blockchain by replacing the blocks in question.
A large amount of mining activity is physically located in emerging markets. If a nation state or other large and well-capitalized entity wanted to damage the Bitcoin network or other proof-of-work digital asset networks, the entity could attempt to create, either from scratch, via large-scale purchases or potentially seizure, a significant amount of mining processing power.
Although there are no known reports of malicious activity or control of the Bitcoin network achieved through controlling over 50% of the processing power on the network, it is believed that certain mining pools may have exceeded the 50% threshold on the Bitcoin network. The possible crossing of the 50% threshold indicates a greater risk that a single mining pool could exert authority over the validation of Bitcoin transactions. This could occur, for example, if transaction fees are not sufficiently high to make up for the scheduled decreases in the reward of new Bitcoin for mining blocks. In that situation, miners may not have an adequate incentive to continue mining and may cease their mining operations. The fewer miners on the network, the easier it will be for a malicious actor to obtain control in excess of 50% of the aggregate hashrate on the Bitcoin network.
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Any such attack or manipulation as outlined above of the Bitcoin network or another important digital asset network could directly impact the value of any Bitcoin that we own at that point in time or render our hardware incapable of earning Bitcoin through block rewards, adversely impacting our financial position. Further, such an event may cause a loss of faith in the security of the network, which could materially erode Bitcoin’s market share and value and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Significant increases or decreases in transaction fees could lead to loss of confidence in the Bitcoin network, which could adversely impact our ability to mine Bitcoin and to monetize the Bitcoin we mine.
If the rewards and fees paid for maintenance of a digital asset network are not sufficiently high to incentivize miners, miners may respond in a way that reduces confidence in the network. Bitcoin miners collect fees from transactions that are confirmed. Miners validate unconfirmed transactions by adding the previously unconfirmed transactions to new blocks in the blockchain. Miners are not forced to confirm any specific transaction, but they are economically incentivized to confirm valid transactions as a means of collecting fees. To the extent that any miners cease to record transactions in solved blocks, such transactions will not be recorded on the blockchain. Historically, miners have accepted relatively low transaction fees and have not typically elected to exclude the recording of low-fee transactions in solved blocks; however, to the extent that any such incentives arise (for example, a collective movement among miners or one or more mining pools to reject low transaction fees), recording and confirmation of transactions on the blockchain could be delayed, resulting in a lack of confidence in Bitcoin. Alternatively, these incentives could result in higher transaction fees overall, which could lead to fewer uses for the Bitcoin network. For example, it may become uneconomical and users will be less willing to use the Bitcoin network for applications such as micropayments if transaction fees are too high.
Overcapacity (that is, too many transactions being transmitted to the network at once) could also result in increased transaction fees and increased transaction settlement times. Bitcoin transaction fees were, on average for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, approximately $7.1 per transaction. While it is possible that increased transaction fees could result in more revenue for our business, increased fees and decreased settlement speeds could preclude certain uses for Bitcoin (for example, micropayments), and could reduce demand for, and the price of, Bitcoin, which could adversely affect our business.
We may not be able to realize the benefits of forks, and forks in the Bitcoin network may occur in the future that may affect our operations and financial performance.
The future development and growth of Bitcoin is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to predict and evaluate. As Bitcoin is built on an open-source protocol without a centralized governing authority, there is a possibility Bitcoin develops in ways which are not foreseeable. An example is modification of the Bitcoin protocol by a sufficient number of users (known as a “fork” or, when the modification renders nodes unable to communicate with the previous version of the protocol, a “hard fork”).
The Bitcoin protocol has been subject to “hard forks” that resulted in the creation of new networks, and some of those new networks have since been subject to their own hard forks, including Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Cash SV, Bitcoin Diamond, Bitcoin Gold and others. Some of these forks have caused fragmentation among trading platforms as to the correct naming convention for the forked digital assets. Due to the lack of a central registry or rulemaking body, no single entity has the ability to dictate the nomenclature of forked digital assets, causing disagreements and a lack of uniformity among platforms on the nomenclature of forked digital assets, which results in further confusion to individuals as to the nature of assets they hold on digital asset trading platforms. In addition, several of these forks were contentious and, as a result, participants in certain digital asset user and developer communities may harbor ill will toward other communities. As a result, certain community members may take actions that adversely impact the use, adoption and price of Bitcoin or any of its forked alternatives.
Furthermore, hard forks can lead to new security concerns. For instance, when the Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin Cash SV network split in November 2018, “replay” attacks, in which transactions from one network were rebroadcast on the other network to achieve “double-spending,” plagued platforms that traded Bitcoin, resulting in significant losses to some digital asset trading platforms. Another possible result of a hard fork is an inherent decrease in the level of security due to the splitting of some mining power across networks, making it easier for a malicious actor to exceed 50% of the mining power of that network, thereby making digital asset networks that rely on proof-of-work more susceptible to attack in the wake of a fork.
Historically, speculation over a new “fork” in the Bitcoin protocol has resulted in Bitcoin price volatility and future forks may occur at any time. A fork can lead to a disruption of networks and our IT systems could be affected by cybersecurity attacks, replay attacks or security weaknesses, any of which can further lead to temporary or even permanent
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loss of our assets. Such disruption and loss could cause us to be exposed to liability, even in circumstances where we have no intention of supporting an asset compromised by a fork. Additionally, a fork may result in a scenario where users running the previous protocol will not recognize blocks created by those running the new protocol, and vice versa. This may render our Bitcoin mining hardware incompatible with the new Bitcoin protocol. Such changes may have a material effect on our operations, financial position and financial performance.
Digital asset trading platforms for Bitcoin may be subject to varying levels of regulation, which exposes our digital asset holdings to risks.
Digital assets such as Bitcoin primarily trade on digital asset trading platforms and decentralized finance protocols, both of which are relatively new and, in some cases, unregulated. Furthermore, while some digital asset trading platforms provide information regarding their ownership structure, management teams, private key management, hot/cold storage policies, capitalization, corporate practices and regulatory compliance, many other digital asset trading platforms do not. A lack of transparency provided could result in us underestimating the risk of a potential loss in balances, which could include the loss of a material portion of the Bitcoin we store on such digital asset trading platforms. Digital asset trading platforms do not appear to be subject to regulation in a similar manner as other regulated trading platforms, such as national securities exchanges or designated contract markets. As a result, the marketplace may lose confidence in the less transparent or unregulated digital asset trading platforms, including prominent digital asset trading platforms that handle a significant volume of trading in Bitcoin.
Many digital asset trading platforms are unlicensed, unregulated, operate without extensive supervision by governmental authorities, and do not provide the public with significant information regarding their ownership structure, management team, corporate practices, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. In particular, those located outside the United States may be subject to significantly less stringent regulatory and compliance requirements in their local jurisdictions. As a result, trading activity on or reported by these digital asset trading platforms is generally significantly less regulated than trading in regulated U.S. securities and derivatives markets, and may reflect behavior that would be prohibited in regulated U.S. trading venues. Additionally, some of these non-U.S. digital asset trading platforms offer customers high leverage and/or a small insurance fund, which could result in potential losses being socialized to customers and a reduction in the value of our Bitcoins on digital asset trading platform.
In addition, over the past several years, some digital asset trading platforms have been closed due to fraud and manipulative activity, business failure or security breaches. In many of these instances, the customers of such digital asset trading platforms were not compensated or made whole for the partial or complete losses of their account balances. For example, in November 2022, FTX—which was at the time one of the world’s largest and most popular digital asset trading platforms—became insolvent, and it was revealed that the platform had been misusing customer assets. This and other similar events (including significant activity by various regulators regarding digital asset activities, such as enforcement actions, against a variety of digital asset entities, including Coinbase and Binance) have negatively impacted the liquidity of the digital assets markets as certain entities affiliated with FTX and platforms such as Coinbase and Binance have engaged, or may continue to engage, in significant trading activity.
While smaller digital asset trading platforms are less likely to have the infrastructure and capitalization that make larger digital asset trading platforms more stable, larger digital asset trading platforms are more likely to be appealing targets for hackers and malware and may be more likely to be targets of regulatory enforcement action. Furthermore, in November 2023, the SEC charged Kraken—the platform we currently use for our daily exchange of Bitcoin—with operating as an unregistered securities exchange, broker dealer, and clearing agency. While the Company’s operations have not been disrupted so far, there is still some financial exposure if Kraken were to cease operating, as well as expense associated with the Company’s onboarding of a replacement exchange.
Negative perception, a lack of stability in these digital asset trading platforms, fraud or misconduct, and the temporary or permanent closure of such trading platforms due to fraud, business failure, hackers or malware, or government-mandated regulation may reduce confidence in the digital asset marketplace in general and result in a reduction in the value of our Bitcoin and greater volatility in the price of Bitcoin, as well as increase scrutiny on our activities and increase the likelihood of unfavorable government regulation and the risks of litigation against us. These potential consequences could materially and adversely affect our investment and trading strategies, the value of our Bitcoin and the value of any investment in us.
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The impact of geopolitical and economic events on the supply and demand for digital assets is uncertain.
Geopolitical crises may motivate large-scale purchases of Bitcoin and other digital assets, which could increase the price of Bitcoin and other digital assets rapidly. This may increase the likelihood of a subsequent price decrease as crisis-driven purchasing behavior dissipates, adversely affecting the value of our holdings following such downward adjustment. Such risks are similar to the risks of purchasing commodities in general in uncertain times, such as the risk of purchasing, holding or selling gold. Alternatively, as an emerging asset class with limited acceptance as a payment system or commodity, global crises and general economic downturn may discourage investment in digital assets as investors focus their investment on less volatile asset classes as a means of hedging their investment risk.
As an alternative to fiat currencies or CBDCs that are backed by central governments, most digital assets, which are a relatively new type of asset, are subject to supply and demand forces. How such supply and demand will be impacted by geopolitical events is largely uncertain but could be harmful to us and investors in our Ordinary shares. Political or economic crises may motivate large-scale acquisitions or sales of digital assets either globally or locally. There has been high volatility in the market price of Bitcoin and other digital assets, and as recently as calendar year 2022, there was a significant downturn in their market price, as well as the market price of many technology stocks, including ours. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any Bitcoin or any other digital assets we mine.
Our operations, investment strategies and profitability may be adversely affected by competition from other methods of investing in digital assets or tracking digital asset markets.
We compete with other users and/or companies that are mining Bitcoin and other digital assets and other potential financial vehicles that seek to provide exposure to digital asset prices, including securities backed by, or linked to, digital assets. Market and financial conditions, and other conditions beyond our control, may make it more attractive to invest in other financial vehicles, or to invest in digital assets directly, which could limit the market for our Ordinary shares and reduce their liquidity. In addition, the emergence of other financial vehicles and exchange-traded funds that provide exposure to digital asset prices have been scrutinized by regulators and such scrutiny and the negative impressions or conclusions resulting from such scrutiny could be applied to our business and impact our ability to successfully pursue our strategy or operate at all, or maintain a public market for our Ordinary shares.
The global market for Bitcoin and other digital assets is generally characterized by supply constraints that may differ from those present in the markets for commodities or other assets such as gold and silver. The mathematical protocols under which certain digital assets are mined permit the creation of a limited, predetermined amount of currency, while others have no limit established on total supply. To the extent that other vehicles investing in digital assets or tracking digital asset markets form and come to represent a significant proportion of the demand for digital assets, large redemptions of the securities of those vehicles and the subsequent sale of Bitcoin by such vehicles could adversely affect Bitcoin prices and therefore affect the value of any Bitcoin inventory we may hold.
Spot Bitcoin exchange traded funds (“BTC ETFs”). were approved for trading in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2024, marking a watershed event for the digital assets industry. ETFs from eleven issuers were approved by the SEC and began trading that quarter. As of June 30, 2024, the collective assets under management of the BTC ETFs were $52.1 billion. Net inflows into the BTC ETFs were $14.5 billion, making it one of the most successful launches in ETF history from a demand perspective. In July 2024, spot Ether exchange traded funds were also approved for trading in the U.S. These investment vehicles attempt to provide institutional and retail investors exposure to markets for digital assets and related products and create more opportunities for institutional and retail investors to invest more directly in Bitcoin and other digital assets that may be more attractive than an investment in our Ordinary shares, and consequently, may have an adverse impact on the price of our Ordinary shares.
Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any Bitcoin we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account, and harm investors in our Ordinary shares.
Our reliance on third-party mining pool service providers may have an adverse impact on our business.
We are a participant in third-party mining pools. Mining pools allow miners to combine their processing power, increasing their odds of the aggregated processing power solving a block and earning block rewards and transaction fees.
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Mining pools also provide ancillary services such as dashboard and other monitoring software. The rewards earned by mining pools are collected by the pool operator, which then rewards each miner in the pool proportionally to a miner’s contributed hashrate.
We expect to use Antpool and Foundry as our main mining pool service providers and we are subject to Antpool’s User Service Agreement and Foundry's Pool Terms. There is no prescribed term for services under the User Service Agreement and Antpool reserves the right to limit, change, suspend or terminate all or part of its services to us at any time. Similarly, we also have the right to terminate our use of Antpool’s services at any time. Terms for Foundry services are covered under Foundry's Pool Terms and allow us and Foundry to terminate our use of the pool at any time. If we were unable to use Antpool’s or Foundry's mining pools in the future, whether it be voluntary or involuntary reasons (including technical issues requiring a temporary or long-term switch between mining pool operators), we have identified F2Pool as a back-up mining pool service provider. Under the material terms of F2Pool’s terms of service, a user can terminate their account at any time and may, at its sole discretion, also terminate a user’s account at any time and would not be liable for any losses caused by such termination or suspension. We may use the services of other mining pools in the future.
Due to the competitiveness of the global mining pool industry, we believe that we will be able to promptly access alternative mining pools, if required. Nevertheless, if Antpool or Foundry, or another pool operator that we rely on, suffers downtime due to a cyberattack, software malfunction or other similar issue, terminates our use of the mining pool, or ceases operations entirely due to increased regulatory restrictions, it will adversely impact our ability to mine and receive revenue. Furthermore, we are dependent on the accuracy of the mining pool operator’s record keeping to accurately calculate the network’s statistically expected reward for our hashrate, and the global average transaction fees revenue per block. While we may have internal methods of tracking both the hashrate we provide and the network’s statistically expected reward for that hashrate, the mining pool operator uses its own record-keeping to determine our reward. We may have little means of recourse against the mining pool operator if we fail to receive a payout or if we determine the calculation of the reward paid out to us by the mining pool operator is incorrect, other than by leaving the pool. If we are unable to consistently obtain accurate rewards from our mining pool operators, we may not receive accurate block rewards from the pool, with limited recourse to correct these inaccuracies. This could lead us to decide against further participation in a mining pool, or mining pools generally, which may affect the predictability of our mining returns, which could have an adverse effect on our business and operations.
In January 2023, Genesis Global filed for bankruptcy. Genesis Global is owned by Digital Currency Group, Inc., which also owns Foundry, one of the Company’s mining pool providers. While there are no assurances as to the impact of Genesis Global’s bankruptcy on the Company’s business and results of operations, the Company believes that it is not subject to any material risks arising from its previous exposure to Genesis Global at this time.
In addition, our mining rewards are temporarily held by the operator of the pool until they are distributed to us. During this time, digital assets held by the pool operator may be subject to risk of loss due to theft or loss of private keys, among other things, and distributions of such digital assets from the pool operator to its custodian or other wallets may be intercepted by malicious actors.
If the pool operator ceases to provide services, whether related to a cyberattack, software malfunction or other similar issue, ceases operations entirely due to increased regulatory restrictions or discovers a shortfall in the Bitcoin held by the pool, the revenue that we generated from the pool may never be paid to us, and we may have little means of recourse against the mining pool operator. Even if we joined a different mining pool, there is a risk of short-term impact on our financial performance in making that transition, and a new mining pool would hold similar or additional risks.
Bitcoin will be subject to block reward halving several times in the future and Bitcoin’s value may not adjust to compensate us for the reduction in the block rewards that we receive from our mining activities.
Halving is the process designed to control the overall supply and reduce the risk of inflation in Bitcoin’s proof-of-work consensus algorithm. At a predetermined block, the mining reward is halved. The Bitcoin block reward was initially set at 50 Bitcoin per mined block and this was halved to 25 Bitcoin in November 2012 at block 210,000, again to 12.5 Bitcoin in July 2016 at block 420,000, again to 6.25 Bitcoin in May 2020 at block 630,000, and again to 3.125 Bitcoin in April 2024 at block 840,000. The next halving for Bitcoin is expected in 2028 at block 1,050,000, when the block reward will reduce to 1.5625 Bitcoin. This process will reoccur until the total amount of Bitcoin issued through block rewards reaches 21 million, which is expected to occur around 2140. To date, the total number of Bitcoin which have been issued is approximately 19.7 million. While Bitcoin has had a history of price fluctuations around the halving of its block rewards, there is no guarantee that any price change will be favorable or would compensate for the reduction in the mining reward. If a corresponding and proportionate increase in the trading price of Bitcoin does not follow these halving events, the
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revenue that we earn from our mining operations would see a corresponding decrease, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Bitcoin’s utility may be perceived as a speculative asset, which can lead to price volatility.
Currently, there is a relatively limited use of any digital assets (including Bitcoin) in the retail and commercial marketplace, contributing to price volatility of digital assets. Price volatility undermines any digital asset’s role as a medium of exchange, as retailers are much less likely to accept it as a form of payment. Banks and other established financial institutions may refuse to process funds for digital assets transactions, process wire transfers to or from digital assets exchanges, digital assets-related companies or service providers, or maintain accounts for persons or entities transacting in digital assets. Furthermore, a significant portion of digital assets demand, including demand for Bitcoin, is generated by investors seeking a long-term store of value or speculators seeking to profit from the short- or long-term holding of the asset. The volatility of Bitcoin may make it unsuitable or undesirable as a long-term store of value.
The relative lack of acceptance of digital assets, including Bitcoin, in the retail and commercial marketplace, or a reduction of such use, limits the ability of end users to use them to pay for goods and services. Such lack of acceptance or decline in acceptances could have a material adverse effect on the value of Bitcoin, and consequently our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Our transactions in digital assets may expose us to countries, territories, regimes, entities, organizations and individuals that are subject to sanctions and other restrictive laws and regulations.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of State administer and enforce economic sanctions programs based on foreign policy and national security goals against targeted countries, territories, regimes, entities, organizations and individuals. In the UK: the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is responsible for the UK’s international sanctions policy, including all international sanctions regimes and designations; the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (“OFSI”), which is a part of His Majesty’s Treasury, is responsible for ensuring that financial sanctions are properly understood, implemented and enforced (as well as maintaining OFSI’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets); the Department for International Trade is responsible for implementing trade sanctions and embargoes, His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs is responsible for enforcing breaches of trade sanctions; and the National Crime Agency is responsible for investigating and enforcing breaches of financial sanctions. In Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety Canada and the Department of Justice administer and enforce Canada’s sanctions regime. In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the primary department that both administers and enforces the sanctions regime in Australia. These laws and regulations may be implicated by a number of digital assets activities, including investing or trading. Because of the anonymous nature of blockchain transactions, we may not be able to determine the ultimate identity of the individuals with whom we transact when buying or selling digital assets or receiving Bitcoin through mining activities (for example, transaction fees, or rewards from mining pool), and thus may inadvertently engage in transactions with persons, or entities or territories that are the target of sanctions or other restrictions. To the extent government enforcement authorities enforce these, and other laws and regulations that are impacted by blockchain technology, we may be subject to investigation, administrative or court proceedings, and subsequent civil or criminal monetary fines and penalties, all of which could harm our reputation and adversely affect the value of our Ordinary shares.
Regulatory actions in one or more countries could severely affect the right to acquire, own, hold, sell or use Bitcoin or to exchange them for fiat currency.
One or more countries, such as India or Russia, may take regulatory actions in the future that could severely restrict the right to acquire, own, hold, sell or use Bitcoin or to exchange them for fiat currency. In some nations, including China, it is illegal to accept payment in Bitcoin for consumer transactions and banking institutions are barred from accepting deposits of digital assets. Such restrictions may adversely affect us as the large-scale use of Bitcoin as a means of exchange is presently confined to certain regions.
Digital asset trading platforms, wallets and the Bitcoin network may suffer from hacking and fraud risks, which may adversely erode user confidence in Bitcoin, which could adversely affect the price of Bitcoin and our revenues.
Bitcoin transactions are entirely digital and, as with any on-line system, are at risk from hackers, malware and operational glitches. Hackers can target digital asset trading platforms and custody providers to gain access to thousands of accounts and digital wallets where Bitcoin is stored. Bitcoin transactions and accounts are not insured by any type of government program and all Bitcoin transactions are effectively permanent because altering the Bitcoin network's blockchain is prohibitively expensive and such transactions are peer-to-peer without any third-party or payment processor
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involved which has unilateral control over the Bitcoin network’s ledger. Bitcoin related entities have previously suffered from hacking and cyber-theft which have affected the demand for and price of Bitcoin. Also, the price and exchange of Bitcoin may be subject to fraud risk. While Bitcoin uses private key encryption to verify owners and register transactions, fraudsters and scammers may gain control over a Bitcoin holder's private key in a malicious manner. Future advancements in quantum computing could also potentially break the cryptographic security measures of Bitcoin. All of the above may adversely affect the operation of the Bitcoin network, which would erode user confidence in Bitcoin and could adversely impact our business and ability to monetize the Bitcoin that we mine.
The loss or destruction of any private keys required to access our digital assets may be irreversible. If we, or any third-party with which we store our digital assets, are unable to access our private keys (whether due to a security incident or otherwise), it could cause direct financial loss, regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm.
Digital assets are generally controllable only by the possessor of the unique private key relating to the address with which the digital assets are associated. Private keys must be safeguarded and kept private to prevent a third party from accessing the digital assets held in such a wallet. To the extent that any of the private keys relating to any hot or cold wallets containing our digital assets are lost, destroyed or otherwise compromised or unavailable, and no backup of the private key is accessible, we will be unable to access the digital assets held in the related wallet and, in most cases, the private key will not be capable of being restored. The loss or destruction of a private key required to access digital assets may be irreversible. Further, we cannot provide assurance that any wallet holding our digital assets, either maintained directly by us or by an exchange or custodian on our behalf, will not be lost, hacked or compromised. Digital assets, related technologies and digital asset service providers such as custodians and trading platforms have been, and may in the future be, subject to security breaches, hacking, or other malicious activities. As such, any loss or misappropriation of the private keys used by them to control our digital assets due to a hack, employee or service provider misconduct or error, or other compromise could result in significant losses or fines, hurt our brand and reputation, and potentially harm the value of any Bitcoin that we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account, and adversely impact our business. It is also important to note that insurance coverage for digital asset losses may be limited or unavailable due to the unique nature of the assets. This lack of coverage can leave us further exposed to potential losses, underlining the critical importance of safeguarding private keys and digital assets.
Ownership of Bitcoin is pseudonymous, and the supply of accessible Bitcoin is unknown. Individuals or entities with substantial holdings in Bitcoin may engage in large-scale sales or distributions, either on non-market terms or in the ordinary course, which could disproportionately and adversely affect the Bitcoin market, result in a reduction in the price of Bitcoin and materially and adversely affect the price of our Ordinary shares.
There is no registry showing which real-world individuals or entities own Bitcoin or the quantity of Bitcoin owned by any particular real-world person or entity. It is possible, and in fact reasonably likely, that a small group of early Bitcoin adopters hold a significant proportion of the Bitcoin that has been created to date. A number of addresses on the Blockchain network that were active early in the Bitcoin network’s history are and have been dormant for a number of years, with some addresses with material Bitcoin holdings being dormant for over ten years. It is likely that a portion of these dormant addresses were owned by people who have since deceased, or by people who have lost access to their private keys associated with such addresses. As such, a significant number of Bitcoins may be inaccessible forever. To the extent such dormant addresses, or other large holders of Bitcoin, are owned by individuals with access to such addresses who wish to sell their Bitcoin, there are no regulations in place that would prevent a large holder of Bitcoin from selling Bitcoin it holds. To the extent such large holders of Bitcoin engage in large-scale sales or distributions, either on non-market terms or in the ordinary course, it could adversely affect the Bitcoin market and result in a reduction in the price of Bitcoin. This, in turn, could materially and adversely affect the price of our Ordinary shares, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Incorrect or fraudulent Bitcoin transactions may be irreversible and may negatively impact the Company’s results of operation and financial condition.
Bitcoin transactions are not, from an administrative perspective, reversible without the consent and active participation of the recipient of the Bitcoin from the transaction. In theory, Bitcoin transactions may be reversible with the control or consent of a majority of the processing power on the network, however, we do not now, nor is it feasible that we could in the future, possess sufficient processing power to effect this reversal unilaterally, nor is it likely that sufficient consensus on the relevant network could or would be achieved to enable such a reversal. Once a transaction has been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the Bitcoin network, an incorrect transfer of Bitcoin or a theft thereof generally will not be reversible, and we may not have sufficient recourse to recover our losses from any such transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or through theft or criminal action, our Bitcoin could be transferred in incorrect amounts or to unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled accounts. To the extent that we are unable to recover our losses
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from or seek redress for such action, error or theft, such events could result in significant losses, hurt our brand and reputation, and adversely impact our business.
The open-source structure of the Bitcoin network protocol may result in inconsistent and perhaps even ineffective changes to the Bitcoin protocol. Failed upgrades or maintenance to the protocol could damage the Bitcoin network, which could adversely affect our business and the results of our operations.
The Bitcoin network operates based on an open-source protocol maintained by contributors. As an open-source protocol, Bitcoin is not represented by an official organization or authority. As the Bitcoin protocol does not generate revenues for contributors, contributors are generally not compensated for maintaining and updating the Bitcoin protocol. The lack of guaranteed financial incentive for contributors to maintain or develop the Bitcoin protocol and the lack of guaranteed resources to adequately address emerging issues with the Bitcoin network may reduce incentives to address the issues adequately or in a timely manner. Issues with the Bitcoin network could result in decreased demand or reduced prices for Bitcoin, thus impacting our ability to monetize the Bitcoin we mine in accordance with our financial projections, and also reducing the total number of transactions for which mining rewards and transaction fees can be earned.
The nature of our business requires the application of complex financial accounting rules, and there is limited guidance from accounting standard setting bodies. If financial accounting standards undergo significant changes, our operating results could be adversely affected.
The accounting rules and regulations that we must comply with are complex and subject to interpretation by the IFRS Foundation, International Accounting Standards Board, (“IASB”), the SEC, and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results, and may even affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement or effectiveness of a change. Recent actions and public comments from the IASB and the SEC have focused on the integrity of financial reporting and internal controls. In addition, many companies’ accounting policies are being subject to heightened scrutiny by regulators and the public. Further, there have been limited precedents for the financial accounting of digital assets and related valuation and revenue recognition, and no official guidance has been provided by the IASB or the SEC, as to Bitcoin miners. As such, there remains significant uncertainty on how Bitcoin miners can account for digital assets, transactions involving digital assets and related revenue. Uncertainties in or changes to regulatory or financial accounting standards or interpretations by the SEC, particularly as they relate to the Company and the financial accounting of our Bitcoin-related operations, could result in the need to change our accounting methods and restate our financial statements and impair our ability to provide timely and accurate financial information, which could adversely affect our financial statements, result in a loss of investor confidence, and more generally impact our business, operating results, financial condition and our ability to raise capital.
Risks Related to Third Parties
Banks, financial institutions, insurance providers and other counterparties may fail, may not provide relevant goods and services including bank accounts, or may cut off certain banking or other goods and services, including to digital assets investors or businesses that engage in Bitcoin-related activities or that accept Bitcoin as payment.
A number of companies that engage in Bitcoin and/or other digital assets-related activities have been unable to find banks, financial institutions and insurance providers that are willing to provide them with bank accounts and other services. Similarly, changing governmental regulations about the legality of transferring or holding Bitcoin and other digital assets may prompt other banks and financial institutions to close existing bank accounts or discontinue banking or other financial services to such companies in the digital assets industry, or even investors with accounts for transferring, receiving or holding their digital assets. Specifically, China prohibits financial institutions from holding, trading or facilitating transactions in Bitcoin. Furthermore, in September 2021, China’s National Development and Reform Commission banned all digital asset mining in a reported bid to reduce carbon emissions. Similarly, India’s proposed digital assets legislation could have a significant impact on the ability to utilize banking services in India for digital assets. Both India and China, among other countries, are reportedly driving toward the development and adoption of a national digital currency, and taking legislative action that could be viewed as disadvantageous to private digital assets (such as Bitcoin) in the process. In the United States, federal banking regulators have highlighted the risks involved for banking organizations holding deposits of digital asset market participants and have released guidance restricting the types of digital-asset-related activities banking organizations in the United States can engage in.
Moreover, a series of recent high-profile bankruptcies, closures and liquidations relating to companies operating in the digital asset industry and certain of their affiliates, including the filings for bankruptcy protection by Three Arrows Capital, BlockFi, Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, FTX Trading and Genesis Global Capital and the closure or liquidation of
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certain financial institutions that provided banking services to the digital assets industry, including Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank, have caused further regulatory scrutiny on financial institutions serving digital asset market participants. In addition to financial institutions servicing the digital assets industry, there have also been several recent high-profile bank collapses, including First Republic Bank, Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse. There is also a risk that counterparties which provide goods and/or services to the Company cannot or do not perform their contractual obligations to the Company, including the return of prepayments and deposits made by the Company.
If such rules, restrictions or failures continue or proliferate further into markets in which we operate or plan to operate, we may be unable to obtain or maintain banking or financial services for our business and could also experience business disruption if our necessary commercial partners, such as trading platforms, Bitcoin mining pools or mining hardware manufacturers, cannot conduct their businesses effectively due to such regulations. The difficulty that many businesses that provide Bitcoin and derivatives or other digital assets-related activities have, and may continue to have, in finding banks and financial institutions willing to provide them services may diminish the usefulness of Bitcoin as a payment system and harm public perception of Bitcoin. If we are unable to obtain or maintain banking services for our business as a result of our Bitcoin-related activities or banking failures, our business could be adversely affected.
We may temporarily store our Bitcoin on digital asset trading platforms which could subject our Bitcoin to the risk of loss or access.
Although we generally sell our mined Bitcoin on a daily basis, we may temporarily store all or a portion of our Bitcoin on various digital asset trading platforms which requires us to rely on the security protocols of these trading platforms to safeguard our Bitcoin. No security system is perfect and trading platforms have in the past been subject to hacks resulting in the loss of businesses’ and customers’ digital assets. Such trading platforms may not be well capitalized and may not have adequate insurance necessary to cover any loss or may not compensate for loss where permitted under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Furthermore, in the event of a trading platform’s financial troubles and insolvency, the legal status of any Bitcoin custodied by that trading platform or any other entity that custodies our Bitcoin, even on a temporary basis, is unclear. In addition, malicious actors may be able to intercept our Bitcoin when we transact in or otherwise transfer our Bitcoin or while we are in the process of selling our Bitcoin via such trading platforms. Digital asset trading platforms have been a target for malicious actors in the past, and, given the growth in their size and their relatively unregulated nature, we believe these trading platforms may continue to be targets for malicious actors. An actual or perceived security breach or data security incident at any of the digital asset trading platforms with which we have accounts could harm our ability to operate, result in loss of our assets, damage our reputation and/or adversely affect the market perception of our effectiveness, all of which could adversely affect the value of our Ordinary shares.
Disruptions at over-the-counter (“OTC”) trading desks and potential consequences of an OTC trading desk’s failure could adversely affect our business. We may be required to, or may otherwise determine it is appropriate to, switch to an alternative digital asset trading platform and/or custodian.
There are a limited number of OTC (i.e. non-exchange) traders with which we may transact to convert our Bitcoin to fiat currencies, as applicable. A disruption at or withdrawal from the market by any such OTC trading desk may adversely affect our ability to purchase or sell Bitcoin, which may adversely impact our business and operations. A disruption at one or more OTC trading desks will reduce liquidity in the market and may adversely impact our ability to monetize our mined Bitcoin. If we are unable to access our preferred OTC trading desks, we may not be able to liquidate our Bitcoin at favorable prices, or we may be subject to unfavorable trading fees and associated costs.
We currently transfer the Bitcoin we mine to Kraken on a daily basis, which is then exchanged for fiat currency on the Kraken exchange or via its OTC trading desk on a daily basis. We currently aim to withdraw fiat currency proceeds from Kraken on a daily basis, utilizing Etana Custody, a third-party custodian, to facilitate the transfer of such proceeds to one or more of our banks or other financial institutions. We have onboarded Coinbase as an alternative digital asset trading platform to liquidate Bitcoin that we mine, although we have not utilized the Coinbase platform as of June 30, 2024. If Kraken, Coinbase, Etana Custody or any such other digital asset trading platform or custodian suffers excessive redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies, or suspends redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies, as applicable, any Bitcoin we have transferred to such platform that has not yet been exchanged for fiat currency, as well as any fiat currency that we have not yet withdrawn, as applicable, would be at risk. See “—Digital asset trading platforms for Bitcoin may be subject to varying levels of regulation, which exposes our digital asset holdings to risks.”
In addition, if any event were to occur with respect to any of the digital asset trading platforms or custodians we utilize to liquidate the Bitcoin we mine, that requires us to, or causes us to otherwise determine it is appropriate to, or if for any reason we decide to, switch to an alternative digital asset trading platform and/or custodian, as applicable, during any
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intervening period in which we are switching digital asset trading platforms and/or third-party custodians, we could be exposed to credit risk with respect to any Bitcoin or fiat currency held by them. In addition, we could be exposed to fluctuations in the value of Bitcoin with respect to the Bitcoin that we mine during such period or that was previously mined but has not yet been exchanged for fiat currency. Additionally, during any intervening period in which we are switching digital asset trading platforms and/or custodians, we could be exposed to credit risk with respect to any Bitcoin or fiat currency held by them. The costs associated with switching digital asset trading platforms and/or third-party custodians could adversely affect our business and the results of our operations.
Our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) business model is predicated, in part, on establishing and maintaining a customer base that will generate a recurring stream of revenues. If that recurring stream of revenues is not maintained or does not increase as expected, or if our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) business model changes as the industry evolves, our operating results may be adversely affected.
We are increasing our focus on expanding and diversifying our revenue streams by expanding into the provision of HPC solutions, including AI Cloud Services. The success of our expansion into the HPC solutions market is dependent, in part, on our ability to establish and maintain a customer base that generates recurring revenues through long-term service contracts. However, customers may prefer to enter into on-demand or other short-term arrangements with us, particularly if we are not able to compete effectively to assure potential customers as to the reliability of our HPC solutions. As a result, there can be no assurance that customers of our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) will enter into long-term service contracts with us or on contract terms that generate recurring revenue. Further, there can be no assurances that such customers will renew or sign a further contract when their current contract expires. If we fail to successfully market our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and retain and attract existing and new customers then the potential success of our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) business may be less than we anticipate, which could have an adverse impact on our business, prospects and operations.
Risks Related to Regulations and Regulatory Frameworks
The regulatory environment regarding digital assets and digital asset mining is in flux, and we may become subject to changes to and/or additional laws and regulations that may limit our ability to operate.
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, SEC, CFTC, FINRA, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve and state financial institution and securities regulators) have been examining the operations of digital asset networks, digital asset users and the Digital Asset Markets, with particular focus on the extent to which digital assets can be used to launder the proceeds of illegal activities or fund criminal or terrorist enterprises and the safety and soundness of trading platforms and other service providers that hold or custody digital assets for users. Many of these state and federal agencies have issued consumer advisories regarding the risks posed by digital assets to investors. Ongoing and future regulatory actions with respect to digital assets generally or Bitcoin in particular may alter, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the nature of an investment in the Shares or the ability of the Trust to continue to operate.
In August 2021, the chair of the SEC stated that he believed investors using digital asset trading platforms are not adequately protected, and that activities on the platforms can implicate the securities laws, commodities laws and banking laws, raising a number of issues related to protecting investors and consumers, guarding against illicit activity, and ensuring financial stability. The chair expressed a need for the SEC to have additional authorities to prevent transactions, products, and platforms from “falling between regulatory cracks,” as well as for more resources to protect investors in “this growing and volatile sector.” The chair called for federal legislation centering on digital asset trading, lending, and decentralized finance platforms, seeking “additional plenary authority” to write rules for digital asset trading and lending. Moreover, President Biden’s March 9, 2022 Executive Order, asserting that technological advances and the rapid growth of the digital asset markets “necessitate an evaluation and alignment of the United States Government approach to digital assets,” signals an ongoing focus on digital asset policy and regulation in the United States. A number of reports issued pursuant to the Executive Order have focused on various risks related to the digital asset ecosystem, and have recommended additional legislation and regulatory oversight. There have also been several bills introduced in Congress that propose to establish additional regulation and oversight of the digital asset markets. In connection with these developments, the SEC has taken a number of actions. For example, in February 2023 the SEC proposed amendments to the custody rules under Rule 406(4)-2 of the Investment Advisers Act. The proposed rule changes would amend the definition of a “qualified custodian” under Rule 206(4)-2(d)(6) and expand the current custody rule in 406(4)-2 to cover digital assets and related advisory activities. If enacted as proposed, these rules would likely impose additional regulatory requirements with respect to the custody and storage of digital assets and could lead to additional regulatory oversight of
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the digital asset ecosystem more broadly. Moreover, the failure of FTX in November 2022 and the resulting market turmoil substantially increased regulatory scrutiny in the United States and globally and led to SEC and criminal investigations, enforcement actions and other regulatory activity across the digital asset ecosystem. For example, in June 2023, the SEC brought enforcement actions against Binance and Coinbase, two of the largest digital asset trading platforms, alleging that Binance and Coinbase operated unregistered securities exchanges, brokerages and clearing agencies. In addition, in November 2023, the SEC brought similar charges against Kraken, alleging that it operated as an unregistered securities exchange, brokerage and clearing agency.
It is difficult to predict whether, or when, any of these developments will lead to Congress granting additional authorities to the SEC or other regulators, what the nature of such additional authorities might be, how additional legislation and/or regulatory oversight might impact the ability of digital asset markets to function or how any new regulations or changes to existing regulations might impact the value of digital assets generally and Bitcoin specifically. The consequences of increased federal regulation of digital assets and digital asset activities could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Law enforcement agencies have often relied on the transparency of blockchains to facilitate investigations. However, certain privacy-enhancing features have been, or are expected to be, introduced to a number of digital asset networks. If the Bitcoin network were to adopt any of these features, these features may provide law enforcement agencies with less visibility into transaction-level data. Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, released a report in October 2017 noting the increased use of privacy-enhancing digital assets like Zcash and Monero in criminal activity on the internet. In August 2022, OFAC banned all U.S. citizens from using Tornado Cash, a digital asset protocol designed to obfuscate blockchain transactions, by adding certain Ethereum wallet addresses associated with the protocol to its Specially Designated Nationals list. A large portion of Ethereum validators globally, as well as notable industry participants such as Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, have reportedly complied with the sanctions and blacklisted the sanctioned addresses from interacting with their networks. Although no regulatory action has been taken to treat privacy-enhancing digital assets differently, this may change in the future.
The Canadian government has modified its value added tax legislation specifically in relation to Canadian entities that are involved in Bitcoin-related activities and their associated suppliers. These legislative changes have the ability to eliminate the recovery of value added tax in Canada on inputs to our business. Any such unrecoverable value added tax may act to increase the cost of all inputs to our business in Canada including electricity, capital equipment, services and intellectual property acquired by our subsidiaries that operate in Canada. We are currently evaluating the application of this legislative change to IREN. We are currently subject to audits and an administrative appeal relating to Canadian value added tax credits, which could reduce the amount of certain input tax credits we are able to recover for certain historical periods as well as going forward. See Note 18 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
As digital assets have grown in both popularity and market size, governments around the world have reacted differently. Certain governments have deemed digital assets illegal or have severely curtailed the use of digital assets by prohibiting the acceptance of payment in Bitcoin and other digital assets for consumer transactions, barring banking institutions from accepting deposits of digital assets, or introducing punitive taxes on digital asset transactions. Other nations, however, allow digital assets to be used and traded without restriction. In some jurisdictions, such as in the United States, digital assets and products and services in the digital asset markets are subject to extensive, and in some cases overlapping, unclear and evolving regulatory requirements. There is a risk that relevant authorities in any jurisdiction may impose more onerous regulation on Bitcoin, for example banning its use, regulating its operation, or otherwise changing its regulatory treatment. Such changes may introduce a cost of compliance, or have a material impact on our business model, and therefore our financial performance and shareholder returns. If the use of Bitcoin is made illegal in jurisdictions where Bitcoin is currently traded in heavy volumes, the available market for Bitcoin may contract. For example, on September 24, 2021, the People’s Bank of China announced that all activities involving digital assets in mainland China are illegal, which corresponded with a decrease in the price of Bitcoin. If another government with considerable economic power were to ban digital assets or related activities, this could have further impact on the price of Bitcoin. As a result, the markets and opportunities discussed in this annual report may not reflect the markets and opportunities available to us in the future.
Digital asset trading platforms and mining pools may also be subject to increased regulation and there is a risk that increased compliance costs are passed through to users, including us, as we exchange Bitcoin earned through our mining activities. There is a risk that a lack of stability in digital asset trading platforms and the closure or temporary shutdown of digital asset trading platforms and/or mining pools which we utilize due to fraud, business failure, hackers or malware, or government-mandated restrictions may reduce confidence in the Bitcoin network and result in greater volatility in or suppression of Bitcoin’s value and consequently have an adverse impact on our operations and financial performance. Digital asset trading platforms and mining pools typically offer a number of services, in addition to their core services.
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There is a risk that regulation or enforcement actions targeting digital asset trading platforms’ or mining pools’ non-Bitcoin activity could disrupt their Bitcoin-related services that we rely on.
We cannot be certain as to how future regulatory developments will impact the treatment of Bitcoin under the law, and ongoing and future regulation and regulatory actions could significantly restrict or eliminate the market for or uses of Bitcoin and materially and adversely impact our business. If we fail to comply with such additional regulatory and registration requirements, we may seek to cease certain of our operations or be subjected to fines, penalties and other governmental action. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our business strategies at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any digital assets we plan to hold or expect to acquire for our own account.
Our business and financial condition may be materially adversely affected by changes to and/or increased regulation of energy sources.
We target markets with high levels of renewable energy penetration and our energy is primarily sourced from renewable sources, whether from clean or renewable sources, as reported by BC Hydro, or through the purchase of RECs. While renewable energy generally is less exposed to carbon pricing and underlying commodity price risks of fossil fuels, there is a risk that regulatory constraints placed on energy-intensive industries may restrict or ban the operation of, or increase the cost of operating, data centers and Bitcoin mining or HPC activities. Governmental authorities have and may continue to pursue and implement legislation and regulation that seeks to limit the amount of carbon dioxide produced from electricity generation, which, in the event any of our data centers are powered by non-renewable energy sources, would affect our ability to source electricity from fossil fuel-fired electric generation in a potentially material adverse manner. Potential increases in costs arising from compliance and environmental monitoring may adversely affect our operations and financial performance, as well as our ability to maintain our strategy of striving to power our operations with 100% renewable energy, including through the purchase of RECs. Additionally, we rely on the purchase of RECs for 100% of our renewable energy in Texas, all of which we purchase through RECs brokers. In British Columbia, we rely on the purchase of RECs for approximately 2% of our renewable energy, all of which is purchased from RECs brokers. If our existing REC brokers were to stop selling RECs to us or otherwise limit the sale thereof, we would have to incur additional expense and resources to obtain sufficient RECs to maintain 100% renewable energy sources across our operations, particularly in Texas, where we rely on the purchase of RECs for 100% of our renewable energy, and the cost of purchasing RECs from other sources may be higher. If we are unable to procure RECs from an alternative source on acceptable terms or at all, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted. See also “—Risks Related to Our Business—Any electricity outage, limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressures or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance” and “—Risks Related to Regulations and Regulatory Frameworks—Bitcoin mining and HPC activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and operations, in particular, to locations with renewable sources of power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to Bitcoin miners or HPC operators, including us, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally.”
If we were deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
An issuer will generally be deemed to be an “investment company” for purposes of the 1940 Act if:
•it is an “orthodox” investment company because it is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities; or
•it is an inadvertent investment company because, absent an applicable exemption, (i) it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, or (ii) it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 45% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) and/or more than 45% of its income is derived from investment securities on a consolidated basis with its wholly owned subsidiaries.
We believe that we are not and will not be primarily engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities, and we do not hold ourselves out as being engaged in those activities. We intend to hold ourselves out as a data center and Bitcoin mining business. Accordingly, we do not believe that we are an “orthodox” investment company as defined in Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act and described in the first bullet point above. Furthermore, we believe that, on a consolidated basis, less than 45% of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) are
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composed of, and less than 45% of our income is derived from, assets that could be considered investment securities. Accordingly, we do not believe that we are an inadvertent investment company by virtue of the 45% tests in Rule 3a-1 of the 1940 Act as described in the second bullet point above. In addition, we believe that we are not an investment company under Section 3(b)(1) of the 1940 Act because we are primarily engaged in a non-investment company business.
More specifically, Rule 3a-1 under the 1940 Act generally provides that an entity will not be deemed to be an “investment company” for purposes of the 1940 Act if: (a) it does not hold itself out as being engaged primarily, and does not propose to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading securities and (b) consolidating the entity’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (within the meaning of the Investment Company Act), no more than 45% of the value of its assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) consists of, and no more than 45% of its net income after taxes (for the past four fiscal quarters combined) is derived from, securities other than U.S. government securities, securities issued by employees’ securities companies, securities issued by qualifying majority owned subsidiaries of such entity and securities issued by qualifying companies that are controlled primarily by such entity. Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN)’s assets, consolidated with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (within the meaning of the 1940 Act), consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets, goodwill, deferred tax assets, mining hardware prepayments and other assets that we believe would not be considered securities for purposes of the 1940 Act. We also believe that the primary source of income of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is properly characterized as income earned in exchange for the provision of services. Therefore, we believe that, consolidating Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN)’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (within the meaning of the 1940 Act), no more than 45% of the value of its assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) consists of, and no more than 45% of its net income after taxes (for the past four fiscal quarters combined) is derived from, securities other than U.S. government securities, securities issued by employees’ securities companies, securities issued by qualifying majority owned subsidiaries of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and securities issued by qualifying companies that are controlled primarily by Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN). Accordingly, we do not believe Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is an investment company by virtue of the 45% test in Rule 3a-1 under the 1940 Act as described in clause (ii) in the second bullet point above.
Accordingly, we believe that on a consolidated basis less than 45% of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) are composed of, and less than 45% of our income is derived from, assets that could be considered investment securities and we do not believe that we are, or will be, deemed to be an investment company.
Furthermore, while certain digital assets may be deemed to be securities, we do not believe that certain other digital assets, in particular Bitcoin, are securities. Our mining activities currently focus on Bitcoin, which we believe should not be treated as an investment security for purposes of the 1940 Act. Therefore, to the extent we hold assets in Bitcoin, we believe that such assets would not constitute investment securities for purposes of the 45% tests in Rule 3a-1 of the 1940 Act as described in clause (ii) in the second bullet point above. However, although the SEC and courts are providing increasing guidance on the treatment of digital assets for purposes of federal securities law, this continues to be an evolving area of law. Previous statements by the SEC that Bitcoin should not be considered a security 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. Therefore, it is possible that the SEC or a court could take a position that Bitcoin constitutes an investment security for purposes of the 1940 Act, which might require us to register as an investment company.
In order to stay within the limits described above, we may need to take certain measures, which may include acquiring assets with our cash, liquidating our investment securities or seeking no-action relief or exemptive relief from the SEC if we are unable to acquire sufficient assets or liquidate sufficient investment securities in a timely manner. This may limit our ability to make certain investments or enter into joint ventures that could otherwise have a positive impact on our earnings. In any event, we do not intend to become an investment company engaged in the business of investing and trading securities.
If we were to be wrong with regard to our analysis under Rule 3a-1 under the 1940 and also if we were to be deemed an inadvertent investment company, we may seek to rely on Rule 3a-2 under the 1940 Act, which may be used no more than once every three years and which allows an inadvertent investment company a grace period of one year from the earlier of (a) the date on which the issuer owns securities and/or cash having a value exceeding 50% of the issuer’s total assets on either a consolidated or unconsolidated basis or (b) the date on which the issuer owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of such issuer’s total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis.
The 1940 Act and the rules thereunder contain detailed parameters for the organization and operations of investment companies. Among other things, the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder limit or prohibit transactions with affiliates, impose limitations on the issuance of debt and equity securities, prohibit the issuance of stock options, and impose certain governance requirements. We intend to continue to conduct our operations so that we will not be deemed to be an
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investment company under the 1940 Act. However, if anything were to happen that would cause us to be deemed to be an investment company under the 1940 Act, requirements imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure, ability to transact business with affiliates, ability to compensate key employees, and our ability to raise money in the U.S. capital markets and from U.S. lenders or to have our shares listed on a U.S. stock exchange, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as currently conducted and/or impair the agreements and arrangements between and among us and our senior management team. Compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act applicable to registered investment companies may make it difficult for us to continue our current operations or our operations as a company that is engaged in the business of developing data center infrastructure and in activities related to Bitcoin mining, and this would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we were required to register as an investment company but failed to do so, the consequences could be severe. Among the various remedies it may pursue, the SEC may seek an order of a court to enjoin us from continuing to operate as an unregistered investment company. In addition, all contracts that we have entered into in the course of our business, including securities that we have offered and sold to investors, will be rendered unenforceable except to the extent of any equitable remedies that might apply. An affected investor in such case may pursue the remedy of rescission.
If regulatory changes or interpretations of our activities require us to register under the regulations promulgated by FinCEN under the authority of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, or otherwise under state laws, we may incur significant compliance costs, which could be substantial or cost-prohibitive. If we become subject to these regulations, our costs in complying with them may have a material adverse effect on our business and the results of its operations.
Certain digital assets including Bitcoin are treated as “money” by FinCEN, and businesses engaged in the transfer of money or other payments services are subject to registration and licensure requirements at the U.S. federal level and also under similar U.S. state laws as a money transmitter. While FinCEN has issued guidance that digital asset mining, without engagement in other activities, does not require registration and licensure with FinCEN, this could be subject to change as FinCEN and other regulatory agencies continue their scrutiny of the Bitcoin network and digital assets generally. To the extent that our business activities cause us to be deemed a “money services business” under the regulations promulgated by FinCEN under the authority of the BSA, we may be required to comply with FinCEN regulations, including those that would mandate us to implement anti-money laundering programs, make certain reports to FinCEN and maintain certain records.
To the extent that our activities would cause us to be deemed a “money transmitter” or equivalent designation, under state law in any state in which we may operate, we may be required to seek a license or otherwise register with a state regulator and comply with state regulations that may include the implementation of anti-money laundering programs, including implementing a know-your-counterparty program and transaction monitoring, maintenance of certain records and other operational requirements. Such additional federal or state regulatory obligations may cause us to incur extraordinary expenses. Furthermore, we may not be capable of complying with certain federal or state regulatory obligations applicable to “money services businesses” and “money transmitters,” such as monitoring transactions and blocking transactions, because of the nature of the Bitcoin network. If it is deemed to be subject to and determined not to comply with such additional regulatory and registration requirements, we may act to dissolve and liquidate.
The application of the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to our business is unclear and is subject to change in a manner that is difficult to predict. To the extent we are deemed to be or subsequently become subject to regulation by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission in connection with our business activities, we may incur additional regulatory obligations and compliance costs, which may be significant.
The CFTC has stated and judicial decisions involving CFTC enforcement actions have confirmed that Bitcoin falls within the definition of a “commodity” under the U.S. Commodities Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the “CEA”), and the regulations promulgated by the CFTC thereunder (“CFTC Rules”). As a result, the CFTC has general enforcement authority to police against manipulation and fraud in the spot markets for Bitcoin. From time to time, manipulation, fraud and other forms of improper trading by other participants involved in the markets for Bitcoin and other digital assets have resulted in, and may in the future result in, CFTC investigations, inquiries, enforcement action, and similar actions by other regulators, government agencies and civil litigation. Such investigations, inquiries, enforcement actions and litigation may cause adverse publicity for Bitcoin and other digital assets, which could adversely impact mining profitability.
In addition to the CFTC’s general enforcement authority to police against manipulation and fraud in spot markets for Bitcoin and other digital assets, the CFTC has regulatory and supervisory authority with respect to commodity futures, options, and/or swaps (“Commodity Interests”) and certain transactions in commodities offered to retail purchasers on a leveraged, margined, or financed basis. Although we do not currently engage in such transactions, changes in our activities,
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the CEA, CFTC Rules, the interpretations and guidance of the CFTC, or future legislative changes to the CFTC’s jurisdiction may subject us to additional regulatory requirements, licenses and approvals which could result in significant increased compliance and operational costs. For example, a number of bills introduced in Congress would give the CFTC expanded jurisdiction over digital assets, including general authority to regulate digital asset spot markets and their participants.
Furthermore, trusts, syndicates and other collective investment vehicles operated for the purpose of trading in Commodity Interests may be subject to regulation and oversight by the CFTC and the National Futures Association (“NFA”) as “commodity pools.” If our mining activities or transactions in Bitcoin and other digital assets were deemed by the CFTC to involve Commodity Interests and the operation of a commodity pool for the Company’s shareholders, we could be subject to regulation as a commodity pool operator and required to register as such. Such additional registrations may result in increased expenses, thereby materially and adversely impacting an investment in our Ordinary shares. If we determine it is not practicable to comply with such additional regulatory and registration requirements, we may seek to cease certain of our operations. Any such action may adversely affect an investment in our business.
While we are not aware of any provision of the CEA or CFTC Rules currently applicable to the mining of Bitcoin and other digital assets, this is subject to change. We cannot be certain how future changes in legislation, regulatory developments, or changes in CFTC interpretations and policy may impact the treatment of digital assets and the mining of digital assets. Any resulting requirements that apply to or relate to our mining activities or our transactions in Bitcoin and digital assets may cause us to incur additional extraordinary, non-recurring expenses, thereby materially and adversely impacting an investment in our Ordinary shares.
As we continue to expand and localize our international activities, our obligations to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and policies across a variety of jurisdictions will increase and we may be subject to investigations and enforcement actions by U.S. and non-U.S. regulators and governmental authorities.
We currently operate in three countries – Australia, Canada and the United States – and therefore are subject to relevant laws and regulations in each jurisdiction. Laws regulating financial services, the internet, mobile technologies, digital assets and related technologies in Australia, Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions often impose different, more specific, or potentially conflicting obligations, as well as broader liability, on us. At the same time, we may also be required to comply with sanctions and export controls and counterterrorism financing laws and regulations in Australia, Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions around the world.
Regulators worldwide frequently study each other’s approaches to the regulation of digital assets such as Bitcoin. Consequently, developments in any jurisdiction may influence other jurisdictions. New developments with respect to specific digital asset transactions or operations in one jurisdiction may be extended to additional transactions or operations and/or other jurisdictions. As a result, the risks created by any new law or regulation in one jurisdiction may be magnified by the potential that they may be replicated in other jurisdictions, affecting our business in another jurisdiction or involving another aspect of our operations. Conversely, if regulations diverge worldwide, we may face difficulty adjusting our business in order to comply with such divergent regulations. These risks are heightened as we face increased competitive pressure from other similarly situated businesses that engage in regulatory arbitrage to avoid the compliance costs associated with regulatory changes.
The complexity and ongoing development of U.S. federal and state, Australian, Canadian and other international regulatory and enforcement regimes, coupled with the global scope of our operations and the evolving global regulatory environment, could result in a single event prompting a large number of overlapping investigations and legal and regulatory proceedings by multiple government authorities in different jurisdictions. Any of the foregoing could, individually or in the aggregate, harm our reputation and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. Due to the uncertain application of existing laws and regulations, it may be that, despite our analysis concluding that certain activities are currently unregulated, such activities may indeed be subject to financial regulation, licensing, or authorization obligations that we have not obtained or with which we have not complied. As a result, we are at a heightened risk of enforcement action, litigation, regulatory and legal scrutiny which could lead to sanctions, cease and desist orders, or other penalties and censures that could significantly and adversely affect our continued operations and financial condition.
Bitcoin’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 Bitcoin, we may be subject to regulatory scrutiny, investigations, fines and other penalties, which may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Furthermore, a determination that Bitcoin is a “security” may adversely affect the value of Bitcoin and our business.
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In the United States, some SEC officials have taken the position that nearly all digital assets fall within the definition of a “security” under the U.S. federal securities laws, although they have explicitly excluded Bitcoin from this characterization. The legal test for determining whether any given digital asset is a security is a highly complex, fact-driven analysis that may evolve 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 digital 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.
With respect to all other digital assets, there is no certainty under the applicable legal test that such assets are not securities, notwithstanding the conclusions we may draw based on our risk-based assessment regarding the likelihood that a particular digital asset could be deemed a security under applicable laws. Recent federal court cases have been inconsistent in their application of the applicable legal test.
Any enforcement action by the SEC or any international or state securities regulator asserting that Bitcoin is a security, or a court decision to that effect, would be expected to have an immediate material adverse impact on the trading value of Bitcoin, as well as our business. This is because the business models behind most digital assets are incompatible with regulations applying to transactions in securities. If a digital asset is determined or asserted to be a security, it is likely to become difficult or impossible for the digital asset to be traded, cleared or custodied in the United States, Australia, Canada and elsewhere through the same channels used by non-security digital assets, which in addition to materially and adversely affecting the trading value of the digital asset is likely to significantly impact its liquidity and market participants’ ability to convert the digital asset into U.S. dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars and other currencies.
In addition, to the extent the SEC or its staff allege, or a federal court finds that Bitcoin is a security, we may be required to adjust our strategy or assets accordingly. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act. In addition, continuously seeking to avoid the need to register under the 1940 Act may limit our ability to engage in Bitcoin mining operations or otherwise make certain investments, and these limitations could result in our holding assets we may wish to sell or selling assets we may wish to hold, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to comply with anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws, including the FCPA and similar laws associated with our activities outside of the United States, could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We operate an international business and may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities. We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the UK Bribery Act, Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, section 70.2 of the Australian Criminal Code and other applicable anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in countries in which we conduct activities. The FCPA prohibits providing, offering, promising, or authorizing, directly or indirectly, anything of value to government officials, political parties, or political candidates for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or securing any improper business advantage. The provisions of the UK Bribery Act extend beyond bribery of government officials and create offenses in relation to commercial bribery including private sector recipients. The provisions of the UK Bribery Act also create offenses for accepting bribes in addition to bribing another person. In addition, U.S. public companies are required to maintain records that accurately and fairly represent their transactions and have an adequate system of internal accounting controls. The Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act prohibits directly or indirectly giving, offering, or agreeing to give or offer any form of advantage or benefit to a foreign public official to obtain an advantage in the course of business. The Act also prohibits engaging in certain accounting practices where those practices are employed in order to bribe a foreign public official or conceal a bribe. Section 70.2 of the Australian Criminal Code prohibits providing, offering, or promising a benefit or causing a benefit to be provided when the benefit is not legitimately due to the person with the intention of influencing a foreign public official in the exercise of their official duties to obtain or retain a business or business advantage.
In many foreign countries, including countries in which we may conduct business, it may be a local custom that businesses engage in practices that are prohibited by the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act, Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, section 70.2 of the Australian Criminal Code and other applicable laws and regulations. We face significant risks if we or any of our directors, officers, employees, contractors, agents or other partners or representatives fail to comply with these laws, and governmental authorities in Australia, the United States, the UK and elsewhere could seek to impose substantial civil and/or criminal fines and penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, operating results, prospects and financial condition.
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We have implemented anti-corruption policies, and will be conducting appropriate training, designed to foster compliance with these laws, including the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act, Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, section 70.2 of the Australian Criminal Code and other applicable laws and regulations. However, our directors, officers, employees, contractors, agents and other partners to which we outsource certain of our business operations may nevertheless take actions in violation of our policies or applicable law. Any such violation could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, operating results, prospects and financial conditions.
Any violation of the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act, Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, section 70.2 of the Australian Criminal Code and other applicable anti-corruption laws, or anti-money laundering laws could result in whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage, investigations, loss of export privileges, severe criminal or civil sanctions and, in the case of the FCPA, suspension or debarment from U.S. government contracts, any of which could have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, operating results, prospects and financial condition. In addition, responding to any enforcement action or internal investigation related to alleged misconduct may result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees.
We and our third-party service providers, including mining pool service providers, may fail to adequately secure or maintain the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the data we hold or detect any related threats, and may experience other security incidents that result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events, any of which could disrupt our normal business operations and our financial performance and adversely affect our business.
Our business operations and reputation depend on our ability to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, digital assets and systems related to our business, suppliers, proprietary technologies, processes and intellectual property. We and our business and commercial partners, such as mining pools, digital asset exchanges and other third parties with which we interact, rely extensively on third-party service providers’ information technology (“IT”) systems, including renewable energy infrastructure, cloud-based systems and on-premises servers (i.e. data centers), to record and process transactions and manage our operations, among other matters.
We and our third-party service providers, partners and collaborators may in the future experience failures of, or disruptions to, IT systems and may be subject to attempted and successful security breaches or data security incidents. Security breaches or data security incidents experienced by us or our third-party service providers, manufacturers, joint collaborators or other business or commercial partners can vary in scope and intent from breaches resulting from unintentional events to economically-driven attacks to malicious attacks targeting our key operating systems with the intent to misappropriate, disrupt, disable or otherwise cripple our operations and service offerings. This can include any combination of phishing attacks, malware, ransomware attacks or viruses targeted at our key systems and IT systems as well as those of our third-party service providers, and such attacks may arise from internal sources (for example, employees, contractors, service providers, suppliers and operational risks) or external sources (for example, nation states, terrorists, hacktivists, competitors and acts of nature). Such threats are prevalent, increasing in frequency, evolving in nature, becoming increasingly difficult to detect and may increase in frequency and effectiveness, including through the use of AI/ML. In addition, if any of our employees, contractors, consultants, vendors or service providers use any third-party AI/ML-powered software in connection with our business or the services they provide to us, it may lead to the inadvertent disclosure or incorporation of our confidential information into publicly available training sets, which may impact our ability to realize the benefit of, or adequately maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property or confidential information, harming our competitive position and business. Our ability to mitigate risks associated with disclosure of our confidential information, including in connection with AI/ML systems, will depend on our implementation, maintenance, monitoring and enforcement of appropriate technical and administrative safeguards, policies and procedures, including those governing the use of AI/ML in our business.
Certain types of attacks could harm us even if our systems are left undisturbed. For example, certain threats are designed to remain dormant or undetectable, sometimes for extended periods of time, or until launched against a target, and we may not be able to implement adequate preventative measures. Other attacks may be caused in a manner that does not require unauthorized access to our IT systems, such as denial of service attacks on websites with the intention of making network services unavailable to intended users. Unauthorized parties have attempted, and we expect that they will continue to attempt, to gain access to our systems and facilities, as well as those of our partners and third-party service providers, through various means. A successful security breach or security incident may target us directly, or indirectly target or impact us through our third-party service providers, manufacturers, joint collaborators or other business or commercial partners. A security breach or other security incident at a third-party service provider’s location or ours, or within a third-party service provider’s systems or ours, could affect our control over personal or confidential information or adversely impact our operations and ability to earn revenue.
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The inadvertent disclosure of or unauthorized access to IT systems, networks and data, including personal information, confidential information and proprietary information, may adversely affect our business or our reputation and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. In addition, undiscovered vulnerabilities in our products, equipment or services could expose us to hackers or other unscrupulous third parties who develop and deploy viruses and other malicious software programs that could attack our products, equipment services and business. In the case of such a security breach, security incident or other IT failure, we may suffer damage to our key systems and experience (i) interruption in our services, (ii) loss of ability to control or operate our equipment, (iii) misappropriation of personal data and (iv) loss of critical data that could interrupt our operations, which may adversely impact our reputation and brand and expose us to increased risks of violation of applicable law (for example, personal data protection laws), governmental and regulatory investigation and enforcement actions, private litigation or other liability, including potentially significant financial losses, regulatory fines and penalties, extortion, threats and reimbursement and other compensation costs, any of which could adversely affect our business. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred to investigate, remediate and prevent cybersecurity incidents.
A security breach may also trigger mandatory data breach notification obligations under applicable privacy and data protection laws, which, if applicable, could lead to widespread adverse publicity and a loss in confidence regarding the effectiveness of our data security measures. Furthermore, mitigating the risk of future attacks or IT systems failures have resulted, and could in the future result, in additional operating and capital costs in systems technology, personnel, monitoring and other investments. Therefore, in the event of any such actual or potential incidents, our costs and resources diverted and any impacted assets may not be partially or fully recoverable. Most of our sensitive and valuable data, including digital assets, are stored with third-party custodians and service providers. Therefore, we rely on the digital asset community to optimize and protect sensitive and valuable data, confidential information and identify vulnerabilities. There can be no guarantee that these measures and the work of the digital asset developer community will identify all vulnerabilities, errors and defects, or will identify and resolve all vulnerabilities, errors and defects prior to a malicious actor being able to utilize them. Any actual or perceived security breach at any of those third-party custodians and service providers could lead to theft or irretrievable loss of our fiat currencies or digital assets, which may or may not be covered by insurance maintained by us or our third-party custodians or service providers.
In addition, our strategy to expand and diversify of our revenue sources and expand into additional markets such as HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) or hosting may expose us to additional risks related to cybersecurity. In particular, our strategy of focusing on HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) or potential hosting involves us allowing customers to utilize our data centers, which represents a departure from our current self-mining operating model and introduces additional cybersecurity risks, even with multi-tenancy security measures in place. The increased complexity of managing access controls and isolating customer environments can lead to potential vulnerabilities and create opportunities for unauthorized access, data breaches or other cybersecurity incidents. Additionally, the risk profile of each customer may vary, and threats or compromises affecting one tenant could potentially impact others. Constant vigilance, robust security protocols, regular audits, and collaboration with customers on cybersecurity best practices are essential to help to mitigate these risks and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of data within a shared data center environment. Our failure to effectively maintain such measures may adversely impact our operations and ability to earn revenue.
We are subject to governmental regulation and other legal obligations related to data privacy, data protection and information security. If we are unable to comply with these, we may be subject to governmental enforcement actions, litigation, fines and penalties or adverse publicity.
We collect and process data, including personal, financial and confidential information about individuals, including our employees and business partners and may obtain or process personal data in the provision of hosting or HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer. The collection, use, processing and storage of such data about individuals are governed by data privacy laws, regulations, guidelines and rules enacted and enforced in Australia, Canada, the UK, EU, the U.S. (federal and state) and other jurisdictions worldwide. While we have not historically had any formal data privacy policies and procedures in place, we are in the process of evaluating updates to certain of our data privacy and cybersecurity practices. However, there can be no assurances that such updates will render us in full compliance with all applicable data privacy laws and regulations. Data privacy laws and regulations are complex, continue to evolve, and on occasion may be inconsistent between jurisdictions leading to uncertainty in interpreting such laws and it is possible that these laws, regulations and requirements may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our existing information processing practices, and many of these laws are significantly litigated and/or subject to regulatory enforcement. The implication of this includes that various federal, state and foreign legislative or regulatory bodies may enact or adopt new or additional laws and regulations concerning data privacy, data retention, data transfer and data protection. Such laws may continue to add to our compliance costs, restrict or dictate how we collect, maintain, combine, disseminate and otherwise process information and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
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The General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), and any additional requirements in the national implementing laws of countries in the European Economic Area (“EEA”), which went into effect in the EU on May 25, 2018, applies to the collection, use, retention, security, processing, and transfer of personal data of individuals in the EEA; the United Kingdom (“UK”) data protection regime consisting primarily of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018 could further add to our compliance costs and limit how we process information. It is possible that the GDPR and UK GDPR may be interpreted or applied in a manner that is adverse to us or otherwise inconsistent with our practices; or that the EU, UK or other national supervisory authorities may hold that we are not in full compliance with the GDPR’s or UK GDPR’s requirements. In addition, the GDPR increases the scrutiny of transfers of personal data from the EEA to the United States and other jurisdictions that the European Commission does not recognize as having “adequate” data protection laws; in July 2020, the Court of Justice of the EU limited how organizations could lawfully transfer personal data from the EEA and, in the case of the UK GDPR, the transfers of personal data from the UK to the United States by invalidating the EU-US Privacy Shield and imposing further restrictions on use of the standard contractual clauses, which could increase our costs and our ability to efficiently process personal data. On July 10, 2023, the European Commission adopted an adequacy decision in relation to the United States under a new EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (“EU-U.S. DPF”). The adequacy decision concludes that the United States ensures an adequate level of protection for personal data transferred from the EU to organizations in the United States that are included in the “Data Privacy Framework List,” maintained and made publicly available by the United States Department of Commerce pursuant to the EU-U.S. DPF. However, the EU-U.S. DPF replaces two prior adequacy frameworks which were invalidated by the CJEU and any further invalidation of the EU-U.S. DPF by the CJEU could create considerable uncertainty regarding providing our products and services in Europe, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Additionally, following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and the expiry of the transition period, from January 1, 2021, we now have to comply with the GDPR and separately the UK GDPR, each regime having the ability to fine up to the greater of €20 million / £17.5 million, respectively or 4% of annual global turnover. Failure to comply with these laws may also result in the imposition of significant criminal penalties and private litigation.
The relationship between the UK and the EU in relation to certain aspects of data protection law remains subject to change, including how data transfers between EU member states and the UK will be treated. These changes may lead to additional compliance costs and could increase our overall risk. Failure to comply with the requirements of the GDPR and UK GDPR may result in fines and other administrative penalties. Government enforcement actions can be costly and interrupt the regular operation of our business, and data breaches or violations of data privacy laws can result in fines, reputational damage and civil lawsuits, any of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, like many websites, we use cookies and other tracking technologies on our website. In recent years, European lawmakers and regulators have expressed concern over electronic marketing and the use of nonessential cookies, web beacons and similar technology for online behavioral advertising, or tracking technologies, leading to an effort to replace the current rules on e-marketing (currently set out in the ePrivacy Directive and national implementing laws) with a new ePrivacy Regulation. When implemented, the new ePrivacy Regulation is expected to alter rules on tracking technologies and significantly increase fining powers to the same levels as the GDPR.
In the United States, according to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), failure to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure constitutes unfair acts or practices in or affecting commerce in violation of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C § 45(a). The FTC expects a company’s data security measures to be reasonable and appropriate in light of the sensitivity and volume of consumer information it holds, the size and complexity of its business, and the cost of available tools to improve security and reduce vulnerabilities. State privacy and security laws vary from state to state and, in some cases, can impose more restrictive requirements than U.S. federal law. For example, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act on June 28, 2018, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, and subsequently enacted the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, (collectively, the “CCPA”), which became effective in most material respects on January 1, 2023. The CCPA creates individual privacy rights for California consumers and increases the privacy and security obligations of entities handling certain personal data. The CCPA is enforced by both the Office of the Attorney General of California and the newly-established California Privacy Protection Agency, and failure to fully comply can result in regulatory fines of up to $2,500 per violation (which has been interpreted to mean per impacted individual) and civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation for knowing/willful violations. The CCPA further allows consumers to file lawsuits against a business if a data breach involving certain sensitive information has occurred as a result of the business’ violation of the duty to implement and maintain reasonable security procedures and practices. This private right of action and the significant outstanding uncertainties in the interpretation, application and enforcement of key CCPA provisions may increase the likelihood of, and risks associated with, data breach litigation. Other state legislatures have passed, are currently contemplating, or may pass their own comprehensive data privacy and security laws, with potentially greater penalties and more rigorous compliance requirements relevant to our business. The CCPA and other such similar laws may increase our compliance costs and potential liability, and many similar laws have been proposed and/or enacted in other states and at the federal level.
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Any actual or perceived failure by us or the third parties with whom we work to comply with data privacy laws, regulations, guidelines, rules or industry standards, or any security incident that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information, may result in governmental enforcement actions and investigations including by European Data Protection Authorities and US federal and state regulatory authorities, fines and penalties, litigation and/or adverse publicity, including by consumer advocacy groups, and could cause a loss of trust in us, which could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
We are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including applicable zoning, building-code and energy-efficiency standards and worker health and safety laws and regulations, that may expose us to significant liabilities for penalties, damages or costs of remediation or compliance.
We and our operations and properties are subject to laws and regulations governing health and safety, the discharge of pollutants into the environment or otherwise relating to health, safety and environmental protection requirements in the countries and localities in which we operate. These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations that are applicable to us, including acquisition of a permit or other approval before conducting construction or regulated activities; restrictions on the types, quantities and concentration of materials that can be released into the environment; limitation or prohibition of construction and operating activities in environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands or areas with endangered plants or species; imposition of specific health and safety standards addressing worker protection from work related health and safety risks ; imposition of certain zoning, building code and energy-efficiency standards for the sites at which we operate; and imposition of significant liabilities for pollution, including investigation, remedial and clean-up costs. Failure to comply with these requirements may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruptions in our operations, among other sanctions, that could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Certain environmental laws may impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances have been disposed of or otherwise released into the environment, including at current or former properties owned, leased or operated by us, even under circumstances where the hazardous substances were released by prior owners or operators or the activities conducted and from which a release emanated complied with applicable law. Failure to obtain, secure renewal of, or maintain, permits or tightening of restrictions within our existing permits, or the failure to meet the zoning, building code and energy-efficiency standards imposed by regulations applicable to our sites, could have a material adverse effect on our business or cause us to incur material expenses. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners, community groups, activists and other third parties to file claims for personal injury, property damage and nuisance allegedly caused by noise or the release of hazardous substances into the environment.
The trend in environmental regulation has been to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may be perceived to impact the environment or climate change, such as restrictions on the use of electricity for Bitcoin mining, HPC or other energy-intensive activities, and thus there can be no assurance as to impact or the amount or timing of future expenditures for environmental regulation compliance or remediation. New or revised laws and regulations that result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, or the incurrence of environmental liabilities, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. See also “—Risks Related to Our Business—Any electricity outage, limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressures or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance” and “—Risks Related to Regulations and Regulatory Frameworks—Bitcoin mining and HPC activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and operations, in particular, to locations with renewable sources of power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to Bitcoin miners or HPC operators, including us, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally.”
The regulatory and legislative developments related to climate change may materially adversely affect our brand, reputation, business, results of operations and financial position.
A number of governments or governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating legislative and regulatory changes in response to the increasing focus on climate change and its potential impact, including from governmental bodies, interest groups and stakeholders. For example, the Paris Agreement became effective in November 2016, and signatories are required to submit their most recent emissions goals in the form of nationally determined contributions. Despite our sustainability objectives in striving to source electricity from renewable energy sources, given the very significant amount of electrical power required to operate Bitcoin mining machines and HPC equipment and systems, as well as the environmental impact of mining for the rare earth metals used in the production of mining servers, the Bitcoin mining and HPC industries have, and may in the future, become a target for future environmental and energy regulation. Legislation and increased regulation regarding climate change could restrict our operations and energy supply and impose significant costs on us and our suppliers, including costs related to increased energy requirements, capital equipment, environmental monitoring and reporting, costs to purchase renewable energy credits or allowances and other costs to
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comply with such regulations. Specifically, imposition of a tax or other regulatory fee in a jurisdiction where we operate or on electricity that we purchase could result in substantially higher energy costs, and due to the significant amount of electrical power required to operate Bitcoin mining machines and HPC equipment and systems, could in turn put our facilities at a competitive disadvantage. Any future climate change regulations could also adversely impact our ability to compete with companies situated in areas not subject to such limitations.
Given the political significance and uncertainty around the impact of climate change and how it should be addressed, we cannot predict how climate change legislation and regulation will affect our financial condition, operating performance and ability to compete. Furthermore, even without such regulation, increased awareness and any adverse publicity in the global marketplace about potential impacts on climate change by us or other companies in our industry could harm our reputation. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Failure to keep up with evolving trends, shareholder expectations and requirements relating to ESG issues or reporting could adversely impact our reputation, share price, demand for our securities and access to and cost of capital and expose us to liability.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny from stakeholders related to their ESG practices and disclosures, including related to climate change (such as the impact of Bitcoin mining or HPC activities on the environment), diversity and inclusion and governance standards. Certain institutional investors, investor advocacy groups, investment funds, creditors and other influential financial markets participants have become increasingly focused on companies’ ESG practices and disclosures in evaluating their investments and business relationships. The heightened stakeholder focus on ESG issues related to our business requires the continuous monitoring of various and evolving laws, regulations, standards and expectations and the associated reporting requirements. Certain organizations also provide ESG ratings, scores and benchmarking studies that assess companies’ ESG practices. Although there are no universal standards for such ratings, scores or benchmarking studies, they are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. It is possible that our future shareholders or organizations that report on, rate or score ESG practices will not be satisfied with our ESG strategy or performance. Unfavorable or inaccurate press about or ratings or assessments of our ESG strategies or practices, regardless of whether or not we comply with applicable legal requirements, may lead to adverse investor sentiment toward us and our industry, which in turn could have an adverse impact on our share price, demand for our securities and our access to, and cost of, capital.
In addition, the adoption of new ESG-related regulations applicable to our business or pressure from key stakeholders to comply with additional voluntary ESG-related initiatives or frameworks, could require us to make substantial investments in ESG matters, which could impact the results of our operations. Decisions or related investments in this regard could affect consumer perceptions as to our brand. Furthermore, if our competitors’ corporate responsibility or ESG performance is perceived to be better than ours, potential or current investors may elect to invest in our competitors instead. In the event that we publicly disclose, voluntarily or otherwise, certain initiatives or goals regarding ESG matters, including relating to our focus on renewable energy, we could fail, or be perceived to fail, in our achievement of such initiatives or goals, or we could be criticized for the scope of such initiatives or goals. Relatedly, there is increased focus by regulators, customers and other stakeholders on greenwashing and sustainability-related claims. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to greenwashing allegations or claims associated with our sustainability-related claims, including those related to our renewable energy usage, which could expose us to liabilities. If we fail to satisfy the expectations or requirements of investors and other key stakeholders or comply with new ESG-related regulations, our initiatives are not executed as planned or we are subject to any greenwashing or other allegations or claims, our reputation and financial results could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our share price, demand for our securities and access to, and cost of, capital, could be adversely affected.
Bitcoin mining and HPC activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and operations, in particular, to locations with renewable sources of power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to Bitcoin miners or HPC operators, including us, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally.
Mining Bitcoin and HPC activities require significant amounts of electrical power, and electricity costs are expected to continue to account for a material portion of our operating costs. There has been a substantial increase in the demand for and cost of electricity for Bitcoin mining, and this has had varying levels of impact on local electricity supply. The availability and cost of electricity will impact the geographic locations in which we choose to conduct mining and HPC activities, and the availability and cost of electricity in the geographic locations in which our facilities are located will impact our business, cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.
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Additionally, renewable sources of power currently form a large portion of our power mix and we expect it to continue to do so in the future. Renewable power may, depending on the source, be intermittent or variable and not always available. Some electrical grids have little storage capacity, and the balance between electricity supply and demand must be maintained at all times to avoid blackouts or other cascading problems. Intermittent sources of renewable power can provide challenges as their power can fluctuate over multiple time horizons, forcing the grid operator to adjust its day-ahead, hour-ahead, and real-time operating procedures. Any shortage of electricity supply or increase in electricity costs in any location where we operate or plan to operate may adversely impact the viability and the expected economic return for Bitcoin mining activities in that location.
Should our operations require more electricity than can be supplied in the areas where our mining facilities are located or should the electrical transmission grid and distribution systems be unable to provide the regular supply of electricity required, we may have to limit or suspend activities or reduce the speed of our proposed expansion, either voluntarily or as a result of either quotas or restrictions imposed by energy companies or governments, or increased prices for certain users (such as us). If we are unable to procure electricity at a suitable price, we may have to shut down our operations in that particular jurisdiction either temporarily or permanently. Additionally, our Bitcoin mining machines and HPC equipment and systems would be materially adversely affected by power outages. Given the power requirement, it may not be feasible to run mining machines or HPC equipment systems on back-up power generators in the event of a government restriction on electricity or a power outage, which may be caused by climate change, weather, acts of God, wild fires, pandemics, falling trees, falling distribution poles and transmission towers, transmission and distribution cable cuts, other natural and man-made disasters, other force majeure events in the electricity market and/or the negligence or malfeasance of others. If we are unable to receive adequate power supply and we are forced to reduce our operations due to the lack of availability or cost of electrical power, our business could experience materially adverse impacts.
There may be significant competition for suitable Bitcoin mining and HPC sites, and government regulators, including local permitting officials, may potentially restrict our ability to set up mining sites in certain locations. The significant consumption of electricity may have a negative environmental impact, including contribution to climate change, which may give rise to public opinion against allowing the use of electricity for Bitcoin mining of HPC activities.
Government and regulatory scrutiny related to Bitcoin mining facilities and HPC activities and their energy consumption and impact on the environment has increased and may continue to increase. Some governments and regulators are increasingly focused on the energy and environmental impact of Bitcoin mining activities in particular. This has led to new governmental measures regulating, restricting or prohibiting the use of electricity for Bitcoin mining activities, or Bitcoin mining activities generally and may lead to further measures in any of the jurisdictions in which we operate from time to time. For example, in December 2022, the Government of British Columbia announced a temporary 18-month suspension on new and early-stage BC Hydro connection requests from cryptocurrency mining projects, which was subsequently extended for another 18-months in June 2024. Additionally, in May 2024, the Government of British Columbia amended the Utilities Commission Act to enable the province to enact regulations regarding public utilities’ provision of electricity service to cryptocurrency miners. While this suspension and amendment have not currently impacted our existing operations, these actions and future actions by Government regulators, or the issuance of any new regulations, may reduce the availability and/or increase the cost of electricity in the geographic locations in which our operating facilities are located, or could otherwise adversely impact our business. In March 2022, ERCOT started requiring large scale digital asset miners to apply for permission to connect to Texas’ power grid, and in April 2022, set up the Large Flexible Load Task Force (“LFLTF”) to review the participation of large flexible loads, including Bitcoin mining facilities, in the ERCOT market. The LFLTF has been tasked to develop policy recommendations for consideration by ERCOT relating to network planning, markets, operations, and large load interconnection processes for large flexible loads in the ERCOT network. In addition, in April 2023, a bill was passed by the Texas Senate restricting the total amount of power bitcoin miners could provide to ERCOT in demand response programs. Although the bill was not voted on by the House, it can still be reintroduced at a later time. Also, in November 2022, Governor Hochul of New York signed into law a two-year moratorium on new or renewed permits for certain electricity-generating facilities that use fossil fuel and provide energy for proof-of-work digital asset mining operations. At the federal level, legislation has been proposed by various Senators that would require certain agencies to analyze and report on topics around energy consumption in the digital asset industry, including the type and amount of energy used for cryptocurrency mining and the effects of digital asset mining on energy prices and baseload power levels and the effect Bitcoin mining using more than 5 megawatts of power has on greenhouse gas emissions. There have also been calls by various members of Congress on the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Department of Energy (“DOE”) to establish rules that would require digital asset miners to report their energy usage and emissions. In 2024, the Energy Information Administration announced plans to require cryptocurrency miners to submit data about their energy consumption Additionally, in March 2022, President Biden signed an Executive Order calling on, among other things, various agencies and departments, including the EPA, to report on the connections between distributed ledger technology and energy transitions, and the impact of such technology on climate change. In September 2022, the Office of Science and Technology Policy issued its report on the impact of distributed ledger technology on climate change which, among other things, recommended that federal agencies work with
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stakeholders in the distributed ledger technology and digital asset spaces to develop standards for the responsible design, development and use of environmentally responsible digital asset technologies. It also recommended Congress enable DOE to promulgate energy conservation standards for digital asset mining equipment, blockchains and other operations.
Any of the foregoing or any other restrictions on the supply and availability of electricity and associated infrastructure could reduce the availability and/or increase the cost of electricity in the geographic locations in which our operating facilities are located, or could otherwise adversely impact our business. If we are forced to reduce our operations due to the availability or cost of electrical power, or restrictions on Bitcoin mining or HPC activities, this will have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, prospects, financial condition and operating results. See also “—Risks Related to Our Business—Any electricity outage, limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressures or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance.”
Our compliance and risk management methods might not be effective and may result in outcomes that could adversely affect our reputation, operating results and financial condition.
Our ability to comply with applicable complex and evolving laws, regulations and rules is largely dependent on the establishment and maintenance of our compliance, audit and reporting systems, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance and other risk management personnel. We cannot assure you that our policies and procedures will be effective or that we will be successful in identifying all laws, regulations and rules applicable to us and in monitoring or evaluating the risks to which we are or may be exposed in all market environments or against all types of risks, including unidentified or unanticipated risks. Our risk management policies and procedures rely on a combination of technical and human controls and supervision that are subject to error and failure. Some of our methods for managing risk are discretionary by nature and are based on internally developed controls and observed historical market behavior, and may also involve reliance on standard industry practices. These methods may not adequately prevent losses, particularly as they relate to extreme market movements, which may be significantly greater than historical fluctuations in the market. Our compliance and risk management policies and procedures also may not adequately prevent losses due to technical errors if our testing and quality control practices are not effective in preventing failures. In addition, we may elect to adjust our risk management policies and procedures to allow for an increase in risk tolerance, which could expose us to the risk of greater losses.
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets or other intellectual property rights or otherwise obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights, our business and competitive position could be harmed.
Our ability to conduct our business in a profitable manner relies in part on our proprietary methods and designs, which we primarily protect as trade secrets. We rely upon trade secret and other intellectual property laws, physical and technological security measures and contractual commitments to protect our trade secrets and other intellectual property rights, including entering into non-disclosure agreements with employees, consultants and third parties with access to our trade secrets. However, such measures may not provide adequate protection and the value of our trade secrets could be lost through misappropriation or breach of our confidentiality agreements. For example, an employee with authorized access may misappropriate our trade secrets and provide them to a competitor, and the recourse we take against such misconduct may not provide an adequate remedy to protect our interests fully, because enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret can be difficult, expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Thus, if any of our trade secrets were to be disclosed or misappropriated, our competitive position could be harmed. In addition to the risk of misappropriation and unauthorized disclosure, our competitors may develop similar or better methods independently in a manner that could prevent legal recourse by us, which could result in costly product redesign efforts, discontinuance of certain product offerings or other competitive harm. Furthermore, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, infringed, diluted, disclosed or misappropriated and adequate legal recourse may be unavailable. Thus, there can be no assurance that our trade secrets or other intellectual property rights will be sufficient to protect against competitors operating their business in a manner that is substantially similar to us.
We may not be able to protect our competitive advantage if we are otherwise unable to obtain, maintain, protect or enforce our intellectual property rights or if we do not detect or are unable to address unauthorized use of our intellectual property. Despite precautions we may take, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to use information that we regard as proprietary to create services that compete with ours. We have not sought patent protection for our proprietary methods, designs or technologies, and, as a result, we cannot look to patent rights for protection of the same. Regardless, litigation or proceedings before governmental authorities and administrative bodies may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights and to determine the validity and scope of our rights and the proprietary rights of
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others. Should we choose to secure additional rights in our intellectual property, the process of obtaining and maintaining such protection is expensive and time-consuming, and we may not be able to prosecute all necessary or desirable applications at a reasonable cost. We may not execute agreements with every party who has access to our confidential information or contributes to the development of our intellectual property. Accordingly, we may become subject to disputes with such parties regarding the ownership of intellectual property that we consider to be ours.
Our intellectual property rights and the enforcement or defense of such rights may be affected by developments or uncertainty in laws and regulations relating to intellectual property rights. Legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights are uncertain, and many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property protection, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement, misappropriation or other violation of our intellectual property. Policing unauthorized use, infringement, misappropriation and other violation of our trade secrets and other intellectual property is difficult and we may not always be aware of such unauthorized use or misappropriation. Litigation brought to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could be costly, time consuming and distracting to management and could result in the impairment or loss of portions of our intellectual property. As a result, we may be aware of infringement by our competitors but may choose not to bring litigation to protect our intellectual property rights due to the cost, time and distraction of bringing such litigation. Furthermore, if we do decide to bring litigation, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims and countersuits challenging or opposing our right to use and otherwise exploit particular intellectual property or the enforceability of our intellectual property rights. Furthermore, many of our current and potential competitors may have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to developing and protecting their technology or intellectual property rights than we do. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our continued operations and financial condition.
Third parties may claim that we are infringing upon, misappropriating or otherwise violating their intellectual property rights, which may prevent or inhibit our operations and cause us to suffer significant litigation expense even if these claims have no merit.
Our commercial success depends, in part, on our ability to operate without undue cost and distraction of claims that we are infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of third parties. However, third parties may own patents (or have pending patent applications that later result in patents) or other intellectual property that our operations may infringe, or those parties may believe our operations infringe. In addition, third parties may purchase patents for the purpose of asserting claims of infringement and attempting to extract license fees from us via settlements. There also could be patents or other intellectual property that we believe we do not infringe, but that we may ultimately be found to infringe. Further, because patents can take many years to issue, there may be currently pending applications of which we are unaware that may later result in issued patents that our operations infringe.
Third parties could also accuse us of misappropriating their trade secrets. Any claims of patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, or other infringement, misappropriation or violation of intellectual property rights, even claims without merit, settled out of court or determined in our favor, could be costly and time-consuming to defend and could require us to divert resources away from operations. In addition, if any third party has a meritorious or successful claim that we are infringing their intellectual property, we may be forced to redesign our operations or secure a license from such third parties, which may be costly or impractical. The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurances that favorable final outcomes will be obtained in all cases. In addition, during the course of litigation there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions, or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be adverse, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our Ordinary shares. If we cannot license or develop an alternative for any infringing aspect of our business we also may be subject to significant damages or injunctions that may cause a material adverse effect to our business and operations, result in a material loss in revenue and adversely affect the trading price of our Ordinary shares and harm our investors.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Ordinary Shares
The market price of our Ordinary shares may be highly volatile.
The market price of our Ordinary shares has been volatile and is likely to continue to fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations similar to ours as well as the fluctuation in the
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market price of Bitcoin and other digital assets. In addition, technology stocks have historically experienced high levels of volatility. The market price for our Ordinary shares may be influenced by many factors, including:
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial and operating results;
•the trading price of digital assets, in particular Bitcoin;
•changes in the market valuations of our competitors;
•rumors, publicity, and market speculation involving us, our management, our competitors, or our industry;
•announcements of new investments, new products, services or solutions, capital raising initiatives, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, capital commitments, integrations or capabilities, technologies, or innovations by us or our competitors;
•changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;
•changes in laws or regulations applicable to us or our industry;
•the perception of our industry by the public, legislatures, regulators and the investment community;
•additions or departures of key personnel;
•potential litigation or regulatory investigations;
•general economic, industry, political and market conditions and overall market volatility, including resulting from public health crises, including an outbreak of an infectious disease (such as COVID-19), war, incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events;
•sales of our Ordinary shares by us, our directors and officers, holders of our Ordinary shares or our shareholders in the future or the anticipation that such sales may occur in the future; and
•the trading volume of our Ordinary shares on the Nasdaq.
Broad market and industry factors may adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary shares, regardless of our actual operating performance. Further, a decline in the financial markets and related factors beyond our control may cause the price of our Ordinary shares to decline rapidly and unexpectedly.
Investing in our Ordinary shares could be subject to greater volatility than investing directly in Bitcoin or other digital assets.
The price of our securities and our competitors’ securities has been generally correlated to the price of Bitcoin and other digital assets. However, our business is subject to costs, which also affect the price of our securities, such as hardware expenses, power expenses and other factors that are not directly reflected in the prices of digital assets we mine. For example, when the price of Bitcoin rises, mining machines may become scarce and more costly to acquire, making our existing operations more attractive. However, when the price of Bitcoin declines, our mining revenues may not exceed our operating costs. As a result, the price of our Ordinary shares could be subject to greater volatility than direct investments in digital assets and an investment in our Ordinary shares may result in losses.
If securities or industry analysts cease to publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the Ordinary shares, our Ordinary share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Ordinary shares is influenced by research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our Ordinary shares, or adversely change their recommendations regarding the Ordinary shares, the market price for our Ordinary shares would likely decline. Equity research analysts may elect not to provide research coverage of our Ordinary shares, and such lack of coverage may adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary shares.
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Future sales, or the possibility of future sales, of a substantial number of our Ordinary shares could adversely affect the price of our Ordinary shares.
Future sales of a substantial number of our Ordinary shares, or the perception that such sales will occur, could cause a decline in the market price of our Ordinary shares. As of June 30, 2024, we had 187,864,454 Ordinary shares outstanding. Ordinary shares, other than those held by our directors, officers, shareholders owning 10% or more of our outstanding shares or other relevant holders whose Ordinary shares are subject to a lock-up and/or trading restriction (for example, employees), may be resold in the public market immediately without restriction, and those shares held by our directors, officers, shareholders owning 10% or more of our outstanding shares or other relevant holders whose Ordinary shares are subject to a lock-up and/or trading restriction (for example, employees) may be eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by Rule 144 and Rule 701 of the Securities Act. If our shareholders sell substantial amounts of Ordinary shares in the public market, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the market price of our Ordinary shares and our ability to raise capital through an issue of equity securities in the future could be adversely affected.
In addition, the exercise of options to purchase Ordinary shares and the issue of Ordinary shares on vesting of restricted stock units granted to our directors, officers and employees under our current and future share incentive plans could lead to a dilution of the economic and voting interests of existing shareholders which could adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary shares. Furthermore, a proposal to the shareholder meeting to take any of the abovementioned measures with dilutive effects on the existing shareholdings, or any announcement thereof, could adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary shares.
Additionally, on September 13, 2023, we entered into an At Market Sales Agreement (“Sales Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc., Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and Compass Point Research and Trading, LLC, to which Canaccord Genuity LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc. were joined on March 21, 2024 (collectively, the “Sales Agents”). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell our Ordinary shares from time to time through or to the Sales Agents in an amount not to exceed the lesser of the amount registered on an effective registration statement and for which we have filed a prospectus, and the amount authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under the Sales Agreement by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. As a result, we may increase the amount of our Ordinary shares that may be sold from time to time pursuant to the Sales Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement. As of June 30, 2024, we have sold a total of 108,063,868 shares under the Sales Agreement for aggregate gross proceeds of $771,438,000. We expect to file one or more additional registration statements relating to the Sales Agreement in the future, including in the near term, in order to allow us to continue to raise additional capital pursuant to the Sales Agreement. Any such additional sales could be substantial and, as a result, could cause substantial dilution and adversely impact the price of our Ordinary shares.
In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional Ordinary shares from time to time or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our Ordinary shares at varying prices. We continue to monitor funding markets for opportunities to raise additional debt, equity or equity-linked capital (including potentially by registering additional Ordinary shares for sale under the Sales Agreement) to fund further capital or liquidity needs, and growth plans. If we sell a substantial number of shares under such agreement, or otherwise issue any equity or equity-linked securities to finance our business, the market price of our Ordinary shares may be adversely affected.
Because of their significant ownership of our Ordinary shares, and their ownership of all outstanding B Class shares, our Co-Founders and Co-Chief Executive Officers have substantial control over our business, and their interests may differ from our interests or those of our other shareholders.
Our Co-Founders and Co-Chief Executive Officers, Daniel Roberts and William Roberts, and their affiliates, hold in the aggregate 44.45% of the voting power of our capital shares as of July 31, 2024.
As a result of this ownership or control of our voting securities, if our Co-Founders and Co-Chief Executive Officers act together, they may be able to exert practical control over the outcome of matters submitted to our shareholders for approval by ordinary resolution, including the election of directors. This may delay or prevent, for example, an acquisition of the Company or its assets or cause the public price of our Ordinary shares to decline. Our Co-Founders and Co-Chief Executive Officers may have interests different from yours. Therefore, the concentration of voting power among our Co-Founders and Co-Chief Executive Officers may have an adverse effect on the price of our Ordinary shares.
The dual class structure of our shares (Ordinary shares and B Class shares) will have the effect of concentrating voting control with certain shareholders, in particular, Daniel Roberts and William Roberts, who hold (through their affiliates) in the aggregate 44.45% of the voting power of our capital shares as of July 31, 2024. This ownership may limit or preclude the ability of other shareholders to influence corporate matters, including the election of directors, amendments of our
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organizational documents, remuneration, and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring shareholder approval.
Our B Class shares entitle its holders to fifteen votes per Ordinary share held by the holder, and our Ordinary shares have one vote per Ordinary share held. Our Co-Founders and Co-Chief Executive Officers, Daniel Roberts and William Roberts, and their affiliates hold in the aggregate 44.45% of the voting power of our capital shares as of July 31, 2024. Because each B Class share is entitled to fifteen votes for every Ordinary share held by the holder of such B Class share, the holders of our B Class shares collectively could continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our shares and therefore be able to control matters submitted to our shareholders for approval until the redemption of the B Class shares by the Company on the earlier of (i) when the individual founder associated with the holder ceases to be a director due to voluntary retirement; (ii) an unremedied transfer of B Class shares in breach of our Constitution; (iii) liquidation or winding up of the Company; or (iv) November 17, 2033. Holders of our Ordinary shares will not be entitled to vote separately as a single class except under certain limited circumstances. This concentrated control may limit or preclude shareholders’ ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future, including the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring shareholder approval. In addition, this may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our capital shares that shareholders may believe are in the Company's best interest.
The multi-class structure of our shares may adversely affect the trading market for our Ordinary shares.
Certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with multiple class share structures in certain of their indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms and large institutional investors oppose the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the multi-class structure of our shares may prevent the inclusion of our Ordinary shares in such indices, may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure, and may result in large institutional investors not purchasing our Ordinary shares. Any exclusion from stock indices could result in a less active trading market for our Ordinary shares. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms or institutional investors critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our Ordinary shares. Additionally, our B Class shares are not transferable by the holder (other than to an affiliate of that holder).
Risks Related to Being a Foreign Private Issuer
We currently report our financial results under IFRS, which differs from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP.
We report our financial statements under IFRS. There have been and there may in the future be certain significant differences between IFRS and U.S. GAAP, including differences related to revenue recognition, intangible assets, share-based compensation expense, income tax and earnings per share. As a result, our financial information and reported earnings for historical or future periods could be significantly different if they were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, we do not intend to provide a reconciliation between IFRS and U.S. GAAP unless it is required under applicable law. As a result, you may not be able to meaningfully compare our financial statements under IFRS with those companies that prepare financial statements under U.S. GAAP.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from a number of rules under the U.S. securities laws and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a U.S. company.
We are a foreign private issuer as defined in the SEC’s rules and regulations and, consequently, we are not subject to all of the disclosure requirements applicable to public companies organized within the United States. For example, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that regulate disclosure obligations and procedural requirements related to the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations applicable to a security registered under the Exchange Act, including the U.S. proxy rules under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our senior management and directors are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and related rules with respect to their purchases and sales of our securities. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. public companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act and we are not required to file quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act. In addition, foreign private issuers are not required to file their annual report on Form 20-F until four months after the end of each fiscal year. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there would be if we were not a foreign private issuer.
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Furthermore, our shares are not listed, and we do not currently intend to list our shares, on any market in Australia, our country of incorporation. As a result, we are not subject to the reporting and other requirements of listed companies in Australia, other than those requirements that apply to Australian companies generally. Accordingly, there will be less publicly available information concerning our company than there would be if we were a public company organized in the United States.
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards and these practices may not afford the same protection to shareholders as Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.
As a foreign private issuer listed on Nasdaq, we are permitted to follow Australia corporate law and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (“Corporations Act”) with regard to certain aspects of corporate governance in lieu of certain requirements under the Nasdaq listing standards. Some corporate governance practices under Australian law and the Corporations Act may differ from Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.
For example, we are exempt from Nasdaq regulations that require a listed U.S. company to:
•require non-management directors to meet on a regular basis without management present;
•promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers that should address certain specified items;
•have an independent compensation committee;
•have an independent nominating committees;
•solicit proxies and provide proxy statements for all shareholder meetings; and
•seek shareholder approval for the implementation of certain equity compensation plans and issuances of Ordinary shares.
Currently, we generally follow home country practice and take advantage of the above exceptions, except that we have an independent compensation committee. Therefore, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection under corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. For an overview of our corporate governance practices, see “Item 16G. Corporate Governance—Foreign Private Issuer Status.”
We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional cost and expense.
While we currently qualify as a foreign private issuer, the determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter and, accordingly, our next determination will be made on December 31, 2024. In the future, we would lose our foreign private issuer status if we fail to meet the requirements necessary to maintain our foreign private issuer status as of the relevant determination date. For example, if 50% or more of our securities are held by U.S. residents and more than 50% of our senior management or directors are residents or citizens of the United States, we could lose our foreign private issuer status.
The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly more than costs we incur as a foreign private issuer. If we are not a foreign private issuer, we will be required to file periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the SEC, which are more detailed and extensive in certain respects than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We would be required under current SEC rules to modify certain of our policies to comply with corporate governance practices required of U.S. domestic issuers and to prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP rather than IFRS. Such conversion of our financial statements to U.S. GAAP would involve significant time and cost. In addition, we may lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements on U.S. stock exchanges that are available to foreign private issuers such as the ones described above and exemptions from procedural requirements related to the solicitation of proxies.
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We are an Australian public company with limited liability. The rights of our shareholders may be different from the rights of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions and may not protect investors in the same similar fashion afforded by incorporation in a U.S. jurisdiction.
We are a public company with limited liability organized under the laws of Australia. Our corporate affairs are governed by our Constitution and the Corporations Act. A further summary of applicable Australian corporations law and our Constitution is contained in “Item 10. Additional Information—Memorandum and Articles of Association” and Exhibit 2.1 “Description of Securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act” of this annual report. However, there can be no assurance that Australian law will not change in the future or that it will serve to protect investors in the same fashion afforded under corporate law principles in the United States, which could adversely affect the rights of investors.
The rights of shareholders and the responsibilities of directors under Australian law may be different from the rights and obligations of shareholders and directors in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions. In the performance of their duties, the Board is required by Australian law to act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole, including with due observation of the principles of good faith, reasonable care and diligence.
Provisions in our organizational documents or Australian corporate law might delay or prevent acquisition bids for our company or other change of control transactions that might be considered favorable.
Under Australian law, various protective measures to prevent change of control transactions are possible and permissible within the boundaries set by Australian corporate law and Australian case law, in particular under Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act and takeovers policy which regulates the takeovers of Australian public companies. Certain provisions of our Constitution may have the effect of delaying or preventing a merger, acquisition, tender offer, takeover attempt or other change of control transaction that a shareholder might consider to be in its best interest, including attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of our Ordinary shares (for example, through the enhanced voting control rights attached to B Class shares and the proportional takeover provisions in the Constitution).
These provisions could make it more difficult or less attractive for a third-party to acquire us or a controlling stake in us, even if the third-party’s offer may be considered beneficial by many of our shareholders. As a result, our shareholders may be limited in their ability to obtain a premium for their shares.
Acquisitions of shares in the Company may be subject to review and approval by the Australian Federal Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth).
Under Australian law, certain acquisitions of shares in the Company may be subject to approval by the Australian Federal Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) (“FATA”). Typically, such approval will not be required unless a non-Australian person or entity proposes to acquire a substantial interest in 20% or more of the shares in the Company (unless such person or entity is a foreign government investor).
If applicable thresholds are met, the Australian Federal Treasurer may prevent a proposed acquisition or impose conditions on such acquisition if satisfied that the acquisition would be contrary to the national interest. If a foreign person acquires shares or an interest in shares in an Australian company in contravention of the FATA, the Australian Federal Treasurer may make a range of orders including an order of the divestiture of such person’s shares or interest in shares in that Australian company.
The ability of shareholders to bring actions or enforce judgments against us or our directors and executive officers may be limited. Claims of U.S. civil liabilities may not be enforceable against us.
We are incorporated under the laws of Australia and the majority of our directors reside outside the United States. The majority of our assets and those of our directors are located outside the United States. It may not be possible, or may be costly or time consuming, for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or our non-U.S. resident directors or executive officers or to collect and enforce judgments obtained against us or our directors and executive officers in the United States, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. There may also be reasons why, even if a process within the United States is served upon us or our directors and executive officers, proceedings in the United States are stayed or otherwise do not proceed. This may be in favor of proceedings in Australia or other jurisdictions instead of the United States, or in the absence of any other proceedings.
If a judgment is obtained in a U.S. court against us or our directors you may need to enforce such judgment in jurisdictions where we or the relevant director have assets (which may be outside the U.S.). As a result, it could be difficult
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or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals outside of the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the applicable securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws outside of the United States could render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of its directors.
There is currently no treaty between the United States and Australia for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. Therefore, a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any federal or state court in the United States based on civil liability, whether or not predicated solely upon the U.S. federal securities laws, would not be automatically recognized or enforceable in Australia. An Australian court may, subject to compliance with certain procedural and legal requirements, recognize and give effect to the judgment if (generally speaking) you are able to prove in an Australian court: (a) the U.S. Court exercised a jurisdiction (in the relevant sense) recognized by Australian courts; (b) the U.S. judgment is final and conclusive; (c) the identity of the parties is clear; and (d) the U.S. judgment is for a fixed debt. Australian courts may deny the recognition and enforcement of punitive damages or other awards. If an Australian court upholds and regards as conclusive evidence the final judgment of the U.S. court, the Australian court will not generally require a re-litigation on the merits, though there may be other reasons why this becomes necessary which may significantly increase the time and cost of enforcing judgment. An Australian court may also refuse to enforce a U.S. judgment, in which case you may be required to re-litigate any claim before an Australian court.
Similar considerations may apply to other jurisdictions where we or the relevant director has assets which may raise similar difficulties in enforcing a U.S. judgment in those jurisdictions.
Australian insolvency laws are substantially different from U.S. insolvency laws and may offer our shareholders less protection than they would have under U.S. insolvency laws.
As a company with its registered office in Australia, we are subject to Australian insolvency laws and may also be subject to the insolvency laws of other jurisdictions in which we conduct business or have assets. These laws may apply in the event any insolvency proceedings or procedures are initiated against us. This includes, among other things, any moratorium ordered or declared in respect of any indebtedness of us, any formal demand for us to pay our debts as and when they fall due, any admission by us that we are unable to pay its debts as and when they fall due, any composition or arrangement with creditors, or any corporate action or proceeding in relation to the winding-up, dissolution, deregistration, administration or reorganization of, or the appointment of an administrator, controller, liquidator, receiver, manager or other insolvency practitioner to, us.
Insolvency laws in Australia and other jurisdictions may offer our shareholders less protection than they would have under U.S. insolvency laws and may make it more difficult (or even impossible) for them to recover the amount they could expect to recover in a liquidation under U.S. insolvency laws.
Shareholder liability is, generally speaking, limited to unpaid amount on shares, but there are exceptions which may apply. Liquidators and other external administrators may also be entitled to recover any amounts which may be distributed or paid to shareholders for the benefit of creditors. Shareholders may be unlikely to recover any amounts unless and until all creditors are paid in full, which may be unlikely should we become insolvent, or be placed into liquidation or external administration. Shareholders may also be prevented from commencing any court action or proceedings against us and may also be the subject of binding agreement or orders without consent. Any rights shareholders may have against us or our directors may be extinguished through the operation of insolvency laws in particular jurisdictions.
Some claims against directors or other third parties may be for our benefit, which may require permission of local courts to pursue and may also lead to any judgment or award requiring payment to us and in turn to our creditors. It should also be noted that certain creditors may enjoy particular priorities in particular jurisdictions (for example, employees and secured creditors), other creditors may not be entitled to any distribution as a creditor in particular jurisdictions (for example, where a creditor’s claim is rejected in the particular jurisdiction), and generally speaking unsecured creditors are paid out evenly in proportion to their claims. This may materially impact any recovery shareholders receive should we become insolvent.
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Risks Related to Taxation
Future developments regarding the treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income and foreign tax purposes could adversely impact our business.
Due to the new and evolving nature of digital assets and the absence of comprehensive legal guidance with respect to digital asset products and transactions, many significant aspects of the U.S. federal income and foreign tax treatment of transactions involving digital assets are uncertain, and it is unclear what guidance may be issued in the future on the treatment of digital asset transactions for U.S. federal income and foreign tax purposes.
In 2014, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) released a notice, or “IRS Notice,” discussing certain aspects of “convertible virtual currency” (that is, digital currency that has an equivalent value in fiat currency or that acts as a substitute for fiat currency) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, in particular, stating that such digital currency (i) is “property”; (ii) is not “currency” for purposes of the rules relating to foreign currency gain or loss and (iii) may be held as a capital asset. The IRS has subsequently released two revenue rulings and a set of “Frequently Asked Questions," or the "Rulings & FAQs,” that provide some additional guidance, including guidance to the effect that, under certain circumstances, hard forks of digital currencies are taxable events giving rise to ordinary income, guidance with respect to the determination of the tax basis of digital currency and guidance that rewards from staking will constitute current taxable income. However, the IRS Notice and the Rulings & FAQs do not address other significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of digital assets and related transactions.
There can be no assurance that the IRS or other foreign tax authorities will not alter their existing positions with respect to digital assets in the future or that a court would uphold the treatment set forth in the IRS Notice and the Rulings & FAQs. It is also unclear what additional guidance may be issued in the future on the treatment of existing digital asset transactions and future digital asset innovations for purposes of U.S. federal income tax or other foreign tax regulations. Any such alteration of existing IRS and other foreign tax authority positions or additional guidance regarding digital asset products and transactions could result in adverse tax consequences for our business and could have an adverse effect on the value of digital assets and the broader digital asset markets. In addition, the IRS and other foreign tax authorities may disagree with tax positions that we have taken, which could result in increased tax liabilities. Future technological and operational developments that may arise with respect to digital assets may increase the uncertainty with respect to the treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income and foreign tax purposes. The uncertainty regarding tax treatment of digital asset transactions could impact our business, both domestically and abroad. Moreover, it is likely that new rules for reporting digital assets under the “crypto-asset reporting framework” will be implemented on our international operations, creating new obligations and a need to invest in new onboarding and reporting infrastructure. The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS also recently released proposed regulations that would create new reporting requirements for digital assets, which may impose new requirements on us.
The Canadian government has modified its value added tax legislation specifically in relation to Canadian entities that are involved in Bitcoin-related activities and their associated suppliers. These legislative changes have the ability to eliminate the recovery of value added tax in Canada on inputs to our business. Any such, unrecoverable value added tax may act to increase the cost of all inputs to our business in Canada including electricity, capital equipment, services and intellectual property acquired by our subsidiaries that operate in Canada. We are currently evaluating the application of this legislative change to IREN. We are currently subject to audits and an administrative appeal relating to Canadian value added tax credits, which could reduce the amount of certain input tax credits we are able to recover for certain historical periods as well as going forward. See Note 18 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
There is a risk that we will be a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the current taxable year and possibly subsequent taxable years, in which case U.S. investors will generally be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), we will be classified as a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for any taxable year if either: (a) at least 75% of our gross income is “passive income” for purposes of the PFIC rules or (b) at least 50% of the value of our assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, passive income includes interest, dividends and other investment income, with certain exceptions. Cash and cash-equivalents generally are passive assets for these purposes, and digital assets are likely to be passive assets for these purposes as well. Goodwill is active to the extent attributable to activities that produce or are intended to produce active income. The PFIC rules also contain a look-through rule whereby we will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the gross assets and earning
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our proportionate share of the gross income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the stock.
Based on the current and anticipated composition of our income, assets and operations and the price of our Ordinary shares, we do not expect to be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year. However, whether we are treated as a PFIC is a factual determination that is made on an annual basis after the close of each taxable year. This determination will depend on, among other things, the ownership and the composition of our income and assets, as well as the relative value of our assets (which may fluctuate with our market capitalization), at the relevant time. In particular, if our cash is not deployed for active purposes, our risk of being a PFIC will increase. Fluctuations in the Company’s market capitalization can also affect our PFIC status because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market capitalization from time to time (which has been, and may continue to be, volatile). In this regard, there is a risk that we may be a PFIC if there is a decline in the market capitalization and the value of our goodwill is determined by reference to our market capitalization. Moreover, the application of the PFIC rules to digital assets and transactions related thereto is subject to uncertainty. Among other things, the IRS has issued limited guidance on the treatment of income from mining digital assets. The IRS or a court may disagree with our determinations, including the manner in which we determine the value of our assets and the percentage of our assets that constitutes passive assets under the PFIC rules. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or for any future taxable year.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. taxpayer holds Ordinary shares, the U.S. taxpayer generally will be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, including increased tax liability on disposition
gains and “excess distributions” and additional reporting requirements. This will generally continue to be the case even if we cease to be a PFIC in a later taxable year, unless a “deemed sale” election is made.
For further discussion of the PFIC rules and the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences in the event we are classified as a PFIC, see Item 10. Additional Information “Taxation-Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
If a United States person is treated as owning at least 10% of our Ordinary shares, such holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
If a U.S. holder is treated as owning, directly, indirectly or constructively, at least 10% of the value or voting power of our stock, such U.S. holder may be treated as a “United States shareholder” with respect to each “controlled foreign corporation” (“CFC”) in our group. Because our group includes U.S. subsidiaries, some or all of our non-U.S. subsidiaries will be treated as CFCs even if we are not a CFC. A United States shareholder of a CFC may be required to annually report and include in its U.S. taxable income its pro rata share of “Subpart F income,” “global intangible low-taxed income” and investments in U.S. property by CFCs, regardless of whether we make any distributions. An individual that is a United States shareholder with respect to a CFC generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a United States shareholder of a U.S. corporation. Failure to comply with CFC reporting obligations may subject a United States shareholder to significant monetary penalties.
We cannot provide any assurances that we will furnish to any United States shareholder information that may be necessary to comply with the reporting and taxpaying obligations applicable under the controlled foreign corporation rules of the Code. The IRS has provided limited guidance on situations in which investors may rely on publicly available information to comply with their reporting and taxpaying obligations with respect to foreign-controlled CFCs. U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential application of these rules to their investment in our Ordinary shares.
Future changes to tax laws could materially adversely affect our company and reduce net returns to our shareholders.
Our tax treatment is subject to the enactment of, or changes in, tax laws, regulations and treaties, or the interpretation thereof, tax policy initiatives and reforms under consideration and the practices of tax authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate, including those related to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project, the European Commission’s state aid investigations and other initiatives. Such changes may include (but are not limited to) the taxation of operating income, investment income, dividends received or (in the specific context of withholding tax) dividends paid. We are unable to predict what tax reform may be proposed or enacted in the future or what effect such changes would have on our business. Changes to the rates of taxes imposed on us or our affiliates, or changes to tax legislation, regulations, policies or practices, generally in any of the jurisdictions in which we or our affiliates operate, may adversely impact our financial position and/or performance and overall or effective tax rates in the future in countries where we have operations, reduce post-tax returns to our shareholders, and increase the complexity,
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burden and cost of tax compliance. In addition, an interpretation of relevant taxation laws by a taxation authority that differs to our interpretation may lead to an increase in our taxation liabilities.
General Risk Factors
We are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act and will avail ourselves of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and utilize certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”), and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can utilize the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. However, this transition period is only applicable under U.S. GAAP. As a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required or permitted by the International Accounting Standards Board.
We cannot predict if investors will find our Ordinary shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find the Ordinary shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for the Ordinary shares and the price of the Ordinary shares may be more volatile. We may utilize these exemptions until such time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest to occur of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenue; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we qualify as a “large accelerated filer”; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; and (iv) June 30, 2027.
Requirements associated with being a public company in the United States require significant company resources and management attention.
As a public company, we are subject to certain reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and other rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. We are also subject to various other regulatory requirements, including SOX, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Other applicable securities rules and regulations, such as Australian laws and regulations, also impose various requirements on public companies (including companies listed on the Nasdaq), including establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and corporate governance practices.
The expenses incurred by public companies generally for reporting and corporate governance purposes have been increasing. We have hired or intend to hire additional accounting, finance, compliance and other personnel or engage external consultants in connection with our efforts to comply with the requirements of being a public company and our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time towards maintaining compliance with these requirements. These requirements increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, we expect that the rules and regulations applicable to us as a public company may make it increasingly more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. These laws and regulations could also make it increasingly more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the Board and committees of the Board, or as executive officers.
These rules and regulations are often subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. Furthermore, if we are unable to satisfy our obligations as a public company, we could be subject to delisting of our Ordinary shares, fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation.
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If we fail to implement effective internal controls over financial reporting, such failure could result in material misstatements in our financial statements, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial and other public information and have an adverse effect on the trading price of our Ordinary shares.
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 identify and remediate control deficiencies, or to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations.
We are a public company in the United States subject to SOX. Section 404(a) of SOX (“Section 404”) requires management of public companies to develop and implement internal controls over financial reporting and evaluate the effectiveness thereof. We are required to disclose changes made in our internal controls and procedures and our management is required to assess the effectiveness of these controls annually. This assessment includes disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in its internal controls over financial reporting. However, for as long as we are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of SOX, which would otherwise be applicable beginning with the second annual report following the effectiveness of the registration statement related to our IPO. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls by our registered public accounting could detect past or future problems that our management’s assessment might not. Any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of SOX, or any subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify areas for further attention or improvement. In particular, undetected past or future material weaknesses in our internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require us to incur the expense of remediation and the trading price of the Ordinary shares may be adversely affected. We may also not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 or may not be able to remediate some of the identified deficiencies in time to meet the deadline imposed by SOX for compliance with the requirements of Section 404. For further information, see “Item 15. Controls and Procedures”
The process of designing, implementing and maintaining effective internal controls is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a system of internal controls that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligations as a public company. If we fail to design, implement and maintain effective internal controls and financial reporting procedures, it could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our results of operations and result in material misstatements in our financial statements, impair our ability to raise revenue, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and sanctions and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the business and the trading price of our Ordinary shares. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could result in deficiencies that are deemed material weaknesses, and any such material weaknesses could result in our failure to detect a material misstatement of our annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements or disclosures. Ineffective internal control over financial reporting could also expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations, civil or criminal sanctions and lawsuits. In addition, our internal controls over financial reporting does not prevent or detect all errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected.
There is material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern.
The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 included an explanatory paragraph on Going Concern Uncertainty, expressing management’s assessment and conclusion that there is material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern. As further background, the Group owns mining hardware that is designed specifically to mine Bitcoin and its future success will depend in a large part upon the value of Bitcoin, and any sustained decline in its value could adversely affect the business and results of operations. Specifically, the revenues from Bitcoin mining operations are predominantly based upon two factors: (i) the number of Bitcoin rewards that are successfully mined and (ii) the value of Bitcoin. A decline in the market price of Bitcoin, increases in the difficulty of Bitcoin mining, changes in the regulatory environment, and/or adverse changes in other inherent risks may significantly negatively impact the Group’s operations. Due to the volatility of the Bitcoin price and the effects of the other aforementioned factors, there can be no guarantee that future mining operations will be profitable or the Group will be able to raise capital to meet growth objectives.
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We believe that the inclusion of a going concern explanatory paragraph in the report of our registered public accounting firm will make it more difficult for us to secure additional financing or enter into strategic relationships on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and likely will materially and adversely affect the terms of any financing that we might obtain. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
We do not currently pay any cash dividends on our Ordinary shares, and may not in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, shareholders need to be prepared to rely on capital appreciation, if any, for any return on their investment.
We have never declared nor paid cash dividends on our Ordinary shares and we may not pay any cash dividends on our Ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our Ordinary shares may be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
We are the subject of a putative securities class action, and could become subject to future litigation, including individual and class action lawsuits, as well as investigations and enforcement actions by regulators and governmental authorities.
On December 14, 2022, a putative securities class action complaint naming the Company and certain of its directors and officers was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. An amended complaint in this action was filed on June 6, 2023, also naming as defendants the Company and certain of its directors and officers, as well as the underwriters of the Company’s IPO.
The amended complaint asserts claims under Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act on behalf of a putative class of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired (a) IREN Ordinary shares pursuant and/or traceable to documents issued in connection with the Company’s IPO and/or (b) Iris securities between November 17, 2021 and November 1, 2022, both dates inclusive. It contends that certain statements made by the Company and certain of its officers and directors, including in the Company’s IPO Registration Statement and Prospectus, were allegedly false or misleading and seeks unspecified damages on behalf of the putative class. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on August 4, 2023. Plaintiffs opposed the motion on October 4, 2023. The Company filed a reply brief in further support of the motion on November 17, 2023. The motion is fully briefed and remains pending. Any such litigation could result in substantial costs defending the lawsuit and a diversion of management’s attention and resources and, if we are not successful in defending any such litigation, could result in judgments against us. Any of the foregoing could harm our business and financial condition as well as our reputation.
In addition, we may from time to time in the future become subject to additional claims, arbitrations, individual and class action lawsuits, government and regulatory and regulatory investigations, inquiries, actions or requests, including with respect to employment matters, and other proceedings alleging violations of laws, rules and regulations, both foreign and domestic. The scope, determination and impact of claims, lawsuits, government and regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, disputes and proceedings to which we are subject cannot be predicted with certainty, and may result in:
•substantial payments to satisfy judgments, fines or penalties, or substantial settlement payments;
•substantial external counsel legal fees and other costs;
•additional compliance and licensure requirements;
•loss or non-renewal of existing licenses or authorizations, or prohibition from or delays in obtaining additional licenses or authorizations, required for our business;
•loss of productivity and high demands on employee time;
•criminal sanctions or consent decrees;
•short selling and potential “short and distort” campaigns and other short attacks involving our stock;
•termination of certain employees, including members of our executive team;
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•barring of certain employees from participating in our business in whole or in part;
•orders that restrict or suspend our business or prevent us from offering certain products or services;
•changes to our business model and practices;
•delays and/or interruptions to planned transactions, product launches or improvements; and
•damage to our brand and reputation.
Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, and could cause the market value of our Ordinary shares to decline.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A.History and Development of the Company
Our History
We were originally incorporated under the laws of New South Wales, Australia, on November 6, 2018 as “Iris Energy Pty Ltd” an Australian proprietary company (ACN 629 842 799). On October 7, 2021, we converted into a public company named “Iris Energy Limited” under Australian law. As of February 15, 2024, we commenced doing business as “IREN.”
Our Initial Public Offering
On November 16, 2021, the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No 333-260488) relating to the IPO of our Ordinary shares was declared effective by the SEC. On November 19, 2021, we closed our IPO, pursuant to which we issued and sold 8,269,231 Ordinary shares. Our Ordinary shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on November 17, 2021, under the symbol “IREN.”
Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
The majority of our historical capital expenditures have been directed to building data centers and electrical infrastructure, and acquiring miners. Our capital expenditures during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 were principally for purchasing miners and HPC equipment (including GPUs), and building data centers and electrical infrastructure that we own and operate. Our capital expenditures, including prepayments for mining hardware, were $479.9 million, $119.5 million and $332.2 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at Level 12, 44 Market Street, Sydney, Australia, and our telephone number is +61 2 7906 8301. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., 122 E. 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10168. We maintain a website at https://iren.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or otherwise part of this annual report. Our annual reports on Form 20-F, current reports on Form 6-K, amendments to these reports, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, can be accessed, free of charge, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
B.Business Overview
Our Company
We are a leading owner and operator of next-generation data centers powered by 100% renewable energy (whether from clean or renewable energy sources or through the purchase of RECs). Our data centers are purpose-built for power dense computing applications and currently support a combination of ASICs for Bitcoin mining and GPUs for AI workloads.
Our Bitcoin mining operations generate revenue by earning Bitcoin through a combination of block rewards and transaction fees from the operation of our specialized computers called ASICs (which we refer to as “Bitcoin miners”) and exchanging these Bitcoin for fiat currencies such as USD or CAD.
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We have been mining Bitcoin since 2019. We typically liquidate all the Bitcoin we mine daily and therefore did not have any Bitcoin held on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2024. To date we have utilized Kraken, a U.S.-based digital asset trading platform, to liquidate the Bitcoin we mine. The mining pools that we utilize for the purposes of our Bitcoin mining transfer the Bitcoin that we have mined to Kraken on a daily basis. Such Bitcoin is then exchanged for fiat currency on the Kraken exchange or via its over-the-counter trading desk. We have a backup U.S.-based digital asset trading platform, Coinbase, although we have not utilized Coinbase as of June 30, 2024.
We are also pursuing a strategy to expand and diversify our revenue streams into new markets. Pursuant to that strategy, we are increasing our focus on diversification into HPC solutions, including the provision of AI Cloud Services.
Our Data Centers
We are a vertically integrated business, and currently own and operate our computing hardware (consisting of Bitcoin mining ASICs and AI Cloud Services GPUs) as well as our electrical infrastructure and data centers. We target development of data centers in regions where there are low-cost, abundant and attractive renewable energy sources. We have ownership of our proprietary data centers and electrical infrastructure, including freehold and long-term leasehold land. This provides us with additional security and operational control over our assets. We believe data center ownership also allows our business to benefit from more sustainable cash flows and operational flexibility in comparison with operators that rely upon third-party hosting services or short-term land leases which may be subject to termination rights, profit sharing arrangements and/or potential changes to contractual terms such as pricing. We assess opportunities to utilize our available data center capacity, land or power capacity on an ongoing basis, including via potential third-party hosting and alternative revenue sources. We also focus on grid-connected power access which we believe not only helps facilitate a more reliable, long-term supply of power, but also provides us with the ability to support the energy markets in which we operate (for example, through potential participation in demand response, ancillary services provision and load management in deregulated markets such as Texas).
In January 2020, we acquired our first site in Canal Flats, located in British Columbia, Canada (“BC”), from PodTech Innovation Inc. and certain of its related parties. This site is our first operational site and has been operating since 2019, and, as of June 30, 2024, has approximately 30MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 0.9 EH/s.
In addition, we have constructed data centers at our other BC sites in Mackenzie and Prince George. Our Mackenzie site has been operating since April 2022 and, as of June 30, 2024, has approximately 80MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 2.7 EH/s. Our Prince George site has been operating since September 2022 and, as of June 30, 2024, has approximately 50MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 1.6 EH/s. Our deployment of 816 NVIDIA H100 GPUs are also located at our Prince George site.
Each of our sites in British Columbia are connected to the BC Hydro electricity transmission network and have been 100% powered by renewable energy since commencement of operations (currently approximately 98% sourced from clean or renewable sources, including through hydroelectric sources like wind, solar and biomass, as reported by BC Hydro and approximately 2% accounted for by the purchase of RECs). BC Hydro retains the environmental attributes from the renewable energy they sell us. Our contracts with BC Hydro have an initial term of one year and, unless terminated at the end of the initial term, shall extend until terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement upon six months' notice.
We have commenced operations at our site in Childress (total potential power capacity of 750MW), located in the renewables-heavy Panhandle region of Texas, U.S. Our Childress site has been operating since April 2023 and, as of June 30, 2024, has approximately 100MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 4.8 EH/s. As of June 30, 2024, we have purchased RECs in respect of 100% of our energy consumption through to such date at our Childress site. We are targeting expansion of our data center capacity at Childress to 350MW in 2024, which includes construction of Childress Phase 2 (additional 100MW) and Phase 3 (additional 150MW) which is well underway.
As of June 30, 2024, we have approximately 260MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 10 EH/s across our sites in BC (160MW) and Texas (100MW).
Furthermore, we have announced a new 1,400MW data center development site located in the renewables-heavy West region of Texas, USA. As of June 30, 2024 we have paid $10.5 million of connection deposits and the connection agreement targets an in-service in late 2026.
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Bitcoin Mining
Bitcoin is a scarce digital asset that is created and transmitted through the operation of a peer-to-peer network of computers running the Bitcoin software. The Bitcoin network allows people to exchange digital tokens, called Bitcoin, which are recorded on a publicly distributed digital transaction ledger forming the Bitcoin blockchain, which contains the record of every Bitcoin transaction since the inception of Bitcoin. The Bitcoin network is decentralized, meaning no central authority, bank or financial intermediary is required to create, transmit or determine the value of Bitcoin.
Miners earn Bitcoin by validating and verifying Bitcoin transactions, securing blocks of transactions and adding those blocks to the Bitcoin blockchain by using ASICs to solve a complex cryptographic algorithm known as Secure Hash Algorithm 256 (“SHA-256”). Each unique block can be mined and added to the Bitcoin blockchain by only one miner. Once the miner mines the block, the rest of the network can verify and confirm the block to the blockchain. The successful miner is remunerated with newly minted Bitcoins (known as the “block reward”) and transaction fees. Bitcoin miners will be able to continue earning block rewards through this process until 21 million Bitcoins have been mined, which reflects the total fixed supply limit of Bitcoin. The Bitcoin network’s design regulates supply by only allowing a fixed number of Bitcoin to be mined each year and halving the number of block rewards paid to miners after approximately every four years. As a result of the Bitcoin network’s limitations on mining, it is estimated that the final Bitcoin block reward will occur in 2140, at which time miners will be incentivized to maintain the network solely based on transaction fees. It is currently estimated that approximately 20.6 million Bitcoin will have been mined by the year 2030.
Performance Metrics – Hashrate and Difficulty
In Bitcoin mining, the processing power of a miner is measured by its “hashrate” or “hashes per second.” “Hashrate” is the speed at which a miner can produce computations (“hashes”) using the Bitcoin network’s algorithm, expressed in hashes per second. BTC.com estimates from the network's difficulty that the average hashrate of the entire Bitcoin network was approximately 598.51 EH/s, as of June 30, 2024.
An individual miner, such as our Company, has a hashrate measured across the total number of ASICs it deploys in its Bitcoin mining operations. Generally, a miner’s expected success rate in solving blocks and earning Bitcoin over time is correlated with its total hashrate as a proportion of the global hashrate over the same period.
“Difficulty” is a measure of the relative complexity of the algorithmic solution required for a miner to mine a block and receive Bitcoins from the block reward and transaction fees. An increase in global hashrate will temporarily result in shorter block times as the mining algorithm is solved faster-and vice versa if the global hashrate decreases. The Bitcoin network protocol adjusts the network difficulty every 2,016 blocks (approximately every two weeks) to maintain a target block time of 10 minutes.
Mining Pools
As noted above, while an individual miner’s expected success rate in solving blocks and earning Bitcoin over time is correlated with its total hashrate as a proportion of the total estimated global hashrate, in the short-term, there can be variability in a miner’s actual success rate (and therefore revenue) as the process is probabilistic. As such, miners like us typically aggregate their computing power with others by joining a global “mining pool.” Mining pools generally pay out Bitcoin to participants daily based on a miner’s computing power contribution to the mining pool in return for a fee. This arrangement can reduce revenue variance and certain pools may even reward miners regardless of the number of blocks the pool solves each day (i.e. the pool operator absorbs the daily variances).
As part of our mining operations, we contribute our hashrate to a global mining pool, subject to their terms of service. We currently use Antpool and Foundry as our main mining pool service providers and we are subject to Antpool’s User Service Agreement and Foundry's Pool Terms. There is no prescribed term for services under the User Service Agreement and Antpool reserves the right to limit, change, suspend or terminate all or part of its services to us at any time. Similarly, we also have the right to terminate our use of Antpool’s services at any time. Terms for Foundry services are covered under Foundry's Pool Terms and allow us and Foundry to terminate our use of the pool at any time. In simple terms, Antpool and Foundry calculate and pay us our share of the statistically expected global Bitcoin reward, which is a function of: (a) our actual daily hashrate and (b) global network difficulty (fixed approximately every two weeks and ultimately represents the average global hashrate based on block time for the prior period). Antpool and Foundry pay us Bitcoin daily in arrears for our mathematically calculated share of global block rewards and our share of global transaction fees (net of fees to the pool). The Bitcoin are typically transferred to our exchange account on the same day and exchanged for fiat currencies such as USD or CAD on a daily basis. We may explore opportunities with other mining pools and we believe we have the ability
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to transition or change mining pools without material expense or delay. See “—Daily Exchange of Bitcoin” for further information.
Bitcoin Mining Economics
As of June 30, 2024, a successful Bitcoin miner earns a block reward of 3.125 Bitcoins plus transaction fees for each block added to the blockchain, which occurs approximately every 10 minutes and equates to 52,560 blocks or 164,250 Bitcoins per year, excluding transaction fees. The block reward is programmed to halve to 1.5625 Bitcoins in approximately April 2028.
The economics of Bitcoin mining are predominantly driven by:
•a miner’s proportionate share of the global hashrate;
•the block reward;
•the level of global transaction fees;
•the price of Bitcoin;
•the power consumption / efficiency of mining equipment;
•the reliability / efficiency of data center infrastructure;
•the cost of electricity; and
•other operating expenses, including employee and general and administrative costs.
As noted above, the amount of block rewards paid to miners is on a fixed distribution schedule, resulting in the last block reward payout to occur in approximately 115 years, at which time miners will be incentivized to maintain the network solely based on transaction fees.
Daily Exchange of Bitcoin
Because we typically exchange the Bitcoin we mine for fiat currency on a daily basis, we believe we have limited exposure to fluctuations in the value of Bitcoin with respect to the Bitcoin that we mine once we have mined such Bitcoin. In addition, we typically withdraw fiat currency proceeds from Kraken on a daily basis utilizing Etana Custody, a third-party custodian, to facilitate the transfer of such proceeds to one or more of our banks or other financial institutions. As a result, we have only limited amounts of Bitcoin and fiat currency with Kraken and Etana Custody at any time, and accordingly we believe we have limited exposure to potential risks related to excessive redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies from, or suspension of redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies from, Kraken, Etana Custody or any other digital asset trading platform or custodian we may use in the future for purposes of liquidating the Bitcoin we mine on a daily basis. However, if Kraken, Etana Custody or any such other digital asset trading platform or custodian suffers excessive redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies, or suspends redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies, as applicable, any Bitcoin we have transferred to such platform that has not yet been exchanged for fiat currency, as well as any fiat currency that we have not yet withdrawn, as applicable, would be at risk.
In addition, if any such event were to occur with respect to Kraken, Etana Custody or any such other digital asset trading platform or custodian we utilize to liquidate the Bitcoin we mine, we may be required to, or may otherwise determine it is appropriate to, switch to an alternative digital asset trading platform and/or custodian, as applicable. We do not currently use any other digital asset trading platforms or custodians to liquidate the Bitcoin we mine. While we expect to continue to utilize Kraken and Etana Custody, there are numerous alternative digital asset trading platforms that operate exchanges and/or over-the-counter trading desks with similar functionality to Kraken, and there are also several alternative funds transfer arrangements for facilitating the transfer of fiat currency proceeds from Kraken either with or without the use of a third-party custodian. We have onboarded Coinbase as an alternative digital asset trading platform to liquidate Bitcoin that we mine, although we have not utilized the Coinbase platform as of June 30, 2024. We may explore opportunities with other alternative digital asset trading platforms, over-the-counter trading desks and custodians, and believe we have the ability to switch to Coinbase or alternative digital asset trading platforms and/or funds transfer arrangements to liquidate Bitcoin we mine and transfer the fiat currency proceeds without material expense or delay.
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As a result, we do not believe our business is substantially dependent on the Kraken digital asset trading platform or Etana Custody third-party custodian services.
However, digital asset trading platforms and third-party custodians, including Kraken and Etana Custody, are subject to a number of risks outside our control which could impact our business. In particular, during any intervening period in which we are switching digital asset trading platforms and/or third-party custodians, we could be exposed to credit risk with respect to any Bitcoin or fiat currency held by them. In addition, we could be exposed to fluctuations in the value of Bitcoin with respect to the Bitcoin that we mine during such period or that was previously mined but has not yet been exchanged for fiat currency. See “—Disruptions at over-the-counter (“OTC”) trading desks and potential consequences of an OTC trading desk’s failure could adversely affect our business. We may be required to, or may otherwise determine it is appropriate to, switch to an alternative digital asset trading platform and/or custodian,” “—Digital asset trading platforms for Bitcoin may be subject to varying levels of regulation, which exposes our digital asset holdings to risks” and “—We may temporarily store our Bitcoin on digital asset trading platforms which could subject our Bitcoin to the risk of loss or access” under “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors” for further information.
HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services)
For our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), we install specialized servers containing GPUs and other ancillary equipment (primarily networking infrastructure) in our data center facilities. Once installed, we aim to market and sell the computing power from such GPUs to customers, providing them with remote access to the GPUs. Our customers utilize such computing power primarily for AI/ML purposes.
Our goal is to maximize utilization of our HPC capacity by customers. We aim to enter into contracts for our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) once the relevant GPUs are installed and operational, and if any such computing power becomes available upon expiration of a customer contract or otherwise. However, we may experience delays in entering into new contracts or renewing or extending contracts with respect to any HPC capacity that becomes available from time to time, and utilization of that computing power may fluctuate based on demand over time.
In August 2023 we announced the purchase of 248 NVIDIA H100 GPUs to target generative AI. In February 2024, we announced a three-month GPU cloud service agreement with Poolside SAS AI (the "Poolside Agreement") to utilize those GPUs along with the further purchase of 568 NVIDIA H100 GPUs to service potential customer demand. In April 2024, we announced the upsize of the Poolside Agreement from 248 to 504 NVIDIA H100 GPUs and an extension of the Poolside Agreement for an additional four month term commencing in April 2024, which was then further extended until August 30, 2024. As of July 31, 2024, our GPU fleet comprises 816 NVIDIA H100 GPUs, which have serviced multiple customers.
We are continuing to develop our HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) products and services to further expand and diversify our customer relationships and revenue streams.
Our Business Strengths
Vertical integration – Long-term security over infrastructure, land and power supply
We currently have ownership of our computing hardware for Bitcoin mining and HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) (i.e. ASICs and GPUs, respectively), as well as our electrical infrastructure and proprietary data centers, including freehold and long-term leasehold land. We believe this provides us with more security and operational control over our assets.
We believe data center ownership also allows our business to benefit from more sustainable cash flows in comparison with operators that rely upon third-party hosting services or short-term land leases which may be subject to termination rights, profit sharing arrangements and/or potential changes to contractual terms such as pricing. We assess opportunities to utilize our available data center capacity, land or power capacity on an ongoing basis, including through potential third party hosting and alternative revenue sources, including asset sales, joint ventures or other arrangements.
We also focus on grid-connected power access which we believe not only helps facilitate a more reliable, long-term supply of power, but also provides us with the ability to support the energy markets in which we operate (for example, through potential participation in demand response, ancillary services provision and load management in deregulated markets such as Texas).
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We have secured sites with access to land and power supply, which we believe positions us to take advantage of any growth in power demand for data centers, which is expected to grow rapidly in the upcoming years.
Vertical integration – Operations and maintenance
We believe it is important to retain control and operational oversight of our data centers, rather than outsourcing to a third-party provider who may not be aligned to our objectives.
As both the owner and operator of our hardware and data centers, we are directly incentivized to optimize each component of our value chain. Learnings and efficiency gains can then be applied across our entire portfolio.
In addition, we believe that we are able to identify and respond to operational issues in a more efficient and timely manner than would be the case under an outsourced hosted model. We believe this allows us to maximize operating performance as well as hardware life.
While outsourcing data centers and operations and maintenance to third parties may result in near-term returns and scale, short-term contractual arrangements may result in increased counterparty risk (for example, potential non-performance, delays and disputes) and renewal risk.
Leading efficiency – Proprietary data centers
We are building data centers that are purpose-built for power dense computing applications which currently support a combination of ASICs for Bitcoin mining and GPUs for AI workloads at our Prince George data center. We continue to refine our data center design through research and development efforts to further optimize the operational environment and efficiencies, including targeting stable performance during high and low temperature periods, as well as the life of our hardware and our strategy to expand and diversify our revenue sources into new markets (including HPC solutions).
We believe our data centers may provide operational advantages compared to less efficient airflow, cooling and re-heating designs that may be limited in certain modified shipping container or retrofitted warehouses designs.
Seasoned management team with experience in data center and infrastructure development
We believe we are well-positioned to execute our strategy. The Board and management team have an extensive and established track record in financing, developing, building, operating, maintaining and managing large-scale greenfield and brownfield renewable energy projects, data center development and associated grid connections across North America, Western Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Additionally, we have been mining Bitcoin since 2019 and have good relationships with leading Bitcoin mining hardware suppliers, including Bitmain, as well as utility companies such as BC Hydro and AEP Texas.
Our team also has prior experience in the traditional data center and IT managed solutions industries, and we have good relationships with leading HPC hardware providers including Dell Technologies Inc., among others.
Established renewable energy and community strategy
We are focused on locating our operations in areas with low-cost and excess renewable energy. For example, our current operations in BC are connected to the BC Hydro network and have been 100% powered by renewable energy since commencement of operations (currently approximately 98% of electricity used is sourced from clean or renewable sources, including through hydroelectricity facilities and other sources like wind, solar and biomass, as reported by BC Hydro and approximately 2% accounted for by the purchase of RECs). Furthermore, our Childress site is located in the Panhandle region of Texas, which has significant capacity of operating renewable energy generation, and we have purchased RECs in respect of 100% of our energy consumption through to June 30, 2024 at our Childress site.
By targeting regions with existing and excess renewable energy supply, we also aim to help address potential social and public policy risks. We believe it is important to support the local communities in which we operate. Our strategy is based upon entering markets that have a high penetration of renewables and where our operations can help provide benefits to the local energy markets and communities and establish a social license in the regions in which we operate. See “—Strategically targeted energy markets” and “—Regional and community strategy” for more information.
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Non-HODL Strategy
“HODL” is a term used in the digital assets market which refers to an investment strategy whereby, following the original acquisition of a digital asset, the investor continues to hold the digital asset regardless of movements in the price of that digital asset. To date, we have adopted a “non-HODL” strategy pursuant to which we generally liquidate mining rewards on a daily basis (i.e., generally within the same day that we receive the relevant mining rewards), and we have done so since we started mining Bitcoin in 2019 (including when Bitcoin hit an all-time high of approximately $74,000 in March 2024). We currently expect that we will generally continue to liquidate our Bitcoin mined on a daily basis, however this may change in future.
The rationale behind our current non-HODL strategy include:
•providing a degree of risk mitigation during periods of Bitcoin price decline, for example, by potentially providing for higher average realized sale prices per Bitcoin during a period of declining Bitcoin prices; and
•providing a source of funding for capital and operating expenditures by reinvesting proceeds from liquidating Bitcoin mined.
Geographical diversification
We believe that it is prudent to own and operate facilities across multiple jurisdictions to help mitigate against risks such as regulatory risks, political risks, market risks, counterparty risks, climate change and weather-related events. Accordingly, our current operations and potential pipeline span across Canada, the U.S. and Asia-Pacific.
We believe that a portfolio of global projects helps reduce exposure to individual transmission networks, specific regional energy markets and single jurisdictions, and helps deliver a more durable and resilient business over the long-term.
Strategically targeted energy markets
Regulated markets
Our overall energy market strategy is to enter markets where we believe we can provide benefits to the local energy markets and communities. In the case of regulated energy markets (such as BC), we look for regions where the power market may be in structural renewable energy oversupply, for example, excess renewable energy capacity still being built and/or declining industrial and manufacturing demand.
Declining demand and increasing supply in a regulated market means that the regulatory pricing model may have to contemplate raising power prices in order to deliver the required return to the regulated utility provider.
Without new load entering these markets and providing an additional revenue line to the utility, there may be a risk that power prices paid by incumbent users rise. This then potentially creates a negative spiral where some power users are unable to pay their higher power bill and need to close down. This, in turn, may lead to even more pricing increases which then impacts on another group of power users who can no longer afford the higher power prices.
In this context, we believe that introducing our incremental load to regulated oversupplied renewable energy markets may offer a substantial benefit through bringing additional revenue to the market (helping to support lower power prices for broader energy market participants per the above).
Deregulated markets
We believe many Western deregulated energy markets have been affected by a variety of events over the past two decades, including:
•Dislocation between load and generation centers:
•new intermittent renewable generation often located in regional areas with strong wind and solar resource; whereas
•load growth is often concentrated in urban areas which are far away from new generation.
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•Increasing supply of power:
•substantial build out of intermittent renewables, often driven by government policy in the absence of a market-based price signal; and/or
•renewable energy projects face frequent network congestion and curtailment.
We believe these market dynamics have created substantial volatility in power prices in some markets where those markets can swing quickly from oversupply to undersupply. In addition, without the system flexibility issue being solved (i.e. load supporting a network of intermittent generation), legacy fossil fuel generators may not be able to be retired in the near-term.
We target these volatile markets where, through introducing new, flexible load, our proprietary data centers are able to utilize low-cost power during periods of oversupply (for example, excess intermittent renewable energy) and then reduce energy consumption during certain high price time periods when the market is in undersupply (for example, solar/wind output is insufficient or during an extreme weather event).
Cost of electricity
We purchase our electricity for our operations in British Columbia pursuant to a regulated tariff which is subject to adjustment annually. On April 21, 2023, as part of BC Hydro’s electricity rate review, the British Columbia Utilities Commission released an order approving, for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2023: (i) an increase in the regulated variable rate by 0.97% and (ii) setting of the Deferral Account Rate Rider (effectively a discount applicable to a user’s electricity costs) at 1% (previously at 2%). As at June 30, 2024, after applying the Deferral Account Rate Rider of 1%, the applicable variable rate was $0.038 per kWh along with a standing monthly charge (based on peak electricity demand for each billing period) of $6.43 per kVA. Prior to the electricity rate review on April 21, 2023, the applicable variable rate was $0.037 per kWh and the applicable standing monthly charge was $6.31 per kVA. In September 2023, we were notified by BC Hydro of a further 0.17% increase to its rates for the April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 period (to be applied retroactively) as well as a further 0.20% increase to its rates for the April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 period. In February 2024, BC Hydro announced an electricity affordability credit that is applicable to our operations in British Columbia. The electricity affordability credit may result in electricity cost savings in the 12 month period starting from April 15, 2024.
At our Childress operation in Texas, the electricity market is deregulated and operates through a competitive wholesale market, which is subject to many factors, including fluctuations in commodity and energy prices. We seek to reduce wholesale price volatility by purchasing electricity derivatives whereby the Childress project pays a fixed price for the wholesale price component of our electricity costs for the tenor of the derivative. If our load at Childress is lower than the derivative volume for any period, the unused volume is sold into the market at the wholesale price. We are not locked into any specific hedging arrangements long-term and are considering alternative power procurement strategies at Childress to optimize our power costs, including using the ERCOT spot market. We have also implemented power cost optimization initiatives which enable the transition between Bitcoin mining and energy trading to optimize profitability, and have the ability to participate in demand response, ERCOT ancillary services programs and four coincident peak (“4CP”) management within the ERCOT market. In August 2024 we closed out existing hedging arrangements for August and September 2024 at a cost of $7.2 million, and from August 2024 we expect to participate in the ERCOT wholesale spot energy market at our Childress operation in Texas.
Regional and community strategy
Our strategy is based upon entering markets that have a high penetration of renewables and where our operations can help provide benefits to the local energy markets and communities.
Establishing a social license in the regions in which we operate is a core focus. For example, we believe we may help stimulate economic activity and employment in regional communities which have been impacted by the decline in traditional industries, such as manufacturing and industrial operations, while helping to position these regions at the forefront of emerging technology-related growth sectors to help provide economic diversification.
We provide funding for local community recreational infrastructure, volunteer groups and non-profit organizations. IREN is committed to working with and supporting the communities in which we operate. We also look to partner with and support local First Nations and Indigenous communities where we operate.
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Recent initiatives include:
•announced the launch of the Community Grants Program for Prince George, BC according to which over C$62,000 was granted to local initiatives including Lheidli T'enneh Nation, Scouts Canada, Spinal Cord Injury, BC, and Prince George Recycling & Environmental Action Planning Society;
•continuation of the Community Grants Program in Mackenzie and Childress (with up to C$100,000, per year of grant funding for each community), providing funding for local initiatives that benefit the communities in the areas of community participation, sustainability, safety, technology and learning; and
•sharing of the C$1.1 million funding requirement with the District of Mackenzie (IREN contributed C$550,000) to bring additional high speed fiber-optic connectivity to the town.
Our Growth Strategies
Expand our Bitcoin mining operations and data center capacity
Our current focus is on expanding our installed hashrate capacity to 30 EH/s, with growth optionality to 50 EH/s. We believe these goals are supported by the construction at Childress and expansion of our mining fleet (including exercise of miner purchase options under existing hardware purchase contracts).
Decisions with respect to the Childress expansion and exercising all, some or none of the miner purchase options will be made during 2024 and 2025, taking into consideration market conditions, shareholder value and funding availability.
We believe we have the ability to further grow our data center capacity at our Childress site up to the total potential site capacity of 750MW in the future.
Our business strategy remains focused on continuing to expand our self-mining capacity by further growing our available data center capacity and acquiring additional miners as described under “Recent Developments – Hardware Purchases”.
Furthermore, we have announced a new 1,400MW data center development site located in the renewables-heavy West region of Texas, USA. As of June 30, 2024 we have paid $10.5 million of connection deposits and the connection agreement targets an in-service in late 2026.
Expanding and diversifying our revenue streams into new markets, including by continuing to focus on developing and offering HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services)
We continue to explore a strategy to expand and diversify our revenue streams into new markets. Pursuant to that strategy, we are increasing our focus on diversification into HPC solutions, including the provision of AI Cloud Services. For our HPC solutions business we currently have 816 NVIDIA H100 GPUs operating at our Prince George site. We remain focused on leveraging our existing infrastructure and expertise to further expand our HPC solutions business.
In August 2023, we entered into a purchase agreement with Dell Canada Inc. for 248 NVIDIA H100 GPUs for a total purchase price of approximately $10 million, which have been deployed at our Prince George site. In February 2024, we entered into a further purchase agreement with Dell Canada Inc. for 568 NVIDIA H100 GPUs for a total purchase price of approximately $22 million. We recently procured a small cluster of GPUs which we expect will be installed at the Childress site for testing in the second half of 2024.
Add new sites with attractive energy arrangements
We continue to explore additional sites to build our global platform, both within our existing markets and in new markets where we believe we can obtain attractive energy arrangements and provide benefits to the local energy markets and communities. In addition to our four operating sites (three in BC, Canada and one in Childress, Texas) and our development site in the West region of Texas, we have conditional and unconditional rights to a number of additional sites across Canada, the U.S. and Asia-Pacific, over which we are currently pursuing development activities and which have the potential to support up to an additional 1GW or more of aggregate data center capacity capable of powering growth beyond our 2,310MW of announced potential power capacity. However, there can be no assurance that we will ultimately develop all or any of such additional sites.
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Own, develop and operate renewable generation and energy storage
We believe there is potential opportunity in the future to build and operate our own renewable generation and energy storage assets to lower our overall cost of power, generate additional revenue streams and support energy markets. We believe we are well-positioned to pursue this potential opportunity given our management team’s substantial and proven track record in financing, developing, building and managing large-scale greenfield and brownfield renewable energy projects and associated grid connections.
Consider pursuing strategic acquisitions and other value enhancing opportunities
We may strategically assess acquisition opportunities where we believe such transactions can accelerate our strategic roadmap through horizontal or vertical integration, expanding capacity, or gaining intellectual property that may help strengthen our competitive advantage.
In addition, we may from time to time, seek to dispose of, or monetize, assets where we believe we can receive value from any such disposition, or monetization, that is accretive to the business. For example, in July 2024 we announced that we are exploring potential monetization opportunities for our broader power and land portfolio, including asset sales, colocation deals, joint ventures, build-to-suit data centers, and acquiring additional GPUs to expand our HPC capabilities. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in completing any such transaction, including because there may not be buyers willing to enter into a transaction, we may not receive sufficient consideration for the relevant businesses or assets or the process of selling such businesses or assets may take too long. These transactions, if completed, may reduce the size of our business and we may not be able to replace the volume associated with the business.
Hardware Purchase Contracts
As we continue to build our Bitcoin mining business and our HPC solutions business, we have entered into new hardware purchase contracts with Bitmain Technologies Delaware Limited for miners and Dell Canada Inc. and Insight Direct Inc. for GPUs. As of June 30, 2024, we had installed a total of 10 EH/s of miners and 816 GPUs. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Hardware Purchase Contracts” for more detail on the terms of these contracts.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.
The lender to Non-Recourse SPV 2 and Non-Recourse SPV 3 has taken steps to enforce the indebtedness and its asserted rights in the collateral securing such limited recourse facilities (including the approximately 3.6 EH/s of miners securing such facilities and other assets of such Non-Recourse SPVs), and appointed, PricewaterhouseCoopers as Receiver, to the Facilities of Non-Recourse SPV 2 and Non-Recourse SPV 3 on February 3, 2023. On June 28, 2023, the Receiver filed an assignment in bankruptcy on behalf of such Non-Recourse SPVs and was appointed as trustee of the Non-Recourse SPVs’ estates, and this appointment was affirmed at the meeting of creditors held on July 18, 2023. The receivership and bankruptcy proceedings are ongoing.
On May 9, 2023, NYDIG filed an application with the Trial Court (the Supreme Court of British Columbia) seeking, among other things, declarations to the effect that any difference between revenue generated by the Non-Recourse SPVs through the provision of hashpower services to Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and Bitcoin mined by Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is collateral securing the Facilities, as well as substantive consolidation of certain Group entities and claims of fraudulent conveyance and oppression. A hearing was held in the Trial Court on June 13 to 15, 2023 in respect of (i) the Receiver’s application dated June 9, 2023 for the approval of a sale solicitation process for the miners comprising collateral under the Facilities and authorization to assign the Non-Recourse SPVs into bankruptcy, which was subsequently granted, and (ii) NYDIG’s application for, among other things, declarations to the effect that the lender’s collateral included any difference between the revenue generated by the applicable Non-Recourse SPV through the provision of hashpower services to Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and the Bitcoin mined by Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) using such hashpower services, as well as claims that the assets and liabilities of such Non-Recourse SPVs are substantially consolidated with the assets and liabilities of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and certain of its other affiliates. The Receiver advised the Trial Court that it was taking no position with respect to NYDIG’s application.
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On August 10, 2023, the Trial Court issued a ruling affirming the Company’s position that, among other things, the Bitcoin mined by the Company is not collateral securing such facilities and there is no parent guarantee with respect to the equipment financing facilities, and no relief in respect of substantive consolidation was granted. However, the Trial Court declared transactions pursuant to hashpower services provided by the relevant Non-Recourse SPVs to Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) to be void as fraudulent conveyances. The Trial Court dismissed NYDIG's oppression remedy claim but did not give reasons for doing so. The Company disagreed with the decision and certain factual findings and filed a notice to appeal with the Court of Appeal on August 21, 2023. NYDIG filed a cross-appeal on January 30, 2024, in respect of the Trial Court's orders dismissing the substantive consolidation and oppression claims.
A hearing was held before the Court of Appeal on March 12, 2024, regarding the notice of appeal filed August 21, 2023, and NYDIG's notice of cross-appeal filed January 30, 2024. The Court of Appeal released its judgment in respect of the appeal on June 27, 2024. The appeal was allowed and the Trial Court’s declaration of fraudulent conveyances was set aside. The Court of Appeal allowed the cross-appeal in part, and remitted the oppression relief to the Trial Court. The Court of Appeal upheld the Trial Court’s dismissal in respect of substantive consolidation.
On December 14, 2022, a putative securities class action complaint naming the Company and certain of its directors and officers was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. An amended complaint in this action was filed on June 6, 2023, also naming as defendants the Company and certain of its directors and officers, as well as the underwriters of the Company’s IPO.
The amended complaint asserts claims under Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act on behalf of a putative class of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired (a) IREN Ordinary shares pursuant and/or traceable to documents issued in connection with the Company’s IPO and/or (b) Iris securities between November 17, 2021 and November 1, 2022, both dates inclusive. It contends that certain statements made by the Company and certain of its officers and directors, including in the Company’s IPO Registration Statement and Prospectus, were allegedly false or misleading and seeks unspecified damages on behalf of the putative class. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on August 4, 2023. Plaintiffs opposed the motion on October 4, 2023. The Company filed a reply brief in further support of the motion on November 17, 2023. The motion is fully briefed and remains pending.
See “Risk Factors—General Risk Factors—We are the subject of a putative securities class action, and could become subject to future litigation, including individual and class action lawsuits, as well as investigations and enforcement actions by regulators and governmental authorities” and Notes 17 and 28 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for further discussion.
Competition
Competition in the Bitcoin Mining Business
Bitcoin mining operators can range from individual enthusiasts to professional mining operations with dedicated data centers, and miners may organize themselves in mining pools. We compete with other companies that focus all or a portion of their activities on Bitcoin mining activities. At present, information concerning the activities of many of these enterprises is not readily available as most of the participants in this sector do not publish information publicly or the information may be unreliable. Published sources of information relating to mining pools can be found on “Blockchain.com”; however, the reliability of that information and its continued availability cannot be assured.
Several public companies (traded in the U.S. and internationally) compete with us, including:
•Bitfarms Ltd.;
•Cipher Mining Inc.;
•CleanSpark, Inc.;
•Core Scientific Inc.;
•Hut 8 Mining Corp.;
•Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.;
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•Riot Platforms, Inc.; and
•TeraWulf Inc.
The Bitcoin mining industry is a highly competitive and evolving industry and new competitors, or emerging technologies could enter the market and affect our competitiveness in the future.
Competition in the HPC solutions industry
The HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) industry is rapidly evolving industry and new competitors or incumbent traditional data center operators and cloud services providers could enter the market and affect our competitiveness in any HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) we offer.
Several companies compete in this industry, including:
•Amazon Web Services;
•Microsoft Azure:
•Google Cloud;
•Oracle Cloud;
•CoreWeave;
•FluidStack Ltd;
•Lambda Inc.;
•Applied Digital Corporation; and
•Crusoe Cloud.
There is also the potential for other Bitcoin and digital asset mining companies to diversify into the HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) segment.
Employees and Human Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2024, we employ 31 employees in Australia in a corporate head office capacity, and 81 employees in Canada and 32 employees in the United States focused on developing our infrastructure and general operations and corporate support. We also leverage external service providers to support our operations. None of our employees are represented by labor unions, and we believe we have an excellent relationship with our employees.
We believe that an engaged, diverse, and inclusive culture is essential for the success of our business, and we consider our employees to be the foundation for our growth and success. As such, our future success depends in large part on our ability to attract, train, retain and motivate qualified personnel. The growth and development of our workforce is an integral part of our success. We are also committed to developing and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion and know that a company’s ultimate success is directly linked to its ability to identify and hire talented individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives.
For further detail see the section titled “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees.”
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At IREN, we believe that diversity of thought is a key factor to achieving innovation and success in our industry. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, where diverse perspectives and experiences thrive.
We are proud of the gender diversity that has organically formed throughout our Company. As of June 30, 2024, 24% of our workforce consists of talented and skilled women who play integral roles in our operations, construction, and corporate functions. In total, 29% of our leadership positions are filled by women, including key roles such as Chief Legal
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Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Site Manager and Operations Manager positions. We are committed to further increasing diversity within our workforce and creating an environment where everybody is empowered to excel.
To demonstrate our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we:
•leverage inclusive recruitment practices that attract talent from diverse backgrounds;
•invest in the professional growth of our employees, promoting access to learning and career development opportunities; and
•actively engage with the communities where we operate, supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity and education including partnering with schools and training authorities to develop training programs for the local workforce.
Government Regulation
U.S. Regulation
The laws and regulations applicable to digital assets 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 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, CFTC, SEC, FINRA, the CFPB, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve and state financial institution and securities regulators) have been examining the operations of digital asset networks, digital asset users and digital assets exchange markets, with particular focus on the extent to which digital assets can be used to launder the proceeds of illegal activities or fund criminal or terrorist enterprises and the safety and soundness of digital asset trading platforms or other service providers that hold custody of digital assets for users. Many of these state and federal agencies have issued consumer advisories regarding the risks posed by digital assets to investors. President Biden’s March 9, 2022 Executive Order, asserting that technological advances and the rapid growth of the digital asset markets “necessitate an evaluation and alignment of the United States Government approach to digital assets,” signals an ongoing focus on digital asset policy and regulation in the United States. A number of reports issued pursuant to the Executive Order have focused on various risks related to the digital asset ecosystem, and have recommended additional legislation and regulatory oversight. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Any electricity outage, limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressures or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors— Risks Related to Regulations and Regulatory Frameworks—Bitcoin mining and HPC activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and operations, in particular, to locations with renewable sources of power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to Bitcoin miners or HPC operators, including us, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally.”
In addition, federal and state agencies, and other countries and international bodies have issued rules or guidance about the treatment of digital asset transactions or requirements for businesses engaged in digital asset activity. Moreover, the failure of FTX in November 2022 and the resulting market turmoil substantially increased regulatory scrutiny in the United States and globally and led to SEC and criminal investigations, enforcement actions and other regulatory activity across the digital asset ecosystem.
Depending on the regulatory characterization of the digital assets we mine, the markets for those digital assets in general, and our activities in particular, our business and digital assets operations may be subject to one or more regulators in the United States and globally. The SEC, U.S. state securities regulators and several foreign governments have issued warnings and instituted legal proceedings in which they argue that certain digital assets may be classified as securities and that both those digital assets and any related initial coin offerings or other primary and secondary market transactions are subject to securities regulations. For example, in June 2023, the SEC brought charges against Binance and Coinbase, and in November 2023, the SEC brought charges against Kraken, alleging that they operated unregistered securities exchanges, brokerages and clearing agencies. In its complaints, the SEC asserted that several digital assets are securities under the federal securities laws. The outcomes of these proceedings, as well as ongoing and future regulatory actions, have had a material adverse effect on the digital asset industry as a whole and on the price of Bitcoin. Additionally, U.S. state and federal, and foreign regulators and legislatures have taken action against businesses engaged in digital asset activities or
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enacted restrictive regimes in response to adverse publicity arising from hacks, consumer harm, or criminal activity stemming from digital asset activity.
In August 2021, the chair of the SEC stated that he believed investors using digital asset trading platforms are not adequately protected, and that activities on the platforms can implicate the securities laws, commodities laws and banking laws, raising a number of issues related to protecting investors and consumers, guarding against illicit activity, and ensuring financial stability. The chair expressed a need for the SEC to have additional authorities to prevent transactions, products, and platforms from “falling between regulatory cracks,” as well as for more resources to protect investors in “this growing and volatile sector.” The chair called for federal legislation centering on digital asset trading, lending, and decentralized finance platforms, seeking “additional plenary authority” to write rules for digital asset trading and lending. At the same time, the chair has also stated that the SEC has authority under existing laws to regulate the digital asset sector and several enforcement actions were filed against digital asset trading platforms during the first half of 2023.
The SEC has also recently proposed amendments to the custody rules under Rule 406(4)-2 of the Investment Advisers Act. The proposed rule changes would amend the definition of a “qualified custodian” under Rule 206(4)-2(d)(6) and expand the current custody rule under Rule 406(4)-2 to cover digital assets and related advisory activities. If enacted as proposed, these rules would likely impose additional regulatory requirements with respect to the custody and storage of digital assets and could lead to additional regulatory oversight of the digital asset ecosystem more broadly. Ongoing and future regulatory actions may alter, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the nature of digital assets markets and our digital assets operations.
There is also increasing attention being paid by U.S. federal and state 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 or discussing legislation to address the impact of cryptocurrency-mining in their respective states.
According to the CFTC, at least some digital assets, including Bitcoin, fall within the definition of a “commodity” under the CEA. Under the CEA, the CFTC has broad enforcement authority to police market manipulation and fraud in spot digital assets markets in which we may transact. Beyond instances of fraud or manipulation, the CFTC generally does not oversee cash or spot market exchanges or transactions involving digital asset commodities that do not utilize margin, leverage, or financing. The NFA is the self-regulatory agency for the U.S. futures industry, and as such has jurisdiction over Bitcoin futures contracts and certain other digital assets derivatives. However, the NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority for the cash or spot market for digital asset commodities trading or transactions. In addition, CFTC regulations and CFTC oversight and enforcement authority apply with respect to futures, swaps, other derivative products and certain retail leveraged commodity transactions involving digital asset commodities, including the markets on which these products trade.
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. Under this guidance, an entity conducting “money transmission services” related to Bitcoin would constitute money transmission services for “virtual currency” or “convertible virtual currencies” and thus may be deemed a “money services business” that would be subject to the BSA and its implementing regulations. 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 mining activities 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 register at the federal level and comply with laws that may include the implementation of anti-money laundering programs, reporting and recordkeeping regimes and other operational requirements. In such an event, to the extent we decide to proceed with some or all of our operations, the required registration and regulatory compliance steps may result in extraordinary, non-recurring expenses to us, as well as on-going recurring compliance costs, possibly affecting an investment in the Ordinary shares, operating results or financial condition in a material and adverse manner. Failure to comply with these requirements may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruptions in our operations that could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
States such as Californian and Louisiana, and state financial regulators such as the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) have also implemented licensure regimes, or repurposed pre-existing fiat money transmission licensure regimes, for the supervision, examination and regulation of companies that engage in certain digital assets activities. The NYDFS requires that businesses apply for and receive a license, known as the “BitLicense,” to participate in a “virtual currency business activity” in New York or with New York customers, and prohibits any person or
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entity involved in such activity from conducting activities without a license. Subject to certain exemptions, virtual currency business activity includes virtual currency transmission, storing, holding, maintaining custody, buying or selling as a customer business or controlling, administering or issuing virtual currency. Also, in June 2022, the New York State legislature passed a two-year moratorium on new or renewed permits for certain electricity-generating facilities that use fossil fuel and provide energy for proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining operations, which was still in effect as of June 30, 2024. Louisiana also has enacted a licensure regime for companies engaging in a “virtual currency business activity,” and other states are considering proposed laws to establish licensure regimes for certain digital assets businesses as well. In October 2023, California enacted the Digital Financial Assets Law (“DFAL”). Starting July 1, 2025, DFAL will prohibit any person or entity engaging in digital financial asset business activity or holding itself out as being engaged in digital financial asset business activity, with or on behalf of a resident of California (including businesses with a place of business in California), unless that person or entity either (i) holds a license under the DFAL, (ii) has submitted an application for such license on or before July 1, 2025 and is awaiting approval or denial of that application, or (iii) is exempt from licensure. Once licensed, the licensee must comply with requirements related to record maintenance, fee and risk disclosures, cybersecurity, customer protection, and anti-fraud and anti-money laundering. Subject to certain exemptions, digital financial asset business activities under the DFAL include: exchanging, transferring, or storing a digital financial asset; holding electronic precious metals or electronic certificates representing interests in precious metals on behalf of another person or issuing shares or electronic certificates representing interests in precious metals; and exchanging one or more digital representations of value within certain online gaming systems. “Digital financial assets” are defined by the DFAL as any “digital representation of value that is used as a medium of exchange, unit of account, or store of value, and that is not legal tender, whether or not denominated in legal tender,” but that does not include (i) a transaction in which a merchant grants, as part of an affinity or rewards program, value that cannot be taken from or exchanged with the merchant for legal tender, bank or credit union credit, or a digital financial asset, (ii) a digital representation of value issued by or on behalf of a publisher and used solely within an online game, game platform, or family of games sold by the same publisher or offered on the same game platform, or (iii) a security registered with or exempt from registration with the SEC or a security qualified with or exempt from qualifications with the department.
Some state legislatures have amended their money transmitter statutes to require businesses engaging in certain digital assets activities to seek licensure as a money transmitter, and some state financial regulators have issued guidance applying existing money transmitter licensure requirements to certain digital assets businesses. Some state money transmitter statutes define money (or the applicable defined term under the relevant money transmitter statute) as including legal tender in the U.S. or abroad, which would include Bitcoin. The Conference of State Bank Supervisors also has proposed a model statute for state level digital assets regulation. Although we believe that our mining activities do not presently trigger these state licensing requirements in any state in which we operate or plan to operate, if our activities cause us to be deemed a “money transmitter,” “money services business” or equivalent designation under the law of any state in which we operate or plan to operate, we may be required to seek a license or register at the state level and comply with laws that may include the implementation of anti-money laundering programs, reporting and recordkeeping regimes, consumer protective safeguards and other operational requirements. In such an event, to the extent we decide to proceed with some or all of our operations, the required registrations, licensure and regulatory compliance steps may result in extraordinary, non-recurring expenses to us, as well as on-going recurring compliance costs, possibly affecting an investment in our Ordinary shares or our net income in a material and adverse manner. Failure to comply with these requirements may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruptions in our operations that could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
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.
Regulation Outside the U.S.
In Europe, at an EU level and in a number of EU member states (as well as the UK), other than in respect of anti-money laundering (as discussed below), digital assets taking the form of assets designed for the exchange of value (such as Bitcoin) generally remain outside of the financial services regulatory perimeter. Nonetheless, the regulatory treatment of any particular digital assets is highly fact specific. However, the adoption of the “Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation” (also known as MiCA) will have a significant impact on firms engaging in digital asset related businesses in the EU. MiCA, which entered into force on 29 June 2023, establishes a harmonized pan-EU regulatory regime for crypto-assets. While a small number of crypto-assets are already subject to existing financial services legislation, such as security tokens that qualify as financial instruments under the recast Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, MiCA applies to unregulated crypto-assets (for example, Bitcoin and Ether) as well as asset-referencing tokens. Many of the operative provisions of MiCA take effect in 2024. Issuers of certain types of tokens and crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) will need to comply with the detailed requirements of MiCA, which in relation to CASPs means applying for authorization
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from their home member state regulatory authority. MiCA does not extend to digital asset mining activities, however, companies will be required to disclose to investors energy consumption data associated with mining activities.
In the UK, measures have recently been adopted and others are expected to be adopted in the near future that will bring currently unregulated crypto-assets within the regulatory perimeter. For example, marketing materials in relation to “qualifying crypto-assets” will become subject to the restriction on communicating financial promotions. That means firms will only be able to advertise their crypto-asset related services to UK customers if they are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, the content of the advertisement is approved by a person authorized under financial services legislation in the UK or the communication falls within an applicable exemption. In addition, the recently adopted Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (FSMA 2023) makes the performance of certain crypto-asset activities a “regulated activity”. It is expected that HM Treasury will amend the relevant secondary legislation by adding crypto-assets to the list of “specified investments” thereby formally bringing them into the UK regulatory perimeter. Once implemented, these changes mean that any person performing certain crypto-asset activities “by way of business” in the UK will need to be authorized by the FCA. The FSMA 2023 also brings certain types of “digital settlement assets” within the UK regulatory perimeter. At present, digital assets mining activities are not subject to any regulatory authorization requirements in the UK.
As a result of the measures adopted by the EU and UK described above, firms carrying on crypto-asset activities and providing services to clients will become subject to the types of regulatory requirements that apply to traditional financial services firms, such as the need to obtain authorization, conduct of business and systems and controls standards and regulatory capital requirements.
Historically, regulatory action directed at digital assets in the EU and UK has been in response to concerns arising in relation to anti-money-laundering and consumer protection. Under the EU’s Fifth Money Laundering Directive (MLD5), custodian wallet providers and providers engaged in exchange services between digital assets (referred to as virtual currencies) and fiat currencies are subject to registration with the relevant supervisory authority in their jurisdiction and must comply with day-to-day AML and counter-terrorism financing measures, including client due diligence obligations. Certain EU member states have implemented further measures in addition to the requirements of MLD5, including, (i) an order introduced by several French ministries in December 2020, which aims to ban anonymous cryptocurrency accounts and regulate cryptocurrency-related transactions in light of concerns for terrorism financing and money laundering; and (ii) strengthened anti-money laundering protections introduced by the Dutch regulator in November 2020, which were perceived to be targeting privacy coins as the protections impose client information and verification requirements.
The MLD5 has been retained as UK law (subject to certain amendments) following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and its requirements apply to in-scope firms that conduct business in the UK. However, taking account of relevant guidance as to the scope of the UK’s AML regime published by the UK Joint Money Laundering Steering Group, we do not believe that we fall within scope of the UK’s anti-money laundering regime as either a custodian wallet provider or a virtual currency exchange provider, which is referred to in the relevant U.K. legislation as a “cryptoasset exchange provider”.
From a consumer protection perspective, in January 2021 the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority imposed a ban on the sale of cryptocurrency-derivatives and exchange traded notes that reference certain digital assets to retail investors in light of concerns for consumer harm, criminal activity and value fluctuations, following a number of warnings to consumers about the risks of investing in digital assets. In March 2021, the European Supervisory Authorities reissued earlier warnings reminding consumers of the need to be alert to the “high risks” of digital assets, “including the possibility of losing all their money.”
At present, the proposals do not extend to digital assets mining activities, however, companies will be required to disclose to investors energy consumption and carbon emission data associated with mining activities.
The Canadian government has modified its value added tax legislation specifically in relation to Canadian entities that are involved in Bitcoin-related activities and their associated suppliers. These legislative changes would, if implemented, eliminate the recovery of value added tax in Canada on inputs to our business. Any such, unrecoverable value added tax would act to increase the cost of all inputs to our business in Canada including electricity, capital equipment, services and intellectual property acquired by our subsidiaries that operate in Canada. We are subject to audits related to certain Canadian tax rules from time to time. See Note 19 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022.
FATF, an independent inter-governmental standard-setting body of which the U.S. is a member, develops and promotes policies to protect the global financial system against money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of
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proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. FATF generally refers to a digital asset as a form of “virtual currency,” a digital representation of value that does not have legal tender status.
Environmental, Health and Safety Matters
Our operations and properties are subject to extensive laws and regulations governing health and safety, the discharge of pollutants into the environment or otherwise relating to health, safety and environmental protection requirements in countries and localities in which we operate. These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations that are applicable to us, including acquisition of a permit or other approval before conducting construction or regulated activities; restrictions on the types, quantities and concentration of materials that can be released into the environment; limitation or prohibition of construction and operating activities in environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands or areas with endangered plants or species; imposition of specific health and safety standards addressing worker protection from work related health and safety risks; imposition of certain zoning, building code and energy-efficiency standards and imposition of significant liabilities for pollution, including investigation, remedial and clean-up costs. Failure to comply with these requirements may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruptions in our operations, among other sanctions, that could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Certain environmental laws may impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances have been disposed of or otherwise released into the environment, including at current or former properties owned or operated by us, even under circumstances where the hazardous substances were released by prior owners or operators or the activities conducted and from which a release emanated complied with applicable law. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners, community groups, activists and other third parties to file claims for personal injury, property damage and nuisance allegedly caused by noise or the release of hazardous substances into the environment.
In addition, concerns have been raised about the amount of electricity required to secure and maintain digital asset and HPC networks. Further, in addition to the direct power costs of performing these calculations, there are indirect costs that impact a digital asset and HPC network’s total power consumption, including the costs of cooling the machines that perform these calculations and HPC equipment and systems and ancillary energy consumption. Due to these concerns around power consumption, particularly as such concerns relate to public utilities companies, various foreign, local, state, provincial and federal authorities have implemented, or are considering implementing, moratoriums on the provision of electricity to digital asset mining and HPC operations or on digital asset mining or HPC activities, in general.
See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Any electricity outage, limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressures or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors— Risks Related to Regulations and Regulatory Frameworks—Bitcoin mining and HPC activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and operations, in particular, to locations with renewable sources of power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to Bitcoin miners or HPC operators, including us, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally.”
Environmental, health and safety laws and regulations are subject to change. The trend in environmental regulation has been to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may be perceived to impact the environment or climate change, and thus there can be no assurance as to the impact or amount or timing of future expenditures for environmental regulation compliance or remediation. New or revised laws and regulations, including any related to Bitcoin mining or HPC activities, that result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, or the incurrence of environmental liabilities, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
C.Organizational Structure
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is the parent company of the Group. The Group consists of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and each of the subsidiaries of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN). See Exhibit 8.1 “List of subsidiaries of the Registrant” of this annual report for a list of our significant subsidiaries.
D.Property, Plants and Equipment
Intellectual Property
Our ability to conduct our business in a profitable manner relies in part on our proprietary methods and designs, which we protect as trade secrets. We rely upon trade secret laws, physical and technological security measures and contractual commitments to protect our trade secrets, including entering into non-disclosure agreements with employees, consultants
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and third parties with access to our trade secrets. However, such measures may not provide adequate protection and the value of our trade secrets could be lost through misappropriation or breach of our confidentiality agreements. Furthermore, third parties may claim that we are infringing upon their intellectual property rights, which may prevent or inhibit our operations and cause us to suffer significant litigation expense even if these claims have no merit. See “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Intellectual Property.”
Properties
In BC we hold freehold interests in a 10-acre site in Canal Flats and an 11-acre site in Mackenzie. We also hold a 21-acre leasehold site in Prince George (30-year lease, and two 10-year extensions and an option to purchase within the first 10 years from the commencement of the lease). The BC sites include land, data center facilities, electrical substation and ancillary infrastructure. In Childress County, Texas, U.S., we hold freehold interests in approximately 500 acres of land across two properties. At our development site in West Texas, U.S., we hold freehold interests in approximately 490 acres of land. Our freehold interests may have certain encumbrances.
The following table reflects our current properties as of June 30, 2024, that are either operational, under construction or in development, along with their expected respective data center and potential hashrate capacities once operational:
| Site | Capacity (MW) | Capacity (EH/s)(1) | Status | |||||||||||
| Canal Flats (BC, Canada) | 30 | 0.9 | Operating | |||||||||||
| Mackenzie (BC, Canada) | 80 | 2.7 | Operating | |||||||||||
| Prince George (BC, Canada) | 50 | 1.6 | Operating | |||||||||||
Childress Phase 1 (Texas, USA) | 100 | 4.8 | Operating | |||||||||||
Total Operating | 260 | 10.0 | ||||||||||||
Fleet Upgrade (Incremental) | n/a | 4.0 | Miners secured | |||||||||||
Childress Phase 2 & 3 (Texas, USA) (2) | 250 | 16.0 | Under construction | |||||||||||
Total Operating & Construction | 510 | 30 | ||||||||||||
Childress Phase 4 - 6 (Texas, USA) (3) | 400 | Power available | ||||||||||||
Development Site (Texas, USA) | 1,400 | Connection agreement signed | ||||||||||||
Additional Pipeline | >1,000 | Development | ||||||||||||
Total | >3,000 | |||||||||||||
1)Capacity to be installed comprises Bitmain T21, S21 Pro and S21 XP miners which have been purchased to support the expansion to 30 EH/s. It is expected that some of the S21 Pro miners contracted will be used to incrementally upgrade the existing fleet as shown above.
2)With respect to Phase 2 and Phase 3 expansion plans at the Childress site, as of the date of this annual report the Bitmain T21, S21 Pro and S21 XP miners have been contracted under the Bitmain Agreements.
3)As announced on July 24, 2024, an additional 150MW of power capacity has been contracted at Childress, increasing the site's power capacity from 600MW to 750MW.
See “—Capital Expenditures and Divestitures” for further discussion of expansion plans.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report. The following discussion is based on our financial information prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the IASB, which may differ in material respects from generally accepted accounting principles in other jurisdictions, including U.S. GAAP, as well as “Presentation of Financial and Other Information” and “Item 4. Information on the Company——B. Business Overview.” Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this annual report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that reflect plans, estimates and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those
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described in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
For a comparative discussion and analysis related to the results of operations and changes in financial condition for fiscal year 2023 compared to 2022, refer to Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, filed on September 13, 2023, with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.
Our fiscal year ends on June 30. Accordingly, references herein to "fiscal year 2024", “fiscal year 2023,” and “fiscal year 2022” relate to the years ended June 30, 2024, June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively.
A.Operating Results
Overview
We are a leading owner and operator of next-generation data centers powered by 100% renewable energy (whether from clean or renewable energy sources or through the purchase of RECs). Our data centers are purpose-built for power dense computing applications and currently support a combination of ASIC’s for Bitcoin mining and GPUs for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services).
Our Bitcoin mining operations generate revenue by mining Bitcoin and earning Bitcoin revenue through a combination of Block rewards and transaction fees from the operation of our Bitcoin miners and exchanging these Bitcoin for fiat currencies such as USD or CAD.
We have been mining Bitcoin since 2019. We typically liquidate all the Bitcoin we mine daily and therefore did not have any Bitcoin held on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2024. To date we have utilized Kraken, a U.S.-based digital asset trading platform, to liquidate the Bitcoin we mine. The mining pools, that we utilize for the purposes of our Bitcoin mining, transfer the Bitcoin that we have mined to Kraken on a daily basis. Such Bitcoin is then exchanged for fiat currency on the Kraken exchange or via its over-the-counter trading desk.
We are also pursuing a strategy to expand and diversify our revenue streams into new markets. Pursuant to that strategy, we are increasing our focus on diversification into HPC solutions, including the provision of AI Cloud Services. We currently have 816 NVIDIA H100 GPUs operating in our data centers that we aim to utilize to provide HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) to third party customers.
Our cash and cash equivalents were $404.6 million as of June 30, 2024. Our total revenue was $184.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2024, compared to total revenue of $75.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2023. We generated a loss after income tax expense of $29.0 million and $171.9 million for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We generated EBITDA of $19.6 million and $(123.19) million for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We generated Adjusted EBITDA of $54.7 million and $1.4 million for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are financial measures not defined by IFRS. For a definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, an explanation of our management’s use of these measures and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to loss after income tax expense, see “Special Note Regarding Non-IFRS Measures.”
We are a vertically integrated business, and both own and operate our computing hardware consisting of Bitcoin mining ASICs and HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) GPUs, as well as our electrical infrastructure and data centers. We target development of data centers in regions where there are low-cost, abundant and attractive renewable energy sources. We have ownership of our proprietary data centers and electrical infrastructure, including freehold and long-term leasehold land. This provides us with additional security and operational control over our assets. We believe data center ownership also allows our business to benefit from more sustainable cash flows and operational flexibility in comparison with operators that rely upon third-party hosting services or short-term land leases which may be subject to termination rights, profit sharing arrangements and/or potential changes to contractual terms such as pricing. We assess opportunities to utilize our available data center capacity on an ongoing basis, including via potential third-party hosting and alternative revenue sources. We also focus on grid-connected power access which we believe not only helps facilitate a more reliable, long-term supply of power, but also provides us with the ability to support the energy markets in which we operate (for example, through potential participation in demand response, ancillary services provision and load management in deregulated markets such as Texas).
In January 2020, we acquired our first site in Canal Flats, located in British Columbia, Canada (“BC”), from PodTech Innovation Inc. and certain of its related parties. This site is our first operational site and has been operating since 2019,
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and, as of June 30, 2024, has approximately 30MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 0.9 EH/s.
In addition, we have constructed data centers at our other BC sites in Mackenzie and Prince George. Our Mackenzie site has been operating since April 2022 and, as of June 30, 2024, has approximately 80MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 2.7 EH/s. Our Prince George site has been operating since September 2022 and, as of June 30, 2024, has approximately 50MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 1.6 EH/s . Our deployments of 816 NVIDIA H100 GPUs are also located at our Prince George site. Furthermore, we have announced a new 1,400MW data center development site located in the renewables-heavy West region of Texas, USA. As of June 30, 2024 we have paid $10.5 million of connection deposits and the connection agreement targets an in-service in late 2026.
Each of our sites in British Columbia are connected to the BC Hydro electricity transmission network and have been 100% powered by renewable energy since commencement of operations (currently approximately 98% sourced from clean or renewable sources, including through hydroelectric facilities and other sources like wind, solar and biomass, as reported by BC Hydro and approximately 2% sourced from the purchase of RECs). Our contracts with BC Hydro have an initial term of one year and, unless terminated at the end of the initial term shall extend until terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement upon six months' notice.
We have commenced operations at our Childress site (total potential power capacity of 750MW), located in the renewables-heavy Panhandle region of Texas, U.S. Our Childress site has been operating since April 2023 and, as of June 30, 2024, has approximately 100MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 4.8 EH/s (assuming full utilization of existing available data center capacity with Bitmain S19j Pro miners). As of June 30, 2024, we have purchased RECs in respect of 100% of our energy consumption to date at our Childress site.
We are targeting expansion of our data center capacity at Childress to 350MW and have commenced construction for Childress Phase 2 (additional 100MW) and Phase 3 (additional 150MW).
As of June 30, 2024, we had approximately 260MW of data center capacity and hashrate capacity of approximately 10.0 EH/s across our sites in BC (160MW) and Texas (100MW), all of which is installed and operating.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, 60.0% and 39.9% of the Company’s non-current assets were located in the United States of America and Canada, respectively.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
Market Value of Bitcoin
We primarily derive our revenues from Bitcoin mining. We earn rewards from Bitcoin mining that are paid in Bitcoin. We currently liquidate rewards that we earn from mining Bitcoin in exchange for fiat currencies such as USD or CAD, typically on a daily basis. Because the rewards we earn from mining Bitcoin are paid in Bitcoin, our operating and financial results are tied to fluctuations in the value of Bitcoin. In addition, positive or negative changes in the global hashrate impact mining difficulty and therefore the rewards we earn from mining Bitcoins may as a result materially affect our revenue and margins.
In a declining Bitcoin price environment, the Bitcoin mining protocol may provide a natural downside protection for low-cost Bitcoin miners through an adjustment to the number of Bitcoin mined. For example, when the Bitcoin price falls, the ability for higher cost miners to pay their operating costs may be impacted, which in turn may lead over time to higher cost miners switching off their operations (for example, if their marginal cost of power makes it unprofitable to continue mining, they may exit the network). As a result, in such circumstances the global hashrate may fall, and remaining low-cost miners may benefit from an increased percentage share of the fixed Bitcoin network rewards.
Conversely, in a rising Bitcoin price environment, additional mining machines may be deployed by miners, leading to increased global hashrate in the overall network. In periods of rising Bitcoin prices we may increase our capital expenditures in mining machines and related infrastructure to take advantage of potentially faster return on investments, subject to availability of capital and market conditions. However, we also note that the global hashrate may also increase or decrease irrespective of changes in the Bitcoin price.
While the supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million, the price of Bitcoin fluctuates not just because of traditional notions of supply and demand but also because of the dynamic nature of the market for Bitcoin. Having been created in just a little over a decade as of the date of this annual report, the market for Bitcoin is rapidly changing and subject to global
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regulatory, tax, political, environmental, cybersecurity, and market factors beyond our control. For a discussion of other factors that could lead to material adverse changes in the market value of Bitcoin, which could in turn result in substantial damage to or even the failure of our business, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business.”
Further, the rewards for each Bitcoin mined is subject to “halving” adjustments at predetermined intervals. At the outset, the reward for mining each block was set at 50 Bitcoins and this was cut in half to 25 Bitcoins on November 28, 2012 at block 210,000, cut in half to 12.5 Bitcoins on July 9, 2016 at block 420,000, cut in half to 6.25 Bitcoins on May 11, 2020 at block 630,000, and cut in half again to 3.125 Bitcoins on April 20, 2024 at block 840,000. The next two halving events for Bitcoin are expected to take place in 2028 at block 1,050,000 (when the reward will reduce to 1.5625 Bitcoins), and in 2032 at block 1,260,000 (when the reward will reduce to 0.78125 Bitcoins). As the rewards for each Bitcoin mined reduce, the Bitcoin we earn relative to our hashrate capacity decrease. As a result these adjustments have had, and will continue to have, material effects on our operating and financial results.
Efficiency of Mining Machines
As global mining capacity increases, we will need to correspondingly increase our total hashrate capacity in order to maintain our proportionate share relative to the overall global hashrate —all else being equal—to maintain the same amount of Bitcoin mining revenue. To remain cost competitive compared to other mining sector participants, in addition to targeting cost effective sources of energy and operating efficient data center infrastructure, we may also need to maintain an energy efficient mining fleet.
Our Bitcoin mining operations currently utilize the Bitmain S19j Pro miners, S19 XP miners, T21 miners and S21 miners, with additional miner purchase and/or option agreements for Bitmain S21 Pro, S21 XP and T21 miners.
In certain periods, there may be disruption in global supply chain leading to shortage of advanced mining machines that meet our standard of quality and efficiency. To maintain our competitive edge over the long-term, we strive to maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors across the supply chain so that our fleet of miners is competitive. We may also need to upgrade our miners in the future in order to maintain our competitive edge.
Ability to Secure Low-Cost Renewable Power
Bitcoin mining and HPC activities consume extensive energy, including for both the mining and cooling aspects of the operation. In particular, we believe the increasing difficulty of the network, driven by more miners and higher global hashrate, and the periodic halving adjustments of Bitcoin reward rates, as well as the global demand for HPC solutions for various programs, including AI Cloud Services, and the need for reliability and quick uptime speeds in such industry, will drive the increasing importance of power efficiency in Bitcoin mining and HPC activities over the long-term.
Governments and regulators are increasingly focused on the energy and environmental impact of Bitcoin mining and HPC activities. This led, and could lead, to new governmental measures regulating, restricting or prohibiting the use of electricity for Bitcoin mining and HPC activities, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Any electricity outage, limitation of electricity supply, including as a result of political pressure or regulation, or increase in electricity costs may result in material impacts to our operations and financial performance” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors— Risks Related to Regulations and Regulatory Frameworks—Bitcoin mining and HPC activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and operations, in particular, to locations with renewable sources of power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to Bitcoin miners or HPC operators, including us, or Bitcoin mining or HPC activities generally.” The price we pay for electricity depends on numerous factors including sources of generation, regulatory environment, electricity market structure, commodity prices, instantaneous supply/demand balances, counterparty and procurement method. These factors may be subject to change over time and result in increased power costs. In regulated markets, such as in BC, suppliers of renewable power rely on regulators to approve raises in rates, resulting in fluctuations subject to requests for rate increases and their approval thereof; in deregulated markets, such as in Texas, prices of renewable power will fluctuate with the wholesale market, which is often driven by price fluctuations in commodities such as natural gas.
Competitive Environment
We compete with a variety of miners globally, including individual hobbyists, mining pools and public and private companies, as well as HPC providers including large and well-funded companies. We believe that, even if the price of Bitcoin decreases, the market will continue to draw new miners and increase the scale and sophistication of competition in
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the Bitcoin mining industry , while the HPC industry continues to draw companies with significant resources to dedicate to growing their HPC business as well as expertise in the industry. Increasing competition generally results in increase to the global hashrate, which in turn would generally lead to a reduction in the percentage share of the fixed Bitcoin network rewards that Bitcoin miners, including the Company, would earn , and may result in larger and more established HPC providers increasing their resource allocation and attention to the industry, which could make our ability to compete, including to attract and maintain customers, more difficult.
Market Events Impacting the Digital Asset Industry
In the past, market events in the digital asset industry have negatively impacted market sentiment towards the broader digital asset industry. There have also been declines from time to time in the value of digital assets generally, including the value of Bitcoin, in connection with these events, which have impacted the Group from a financial and operational perspective. We expect that any such declines that may occur in the future would also impact the business and operations of the Group, and if such declines are significant, they could result in reduced revenue and operating cash flows and increased net operating losses, and could also negatively impact our ability to raise additional financing.
Market Events Impacting Digital Asset Trading Platforms
In the past, market events in the digital asset markets have involved and/or impacted certain digital asset trading platforms. As previously described, the mining pools, that we utilize for the purposes of our Bitcoin mining, currently transfer the Bitcoin we mine to Kraken, a digital asset trading platform, on a daily basis. Such Bitcoin is then exchanged for fiat currency on the Kraken exchange or via its over-the-counter trading desk on a daily basis.
Because we currently exchange the Bitcoin we mine for fiat currency on a daily basis, we believe we have limited exposure to fluctuations in the value of Bitcoin with respect to the Bitcoin that we mine once we have mined such Bitcoin. In addition, we currently aim to withdraw fiat currency proceeds from Kraken on a daily basis utilizing Etana Custody, a third-party custodian, to facilitate the transfer of such proceeds to one or more of our banks or other financial institutions. As a result, we have only limited amounts of Bitcoin and fiat currency with Kraken and Etana Custody at any time, and accordingly we believe we have limited exposure to potential risks related to excessive redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies from, or suspension of redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies from, Kraken, Etana Custody or any other digital asset trading platform or custodian we may use in the future for purposes of liquidating the Bitcoin we mine on a daily basis. However, if Kraken, Etana Custody or any such other digital asset trading platform or custodian suffers excessive redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies, or suspends redemptions or withdrawals of digital assets or fiat currencies, as applicable, any Bitcoin we have transferred to such platform that has not yet been exchanged for fiat currency, as well as any fiat currency that we have not yet withdrawn, as applicable, would be at risk.
In addition, if any such event were to occur with respect to Kraken, Etana Custody or any such other digital asset trading platform or custodian we utilize to liquidate the Bitcoin we mine, we may be required to, or may otherwise determine it is appropriate to, or if for any reason we decide to, switch to an alternative digital asset trading platform and/or custodian, as applicable. We do not currently use any other digital asset trading platforms or custodians to liquidate the Bitcoin we mine. While we expect to continue to utilize Kraken and Etana Custody, there are numerous alternative digital asset trading platforms that operate exchanges and/or over-the-counter trading desks with similar functionality to Kraken, and there are also several alternative funds transfer arrangements for facilitating the transfer of fiat currency proceeds from Kraken either with or without the use of a third-party custodian. We have onboarded Coinbase as an alternative digital asset trading platform to liquidate Bitcoin that we mine, although we have not utilized the Coinbase platform as of June 30, 2024. We may explore opportunities with alternative digital asset trading platforms, over-the-counter trading desks and custodians, and believe we have the ability to switch to Coinbase or alternative digital asset trading platforms and/or funds transfer arrangements to liquidate Bitcoin we mine and transfer the fiat currency proceeds without material expense or delay. As a result, we do not believe our business is substantially dependent on the Kraken digital asset trading platform or Etana Custody third-party custodian services.
However, digital asset trading platforms and third-party custodians, including Kraken and Etana Custody, are subject to a number of risks outside our control which could impact our business. In particular, during any intervening period in which we are switching digital asset trading platforms and/or third-party custodians, we could be exposed to credit risk with respect to any Bitcoin or fiat currency held by them. In addition, we could be exposed to fluctuations in the value of Bitcoin with respect to the Bitcoin that we mine during such period or that was previously mined but has not yet been exchanged for fiat currency.
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Ability to expand AI Cloud Services and Secure Customers
Our growth strategies include pursuing a strategy to expand and diversity our revenue streams into new markets. Pursuant to that strategy, we are increasing our focus on diversification into HPC solutions, including the provision of AI Cloud Services. We believe we may be able to leverage our existing infrastructure and expertise to continue to expand our AI Cloud Services offering and target a range of customers across various sectors. Our ability to secure and retain customers on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and specifically our ability to attract and retain customers under contracts that generate recurring revenue, will affect our expansion into AI Cloud Services. Our strategy may not be successful as a result of a number of factors described under “Item 3.D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our increased focus on HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) may not be successful and may result in adverse consequences to our business, results of operations and financial condition.” Our efforts to explore the diversification of our revenue streams may distract management, require significant additional capital, expose us to new competition and market dynamics, and increase our cost of doing business.
Key Indicators of Performance and Financial Condition
Key operating and financial metrics that we use, in addition to our IFRS consolidated financial statements, to assess the performance of our business are set forth below for the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and 2022, include:
EBITDA
EBITDA is not presented in accordance with IFRS, and is defined as profit /(loss) after income tax expense, excluding finance expense, interest income, depreciation and income tax expense, which are important components of our IFRS profit/(loss) after income tax expense. As a capital-intensive business, EBITDA excludes the impact of the cost of depreciation of mining equipment and other fixed assets, which allows us to measure the liquidity of our business on a current basis and we believe provides a useful tool for comparison to our competitors in a similar industry. We believe EBITDA is a useful metric for assessing operating performance before the impact of non-cash and other items. Our presentation of EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these items.
We believe EBITDA and EBITDA Margin have limitations as analytical tools. These measures should not be considered as alternatives to profit/(loss) after income tax expense, as applicable, determined in accordance with IFRS. They are supplemental measures of our operating performance only, and as a result you should not consider these measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, our profit/(loss) after income tax as determined in accordance with IFRS, which we consider to be the most comparable IFRS financial measure. For example, we expect depreciation of our fixed assets will be a large recurring expense over the course of the useful life of our assets. EBITDA and EBITDA Margin do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool.
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The following table shows a reconciliation of EBITDA to loss after income tax expense:
| Year Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense | (28,955) | (171,871) | (419,770) | ||||||||||||||
| Add/(deduct) the following: | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance expense | 253 | 16,363 | 425,441 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | (5,831) | (924) | (79) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 50,650 | 30,856 | 7,741 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 3,453 | 2,390 | 2,724 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 19,570 | $ | (123,186) | $ | 16,057 | |||||||||||
| Revenue | 188,758 | 81,904 | 59,049 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense margin (1) | (15 | %) | (210 | %) | (711 | %) | |||||||||||
| EBITDA margin (2) | 10 | % | (150 | %) | 27 | % | |||||||||||
_________________________________________________________
(1)Loss after income tax expense margin is calculated as Loss after income tax expense divided by Revenue.
(2)EBITDA margin is calculated as EBITDA divided by Revenue. Prior to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Company calculated EBITDA margin as EBITDA divided by Bitcoin mining revenue. The Company has revised the calculation of EBITDA margin to reflect that Revenue now includes revenue generated from HPC Solutions (including AI Cloud Services) as a result of its strategy to expand and diversify its revenue streams. EBITDA margin for prior periods presented in this “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” has been revised to reflect this revised calculation.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is not presented in accordance with IFRS, and is defined as EBITDA as further adjusted to exclude share-based payments expense, foreign exchange gains/losses, impairment of assets, certain other non-recurring income, gain/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, gain on disposal of subsidiaries, unrealized fair value gains/losses on financial assets, and certain other expense items. Beginning in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Company has changed its definition of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude unrealized fair value gains/losses on financial instruments and has further changed its definition to exclude gain on disposal of subsidiaries. These are changes from the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA in prior periods. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is a useful metric because it allows us to monitor the profitability of our business on a current basis and removes expenses which do not impact our ongoing profitability and which can vary significantly in comparison to other companies. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these items.
We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin have limitations as analytical tools. These measures should not be considered as alternatives to profit/(loss) after income tax expense, as applicable, determined in accordance with IFRS. They are supplemental measures of our operating performance only, and as a result you should not consider these measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, our profit/(loss) after income tax as determined in accordance with IFRS, which we consider to be the most comparable IFRS financial measure. For example, we expect depreciation of our fixed assets will be a large recurring expense over the course of the useful life of our assets, and that share-based compensation is an important part of compensating certain employees, officers and directors. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool.
The following table shows a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to loss after income tax expense:
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| Year Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense | (28,955) | (171,871) | (419,770) | ||||||||||||||
| Add/(deduct) the following: | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance expense | 253 | 16,363 | 425,441 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | (5,831) | (924) | (79) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 50,650 | 30,856 | 7,741 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 3,453 | 2,390 | 2,724 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | 19,570 | (123,186) | 16,057 | ||||||||||||||
| Revenue | 188,758 | 81,904 | 59,049 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense margin (1) | (15 | %) | (210 | %) | (711 | %) | |||||||||||
| EBITDA margin (2) | 10 | % | (150 | %) | 27 | % | |||||||||||
| Add/(deduct) the following: | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on financial asset | 3,448 | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash share based payment expense – founders | 11,810 | 12,186 | 11,442 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash share-based payment expense – other | 11,826 | 2,170 | 2,454 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets (3) | - | 105,172 | 167 | ||||||||||||||
| Reversal of impairment of assets (4) | 108 | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Other non-recurring income (5) | - | (3,137) | (12) | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain/(loss) | 4,747 | 191 | (8,009) | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of subsidiaries (6) | - | (3,258) | - | ||||||||||||||
| (Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | (43) | 6,628 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Other expense items (7) | 3,476 | 4,613 | 4,297 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 54,727 | 1,379 | 26,396 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (8) | 29 | % | 2 | % | 45 | % | |||||||||||
(1)Loss after income tax expense margin is calculated as Loss after income expense divided by Revenue.
(2)EBITDA margin is calculated as EBITDA divided by Revenue. Prior to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Company calculated EBITDA margin as EBITDA divided by Bitcoin mining revenue. The Company has revised the calculation of EBITDA margin to reflect that Revenue now includes revenue generated from HPC Solutions (including AI Cloud Services) as a result of its strategy to diversify its revenue streams. EBITDA margin for prior periods presented in this“Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” has been revised to reflect this revised calculation.
(3)Impairment of assets for the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and 2022 was nil, $105.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. See “—Components of our Results of Operations—Expenses—Impairment of assets” for further information.
(4)Reversal of impairment of assets for the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and 2022 was $0.1 million, nil and nil respectively. See “—Components of our Results of Operations—Expenses—Reversal of impairment of assets” for further information.
(5)Other non-recurring income includes net gains on the sale of other assets during the year ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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(6)Gain on disposal of subsidiary represents a gain recorded on the deconsolidation of two separate wholly-owned, special purpose vehicles of the Company (collectively the “Non-Recourse SPVs") on February 3, 2023.
(7)Other expense items include professional fees incurred in relation to the securities class action, and one-off additional remuneration.
(8)Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenue. Prior to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Company calculated Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Bitcoin mining revenue. The Company has revised the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin to reflect that Revenue now includes revenue generated from HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) as a result of its strategy to diversify its revenue streams. Adjusted EBITDA margin for prior periods presented in this “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” has been revised to reflect this revised calculation.
Net electricity costs
Net electricity costs is not presented in accordance with IFRS, and is defined as the sum of electricity charges, realized gain/(loss) on financial asset, ERS revenue, ERS fees and excludes the cost of REC purchases. ERS revenue and ERS fees are included in Other income and Other operating expenses, respectively (as described in more detail in Note 5 and Note 7 of the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 20-F). A key measure of the performance factor of our business is our ability to secure low-cost power, Net electricity costs allows us to measure the all-in-costs of electricity of our business on a current basis and we believe provides a useful tool for comparison to our competitors in a similar industry. We believe Net electricity costs is a useful metric for assessing operating performance including any gain/(loss) on the electricity purchased and subsequently resold, and earnings for our participation in demand response programs.
We believe Net electricity costs has limitations as an analytical tool. This measure should not be considered as alternative to electricity charges, as applicable, determined in accordance with IFRS. It is a supplemental measure of our operating performance only, and as a result you should not consider this measure in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, our electricity charges as determined in accordance with IFRS, which we consider to be the most comparable IFRS financial measure. Net electricity costs do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool.
The following table shows a reconciliation of Net electricity costs to the most comparable IFRS financial measure:
| Year Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Electricity charges | (81,605) | (35,753) | (10,978) | ||||||||||||||
| Add/(deduct) the following: | |||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain/(loss) on financial asset | 4,121 | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| ERS revenue (included in Other income) | 1,566 | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| ERS fees (included in Other operating expenses) | (94) | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Net Electricity Costs | (76,012) | (35,753) | (10,978) | ||||||||||||||
| Bitcoin mined | 4,191 | 3,259 | 1,399 | ||||||||||||||
| Net electricity costs per Bitcoin mined | (18.1) | (11.0) | (7.8) | ||||||||||||||
The net electricity costs per Bitcoin mined increased from $10,971 for the year ended June 30, 2023 to $18,137 for the year ended June 30, 2024 primarily due to an increase in the average global hashrate.
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Components of our Results of Operations
Revenue
Bitcoin mining revenue
The Group operates data center infrastructure supporting the verification and validation of Bitcoin blockchain transactions in exchange for Bitcoin, referred to as “Bitcoin mining”. The Company has entered into arrangements with mining pools, whereby computing power is directed to the mining pools in exchange for non-cash consideration in the form of Bitcoin. The provision of computing power is the only performance obligation in the contract with the mining pool operators.
The Company has the right to decide the point in time and duration for which it will provide hash computation services to the mining pools. The contracts are terminable at any time by either party without substantive compensation to the other party for such termination. Upon termination, the mining pool operator (i.e., the customer) is required to pay the Company any amount due related to previously satisfied performance obligations. Therefore, the Company has determined that the duration of the contract is less than 24 hours and that the contract continuously renews throughout the day.
In the mining pools which the Company participated in during the periods, the Company is not directly exposed to the pool’s success in mining blocks. The Company is rewarded in Bitcoin for the hashrate it contributes to these mining pools. The reward for the hashrate contributed by the Company is based on the current network difficulty and global daily revenues from transaction fees, less mining pool fees.
The fair value of the non-cash consideration is determined using the quantity of Bitcoin received multiplied by the spot price of the Bitcoin price at the end of the day at the website of Kraken, the trading platform over which we exchange the Bitcoin we have mined (“Kraken”).
Management considers the prices quoted on Kraken to be a Level 1 input under IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement. The Group did not hold any Bitcoin on hand as at June 30, 2024 (June 30, 2023: Nil).
AI Cloud Service revenue
The Group generates AI Cloud Service revenue through the provision of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) to customers. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for services, net of discounts and sales taxes.
Other income
Other income in the year ended June 30, 2024 has been earned for our participation in demand response programs at the Group's site in Childress, Texas. Other income in the year ended June 30, 2023 relates to the gain on sale of other assets.
Gain/(loss) on disposal of subsidiaries
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries represents a gain recorded on the deconsolidation of the Non-Recourse SPVs on February 3, 2023.
Expenses
Our expenses are characterized by the nature of the expense, with the main expense categories set out below.
Depreciation
We capitalize the cost of our buildings, plant and equipment and mining hardware. Depreciation expense is recorded on a straight-line basis to nil over the estimated useful life of the underlying assets. Our buildings are currently depreciated over 20 years, mining hardware is depreciated over 2-4 years, HPC hardware is depreciated over 5 years, and plant and equipment is depreciated over 3-10 years depending on the expected life of the underlying asset.
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Electricity charges
Electricity charges primarily consists of the cost of electricity to power our data center sites. The price of electricity in BC is subject to a regulated tariff that may be adjusted by the supplier from time to time, resulting in increases or decreases in the cost of electricity we purchase. In Texas, the electricity market is deregulated and operates through a competitive wholesale market. Electricity prices in Texas are subject to many factors, such as, for example, fluctuations in commodity prices including the price of fossil fuels and other energy sources. Electricity at Childress, Texas is sourced from ERCOT, the organization that operates Texas’ electrical grid. We may participate in demand response programs, load curtailment in response to prices, or other programs, as part of our electricity procurement strategies in Texas, including the use of automated systems to reduce our power consumption in response to market signals.
Realized gain/(loss) on financial asset
Realized gain/(loss) on financial asset represents a gain on the electricity purchased and subsequently resold under a power supply agreement at the Group’s Childress site. See Note 24 of the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for further information.
Employee benefits expense
Employee benefits expense represents salary and other employee costs, including superannuation and other similar payments and associated employee taxes.
Share-based payments expense
Share-based payments expense represents the amortization of share-based compensation arrangements that have been granted to directors, executive offers and management. These arrangements include, loan-funded share arrangements granted to management, options and restricted stock units issued to directors, executive officers and management.
Impairment of assets
Impairment of assets represents impairment expense recorded on mining hardware, mining hardware prepayments, goodwill, development assets and other assets.
Reversal of impairment of assets
Reversal of impairment of assets represent the reversal of an impairment loss recognized on mining hardware, mining hardware prepayments, development assets and other assets in prior periods.
Professional fees
Professional fees represent legal fees, audit fees, broker fees and fees paid to tax, regulatory and other advisers.
Site expenses
Site expenses represent property taxes, repairs and maintenance, equipment rental, security, utilities, REC purchases and other general expenses required to operate the sites.
Other operating expenses
Other operating expenses represent insurance, marketing, office rent, charitable donations, a provision for non-refundable GST and PST on services exported to the Australian parent by certain Canadian subsidiaries, legal costs, and general business expenses required to operate the business.
Gain/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
The net gain/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment includes net gains or losses on disposal of mining hardware and other property, plant and equipment.
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Unrealized gain/(loss) on financial asset
Unrealized gain/(loss) on financial asset represents the change in the fair value of the financial asset recorded in relation to electricity purchased for future usage periods. See Note 24 of the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for further information.
Finance expense
Finance expense consists primarily of interest expense on lease liabilities, mining hardware financing arrangements and amortization of capitalized borrowing costs.
Interest income
Interest income includes interest generated on short-term cash deposits with regulated financial institutions.
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) includes realized and unrealized foreign exchange movements on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.
Income tax expense
We are liable to pay tax in a number of jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada and the United States. Tax liabilities arise to the extent that we do not have sufficient prior year tax losses to offset future taxable income in these jurisdictions
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Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our results of operation, disclosed in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income/(loss) for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and 2022.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | |||||||||||||||||
| Bitcoin mining revenue | 184,087 | 75,509 | 59,037 | ||||||||||||||
| AI cloud service revenue | 3,105 | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Other income | 1,566 | 3,137 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of subsidiaries | - | 3,258 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | (50,650) | (30,856) | (7,741) | ||||||||||||||
| Electricity charges | (81,605) | (35,753) | (10,978) | ||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on financial asset | 4,121 | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits expense | (22,203) | (17,897) | (7,448) | ||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments expense | (23,636) | (14,356) | (13,896) | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | - | (105,172) | (167) | ||||||||||||||
| Reversal of impairment of assets | 108 | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Professional fees | (8,079) | (6,271) | (6,807) | ||||||||||||||
| Site expenses | (8,657) | (4,544) | (1,821) | ||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | (21,085) | (14,278) | (9,884) | ||||||||||||||
| Gain/(loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 43 | (6,628) | - | ||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on financial asset | (3,448) | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Profit/(loss) before interest, foreign exchange gain/(loss) and income tax | (26,333) | (153,851) | 307 | ||||||||||||||
| Finance expense | (253) | (16,363) | (425,441) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 5,831 | 924 | 79 | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain/(loss) | (4,747) | (191) | 8,009 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss before income tax expense | (25,502) | (169,481) | (417,046) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (3,453) | (2,390) | (2,724) | ||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense for the year | (28,955) | (171,871) | (419,770) | ||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) | |||||||||||||||||
| Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | (338) | (13,641) | (23,553) | ||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year, net of tax | (338) | (13,641) | (23,553) | ||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | (29,293) | (185,512) | (443,323) | ||||||||||||||
Comparison of the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
Revenue
Bitcoin mining revenue
Our Bitcoin mining revenue for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, was $184.1 million and $75.5 million, respectively. This revenue was generated from the mining and sale of 4,191 and 3,259 Bitcoins during the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The $108.6 million increase in revenue comprises a $67.6 million increase attributable to the increase in the average Bitcoin price and $41.0 million increase attributable to the increase in average operating hashrate during the year ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the year ended June 30, 2023, which was partially offset by
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the increase in the difficulty implied global hashrate during the same period. Average operating hashrate increased to 6.6 EH/s for the year ended June 30, 2024 from 2.7 EH/s for the year ended June 30, 2023.
AI Cloud Service revenue
Our AI Cloud Service revenue for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, was $3.1 million and nil, respectively. AI Cloud Service revenue generated during the year ended June 30, 2024 comprised revenue generated from the provision of HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) to customers.
Other income
Our other income for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $1.6 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Other income generated during the year ended June 30, 2024 primarily comprised of $1.6 million revenue generated for our participation in an ERCOT demand response program at the Group’s site at Childress. During the year ended June 30, 2023 a net gain of $3.1 million on disposal of other assets was recognized. No such sales occurred during the year ended June 30, 2024
Gain/(loss) on disposal of subsidiaries
Gain/(loss) on disposal of subsidiaries for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was nil and $3.3 million, respectively. During the year ended June 30, 2023 a net gain of $3.3 million on the deconsolidation of the Non-Recourse SPVs was recognized, which occurred on February 3, 2023. No such sales occurred during the year ended June 30, 2024.
Expenses
Depreciation
Depreciation consist primarily of the depreciation of Bitcoin mining hardware, HPC hardware and data centers. Depreciation expense for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $50.7 million and $30.9 million, respectively. This increase was primarily due to the increase in commissioning of assets at Childress and accelerated depreciation for S19j Pro miners scheduled to be sold in FY25. during the year ended June 30, 2024.
Electricity charges
Electricity charges for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $81.6 million and $35.8 million, respectively.
This increase was primarily due to the increase in average operating hashrate to 6.6 EH/s for the year ended June 30, 2024 from 2.7 EH/s for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Realized gain on financial asset
Realized gain on financial asset represents a gain on the electricity purchased and subsequently resold under a power supply agreement at the Group’s Childress site. Realized gain recorded on financial asset for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $4.1 million and nil respectively. See Note 24 of the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for further information.
Employee benefits expenses
Employee benefits expenses consist primarily of wages and salaries to employees and contractors, and associated taxes. Employee benefits expenses for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $22.2 million and $17.9 million, respectively. The increase reflects a rise in the employee and contractor headcount, which was related to the expansion of business operations.
Share-based payments expense
Share-based payments expense for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $23.6 million and $14.4 million, respectively. The increase was primarily due to amortization expenses recorded in relation to incentives issued under our 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan and 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation” and Note 31 of the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
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Impairment of assets
Impairment of assets for the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was nil and $105.2 million, respectively. In the year ended June 30, 2023, we recorded an impairment of $105.2 million which included an impairment of $90.5 million of mining hardware, $13.0 million related to mining hardware prepayments, $1.1 million related to development assets and $0.6 million related to goodwill.
Reversal of impairment of assets
Reversal of impairment of assets for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $0.1 million and nil, respectively. The reversal of impairment of assets for the year ended June 30, 2024 reflects a reversal of $0.1 million on a previously impaired development asset which was partially recovered.
Professional fees
Professional fees primarily consist of fees payable to lawyers, accountants and tax advisers. Professional fees for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $8.1 million and $6.3 million, respectively. In the year ended June 30, 2024 $1.0 million related to the audit fees and $4.4 million related to legal fees of which $1.7 million relates to one-off costs in relation to the securities class action litigation.
Site expenses
Site expenses for the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $8.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively. The increase is primarily due to the commissioning of the Group’s data center at Childress in April 2023.
Gain/(loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
The net gain/(loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment for the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was a $0.0 million gain and (6.6) million loss, respectively. During the year ended June 30, 2023 a net loss of $(6.6) million on disposal of mining hardware and other assets was recognized. No such sales occurred during the year ended June 30, 2024.
Other operating expenses
Other expenses for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $21.1 million and $14.3 million, respectively. Other expenses represent insurance, marketing, office rent, charitable donations, a provision for GST on services exported to the Australian parent by certain Canadian subsidiaries, and general business expenses required to operate the business (see Note 7 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F). The increase primarily related to the expansion of the business operations and ongoing costs as a publicly listed company and includes an increase of $1.3 million in insurance, $1.3 million in sponsorship and marketing, $1.8 million in legal expenses, and $1.0 million and $1.3 million of a provision for non-refundable GST and PST, respectively.
Finance expense
Finance expense for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $0.3 million and $16.4 million, respectively. Finance expense for the year ended June 30, 2024 primarily relates to interest on the lease liability. The decrease from the year ended June 30, 2023 primarily related to interest expense on borrowings including late fees and interest charged on third-party loans held by the Non-Recourse SPVs which were deconsolidated during the year ended June 30, 2023 and as such did not recur.
Interest income
Interest income for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $5.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The increase was primarily related to interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents.
Foreign exchange gains/(loss)
Foreign exchange loss for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $4.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The increase was primarily relating to foreign exchange movements in the translation of assets and liabilities held in currencies other than the functional currency of the company holding the asset or liability. We use the U.S. dollar as our presentation currency; however, the companies in the Group use the Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, or the U.S. dollar as their functional currencies.
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Foreign currency transactions are translated into each entity’s functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Accordingly, foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and the translation at financial period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in profit or loss.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was an expense of $3.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The increase was primarily due to deferred tax expense in relation to accelerated tax depreciation utilized on mining hardware.
Loss after income tax expense for the period
The loss after income tax expense for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $29.0 million and $171.9 million, respectively. The decreased loss is primarily attributable to the increase in Bitcoin revenue and the decrease in the impairment of assets during the year ended June 30, 2024
B.Liquidity and Capital Resources
On September 23, 2022, we entered into an Ordinary shares purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC (“B. Riley”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we have the right to sell to B. Riley up to $100.0 million of our Ordinary shares, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, from time to time during the term of the Purchase Agreement ending on September 23, 2024, unless earlier terminated. Sales of our Ordinary shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and the timing of any sales, are solely at our option, and we are under no obligation to sell any securities to B. Riley under the Purchase Agreement. A resale registration statement relating to shares sold to B. Riley under the Purchase Agreement was subsequently declared effective by the SEC on January 26, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, we had sold 24,342,138 Ordinary shares under the Purchase Agreement for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $93.0 million (net proceeds of $90.2 million). On February 15, 2024, we terminated the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and on February 16, 2024, we filed a post-effective amendment to our registration statement on Form F-1 related to this offering, which deregistered all remaining shares on such registration statement, terminating the offering.
On September 13, 2023, we entered into the Sales Agreement with the Sales Agents. Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell our Ordinary shares from time to time through or to the Sales Agents in an amount not to exceed the lesser of the amount registered on an effective registration statement and for which we have filed a prospectus, and the amount authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under the Sales Agreement by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. As a result, we may increase the amount of our Ordinary shares that may be sold from time to time pursuant to the Sales Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement. As of June 30, 2024, we had sold a total of 108,063,868 shares under the Sales Agreement for aggregate gross proceeds of $771,437,000 (or $748,294,000, net of commissions). We expect to file one or more additional registration statements relating to the Sales Agreement in the future, including in the near term, in order to allow us to continue to raise additional capital pursuant to the Sales Agreement.
The total number of Ordinary shares outstanding as of July 31, 2024, is 189,346,079.
We continue to monitor funding markets for opportunities to raise additional debt, equity or equity-linked capital to fund further capital or liquidity needs, and growth plans.
Hardware Purchase Contracts
In August 2023, we entered into a purchase agreement with Dell Canada Inc. for 248 NVIDIA H100 GPUs for a total purchase price of approximately $10 million, which have been deployed at our Prince George site. In February 2024, we entered into a further purchase agreement with Dell Canada Inc. for 568 NVIDIA H100 GPUs for a total purchase price of approximately $22 million. In August 2024, we purchased an additional 16-GPU cluster from Insight Direct Inc. with delivery also in August 2024.
In October 2023, we entered into a miner purchase agreement (the “October 2023 Agreement”) with Bitmain Technologies Delaware Limited (“Bitmain”) to acquire 7,002 latest-generation Bitmain S21 miners with a total hashrate of 1.4 EH/s for $19.6 million, of which $2.9 million is deferred until one year after shipment. All Bitmain S21 miners under this purchase contract have been delivered in full. As of June 30, 2024 we have paid $16.7 million relating to this purchase agreement.
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In November 2023, we entered into a miner purchase agreement (the “November 2023 Agreement”) with Bitmain to acquire 7,000 new-generation Bitmain T21 miners with a total hashrate of 1.3 EH/s for $18.6 million with an option to increase to 15,380 new-generation Bitmain T21 miners with an additional hashrate of 1.6 EH/s (for an additional $22.3 million) that was exercised in December 2023. All Bitmain T21 miners under this purchase contract have been delivered in full. As of June 30, 2024, we have paid the full $40.9 million relating to this purchase agreement including $18.6 million on the purchase of miners and $22.3 million on the exercised option.
On January 10, 2024, we entered into a miner purchase agreement (the “January 2024 Agreement”) with Bitmain to acquire 5,000 new-generation Bitmain T21 miners with a total hashrate of 1.0 EH/s for $13.3 million and paid a non-refundable deposit of $12.8 million as an initial 10% down payment to acquire up to a further 48,000 Bitmain T21 miners (with a total hashrate of 9.1 EH/s) for $14/TH with the options exercisable on or before September 30, 2024. If the entire option is exercised, the total purchase price for such additional miners will be $128 million. Most of the initial 5,000 new-generation Bitmain T21 shipped in July 2024 and the miner purchase options had shipping dates through the second half of 2024 (to the extent exercised). As of June 30, 2024, we have paid the full $13.3 million relating to the 5,000 Bitmain T21 miner purchase.
In May 2024, we entered into an additional miner purchase agreement (the “May 2024 Agreement”) with Bitmain to acquire approximately 51,480 Bitmain S21 Pro miners (with a total hashrate of 12.0 EH/s) for $18.9/TH. The purchased miners are expected to be shipped in July and August 2024. The total purchase price is $227.7 million payable in installments. The May 2024 Agreement also includes an additional purchase option to procure approximately 51,480 Bitmain S21 Pro miners (with a total hashrate of 12.0 EH/s) for $18.9/TH including a non-refundable deposit of $22.8 million as an initial 10% option down payment. The options can be exercised incrementally over the option period until May 2025. If the entire option is exercised, the total purchase price will be $227.7 million. As of June 30, 2024, we had paid $204.9 million relating to this purchase agreement including $182.1 million on the purchase of the miners and $22.8 million on the exercisable options.
Additionally, in May 2024 we amended the terms of our exercisable options under the January 2024 Agreement. The amended option agreement provides additional flexibility to exercise the options to procure either Bitmain T21 miners, with the total purchase price remaining unchanged, or upgrade to approximately 48,000 S21 Pro miners, at a total purchase price of $212.3 million being $18.90/TH for 11.2 EH/s. The amended option agreement also allows for the exercise options for a combination of both T21 or S21 Pro miners up to an aggregate of approximately 48,000 miners. The amended option agreement requires an additional non-refundable deposit of $8.5 million to be paid within 7 days of signing the amended option agreement. The amended options can be exercised incrementally over the option period until March 2025. If the entire option is exercised, the total purchase price for additional miners will be $212.3 million. As of June 30, 2024, we had paid $79.4 million to exercise options for 17,950 S21 Pro miners, which were shipped in August 2024.
In August 2024, we entered into an additional miner purchase agreement (the “August 2024 Agreement” and, together with the October 2023 Agreement, the November 2023 Agreement, the January 2024 Agreement and the May 2024 Agreement, the “Bitmain Agreements”) with Bitmain to acquire 39,000 Bitmain S21 XP miners (with a total hashrate of 10.5 EH/s) at a price of $21.5/TH. The total purchase price is $226.4 million payable in instalments. The purchased miners are scheduled to be shipped in October and November 2024.
The Bitmain Agreements are not able to be terminated by either party, are non-refundable except due to Bitmain’s delay sending a shipping notification for the miners to us and default interest of 12% is charged on any unpaid amounts under each batch.
Equipment Financing Agreements
We previously entered into three limited recourse equipment financing Facilities through three Non-Recourse SPVs, pursuant to which certain lending entities of NYDIG agreed to finance part of the purchase price of various miners that had been, or were scheduled to be, delivered to certain subsidiaries of the Company. Each Facility was non-recourse to any other Group entities, including the Company and, as a result, the lender to each Non-Recourse SPV had no recourse to, and no cross-collateralization with respect to, assets of the Company or any of its other subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of such Facilities.
In December 2022, Non-Recourse SPV 1 repaid in full one such Facility pursuant to which approximately $1.3 million of borrowings and fees were outstanding. The remaining two Facilities, pursuant to which $35.0 million and $77.2 million of borrowings were outstanding as of December 31, 2022, respectively, were not repaid by the relevant Non-Recourse SPVs. Subsequently the lenders to such Non-Recourse SPVs commenced steps to enforce the indebtedness and their asserted rights in the collateral securing such limited recourse facilities (including the approximately 3.6 EH/s of miners
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securing such facilities and other assets of such Non-Recourse SPVs), and appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. as Receiver in respect of the assets, undertakings and property of both Non-Recourse SPVs on February 3, 2023.
In connection with the loans, we issued approximately $2.6 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes to a related entity of the financier, which converted to 187,438 Ordinary shares on November 16, 2021 in connection with our IPO.
See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Certain of our limited recourse wholly-owned subsidiaries have defaulted on equipment financing agreements and are subject to bankruptcy proceedings and legal action by the lender, and we may be exposed to claims in connection with such proceedings” for a discussion of the risks associated with the defaults under the equipment financing facilities.
Going Concern
The Group has determined there is material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern but has concluded it is appropriate to prepare the consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis which contemplates continuity of normal business activities, the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The operating cash flows generated by the Group are inherently linked to several key uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, volatility associated with the economics of Bitcoin mining and the ability of the Group to execute its business plan.
For the year ended 30 June 2024, the Group incurred a loss after tax of $29.0 million (2023: $171.9 million) and net operating cash inflows of $52.7 million (2023: $6.0 million). As at 30 June 2024, the Group had net current assets of $401.4 million (2023: net current assets of $65.2 million) and net assets of $1,097.4 million (2023: net assets of $305.4 million).
As further background, the Group owns mining hardware that is designed specifically to mine Bitcoin and its future success will depend in a large part upon the value of Bitcoin, and any sustained decline in its value could adversely affect the business and results of operations. Specifically, the revenues from Bitcoin mining operations are predominantly based upon two factors: (i) the number of Bitcoin rewards that are successfully mined and (ii) the value of Bitcoin. A decline in the market price of Bitcoin, increases in the difficulty of Bitcoin mining, changes in the regulatory environment, and/or adverse changes in other inherent risks may significantly negatively impact the Group’s operations. Due to the volatility of the Bitcoin price and the effects of the other aforementioned factors, there can be no guarantee that future mining operations will be profitable, or the Group will be able to raise capital to meet growth objectives.
The strategy to mitigate these risks and uncertainties is to try to execute a business plan aimed at operational efficiency, revenue growth, improving overall mining profit, managing operating expenses and working capital requirements, maintaining potential capital expenditure optionality, and securing additional financing, as needed, through one or more debt and/or equity capital raisings.
The continuing viability of the Group and its ability to continue as a going concern and meet its debts and commitments as they fall due are therefore significantly dependent upon several factors. These factors have been considered in preparing a cash flow forecast over the next 12 months to consider the going concern of the Group. The key assumptions include:
•A base case scenario assuming recent Bitcoin economics including Bitcoin prices and global hashrate;
•Three operational sites in British Columbia, Canada with installed nameplate capacity of 160MW; 80MW Mackenzie, 50MW Prince George and 30MW Canal Flats;
•A fourth operational site at Childress, Texas with installed nameplate capacity of 100MW as at 31 July 2024 incrementally increasing to 350MW by 31 December 2024; and
•Securing additional financing as required to achieve the Group’s growths objectives.
The key assumptions have been stress tested using a range of Bitcoin price and global hashrate. The Group aims to maintain a degree of flexibility in both operating and capital expenditure cash flow management where it practicably makes sense, including ongoing internal cash flow monitoring and projection analysis performed to identify potential liquidity risks arising and to try to respond accordingly.
As a result, the Group has concluded there is material uncertainty related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, that it may be unable to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, the Group considers that it will be successful
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in the above matters and will have adequate cash reserves to enable it to meet its obligations for at least one year from the date of approval of the consolidated financial statements, and, accordingly, has prepared the consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
Historical Cash Flows
The following table sets forth a summary of our historical cash flows for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022 presented. For a comparative discussion and analysis related to the historical cash flows for fiscal year 2023 compared to 2022, refer to “Item 5. Operating Results and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Historical Cash Flows” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, filed on September 13, 2023, with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.
| Year Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | ($ thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from/(used) in operating activities | 52,716 | 6,045 | 21,557 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (498,466) | (71,467) | (318,115) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from financing activities | 782,129 | 28,240 | 372,038 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash and cash equivalents increase/(decrease) | 336,379 | (37,182) | 75,480 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 68,894 | 109,970 | 38,990 | |||||||||||||||||
| Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (672) | (3,894) | (4,500) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $ | 404,601 | $ | 68,894 | $ | 109,970 | ||||||||||||||
Operating activities
Net cash from/(used in) operating activities was a net cash inflow of $52.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2024, compared to a net cash inflow of $6.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2023. For the year ended June 30, 2024, there was an increase in the net cash operating inflows due in part to a higher average realized bitcoin price and an increase in operating hashrate.
Investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was a cash outflow of $498.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2024, compared to a cash outflow of $71.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2023. For the year ended June 30, 2024, the net cash used in investing activities primarily consisted of payments for expansion at the Childress data center, purchase of Bitmain S21 Pro and T21 miners and purchase of NVIDIA H100 GPUs.
Financing activities
Net cash from financing activities was a net cash inflow of $782.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2024, compared to a cash inflow of $28.2 million for the year ended June 30, 2023. For the year ended June 30, 2024, the net cash inflow from financing activities primarily consisted of proceeds relating to both our committed equity facility and at-the-market offering program.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2024, and the years which these obligations are due:
1 year or less | Between 1 and 2 years | Between 2 and 5 years | Over 5 years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest bearing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade and other payables | 24,780 | - | - | - | 24,780 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liability | 371 | 261 | 516 | 2,869 | 4,017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 25,151 | $ | 261 | $ | 516 | $ | 2,869 | $ | 28,797 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As at June 30, 2024, the Group had commitments of $194.6 million (2023: $7.5 million) which are payable within the year ended June 30, 2025. These commitments include committed capital expenditure on infrastructure related to site development. The increase in total commitments is primarily due to an increase in commitments related to the hardware purchase agreements previously entered into. The commitments set forth above do not reflect commitments related to hardware purchase agreements entered into after June 30, 2024 as described under “—Hardware Purchase Contracts”. above.
JOBS Act Election
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. We intend to rely on certain of the exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we are not required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and (ii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis).
C.Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
We are building proprietary data centers that continue to be refined through research and development efforts to further optimize the operational environment and efficiencies, including targeting stable performance during high and low temperature periods, as well as the life of our hardware.
One recent focus area has been on implementing power cost optimization initiatives at our Childress site in Texas, which enable the transition between Bitcoin mining and energy trading to optimize profitability.
We are also pursuing a strategy to expand and diversify our revenue streams into new markets. Pursuant to that strategy, we are increasing our focus on diversification into HPC solutions, including the provision of AI Cloud Services. We currently have 816 NVIDIA H100 GPUs operating in our data center facilities that are able to provide HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) to third party customers.
Design, research and development have not been significant components of our business, however such activities may become more significant in the future.
D.Trend Information
Please refer to our disclosure set forth under “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company” and elsewhere in this “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” for information regarding the material risks, business developments, strategies, and operations that are most likely to affect our business and results of operations through 2025.
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E.Critical Accounting Estimates
Share-based payment transactions
We measure the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and Monte-Carlo simulations which take into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. Management has exercised its best judgements in determining the key inputs for the valuation models used which includes volatility, grant-date share price, expected term and the risk-free rate. See Note 31 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 for the key assumptions.
Estimation of useful lives of assets
We determine the estimated useful lives, residual values and related depreciation charges for its property, plant and equipment. The useful lives could change significantly as a result of technical innovations or some other event. The depreciation charge will increase where the useful lives are less than previously estimated lives, or technically obsolete or non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold will be written off or written down.
Income tax
Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations, changes in tax laws, and the amount and timing of future taxable income. These uncertainties may require management to adjust expectations based on changes in circumstances, which may impact the amount of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position and the amount of other tax losses and temporary differences not yet recognized. In such circumstances, some or all of the carrying amounts of recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities may require adjustment, resulting in a corresponding credit or charge to profit or loss or other comprehensive income/(loss).
Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets relating to temporary differences and unused tax losses are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that the future taxable profit will be available against which the benefits of the deferred tax can be utilized. At the reporting date, deferred tax assets have only been recognized to the extent of deferred tax liabilities if they are related to the same tax jurisdiction. Deferred tax assets in relation to losses have not been recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position and will not be recognized until such time when there is more certainty in relation to the availability of future taxable profits.
Impairment of non-financial assets other than goodwill
We assess impairment of non-financial assets other than goodwill at each reporting date by evaluating conditions specific to the Group and to the particular asset that may lead to impairment. If an impairment trigger exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined. This involves assessing the value of the asset at “Fair Value Less Costs of Disposal” or using “Value In Use” models which incorporate a number of key estimates and assumptions. No triggers existed at the reporting date which suggested any additional impairment of assets was necessary.
Going concern
The assessment of going concern requires management to make judgements based on projections of the operating cash flows generated by the Group, which is subject to a number of key assumptions. The Group has determined there is material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern but has concluded it is appropriate to prepare the consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis. Refer to the Financial Statements Going Concern section within Note 2 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 for further information
Provisions
Provisions are recorded for present obligations arising from past events where settlement is expected to result in an outflow of resources. The Group has recorded provisions for sales tax at the best estimate of expenditure required to settle the obligation. Management makes assessments of provisions based on the expectations of probability of outcome and expectations of settlement which is inherently subject to uncertainty.
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Functional currency determination
The functional currency for the Company and its subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. Determination of functional currency is conducted through an analysis of the consideration factors identified in IAS 21 “The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates” and may involve certain judgements to determine the primary economic environment. The Company reconsiders the functional currency of its entities if there is a change in events and conditions which determine the primary economic environment. Significant changes to those underlying factors could cause a change to the functional currency.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A.Directors and Senior Management
The following table provides information regarding our executive officers and the Board as of June 30, 2024.
| Name | Age | Position | ||||||||||||
| Executive Officers | ||||||||||||||
| Daniel Roberts | 40 | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||||||||||
| William Roberts | 34 | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||||||||||
| Cesilia Kim | 49 | Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary | ||||||||||||
| David Shaw | 57 | Chief Operating Officer | ||||||||||||
| Belinda Nucifora | 51 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||
| Independent Non-Executive Directors | ||||||||||||||
| David Bartholomew | 63 | Chair | ||||||||||||
| Christopher Guzowski | 39 | Director | ||||||||||||
| Michael Alfred | 43 | Director | ||||||||||||
Sunita Parasuraman | 51 | Director | ||||||||||||
Executive Officers
Daniel Roberts is a Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer and director of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN). Mr. Roberts has over 20 years’ experience in the finance, infrastructure and renewables industries. Prior to founding Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN), Mr. Roberts was an Executive Director of, and the second largest individual shareholder in, Palisade Investment Partners, an infrastructure funds management business based in Sydney. Prior to Palisade Investment Partners, Mr. Roberts worked at Macquarie Group and PricewaterhouseCoopers in London and Sydney, respectively. Mr. Roberts currently serves on the board of JOLT, a Blackrock-backed electrical vehicle charging business where he is also the second largest individual shareholder. Mr. Roberts has previously served as a board member of various entities involved in airports, ports, gas pipelines, bulk liquid storage businesses, waste treatment facilities and wind and solar farms, including Granville Harbour Wind Farm, Ross River Solar Farm, Northern Territory Airports, Sunshine Coast Airport, ANZ Terminals Pty Ltd and Tasmanian Gas Pipeline. Mr. Roberts holds a Bachelor of Business from University of Technology Sydney and a Master of Finance (Dean’s List) from INSEAD Business School. Mr. Roberts is the brother of William Roberts, who also serves as a Co-Chief Executive Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN).
William Roberts is a Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer and director of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN). Mr. Roberts has over 13 years’ experience in finance, real assets and commodities markets, including debt financing and principal investment across resources mining projects, as well as managing foreign exchange and commodity price risks. Prior to founding Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN), Mr. Roberts worked across accounting and banking, resources, commodities and real assets at Macquarie Group, Westpac and Brookfield Multiplex. At Macquarie Group, he co-founded the newly established Digital Assets team. Mr. Roberts holds a Bachelor of Business (Distinction) from the University of Technology Sydney. Mr. Roberts is the brother of Daniel Roberts, who also serves as a Co-Chief Executive Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN).
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Cesilia Kim has been the Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since January 2023. Ms. Kim is a senior executive and lawyer with over 20 years’ experience across renewable energy, water, infrastructure, corporate governance and M&A. Ms. Kim has a strong track record in corporate strategy, major project development and approvals, policy, regulatory reform, governance and risk management. Ms. Kim was most recently Snowy Hydro Limited's Group Executive - External Affairs, Procurement and Legal with a broad commercial and multi-disciplinary remit, including procurement, corporate affairs, regulatory strategy and legal. Prior to this, Ms. Kim was in private practice at Allens Linklaters. Ms. Kim holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Laws (Honors) degree from the University of Sydney, Australia, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
David Shaw has been the Chief Operating Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since October 2021. Mr. Shaw is a strategic and operational executive with more than 30 years’ experience working across the energy, utilities and resources sectors in the Asia Pacific and North America. Mr. Shaw has extensive background delivering a portfolio of projects over varied geographies and cultures, and providing safe, reliable operations to process facilities, manufacturing and water treatment plants. He was previously Senior Vice President Operations Asia Pacific East of global engineering firm Wood, delivering multi-million dollar critical services to complex and diverse industries. Mr. Shaw has a degree in Engineering from the University of Melbourne.
Belinda Nucifora has been the Chief Financial Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since May 2022. Ms. Nucifora is a Chartered Accountant and experienced Chief Financial Officer with more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services and alternative asset management industries. She has previously held chief financial officer and senior finance roles in both listed and private companies, including Merrill Lynch, Alinta Energy, Challenger, Travelex, Slater & Gordon and Laser Clinics Australia. She has deep experience in financial and strategic business leadership, including leadership of successful growth companies both organically and through M&A activity. Ms. Nucifora holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Independent Non-Executive Directors
David Bartholomew has served as the Chair of the Board of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since September 2021. Mr. Bartholomew currently serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Atlas Arteria - a global owner and operator of toll roads, Endeavour Energy - a NSW electricity distributor, Keolis Downer - provide public transport operation and maintenance services in Australia, and Atmos Renewables (Independent Non-Executive Chair) - an owner and developer of renewable generation assets in Australia and GHD - a global engineering services firm. Mr. Bartholomew is also External Independent Chair of the Executive Price Review Steering Committee of AusNet Services. Mr. Bartholomew’s executive background includes the role of Chief Executive Officer of DUET Group, where he oversaw the ASX listed company’s transition to a fully internalized management and governance structure and in which he was appointed to the boards of DUET’s portfolio companies including United Energy Distribution (Victorian electricity distribution), Multinet Gas (Victorian gas distribution), the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline, Energy Developments Limited (remote and waste-to-energy electricity generation) and Duquesne Light (Pittsburgh, USA electricity distribution). He has also held executive roles at Hastings Funds Management, Lend Lease, The Boston Consulting Group and BHP Minerals. Mr. Bartholomew has also served on the boards of Vector Limited, Power and Water Corporation (NT), Dussur (Saudi Arabia), The Helmsman Project, Interlink Roads (Sydney’s M5 Motorway), Statewide Roads (Sydney’s M4 Motorway), Epic Energy (gas transmission), Sydney Light Rail, Port of Geelong, various forestry companies and Nextgen Networks (communications cable network), representing investors managed by Hastings Funds Management. Mr. Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) degree from Adelaide University and an MBA from The Australian Graduate School of Management.
Christopher Guzowski has served on the Board of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since December 2019. Mr. Guzowski has over 15 years’ international experience in renewable energy project development across Europe and Australia. Mr. Guzowski founded Baltic Wind, developing large scale wind farm projects in Europe from greenfield to operations. He also founded Mithra Energy, developing 10+ solar PV projects in Poland since 2012. Mr. Guzowski was the Project Development Director and commercial development partner of Photon Energy, with a major solar PV pipeline under development in Australia. Mr. Guzowski was the Founding Director of ADCCA - Australian Digital Currency Commerce Association and was a founder of ABA Technology in 2014 (Australian blockchain technology). Mr. Guzowski holds a Bachelor of Business from University of Technology Sydney and an MBA in Energy Management from Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Michael Alfred has served on the Board of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since October 2021. Mr. Alfred is a private investor, advisor, and board member. Previously, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Digital Assets Data, Inc., a financial technology and data company building enterprise-grade software and data feeds for the digital asset
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ecosystem, from when he co-founded the company in January 2018 through its sale to New York Digital Investment Group LLC in November 2020. Mr. Alfred has served as an Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of Amenify, a real estate technology company, since July 2020. From October 2016 to January 2018, Mr. Alfred was a Managing Director and member of the five-person executive committee for Strategic Insight, Inc., a provider of data and software to the global asset management industry, which was acquired by Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) in 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Alfred served as the Chief Executive Officer of BrightScope, Inc., a financial information company providing 401k analyses and tools for retirement plan participants, sponsors and advisors, from February 2008 until it was acquired by Strategic Insight, Inc. in October 2016. Prior to co-founding BrightScope, Inc., Mr. Alfred served as Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager of Alfred Capital Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor serving high net worth individuals. Mr. Alfred also serves as a principal investor in a variety of industries including technology and consumer products. Mr. Alfred has served on the boards of Crestone Group, LLC, a national artisan bakery, since March 2015 and Eaglebrook Advisors, a tech-driven digital asset management platform for financial advisors and their clients, since September 2019. Mr. Alfred received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Stanford University.
Sunita Parasuraman has served on the Board of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since July 2023. During her career as a senior technology executive, Ms. Parasuraman has built and scaled world-class teams at Meta (Facebook), VMware, Genentech, and Apple. Ms. Parasuraman most recently served as the Head of Investments, New Product Experimentation at Meta (Facebook) and, prior to that, served as Facebook’s Global Head of Treasury and Head of Treasury for Facebook’s blockchain initiative (Libra). Ms. Parasuraman currently serves on the board of The Baldwin Group (NASDAQ: BWIN), a leading publicly-traded insurance distribution company, where she is a member of its Audit and Technology & Cyber Risk Committees. She also serves on the board of the IIT Bombay Heritage Foundation, where she is Chair of the Nomination & Governance Committee and member of its Finance Committee. Ms. Parasuraman holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
B.Compensation
Overview
Our remuneration philosophy is to align director and senior management objectives with shareholder and business objectives by providing a fixed remuneration component and typically offering short-term and long-term incentives based on individual and Group performance and tenure with the Group. The Board believes the remuneration philosophy to be appropriate and effective in its ability to attract and retain the best executives and directors to run and manage the consolidated entity, as well as create goal congruence between directors, executives and shareholders. The Board is responsible for determining the appropriate remuneration package for our executive officers and independent non-executive directors and may be advised by independent executive compensation specialist advice.
Our executive officers in Australia receive a superannuation guarantee contribution required under Australian law and do not receive any other retirement benefits.
Remuneration of Executive Officers
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the aggregate cash remuneration paid to our executive officers was $7,841,873 comprising $7,767,042 in cash and $74,831 in post-employment superannuation and other similar payments.
Our executive officers receive fixed compensation as well as short-term and long-term incentives. The level of fixed remuneration is set to provide a base level of compensation which we consider both appropriate to the applicable position and competitive in the marketplace. Fixed compensation is comprised of base salary inclusive of superannuation contribution and other similar payments.
From time to time, the Board may approve cash bonuses for our executive officers based on individual performance, company performance or as otherwise determined appropriate. Payments of such bonuses will generally be made in the fiscal year following the year in which they were earned.
We also provide long-term incentives, which are issued as restricted stock units (RSU), to align our executive officers with the creation of shareholder wealth. Details of the RSU grants and historical option grants are provided below.
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Remuneration of Independent Non-Executive Directors
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the aggregate remuneration paid to our independent non-executive directors was $381,891 comprising $370,208 in cash and $11,683 in post-employment superannuation.
We also provide long-term incentives to align our non-executive directors with the creation of shareholder wealth. Details of the RSU grants are provided below.
$75 Exercise Price Options
On September 14, 2021, our shareholders approved a grant of 2,400,000 long-term options each to Daniel Roberts and William Roberts to acquire Ordinary shares at an exercise price of $75 per option (“$75 Exercise Price Options”).
The $75 Exercise Price Options will vest in four tranches, if the relevant Ordinary share price is equal to or exceeds the corresponding vesting threshold and the executive director has not voluntarily resigned as a director of the Company. The initial vesting thresholds are, the VWAP of an Ordinary share over the immediately preceding 20 trading days being equal to or exceeding (i) $370; (ii) $650; (iii) $925; and (iv) $1,850, following which 600,000 of the $75 Exercise Price Options will vest in respect of each threshold.
The VWAP vesting thresholds may also be triggered by a sale or takeover of the Company based upon the price per Ordinary share received in such transaction. The option holder is entitled to receive in its capacity as a holder of the options, a Distribution paid by the Company per Ordinary share as if the vested options were exercised and Ordinary shares issued to the option holder at the relevant time of such Distribution. The options are subject to customary adjustments to reflect any reorganization of the Company's capital, as well as adjustments to vesting thresholds including any future issuance of Ordinary shares by the Company. None of the $75 Exercise Price Options have vested.
Employment Agreements with Executive Officers
The base salaries and start dates are set out below for each current executive officer. None of these employment agreements or director appointments have termination dates. The base salary under the employment agreements may be increased by the Board from time to time. Base salary amounts noted below are paid in local currency and translated at the 30 June year-end rate for disclosure purposes.
Daniel Roberts
Daniel Roberts is a Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and commenced with the Company on November 6, 2018. Daniel Roberts also serves as an Executive Director. Daniel Roberts is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $984,000 as approved by the Board in June 2024 plus other standard employment benefits given to employees in Australia (such as annual leave, long service leave, personal/carers, compassionate leave plus statutory superannuation contributions).
William Roberts
William Roberts is a Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and commenced with the Company on November 6, 2018. William Roberts also serves as an Executive Director. William Roberts is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $984,000 as approved by the Board in June 2024 plus other standard employment benefits given to employees in Australia (such as annual leave, long service leave, personal/carers, compassionate leave plus statutory superannuation contributions).
Cesilia Kim
Cesilia Kim has been the Chief Legal Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since January 1, 2023. Cesilia Kim is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $615,000 plus other standard employment benefits given to employees in Australia (such as annual leave, long service leave, personal/carers, compassionate leave plus statutory superannuation contributions). Cesilia Kim is also eligible to participate in Company bonus plans, option plans, share plans or other incentive plans if they are approved by the Board.
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David Shaw
David Shaw is Chief Operating Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN), based in Vancouver. David Shaw commenced with the Company in its head office in Australia on October 11, 2021 and relocated to Canada in January 2022. David Shaw is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $500,000 plus other standard employment benefits given to employees in Canada (such as annual leave, medical benefits plus statutory contributions). David Shaw is also eligible to participate in Company bonus plans, option plans, share plans or other incentive plans if they are approved by the Board.
Belinda Nucifora
Belinda Nucifora has been the Chief Financial Officer of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) since May 16, 2022. Belinda Nucifora is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $500,000 plus other standard employment benefits given to employees in Australia (such as annual leave, long service leave, personal/carers, compassionate leave plus statutory superannuation contributions). Belinda Nucifora is also eligible to participate in Company bonus plans, option plans, share plans or other incentive plans if they are approved by the Board.
Summary of Remuneration of Directors and Executive Officers
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Compensation Committee engaged an independent executive compensation specialist to assess the appropriateness of executive and independent non-executive director compensation.
Details of the remuneration received by our executive officers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 are set forth below.
| Salary/Fees | Post- employment benefits | Short- term incentive | Additional Remuneration | RSUs(3) | Pre-IPO Options(3) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Officers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel Roberts | $ | 605,849 | $ | 17,994 | $ | 1,258,500 | $ | 990,000 | (1) | $ | 3,935,880 | - | $ | 6,808,223 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William Roberts | $ | 605,849 | $ | 17,994 | $ | 1,258,500 | $ | 990,000 | (1) | $ | 3,935,880 | - | $ | 6,808,223 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cesilia Kim | $ | 369,491 | $ | 17,994 | $ | 387,485 | - | $ | 259,200 | - | $ | 1,034,170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Shaw | $ | 354,290 | $ | 2,855 | $ | 354,290 | - | $ | 268,802 | $ | 43,644 | (2) | $ | 1,023,881 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Belinda Nucifora | $ | 287,397 | $ | 17,994 | $ | 305,391 | - | $ | 242,977 | - | $ | 853,759 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Additional remuneration was approved by the Board based on recommendations from an independent executive compensation specialist engaged to assess the appropriateness of executive and independent non-executive director compensation since our IPO. This analysis included a comparison against a peer group of publicly traded companies and concluded that, among other things, our Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officers’ remuneration has been significantly below peer benchmarks and as such, recommended that our Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer remuneration be aligned to market.
(2)Relates to options granted Pre-IPO in calendar 2021 and the associated amortization for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
(3)Relates to amortization of historical RSU grants made under the 2022 and 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plans. For further detail in relation to share-based payments and key management personnel disclosures (including fair value measurement of outstanding options and RSUs), refer to Notes 31 and 33 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
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Details of the remuneration received by our directors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 are set forth below.
| Salary/Fees | Post- employment benefits | Short- term incentive | Additional Remuneration | RSUs(3) | Pre-IPO Options(3) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Directors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel Roberts | - | - | - | - | - | $ | 5,817,225 | (1) | $ | 5,817,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William Roberts | - | - | - | - | - | $ | 5,817,225 | (1) | $ | 5,817,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Bartholomew | $ | 106,209 | $ | 11,683 | - | - | $ | 183,079 | $ | 309,364 | (2) | $ | 610,335 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Christopher Guzowski | $ | 69,844 | - | - | - | $ | 126,253 | $ | 309,364 | (2) | $ | 505,461 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael Alfred | $ | 120,000 | - | - | - | $ | 126,253 | $ | 86,419 | (2) | $ | 332,672 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunita Parasuraman | $ | 74,155 | - | - | - | $ | 110,445 | - | $ | 184,600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Relates to the $75 Exercise Price Options granted to Daniel Roberts and Will Roberts in their capacity as directors, and associated amortization for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 (the Company’s share price as of June 30, 2024 was $11.29).
(2)Relates to options granted Pre-IPO in calendar 2021 and the associated amortization for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
(3)For further detail in relation to share-based payments and key management personnel disclosures (including fair value measurement of outstanding options and RSUs, refer to Notes 31 and 33 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
Incentive Plans
Employee Share Plan
The Board adopted the Employee Share Plan (the “Share Plan”), which was firstly approved by shareholders on January 24, 2020 and then revised on July 1, 2020 and our shareholders approved the revised Share Plan on November 4, 2020.
Issuance of Shares
The Share Plan provides for the issuance of Ordinary shares to eligible persons selected by the Board to participate in the Share Plan, subject to such individual accepting the Company’s offer to participate in the Share Plan and delivering a duly completed application deed for the purchase of Ordinary shares together with the total purchase price of such shares to the Company (to be funded in whole or in part by a limited recourse loan from the Company to the eligible person). Ordinary shares already issued under the Share Plan on such date will remain subject to the terms and conditions of the Share Plan. No additional grants are expected to be made by the Company under the Share Plan.
Exit Event
On or prior to an exit event, the Board may in its absolute discretion: (1) where there is a reconstruction of the Company as part of an exit event (a) provide for the issuance of new shares in substitution of some or all of the Ordinary shares issued under the Share Plan on a like for like basis, by a new holding entity in which equity securities are issued in exchange for Ordinary shares issued under the Share Plan or any related body corporate of the new holding entity or (b) arrange for some or all of the Ordinary shares issued under the Share Plan to be acquired by the new holding entity or any related body corporate of the new holding entity in exchange for their fair market value on the date of completion of the reconstruction; (2) buy back and cancel some or all of the Ordinary shares issued under the Share Plan in exchange for their fair market value; or (3) take any combination of the above. Under the Share Plan, an exit event is generally defined as: (i) an initial public offering of the Company or one of its subsidiaries or a special purpose vehicle formed for such purpose
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which directly or indirectly owns at least 50% of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries to the official list of ASX Limited or any other recognized stock exchange, (ii) a sale to a third party purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets and business undertaking of the Company or its subsidiaries or (iii) the sale by shareholders in one transaction or a series of connected transaction to a third party purchaser of all of the issued Ordinary shares.
Plan Administration
The Board, or a duly authorized committee of the Board to which the Board delegates its administrative authority, administers the Share Plan and is referred to as the plan administrator herein. Under the Share Plan, the plan administrator has the sole discretion to, among other things, select the persons to participate in the Share Plan, determine the terms and conditions set out in any application deed, including the number of Ordinary shares to be subject to such deed, the purchase price for such Ordinary shares and the disposal restrictions applying to such Ordinary shares, amend any offer related to any Ordinary share before Ordinary shares are issued and determine appropriate procedures, regulations and guidelines for the administration of the Share Plan.
Plan Amendment
The Board has the authority to amend from time to time the Share Plan, subject to the requirements from time to time of the Corporations Act, and provided that any such amendment does not adversely affect the right of eligible persons in respect of Ordinary shares issued prior to such amendment without the affected participant’s consent, unless such amendment is required by, or necessitated by, law.
Employee Option Plan
The Board adopted the Employee Option Plan on July 28, 2021.
Issuance of Options
The Employee Option Plan provides for the issuance of options to acquire Ordinary shares to eligible persons selected by the Board to participate in the Employee Option Plan, subject to such individual accepting the Company’s offer to participate in the Employee Option Plan and delivering a duly completed application deed to apply for the options to the Company. No additional grants are expected to be made by the Company under the Employee Option Plan.
Exit Event
On or prior to an exit event, the Board may in its absolute discretion: (1) where there is a reconstruction of the Company as part of an exit event (a) provide for the issuance of new options in substitution of some or all of the options issued under the Employee Option Plan by a new holding entity in which equity securities are issued in exchange for options issued under the Employee Option Plan or any related body corporate of the new holding entity or (b) arrange for some or all of the options issued under the Employee Option Plan to be acquired by the new holding entity or any related body corporate of the new holding entity in exchange for their fair market value on the date of completion of the reconstruction; (2) buy back or cancel some or all of the option issued under the Employee Option Plan in exchange for their fair market value; or (3) take the following steps: (a) notify an option holder of the number of options issued under the Employee Option Plan that will vest as a result of the exit event occurring; (b) make appropriate arrangements to ensure that such options and all other outstanding options issued under the Employee Option Plan are able to be exercised on or prior to the exit date; and (c) use reasonable endeavors to ensure that the Ordinary shares issued as a result of the exercise by an option holder of its options issued under the Employee Option Plan at or about the time of an exit event are accorded the same rights and receive the same benefits in relation to the exit event as pre-existing Ordinary shares; or (4) take any combination of the above. Under the Employee Option Plan, an exit event is generally defined as: (i) an initial public offering and/or direct listing of the Company or one of its subsidiaries or a special purpose vehicle formed for such purpose which directly or indirectly owns at least 50% of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries to the official list of the ASX Limited or any other recognized stock exchange, (ii) a sale to a third party purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets and business undertaking of the Company or its subsidiaries or (iii) the sale by shareholders in one transaction or a series of connected transaction to a third party purchaser of all of the issued Ordinary shares.
Plan Administration
The Board, or a duly authorized committee of the Board to which the Board delegates its administrative authority, administers the Employee Option Plan and is referred to as the plan administrator herein. Under the Employee Option, the plan administrator has the sole discretion to, among other things, select the persons to participate in the Employee Option
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Plan, determine the terms and conditions set out in any application deed, including the number of options to be issued under the Employee Option Plan subject to such deed, the purchase price for such options and the vesting and disposal restrictions applying to such options, amend any offer related to any option to be issued under the Employee Option Plan before such options are issued and determine appropriate procedures, regulations and guidelines for the administration of the Employee Option Plan.
Plan Amendment
The Board has the authority to amend from time to time the Employee Option Plan, subject to the requirements from time to time of the Corporations Act, and provided that any such amendment does not adversely affect the right of eligible persons or option holders in respect of options issued under the Employee Option Plan prior to such amendment without the affected participant’s consent, unless such amendment is required by, or necessitated by, law.
Non-Executive Director Option Plan
The Board approved a Non-Executive Director Option Plan (“NED Option Plan”) on 28 July 2021. The terms of the NED Option Plan are substantially similar to the Employee Option Plan. Vesting of instruments granted under the NED Option Plan is dependent on specific service thresholds being met by the Non-Executive Director, as well as compliance with other terms and conditions of the NED Option Plan. Where an option holder ceases to be a Director of the Company within the vesting period, the options granted to that Director will vest on a pro-rata basis of the associated service period. The Board retains the absolute discretion to cancel any remaining unvested options held by the option holder. No additional grants are expected to be made by the Company under the Non-Executive Director Plan.
2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Units
On July 1, 2022 the Board approved a long-term incentive plan under which participating employees generally have been granted RSUs in two equal tranches after three and four years of continued service, including a portion the vesting of which is also subject to the achievement of specified performance goals over this time period. RSUs issued under this long-term incentive plan are subject to other terms and conditions contained in the plan.
On July 1, 2022 and January 11, 2023 RSUs were granted under this plan to participating employees for FY23. In FY23, 34,853 RSUs were granted under this plan to each independent non-executive director David Bartholomew, Michael Alfred and Chris Guzowski, which subsequently vested following the release of the FY23 results in September 2023. Daniel Roberts and William Roberts (or their nominated shareholders) each received a Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer grant of 534,853 RSUs that will vest in part in two tranches. 229,223 will vest based on years of continued service. 305,630 RSUs will vest based upon achievement of a “Share Price Test” being that the last reported closing price of the Ordinary shares on the exchange on which the shares are listed is at least equal to the IPO price of $28 per share for any 10 Trading Days out of any 15 consecutive full Trading Days. Daniel Roberts and William Roberts (or their nominated shareholder) also received a Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer grant of 713,166 RSUs each, which have time-based vesting conditions and will vest in three equal tranches. The first tranche vested on July 1, 2024. The remaining two tranches will vest respectively on July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026.
RSUs issued under this long-term incentive plan are subject to other terms and conditions contained in the plan.
2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Units
On June 28, 2023 the Board approved a new long-term incentive plan under which participating employees and directors have been granted RSUs. For participating employees such RSUs vest over three years of continued service, subject, with respect to a portion of such RSUs, to the achievement of a total shareholder return performance metric measured at the end of the specified three year vesting period. The non-executive directors receive RSUs based solely on time of service, being a 1-year period. RSUs issued under this long-term incentive plan are subject to other terms and conditions contained in the plan.
On July 1, 2023 and January 13, 2024, RSUs were granted under this plan to independent non-executive directors, each Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer and eligible employees for FY24. Pursuant to the 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the first tranche of RSUs granted for FY24 vest in the first quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
Restricted Share Units issued subsequent to June 30, 2024
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On July 1, 2024, RSUs were granted under the 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan to independent non-executive directors, each Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer and eligible employees for FY25. The first tranche of RSUs granted for FY25 are expected to vest in September 2025.
53,811 RSUs were granted to independent non-executive directors and 505,200 RSUs were granted to eligible employees.
The RSUs granted to each Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer (or their nominated shareholder) will vest as follows (subject to the relevant criteria disclosed which is tested at the end of each respective vesting period):
•118,099 RSUs will vest following one year of continued service;
•118,099 RSUs will vest following two years of continued service;
•118,099 RSUs will vest following three years of continued service; and
•984,094 RSUs will vest subject to the achievement of share price milestones across 7 tranches, with the vesting of each tranche based on the relevant Ordinary share price across any 30 trading day average prior to July 1, 2027 being equal to or exceeding:
◦$20 share price for 116,857 RSUs (190% premium to 90-day average closing price of $6.91 on June 28, 2024)
◦$25 share price for 124,359 RSUs (262% premium to 90-day average closing price of $6.91 on June 28, 2024)
◦$30 share price for 131,970 RSUs (334% premium to 90-day average closing price of $6.91 on June 28, 2024)
◦$35 share price for 140,228 RSUs (407% premium to 90-day average closing price of $6.91 on June 28, 2024)
◦$40 share price for 147,466 RSUs (479% premium to 90-day average closing price of $6.91 on June 28, 2024)
◦$45 share price for 156,129 RSUs (551% premium to 90-day average closing price of $6.91 on June 28, 2024)
◦$50 share price for 167,085 RSUs (624% premium to 90-day average closing price of $6.91 on June 28, 2024)
Compensation Recoupment (Clawback) Policy
We maintain a compensation clawback policy, which we adopted in November, 2023 in compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements. In the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to its material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under U.S. federal securities law, the policy provides that the Company will recoup compensation from each current or former executive officer who, during the three-year period preceding the date on which an accounting restatement is required, received incentive compensation based on the erroneous financial data that exceeds the amount of incentive-based compensation the executive would have received based on the restatement.
C.Board Practices
Board Composition
On July 18, 2023, the Company announced the appointment of Sunita Parasuraman to the Board.
As of July 31, 2024, the Board consisted of six directors, four of whom are independent non-executive directors. David Bartholomew is the Chair of the Board.
As a foreign private issuer, under the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq, we are not required to have a majority of independent directors on the Board, except that our audit committee is required to consist fully of independent directors, subject to certain phase-in schedules. The Board has determined that David Bartholomew, Christopher Guzowski, Michael Alfred and Sunita Parasuraman do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under Nasdaq rules.
The Board has the power to appoint any person to be a director either to fill a casual vacancy or as an additional director (up to a maximum of 10). The exact number of members on the Board may be modified from time to time by an
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ordinary resolution of our shareholders in a general meeting, subject to the terms of our Constitution. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and will hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until the earlier of their respective death, resignation, disqualification, or removal.
| Name | Position | Year First Appointed | ||||||||||||
| David Bartholomew | Non-executive Director and Independent Chair | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Mike Alfred | Independent non-executive Director | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Chris Guzowski | Independent non-executive Director | 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Sunita Parasuraman | Independent non-executive Director | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Daniel Roberts | Director and Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 2018 | ||||||||||||
| William Roberts | Director and Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 2018 | ||||||||||||
When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the Board focuses primarily on each person’s background and experience as reflected in the information discussed in each of the directors’ individual biographies set forth above.
For details of executive directors’ service contracts providing for benefits upon termination of employment, see “—B. Compensation—Employment Agreements with Executive Officers.”
Board Committees
The Board directs the management of our business and affairs as provided by Australian law and conducts its business through meetings of the Board and the operation of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Compensation Committee. In addition, from time to time, other committees may be established under the direction of the Board when necessary or advisable to address specific issues.
Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee operates under a charter that was initially approved by the Board on November 13, 2021, and subsequently updated and adopted on February 15, 2023. A copy of this charter is available on our website.
As of June 30, 2024, the Audit and Risk Committee consisted of Sunita Parasuraman (Chair), David Bartholomew, Chris Guzowski and Michael Alfred. The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for, among its other duties and responsibilities, assisting the Board in overseeing: our accounting and financial reporting processes and other internal control processes, the audits and integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, risk management systems, the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit and Risk Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm.
The Board has determined that each member of the Audit and Risk Committee is “independent” as such term is defined in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, which is different from the general test for independence of board and committee members.
The Board has determined that all members of the Audit and Risk Committee meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq corporate governance rules. The Board has determined that each of David Bartholomew and Sunita Parasuraman is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined under the applicable regulations of the SEC and has the requisite accounting or related financial management expertise and financial sophistication under the applicable rules and regulations of the Nasdaq.
Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act requires us to have a majority of independent audit committee members within 90 days and all independent audit committee members (within the meaning of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Rule 5605(c)(3) of Nasdaq’s listing requirements) within one year of the IPO. All members of the Audit and Risk Committee are
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able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, are familiar with finance and accounting practices and principles, and are financially literate.
Compensation Committee
The Board approved the establishment of the Compensation Committee on April 11, 2024. The Compensation Committee consists of David Bartholomew (Chair), Michael Alfred, Christopher Guzowski and Sunita Parasuraman. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the responsibilities of the Board relating to compensation of the Company’s directors and members of the executive leadership team.
The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is “independent” as such term is defined in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act.
Board Diversity Matrix
Board Diversity Matrix (As of July 31, 2024) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Country of Principal Executive Offices: | Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Private Issuer | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure Prohibited under Home Country Law | No | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Number of Directors | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Female | Male | Non- Binary | Did Not Disclose Gender | |||||||||||||||||
| Part I: Gender Identity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Directors | 1 | 5 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Part II: Demographic Background | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| LGBTQ+ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Did Not Disclose Demographic Background | — | |||||||||||||||||||
D.Employees
We had 144, 100 and 102 employees as of June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we employed 56 employees in a corporate head office capacity and 88 employees focused on developing our infrastructure and general operations and corporate support.
The following table describes the number of employees by geographic location as of June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
E.Share Ownership
The shares and any outstanding beneficial ownership of our directors and officers and/or entities affiliated with these individuals are disclosed in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders.” See “—B. Compensation—Incentive Plans” for information on our share option long-term incentive programs.
F.Disclosure of a Registrant's Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation
Not applicable.
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ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A.Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Ordinary shares and B Class shares as of July 31, 2024 for:
•each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our outstanding Ordinary shares or B Class shares;
•each of member of the Board and each executive officer; and
•the members of the Board and our executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. In computing the number of Ordinary shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage beneficial ownership and voting power of that person, we deemed to be outstanding, all Ordinary shares subject to options or restricted stock units held by that person that are immediately exercisable or that will become exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2024. We did not deem such shares to be outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficial ownership or voting power of any other person (except with respect to the percentage beneficial ownership or voting power of all members of the Board and our executive officers as a group).
The percentage of Ordinary shares beneficially owned and voting power is based on 189,346,079 Ordinary shares and 2 B Class shares outstanding as of July 31, 2024.
Except as otherwise indicated, all of the shares reflected in the table are Ordinary shares and all persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose.
The principal shareholders have not, nor have they within the past three years had, any position, office, or other material relationship with us, other than as disclosed in this annual report. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for further information regarding the
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principal shareholders. The business address of each principal shareholder is Level 12, 44 Market Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia, unless otherwise indicated below.
Ordinary Shares | B Class Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Number | Percentage of Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned | Number | Percentage of B Class Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Total Voting Power (1)(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel Roberts (3) | 5,509,268 | 2.9 | % | 1 | 50.0 | % | 25.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William Roberts (4) | 5,509,268 | 2.9 | % | 1 | 50.0 | % | 25.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David Bartholomew (5) | 103,941 | * | - | - | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Christopher Guzowski (6) | 60,176 | * | - | - | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Alfred (7) | 820,284 | * | - | - | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunita Parasuraman (8) | 18,908 | * | - | - | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cesilia Kim (8) | 28,185 | * | - | - | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David Shaw (9) | 25,560 | * | - | - | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Belinda Nucifora (8) | 22,214 | * | - | - | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group | 12,097,804 | 5.8 | % | 2 | 100.0 | % | 49.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal Shareholders: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nil | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
___________________________________________
*Indicates less than 1%.
(1)The number of shares included on this table includes those shares owned by the beneficial owner’s spouse, and entity or trust controlled by the beneficial owner, or owned by another person in the owner’s household.
(2)Each member of the Board other than Sunita Parasuraman has been awarded options to purchase Ordinary shares for services on the Board. Shares awarded are issued to the recipient and vest over the term of services. In the event of early termination of services and not serving for the full term for which the shares were awarded, a pro rata portion of the shares are required to be returned to the Company.
(3)Includes 5,509,268 Ordinary shares, including 1,000,000 Ordinary shares assuming the exercise of underlying vested options issued Pre-IPO, and 1 B Class share held by Awassi Capital Holdings 2 Pty Ltd (ACN 629 819 978) (“Awassi Capital 2”) as trustee for The Awassi Capital Trust #2. Mr. Roberts is the sole shareholder of Awassi Capital 2 and manages its investments and has voting power over the Ordinary shares of the Company held by Awassi Capital 2.
(4)Includes 5,509,268 Ordinary shares, including 1,000,000 Ordinary shares assuming the exercise of underlying vested options issued Pre-IPO, and 1 B Class share held by Awassi Capital Holdings 1 Pty Ltd (ACN 629 820 499) (“Awassi Capital 1”) as trustee for The Awassi Capital Trust #1. Mr. Roberts is the sole shareholder of Awassi Capital 1 and manages its investments and has voting power over the Ordinary shares of the Company held by Awassi Capital 1.
(5)Includes 34,853 Ordinary shares held directly by Mr. Bartholomew, 11,448 Ordinary shares acquired by Wetherby Place Investments Trust, an entity associated with Mr. Bartholomew, 14,185 Ordinary shares assuming the exercise of underlying vested options issued pursuant to the Company’s Non-Executive Director Option Plan and 43,455 Restricted Stock Units granted under the Company's 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan expected to vest in September 2024.
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(6)Includes 31,206 Ordinary shares assuming the exercise of underlying vested options issued pursuant to the Company’s Non-Executive Director Option Plan and 28,970 Restricted Stock Units granted under the Company's 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan expected to vest in September 2024.
(7)Includes 39,853 Ordinary shares held directly by Mr. Alfred, 1,000 Ordinary shares held in an IRA, 401(k) plan or other benefit or retirement plan, 750,461 Ordinary shares acquired by Alpine Fox LP, an entity associated with Mr. Alfred and 28,970 Restricted Stock Units granted under the Company's 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan expected to vest in September 2024.
(8)Restricted Stock Units granted under the Company's 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan expected to vest in September 2024.
(9)Includes 50 Ordinary shares held by Mr. Shaw's immediate family and 25,510 Restricted Stock Units granted under the Company's 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan expected to vest in September 2024.
B.Related Party Transactions
Other than compensation arrangements which are described under “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Remuneration” or as described below, since July 1, 2023 through the date of this annual report, we did not enter into any related transactions with any related parties including: (i) directors and executive officers, or their spouses or close members of any such individual’s family; and (ii) entities that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control us, or that hold 10% or more of any class of our voting securities.
Deed of access, insurance and indemnity
We have entered into indemnity agreements with each of our directors and certain of our officers. These agreements provide the directors and officers with contractual rights to indemnification and expense advancement and are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.
Related Party Transaction Policy
The Board has adopted a written related party transactions policy. Pursuant to this policy, the Audit and Risk Committee review all material facts of all related party transactions and either approve or disapprove entry into the related party transactions, subject to certain limited exceptions. In determining whether to approve or disapprove entry into a related party transaction, the Audit and Risk Committee take into account, among other factors, the following; (i) whether the related party transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unqualified third-party under the same or similar circumstances and (ii) the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. Furthermore, the policy requires that all related party transactions required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC be so disclosed in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
D.Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A.Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See “Item 18. Financial Statements” for the Company’s consolidated financial statements including the notes thereto and report of the independent accounting firm.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Legal Proceedings” in this annual report for more information on legal proceedings.
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Dividends and Dividend Policy
Since our incorporation, we have not declared or paid any dividends on our issued share capital. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Board and subject to Australian law. If the Board elects to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earning, capital requirements and surplus, general financial conditions, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant. B Class shares do not confer on its holders any right to receive dividends.
B.Significant Changes
None.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A.Offering and Listing Details
See “Item 9. The Offer and Listing—C. Markets.”
B.Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C.Markets
On November 19, 2021, we completed our IPO. Our Ordinary shares have been listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market since November 17, 2021 under the symbol “IREN.”
D.Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E.Dilution
Not applicable.
F.Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A.Share Capital
Not applicable.
B.Memorandum and Articles of Association
The information called for by this item is included in Exhibit 2.1 “Description of Securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act of this annual report. A copy of our Constitution is attached as Exhibit 3.1 to this annual report.
C.Material Contracts
We are not currently, and have not been in the last two years, party to any material contracts, other than (i) contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and (ii) the January 2024 Agreement (as amended), the May 2024 Agreement and the August 2024 Agreement described under “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Hardware Purchase Contracts.”
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D.Exchange controls
Australia has largely abolished exchange controls on investment transactions. The Australian dollar is freely convertible into U.S. dollars. In addition, (other than as specified in "Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation" below and certain restrictions imposed under Australian law in relation to dealings with the assets of and transactions with, designated countries, entities and persons specified by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from time to time, including, persons connected with terrorism) there are currently no specific rules or limitations regarding the export from Australia of profits, dividends, capital, or similar funds belonging to foreign investors, except that certain payments to non-residents must be reported to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, which monitors such transactions.
The Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975
Under Australian law, foreign persons require the approval of the Australian Federal Treasurer to acquire more than a limited percentage of interests in an Australian company. These limitations are set forth in the Australian Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) and the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulations 2015 (Cth) (together, the "FIRB Legislation").
Under the FIRB Legislation, in general terms, any foreign person (either alone or together with any one or more of its associates) is prohibited from acquiring 20% or more of the voting power (including potential voting power) or issued shares (including rights to, and other prescribed interests in, issued shares) in an Australian entity, whose total issued securities value or total asset value (whichever is higher) exceed A$330 million (or A$1,427 million for investors from free trade agreement countries, including the United States). All acquisitions of direct interests in Australian entities (generally comprising 10% or more of the voting power or issued shares) by foreign government investors, must be notified to the Australian Federal Treasurer in accordance with the FIRB Legislation.
If applicable thresholds are met, the Australian Federal Treasurer may prevent a proposed acquisition or impose conditions on such acquisition if satisfied that the acquisition would be contrary to the national interest. If a foreign person acquires shares or an interest in shares in an Australian company in contravention of the FIRB Legislation, the Australian Federal Treasurer may make a range of orders including an order the divestiture of such person’s shares or interest in shares in that Australian company.
E.Taxation
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of an investment in our Ordinary shares. This summary applies only to U.S. Holders that acquire our Ordinary shares in exchange for cash, hold our Ordinary shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (as defined below) and have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency.
This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date of this annual report, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the date of this annual report, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the preceding authorities are subject to change, and any such change could apply retroactively and affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences described below. The statements in this annual report are not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, the Company can provide no assurance that the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed below will not be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained by a court if challenged by the IRS. Furthermore, this summary does not address any estate or gift tax consequences, state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, or other tax consequences other than U.S. federal income tax consequences.
The following discussion does not describe all the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:
•banks and certain other financial institutions;
•regulated investment companies;
•real estate investment trusts;
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•insurance companies;
•broker-dealers;
•traders that elect to mark our Ordinary shares to market for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
•tax-exempt entities;
•persons liable for alternative minimum tax or the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income;
•U.S. expatriates;
•persons holding our Ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedging, constructive sale, conversion, or integrated transaction;
•persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of the Company’s stock by vote or value;
•persons that are resident or ordinarily resident in or have a permanent establishment in a jurisdiction outside the United States;
•persons who acquired our Ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation; or
•persons holding our Ordinary shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities or arrangements.
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISERS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a person eligible for the benefits of the tax treaty between the United States and Australia (the “Treaty”) that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of our Ordinary shares and is or is treated as:
•an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
•a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or
•an estate or trust whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.
The tax treatment of a partner in an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds our Ordinary shares generally will depend on such partner’s status and the partnership's activities. Accordingly, a U.S. Holder that is a partner in such a partnership should consult its tax adviser.
Treasury regulations that apply to taxable years beginning on or after December 28, 2021 (the “Foreign Tax Credit Regulations”) may in some circumstances prohibit a U.S. person from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to certain non-U.S. taxes that are not creditable under applicable income tax treaties. However, the IRS released guidance in the form of notices which provide temporary relief from the requirements of these new regulations for taxable years ending before the date that a notice or other guidance withdrawing or modifying the temporary relief is issued (or any later date specified in such notice or other guidance). The rules governing the calculation and timing of foreign tax credits and the deduction of foreign taxes are complex and depend upon a U.S. Holder's particular circumstances. Accordingly, U.S. investors that are not eligible for Treaty benefits should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability or deductibility of any Australian taxes imposed on dividends on, or dispositions of, the Ordinary shares. This discussion does not apply to investors in this special situation.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
The Company will be classified as a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for any taxable year if either: (a) at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income” for purposes of the PFIC rules or (b) at least 50% of the value of its
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assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, passive income includes interest, dividends and other investment income, with certain exceptions. Cash and cash-equivalents generally are passive assets for these purposes, and digital assets are likely to be passive assets for these purposes as well. Goodwill is active to the extent attributable to activities that produce or are intended to produce active income. The PFIC rules also contain a look-through rule whereby the Company will be treated as owning its proportionate share of the gross assets and earning its proportionate share of the gross income of any other corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the stock.
Based on the current and anticipated composition of our income, assets and operations and the price of our Ordinary shares, we do not expect to be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year. However, whether we are treated as a PFIC is a factual determination that is made on an annual basis after the close of each taxable year. This determination will depend on, among other things, the ownership and the composition of our income and assets, as well as the relative value of our assets (which may fluctuate with our market capitalization), at the relevant time. In particular, if our cash is not deployed for active purposes, our risk of being a PFIC will increase. Fluctuations in the Company’s market capitalization can also affect our PFIC status because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market capitalization from time to time (which has been, and may continue to be, volatile). In this regard, there is a risk that we may be a PFIC if there is a decline in the market capitalization and the value of our goodwill is determined by reference to our market capitalization. Moreover, the application of the PFIC rules to digital assets and transactions related thereto is subject to uncertainty. Among other things, the IRS has issued limited guidance on the treatment of income from mining digital assets. The IRS or a court may disagree with our determinations, including the manner in which we determine the value of our assets and the percentage of our assets that constitutes passive assets under the PFIC rules. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or for any future taxable year.
If the Company is considered a PFIC at any time that a U.S. Holder holds our Ordinary shares, any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of our Ordinary shares, as well as the amount of any “excess distribution” (defined below) received by the U.S. Holder, will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for our Ordinary shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition (or the taxable year of receipt, in the case of an excess distribution) and to any year before the Company became a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge will be imposed. For the purposes of these rules, an excess distribution is the amount by which any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on our Ordinary shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on our Ordinary shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter. Certain elections may be available that would result in alternative treatments (such as mark-to-market treatment) of our Ordinary shares if the Company is considered a PFIC. Special rules apply for calculating the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to excess distributions by a PFIC.
Under a rule commonly referred to as the “once a PFIC always a PFIC” rule, if the Company is considered a PFIC at any time that a U.S. Holder holds our Ordinary shares, the Company will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such investment unless (i) the Company ceases to be a PFIC and (ii) the U.S. Holder made a “deemed sale” election under the PFIC rules. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the advisability of making a “deemed sale” election as it may require them to recognize gain taxed under the general PFIC rules described in this paragraph.
If the Company is a PFIC (or, with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, is treated as a PFIC) for any taxable year in which the Company pays a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the favorable tax rate described below under “—Dividends and Other Distributions on Our Ordinary shares” with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders will not apply.
The Company does not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holder to make qualified electing fund elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.
If the Company is a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will also be subject to annual information reporting requirements. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers about the potential application of the PFIC rules to an investment in our Ordinary shares.
Dividends and Other Distributions on Our Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, the gross amount of distributions made by the Company with respect to our Ordinary shares (including the amount of any non-U.S. taxes withheld therefrom) generally will be includible as dividend
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income in a U.S. Holder’s gross income in the year received, to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Because the Company does not maintain its earnings and profits calculations under U.S. federal income tax principles, a U.S. Holder should expect all cash distributions to be reported as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to U.S. corporations with respect to dividends received from other U.S. corporations. Dividends received by non-corporate U.S. Holders may be “qualified dividend income,” which is taxed at the lower applicable capital gains rate, provided that (1) the Company is eligible for the Treaty benefits or our Ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (2) the Company is not a PFIC (and is not treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder under the “once a PFIC always a PFIC rule” passive foreign investment company (as discussed above) for either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, (3) the U.S. Holder satisfies specific holding period requirements and (4) the U.S. Holder is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our Ordinary shares.
The amount of any distribution paid in a foreign currency will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such currency, translated at the spot rate of exchange on the date such distribution is received, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt. In general, foreign currency gain or loss will be treated as U.S.-source ordinary income or loss.
Dividends on our Ordinary shares generally will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Subject to certain complex conditions and limitations, any Australian taxes withheld on any distributions on our Ordinary shares may be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s federal income tax liability or, at such holder’s election, may be eligible as a deduction in computing such holder’s U.S. federal taxable income. If a refund of the tax withheld is available under the laws of Australia or under the Treaty, the amount of tax withheld that is refundable will not be eligible for such credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (and will not qualify for the deduction against U.S. federal taxable income). If the dividends constitute qualified dividend income as discussed above, the amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation will generally be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate applicable to the qualified dividend income, divided by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for the credit is calculated separately concerning specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by the Company with respect to our Ordinary shares will generally constitute “passive category income.” The rules relating to the determination of the U.S. foreign tax credit are complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit in their particular circumstances and the possibility of claiming an itemized deduction (in lieu of the foreign tax credit) for any foreign taxes paid or withheld.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our Ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such Ordinary shares. A U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in our Ordinary shares generally will equal the cost of such Ordinary shares. Generally, any such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period in our Ordinary shares exceeds one year. Non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gain at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.
Gain or loss, if any, realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of our Ordinary shares generally will be treated as U.S. source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation purposes. The use of U.S. foreign tax credits relating to any Australian tax imposed upon the sale or other disposition of our Ordinary shares may be unavailable or limited. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the tax consequences if Australian taxes are imposed on or connected with a sale or other disposition of our Ordinary shares and their ability to credit any Australian tax against their U.S. federal income tax liability.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our Ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange, or redemption of our Ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and U.S. backup withholding. A U.S. Holder may be eligible for an exemption from backup withholding if the U.S. Holder furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification or is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required
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to establish their exempt status may be required to provide such certification on IRS Form W-9. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding applying the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, and such U.S. Holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.
Additional Information Reporting Requirements
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (and certain entities) that hold an interest in “specified foreign financial assets” (which may include our Ordinary shares) are required to report information relating to such assets, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for our Ordinary shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions). Penalties can apply if U.S. Holders fail to satisfy such reporting requirements. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the applicability of these requirements to their acquisition and ownership of our Ordinary shares.
THE DISCUSSION ABOVE IS A GENERAL SUMMARY. IT DOES NOT COVER ALL TAX MATTERS THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO YOU. EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISER ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR ORDINARY SHARES UNDER ITS CIRCUMSTANCES.
Material Australian Tax Considerations
In this section, we provide a general summary of the material Australian income tax, stamp duty, and goods and services tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership, and disposal by the absolute beneficial owners of the Ordinary shares issued by Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN).
This section is based upon existing Australian tax law as of the date of this annual report, which is subject to change, possibly retrospectively. This discussion does not address all aspects of Australian tax law, which may be important to particular investors in light of their investment circumstances, such as shares held by investors subject to special tax rules (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies, or tax-exempt organizations).
It does not purport to address all possible tax situations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase, own, or deposit our Ordinary shares. It is included herein solely for preliminary information purposes and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice. IREN and its officers, employees, taxation or other advisers do not accept any liability or responsibility in respect of any statement concerning taxation consequences or the taxation consequences.
Prospective purchasers of our Ordinary shares should consult their tax advisers on the applicable tax consequences related to the ownership of our Ordinary shares, based on their particular circumstances.
The comments in this section deal only with the Australian taxation implications of the ownership and disposition of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN)'s Ordinary shares if you hold your Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) Ordinary shares as investments on a capital account. In addition, this summary does not discuss any non-Australian or state tax considerations, other than stamp duty and goods and services tax.
For this summary, a holder of our Ordinary shares that is not an Australian tax resident and is not carrying on business in Australia at or through a permanent establishment is referred to as a “Non-Australian Holder.”
Conversely, for the purposes of this summary, a holder that is an Australian tax resident or is carrying on business in Australia at or through a permanent establishment is referred to as an “Australian Resident Holder.”
Please be aware that the residence concept used in this section applies for Australian tax assessment purposes only. Any reference in this section to a tax, duty, levy impost, or other charge or withholding of a similar nature refers to Australia's tax laws and/or concepts only. Also, please note that a reference to Australian income tax encompasses corporate income tax and personal income tax generally.
Taxation of the Company
As the Company is a fully taxable Australian company, its taxable income is subject to corporate income tax in Australia. All Australian companies are subject to a corporate income tax rate of 30%, other than those classified as a “base
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rate company”, which are businesses with revenue of less than A$50 million that are subject to a reduced corporate income tax rate of 25% for the 2022/2023 income year. The Company is not considered a base rate company for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Taxation of Australian Resident Holders
Taxation of Dividends
Dividends paid by us on our Ordinary shares should constitute the assessable income of an Australian Resident Holder. Australia operates a dividend imputation system under which dividends may be declared to be “franked” to the extent they are paid out of company profits that have been subject to Australian income tax.
Individuals and complying superannuation entities
Australian Resident Holders who are individuals or complying superannuation entities should include the dividend in their assessable income in the year the dividend is paid, together with any franking credit attached to that dividend.
Subject to the comments concerning ‘Qualified Persons’ below, such Australian Resident Holders should generally be entitled to a tax offset equal to the franking credit attached to the dividend. The tax offset can be applied to reduce the tax payable on the investor’s taxable income. Where the tax offset exceeds the tax payable on the investor’s taxable income, the investor should be entitled to a tax refund equal to the excess.
To the extent that the dividend is unfranked, an Australian individual Shareholder will generally be taxed at their prevailing marginal rate on the dividend received (with no tax offset). Complying Australian superannuation entities will generally be taxed at the prevailing rate for complying superannuation entities on the dividend received (with no tax offset).
Companies
Australian Resident Holders that are companies are also required to include both the dividend and the associated franking credits (if any) in their assessable income.
Subject to the comments in relation to ‘Qualified Persons’ below, such companies should be entitled to a tax offset up to the amount of the franking credit attached to the dividend. Likewise, the company should generally be entitled to a credit in its own franking account to the extent of the franking credits attached to the distribution received. This will allow the Australian Resident Holders that are companies to pass on the franking credits to its investor(s) on the subsequent payment of franked dividends.
Excess franking credits received by the company shareholder will not give rise to a refund entitlement for a company but may be converted into carry forward tax losses instead. This is subject to specific rules on how the carry forward tax loss is calculated and utilized in future years.
Trusts and partnerships
Australian Resident Holders who are trustees (other than trustees of complying superannuation entities, which are dealt with above) or partnerships are also required to include any dividends and any franking credits in calculating the net income of the trust or partnership. Where a fully franked or partially franked dividend is received, the relevant beneficiary or partner may be entitled to a tax offset in respect of any franking credits distributed to the relevant beneficiary or partner as applicable.
To the extent that the dividend is unfranked, an Australian trustee (other than trustees of complying superannuation entities) or partnerships, will be required to include the unfranked dividend in the net income of the trust or partnership. The relevant beneficiary will be taxed at the relevant prevailing tax rate on their share of the net income of the trust or partnership (with no tax offset).
Qualified Persons
The benefit of franking credits can be denied where an Australian Resident Holder is not a ‘qualified person’ in which case the Holder will not be required to include an amount for the franking credits in their assessable income nor will they be entitled to a tax offset.
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Broadly, to be a qualified person, a shareholder must satisfy the holding period rule and, if necessary, the related payment rule. The holding period rule requires a shareholder to hold the shares ‘at risk’ for at least 45 days continuously during the qualification period - starting from the day after acquiring the shares and ending 45 days after the shares become ex-dividend - in order to qualify for franking benefits.
This holding period rule is subject to certain exceptions, including where the total franking offsets of an individual in a year of income do not exceed A$5,000.
Whether you are qualified person is a complex tax issue which requires analysis based on each shareholder’s individual circumstances. Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN)'s ordinary shareholders should obtain their own tax advice to determine if these requirements have been satisfied.
Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”) Implications
Disposal of shares
For Australian Resident Holders, who hold their Ordinary shares on capital account, the future disposal of Ordinary shares will give rise to a CGT event at the time which the legal and beneficial ownership of the Ordinary shares are disposed of. Australian Resident Holders will derive a capital gain on the disposal of their Ordinary shares in Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) to the extent that the capital proceeds exceed the cost base of their Ordinary shares.
A capital loss will be made where the capital proceeds are less than the cost base of their Ordinary shares. Where a capital loss is made, capital losses can only be offset against capital gains derived in the same or later incomes years. They cannot be offset against ordinary income nor carried back to offset net capital gains arising in earlier income years. Capital losses may be carried forward to future income years subject to the satisfaction of the Australian loss testing provisions.
Capital Proceeds
The capital proceeds should generally be equal to any consideration received by the Australian Resident Holder in respect to the disposal of their Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) Ordinary share/s.
Cost base of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) Ordinary shares
The cost base of an Ordinary share should generally be equal to the cost of acquiring the Ordinary share, holding the Ordinary share, plus any incidental costs of acquisition and disposal (for example, brokerage costs and legal fees).
CGT Discount
The CGT discount may apply to Australian Resident Holders that are individuals complying Australian superannuation funds or trusts, who have held, or are taken to have held, their Ordinary shares for at least 12 months (not including the date of acquisition or date of disposal) at the time of the disposal of their Ordinary shares.
The CGT discount is:
•One-half if the Australian Resident Holder is an individual or trustee: meaning generally only 50% of the capital gain will be included in the Australian Resident Holder’s assessable income; and
•One-third if the Australian Resident Holder is a trustee of a complying superannuation entity: meaning generally only two-thirds of the capital gain will be included in the Australian Resident Holder’s assessable income.
The CGT discount is not available to Australian Resident Holders that are companies.
If an Australian Resident Holder makes a discounted capital gain, any current year and/or carried-forward capital losses will be applied to reduce the undiscounted capital gain before the relevant CGT discount is applied. The resulting amount forms the Australian Resident Holder’s net capital gain for the income year and is included in its assessable income.
The CGT discount rules relating to trusts are complex. Subject to certain requirements being satisfied, the capital gain may flow through to the beneficiaries in that trust, who will assess the eligibility for the CGT discount in their own right.
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Accordingly, we recommend trustees seek their own independent advice on how the CGT discount applies to the trust and its beneficiaries.
Taxation of Non-Australian Holders
Taxation of Dividends
Non-Australian Holders who do not have a permanent establishment in Australia should not be subject to Australian income tax but may be subject to Australian dividend withholding tax on their Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) dividends.
Franked dividends
As outlined above, Australia has a franking system wherein dividends can be franked, and Australian resident shareholders receive a franking credit which effectively represents the Australian corporate tax paid by the underlying company (i.e. Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN)).
Dividends received by Non-Australian Holders which are franked should not be subject to Australian dividend withholding tax to the extent of the franking (i.e. if the dividend is fully franked, it should not be subject to Australian dividend withholding tax at all). However, refunds of franking credits are not available to non-Australian resident shareholders.
Dividends attributable to Conduit Foreign Income
Non-Australian Holders should not be subject to Australian dividend withholding tax on unfranked dividends to the extent that the dividend is declared to be conduit foreign income (CFI).
CFI generally includes amounts received by Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) that have been derived from a non-Australian source, for example dividends received from foreign subsidiaries which are treated as non-assessable non-exempt income for Australian tax purposes.
Unfranked dividends
Non-Australian Holders should generally be subject to Australian dividend withholding tax to the extent the unfranked component of any dividends are not declared to by CFI. Australian dividend withholding tax will be imposed at 30% of the amount of the unfranked dividend, unless a shareholder is a resident of a country with which Australia has a double taxation treaty (DTT) and qualifies for the benefits of the treaty. In the event the Non-Australian Holder is otherwise able to rely on a DTT with Australia, the rate of Australian dividend withholding tax may be reduced (typically to 15%), depending on the terms of the DTT.
Under the provisions of the current Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the United States, the Australian tax withheld on unfranked dividends that are not declared to be CFI paid by us to a resident of the United States is beneficially entitled is limited to 15%.
Under the Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the United States, if a company that is a Non-Australian Holder directly owns a 10% or more interest in an Australian company (i.e. Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN)), the Australian tax withheld on unfranked dividends that are not declared to be CFI paid by us to which a resident of the United States is beneficially entitled is limited to 5%.
Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”) Implications
Disposal of shares
Non-Australian Holders who are treated as the owners of the underlying shares on the basis that they are absolutely entitled to those Ordinary shares will not be subject to Australian capital gains tax on the gain made on a sale or other disposal of Ordinary shares unless:
•they, together with their associates as defined for Australian tax purposes, hold 10% or more of our issued capital, at the time of disposal or for a 12-month period during the two years prior to disposal; and
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•more than 50% of our assets held directly or indirectly, determined by reference to market value, consists of Australian real property (which includes land and leasehold interests) or Australian mining, quarrying or prospecting rights at the time of disposal.
Australian capital gains tax applies to net capital gains at a taxpayer’s marginal tax rates. Net capital gains are calculated after reduction for capital losses, which may only be offset against capital gains.
The capital gains tax discount is not available to Non-Australian Holders on gains in respect of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) Ordinary shares, where they were non-Australian residents during the entire holding period. Where Non-Australian Holders were Australian tax residents for some of the holding period, the capital gains tax discount percentage is reduced to account for the period of foreign residency during the entire holding period. Companies are not entitled to a capital gains tax discount.
Broadly, where there is a disposal of certain taxable Australian property by a Non-Australian holder, the purchaser will be required to withhold and remit to the Australian Taxation Office, or the ATO, 12.5% of the proceeds from the sale. A transaction is excluded from the withholding requirements in certain circumstances, including where the transaction is an on-market transaction conducted on an approved stock exchange, a securities lending, or the transaction is conducted using a broker operated crossing system. There may also be an exception to the requirement to withhold where a Non-Australian Holder provides a declaration that their Ordinary shares are not ‘indirect Australian real property interests’. The Non-Australian Holder may be entitled to receive a tax credit for the tax withheld by the purchaser which they may claim in their Australian income tax return.
Dual Residency
If a holder of Ordinary shares is a resident of both Australia and the United States under those countries’ domestic taxation laws, that holder may be subject to tax as an Australian resident. Holders should obtain specialist taxation advice in these circumstances.
General Australian Tax Matters
The below comments apply to both Australian Resident Holders and Non-Australian Holders.
Stamp Duty
No Australian stamp duty is payable on the issue, transfer and/or surrender of the Ordinary shares, provided Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) remains listed on the NASDAQ and its shares are quoted on that exchange and the issue/transfer/surrender or Ordinary shares does not result in a person, whether alone or together with associated/related persons or with otherwise unassociated persons as part of substantially one arrangement, having a 90% or more interest in Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) (by reference to their entitlement to a distribution of property of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) on a winding up or otherwise).
Goods and Services Tax
No Australian GST will be payable on the supply of the Ordinary shares.
Subject to certain requirements, there may be a restriction on the entitlement of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) ordinary shareholders to claim an input tax credit for any GST incurred on costs associated with the acquisition or disposal of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) Ordinary shares (for example, lawyer’s and accountants’ fees).
THE DISCUSSION ABOVE IS A SUMMARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR ORDINARY SHARES AND IS BASED UPON LAWS AND RELEVANT INTERPRETATIONS THEREOF IN EFFECT AS OF THE DATE OF THIS ANNUAL REPORT, ALL OF WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, POSSIBLY WITH RETROACTIVE EFFECT. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISER.
F.Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
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G.Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H.Documents on Display
The Company files reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, furnishes current reports on Form 6-K and discloses other information with the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports and information statements regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our reports (including this annual report) and information statements and other information about us can be downloaded from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or from the investor relations page on our website at https://iren.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or otherwise part of this annual report.
I.Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
J.Annual Report to Security Holders
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates.
Market Value of Bitcoin
Substantially all of our current business is focused on mining Bitcoin. Our revenue is primarily comprised of the value of Bitcoin rewards and transaction fees we earn by mining. As such, our operating results and financial condition are substantially affected by fluctuations and long-term trends in the value of Bitcoin. Bitcoin has its own unique dynamic in terms of valuation, reward rates and similar factors. Any of these factors could lead to material adverse changes in the market for Bitcoin, which could in turn result in substantial damage to or even the failure of our business.
A 10% increase or decrease in the market value of Bitcoin over the course of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, would have increased or decreased our revenue by $18.4 million for the year and would have had a material effect on our total revenue as at that date. However, given we sell Bitcoin to generate revenue and cover operating expenses, including capital expenditures, during the year, increases or decreases in the market value of Bitcoin would have resulted in increased or decreased total revenue for the year ended June 30, 2024. We are exposed to daily price risk on Bitcoin rewards we generate through contributing computing power to mining pools. Bitcoin rewards are typically liquidated on a daily basis in exchange for the USD or CAD market value thereof and no Bitcoin was held at the reporting period end. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Factors Affecting our Performance⸺Market Value of Bitcoin.”
Currency Risk
We present our financial statements in United States dollars, however, we undertake certain transactions denominated in foreign currency and are exposed to foreign currency risk through foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognized financial assets and financial liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the entity's functional currency. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting. The Company's exposure to foreign currency risk arises when a Company entity holds a financial asset or liability in a currency other than the functional currency of that entity.
As of June 30, 2024, we had $111.4 million net exposure to the Canadian dollar, primarily in intercompany receivables. A strengthening or weakening of Canadian dollar exchange rate by 10% would increase the profit before tax by $18.1 million or decrease the profit before tax by $18.3 million, respectively.
As of June 30, 2024, we had $385.4 million net exposure to the U.S. dollar, primarily in cash and term deposit. A strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar exchange rate by 10% would increase the profit before tax by $45.4 million or decrease the profit before tax by $55.4 million, respectively.
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As we continue our business expansion, we expect to face continued exposure to exchange rate risk from the Canadian and U.S. dollar.
Cost of Power Risk
Mining Bitcoin is a highly power-intensive process, with electrical power required both to operate the mining machines and to dissipate the significant amount of heat generated by operating the machines. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the cost of power represented 44%% of our Bitcoin mining revenue. A 10% increase or decrease in the cost of power over the course of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 would have increased or decreased our loss before income tax expense by $8.2 million for the year.
Price Risk
The Company is exposed to daily price risk on Bitcoin rewards it generates through contributing computing power to mining pools. Bitcoin rewards are liquidated on a daily basis and no Bitcoin is held as of June 30, 2024.
Interest Rate Risk
We have limited exposure to interest rate risk, which is the risk that a financial instrument’s value will fluctuate as a result of changes in the market interest rates on variable interest-bearing financial instruments. As of June 30, 2024, we do not use derivatives to mitigate interest rate exposures. Our cash and cash equivalents consist either of balances available on demand or term deposits, which are held with regulated financial institutions. A 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would have increased or decreased our loss before income tax expense by $1.3 million for the year.
Credit Risk
Our exposure to credit risk is primarily related to its potential counterparty credit risk with exchanges, mining pools, regulated financial institutions and brokers. We mitigate credit risk associated with mining pools and exchanges by maintaining relationships with various alternative mining pools and transferring fiat currency to its Australian bank account on a regular basis. Our cash and cash equivalents consists of balances held with regulated, listed financial institutions. We regularly monitor industry developments and concentration risks with each financial institution and primarily hold balances on demand with A-1 rated institutions (based on Standard & Poor’s ratings). We have a number of brokers onboarded that can trade on our ATM Facility and we reconcile trades on a regular basis to mitigate against broker credit risk.
Liquidity Risk
The Company is exposed to liquidity risk and is required to maintain sufficient liquid assets (mainly cash and cash equivalents) and available borrowing facilities to be able to pay contractual obligations as and when they become due and payable. The Company manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. The Company regularly updates cash projections for changes in business and fluctuations in the Bitcoin price. Refer to the Financial Statements Going Concern section within Note 2 to our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 for further information in relation to how the Company intends to meet its short-term contractual obligations. See also “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Going Concern.”
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
A.Defaults
No matters to report.
B.Arrears and Delinquencies
No matters to report.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
A.Material Modifications to Instruments
Not applicable.
B.Material Modifications to Rights
Not applicable.
C.Withdrawal or Substitution of Assets
Not applicable.
D.Change in Trustees or Paying Agents
Not applicable.
E.Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
A.Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We have evaluated, with the participation of our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2024. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Based on such evaluation, our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
B.Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our company’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by the Board, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS accounting standards and includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable
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detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS accounting standards, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024. This assessment was performed under the direction and supervision of our Co-Chief Executive Officers and our Chief Financial Officer, and based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on this assessment, our management concluded that as of June 30, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
C.Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for “emerging growth companies” that permit us to provide only management’s report in this report.
D.Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Board has determined that each of David Bartholomew and Sunita Parasuraman is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined under the applicable regulations of the SEC and has the requisite accounting or related financial management expertise and financial sophistication under the applicable rules and regulations of the Nasdaq. The Board has also determined that each of David Bartholomew and Sunita Parasuraman is independent under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the standards of the Nasdaq, for purposes of the Audit and Risk Committee.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
On June 21, 2024, we amended our code of ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our executive officers, and posted the full text of our amended code of ethics on the investor relations section of our website, https://iren.com. We intend to disclose future amendments to our code of ethics, or any waivers of such code, on our website or in public filings. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or otherwise part of this annual report.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
On May 19, 2023, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP (“RCGT”) was appointed as our independent registered public accounting firm upon recommendation by the Audit and Risk Committee to the Board and the approval of the Board. RCGT served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
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The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent registered public accounting firms (RCGT) during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
| Year Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| (in $ thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Audit fees | 912 | 795 | ||||||||||||
| Audit-related fees | 102 | 116 | ||||||||||||
| Tax fees | - | - | ||||||||||||
| All other fees | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Total | 1,014 | 911 | ||||||||||||
Audit Fees
Audit fees are fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual combined financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
Audit-Related Fees
Audit-related fees are fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and not reported under the previous category. These services include audit related fees for the issuance of consents and auditor comfort letters related to SEC filings.
Tax Fees
Tax fees are fees billed for professional services for tax due diligence and tax consultations.
All Other Fees
In 2024 and 2023, there were no other fees.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for pre-approving audit and non-audit services provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm. All of the non-audit services provided to us by the independent auditors in following the formation of the Audit and Risk Committee were pre-approved by the Audit and Risk Committee.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
None.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
During the year ended June 30, 2024, no purchases of our equity securities were made by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliated purchaser.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
None.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Foreign Private Issuer Status
As a “foreign private issuer,” as defined by the SEC, we are permitted to follow home country corporate governance practices instead of certain corporate governance practices required by the Nasdaq for U.S. domestic issuers. While we
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intend to follow most Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards, we intend to follow Australian law for certain corporate governance practices in lieu of Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards as follows:
•exemption from quorum requirements applicable to meetings of shareholders under Nasdaq rules. In accordance with generally accepted business practice and Australian law, our Constitution provides quorum requirements that are generally applicable to meetings of shareholders under Australian law (see Exhibit 2.1 “Description of Securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act to this annual report for more detail);
•exemption from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to domestic issuers requiring disclosure within four business days of any determination to grant a waiver of the code of business conduct and ethics to directors and officers. Although we will require Board approval of any such waiver, we may choose not to disclose the waiver in the manner set forth in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards, as permitted by the foreign private issuer exemption; and
•exemption from the requirement to obtain shareholder approval for certain issuances of securities, including shareholder approval of employee share plans.
We intend to follow our home country, Australia, practices in lieu of the foregoing requirements. Although we currently rely on home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain of the rules in the Nasdaq Rule 5600 series and Rule 5220(d), we must comply with Nasdaq’s Notification of Noncompliance requirement (Nasdaq Rule 5625) and the Voting Rights requirement (Nasdaq Rule 5640). Further, we must have an audit committee that satisfies Nasdaq Rule 5605(c)(3), which addresses audit committee responsibilities and authority and requires that the audit committee consist of members who meet the independence requirements of Nasdaq Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(ii). Though we are exempt from Nasdaq Rule 5605(d)(2) which requires an independent compensation committee, as of April 11, 2024, we have established an independent compensation committee, notwithstanding the available exemption.
Although we currently comply with the Nasdaq corporate governance rules applicable other than as noted above, we may in the future decide to use the foreign private issuer exemption with respect to some or all of any other Nasdaq corporate governance rules where we are permitted to follow our home country governance requirements in lieu of such Nasdaq rules.
Because we are a foreign private issuer, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are not subject to short-swing profit and insider trading reporting obligations under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. They will, however, be subject to the obligations to report changes in share ownership under Section 13 of the Exchange Act and related SEC rules.
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16J. INSIDER TRADING POLICIES
We have adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and other dispositions of our securities, including by directors and other executive officers, that are reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and listing standards applicable to us. A copy of our insider trading compliance policy, which was amended on May 15, 2024, is attached as Exhibit 11.1 to this annual report.
ITEM 16K. CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
Recognizing the ever-evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, we have established a cybersecurity risk management program designed to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our critical systems and data. This program integrates into our overall enterprise risk management framework and draws guidance from industry standards and best practices, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework.
Key components of our cybersecurity risk management program include:
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1Identification and Assessment:
aIdentification and assessment of cybersecurity risks that could impact our operations, facilities, third-party vendors, critical systems, and information.
bUtilizing threat intelligence and historical adversarial activity to inform risk assessments and readiness evaluations.
2Risk Mitigation and Control:
aImplementing administrative, physical, and technical controls designed to protect data and systems, as established in our Information Security and Cybersecurity policy.
bLeveraging external service providers, including assessors, consultants, auditors, and other third parties, to assess, test, monitor, and respond to cybersecurity threats in an attempt to maintain robust security controls.
3Third-Party Oversight:
aEstablishing processes to oversee and identify cybersecurity risks associated with third-party service providers.
bEvaluating third-party vendors for compliance with our cybersecurity standards and requiring them to maintain appropriate security controls to protect our data.
4Incident Response:
aMaintaining a cybersecurity incident response plan that outlines procedures for responding to and managing cybersecurity incidents.
bConducting regular cybersecurity awareness training and policy briefing for all employees, contractors, interns, and any user with access to Company systems to increase the preparedness and awareness of risks and procedures.
5Continuous Improvement:
aRegularly updating and improving our cybersecurity practices and policies based on emerging threats, new technologies, and evolving industry standards.
bConducting ongoing penetration testing and benchmarking against industry practices to enhance our security posture.
Cybersecurity Incidents: In our fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, we did not identify any cybersecurity incidents that have materially affected our business strategy, operations, or financial condition. We continue to monitor and seek to manage these risks proactively to protect the ongoing security and resilience of our organization. A cybersecurity incident could result in (i) an interruption in our services, (ii) the loss of ability to control or operate our equipment, (iii) misappropriation of personal data and (iv) the loss of critical data that could interrupt our operations, any of which could, among other things, adversely impact our reputation and brand and expose us to increased risks of violation of applicable law, governmental and regulatory investigation and enforcement actions, or private litigation or other liability, including potentially significant financial losses.
Cybersecurity Governance
Our cybersecurity governance structure is designed to achieve effective oversight and management of cybersecurity risks across the organization.
Board Oversight:
aThe Board holds ultimate oversight responsibility for our cybersecurity risk management program. It receives regular updates from management on cybersecurity risks, incidents, and the overall effectiveness of the program.
bThe Board’s Audit and Risk Committee is specifically tasked with overseeing cybersecurity and information technology risks, so that risk management strategies align with the company’s overall risk profile.
Management Responsibility:
aDay-to-day responsibility for managing cybersecurity risks lies with our Chief Technology Officer (CTO) who leads a dedicated cybersecurity team. This team includes internal and external security professionals with expertise in cybersecurity management.
Incident Response Team:
aOur Incident Response Team, led by our CTO, coordinates the Company’s response to cybersecurity incidents. This team includes representatives from IT, support, legal, Operations, and other relevant departments.
bThe Incident Response Plan, developed by our cybersecurity team, follows a structured process: Preparation, Detection and Analysis, Containment, Eradication and Recovery, and Post-Incident Activity. This is designed to be a systematic and coordinated approach to managing cybersecurity incidents.
Relevant Expertise:
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aOur CTO has over 15 years of experience in cybersecurity management, and has a background in security and information technology solutions.
bMembers of the Cybersecurity team possess a diverse range of expertise, including prior work experience in cybersecurity, and specialized knowledge and skills in cybersecurity.
Information Flow and Reporting:
aManagement regularly informs and updates the Board and the Audit and Risk Committee on cybersecurity risks, incidents, and the effectiveness of risk management strategies.
bManagement provides frequent informal communications to the Board between regularly scheduled meetings to keep the Board apprised of any emerging risks or incidents.
For further details on the cybersecurity risks we face, refer to Part I, Item 3.D. “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report.
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PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this item.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See our audited consolidated financial statements beginning at page F-1.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
The following documents are filed as part of this annual report:
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit | |||||||
| Description of Securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. | ||||||||
| Constitution of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-260488) filed with the SEC on October 25, 2021). | ||||||||
| Certificate of Registration on Change of Name and Conversion to a Public Company dated October 7, 2021 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-260488) filed with the SEC on October 25, 2021). | ||||||||
| List of subsidiaries of the Registrant. | ||||||||
| 2021 Non-Executive Director Option Plan, and forms of award agreements thereunder (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-260488) filed with the SEC on October 25, 2021). | ||||||||
| Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by and between Iris Energy Limited and each director and executive officer (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-260488) filed with the SEC on October 25, 2021). | ||||||||
At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2023, between Iris Energy Limited and B. Riley Securities, Inc., Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-274500) filed with the SEC on September 13, 2023). | ||||||||
Joinder Agreement to At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated as of March 21, 2024, between Iris Energy Limited and Canaccord Genuity LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-279427) filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024). | ||||||||
Joinder Agreement to At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated as of March 21, 2024, between Iris Energy Limited and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-279427) filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024). | ||||||||
Joinder Agreement to At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated as of March 21, 2024, between Iris Energy Limited and Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-279427) filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024). | ||||||||
137
Future Sales and Purchase Agreement (Antminer T21), dated as of January 10, 2024, between Bitmain Technologies Delaware Limited and IE US Hardware 1 Inc. | ||||||||
Supplemental Agreement to: Future Sales and Purchase Agreement (Antminer T21), dated as of May 9, 2024, between Bitmain Technologies Delaware Limited and IE US Hardware 1 Inc, | ||||||||
Future Sales and Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2024, between Bitmain Technologies Delaware Limited and IE US Hardware 1 Inc. | ||||||||
Future Sales and Purchase Agreement, dated August 16, 2024, between Bitmain Technologies Delaware Limited and IE US Hardware 1 Inc. | ||||||||
Insider Trading Compliance Policy. | ||||||||
| Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Co-Chief Executive Officer. | ||||||||
| Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Co-Chief Executive Officer. | ||||||||
| Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Financial Officer. | ||||||||
| Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Co-Chief Executive Officer. | ||||||||
| Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Co-Chief Executive Officer. | ||||||||
| Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Financial Officer. | ||||||||
| Consent of Armanino LLP. | ||||||||
| Consent of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP. | ||||||||
Restatement Clawback Policy. | ||||||||
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document. (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |||||||
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||
138
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document). | |||||||
_____________________________________________________
*Incorporated by reference.
**Filed with this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
+Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
= Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit pursuant to the Instructions As to Exhibits of Form 20-F because disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Redacted information is indicated by [***].
139
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
| IRIS ENERGY LIMITED | |||||||||||
August 28, 2024 | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Daniel Roberts | ||||||||||
| Name: | Daniel Roberts | ||||||||||
| Title: | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||||||||
| By: | /s/ William Roberts | ||||||||||
| Name: | William Roberts | ||||||||||
| Title: | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Belinda Nucifora | ||||||||||
| Name: | Belinda Nucifora | ||||||||||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||
140
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN)
Consolidated Financial Statements - 30 June 2024
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Contents | |||||
| 30 June 2024 | |||||
| Page | |||||
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements | |||||
F-2 | |||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm from Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP (PCAOB ID:1232) | F-5 | ||||
F-7 | |||||
F-8 | |||||
F-9 | |||||
F-11 | |||||
F-12 | |||||
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Directors and Shareholders of Iris Energy Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Iris Energy Limited (the "Group") as of June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 and the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, 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 Group as of June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Going Concern Uncertainty
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Group will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, significant uncertainties exist about the Group's ability to generate positive free cash flow and raise sufficient capital to fund outstanding purchase commitments. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Group's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Group'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 Group 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 Group 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 Group'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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging,
F-2
subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
| Accounting for and Disclosure of Bitcoin Mining Revenue | ||
Critical Audit Matter Description
As disclosed in Note 2, the Group recognizes revenue in accordance with IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Group operates data center infrastructure supporting the verification and validation of Bitcoin blockchain transactions in exchange for Bitcoin, referred to as Bitcoin mining. The Group has entered into arrangements with mining pools, whereby computing power is directed to the mining pools in exchange for non-cash consideration in the form of Bitcoin. The provision of computing power is the only performance obligation in the contract with the mining pool operators. Bitcoin mining revenue comprises of the block reward and transaction fees bundled together in a gross daily deposit of Bitcoin into the Group's exchange wallet. Bitcoin received from the mining pool operator are remitted to the pool participants' wallets net of the fees of the mining pool operator. The mining pool operator fees are reflected in the quantity of Bitcoin received by the Group and recorded as a reduction in Bitcoin mining revenue.
We identified the accounting for and disclosure of Bitcoin mining revenue as a critical audit matter due to the following factors:
•Significant judgement in the determination of how existing IFRS should be applied in the accounting for and disclosure of Bitcoin mining revenue
•Complexities involved in auditing completeness and occurrence of the revenue recognized
Given these factors, the related audit effort in evaluating management's judgments was extensive and required a high degree of auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our principal audit procedures related to the Group's accounting for and disclosure of Bitcoin mining revenue included the following:
•Evaluated management's rationale for the application of IFRS 15 to account for its Bitcoin awards earned, which included evaluating the provisions of the contract between the Group and the mining pools;
•Evaluated management's disclosures of its Bitcoin mining activity in the consolidated financial statements;
•Independently confirmed key financial and performance data directly with the blockchain network, the cryptocurrency exchange, and the mining pools;
•Tested a sample of Bitcoin awards and the corresponding cash settlement using the third-party exchange data, the blockchain network, and the Group's bank statements; and
•Performed certain substantive analytical procedures to determine completeness and occurrence of digital assets earned by the Group as consideration for services rendered.
F-3
| Valuation (Impairment) of Non-financial Assets other than Goodwill | ||
Critical Audit Matter Description
As disclosed in Note 3, the Group assesses impairment of non-financial assets other than goodwill at each reporting date by evaluating conditions specific to the Group and to the particular asset that may lead to impairment. If an impairment trigger exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined. This involves assessing the value of the asset at FVLCOD or using VIU models, which incorporate a number of key estimates and assumptions.
We identified the valuation (impairment) of non-financial assets other than goodwill as a critical audit matter due to the following factors:
•Estimating the future cash inflows and outflows to be derived from continuing use of the asset and from its ultimate disposal.
•Developing significant assumptions such as future Bitcoin prices, global hash rate, and electricity costs.
•Applying the appropriate discount rate to future cash flows.
Given these factors and assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions, the related audit effort to evaluate management's impairment analysis was extensive and required a high degree of auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our principal audit procedures related to the Group's impairment methodology included the following:
•With the assistance of our valuation specialists, evaluated the reasonableness of managements forecast methodology, calculations, and certain assumptions, such as the discount rate;
•Inquired with the management team and evaluated the adequacy of management's forecasts by comparing all significant assumptions to historical performance and current industry trends; and
•Performed sensitivity analyses over significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in valuation that would result from changes in the assumptions.
 | ||
/s/ ArmaninoLLP | ||
| Dallas, Texas | ||
| September 13, 2022 | ||
| We served as the Group's auditor from 2021 to 2023. | ||
F-4
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Board of Directors and Shareholders of Iris Energy Limited | |||||
Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP Suite 2000 National Bank Tower 600 De La Gauchetière Street West Montréal, Quebec H3B 4L8 T 514-878-2691 | |||||
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Iris Energy Limited and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2024, 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 June 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2024, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Going concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in note 2 to the financial statements, the Company incurred net loss of $29.6 million during the year ended June 30, 2024 and significant uncertainties exist about the Company’s ability to generate positive free cash flow and raise sufficient capital to fund outstanding purchase commitments. These conditions, along with other matters as set forth in note 2, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
| Member of Grant Thornton International Ltd | rcgt.com | |||||||
F-5
Critical audit matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Bitcoin mining revenue
As described further in note 2, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company operates data center infrastructure supporting the verification and validation of Bitcoin blockchain transactions in exchange for Bitcoin, referred to as Bitcoin mining. The Company has entered into arrangements with mining pools, whereby computing power is directed to the mining pools in exchange for non-cash consideration in the form of Bitcoin. The provision of computing power is the only performance obligation in the contract with the mining pool operators. Bitcoin mining revenue comprises of the block reward and transaction fees bundled together in a gross daily deposit of Bitcoin into the Company’s exchange wallet. Bitcoin received from the mining pool operator are remitted to the pool participants’ wallets net of the fees of the mining pool operator. The mining pool operator fees are reflected in the quantity of Bitcoin received by the Company and recorded as a reduction in Bitcoin mining revenue. We identified Bitcoin mining revenue as a critical audit matter.
The principal considerations for our determination that the Bitcoin mining revenue is a critical audit matter are due to the significant judgment in the determination of how existing IFRS should be applied in the accounting for and disclosure of Bitcoin mining revenue and complexities involved in auditing completeness and occurrence of the revenue recognized. Given these considerations, the related audit effort in evaluating management’s judgments was extensive and required a high degree of auditor judgment.
Our audit procedures related to Bitcoin mining revenue included the following, among others:
–We evaluated management’s rationale for the application of IFRS 15 to account for its Bitcoin received, which included evaluating the provisions of the contract between the Company and the mining pools;
–We assessed the adequacy of the Company’s disclosures in the financial statements about Bitcoin mining revenue;
–We tested Bitcoin received directly to the blockchain using our own node and the corresponding cash settlement using the third-party exchange data and the Company’s bank statements; and
–We conducted substantive analytical procedures, with high degree of precision, which include tests of the accuracy and completeness of the underlying data, such as confirmation of certain data with third parties.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023.
Montreal, Canada
August 28, 2024
F-6
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
Consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income | |||||
For the years ended 30 June 2024, 2023 and 2022 | |||||
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bitcoin mining revenue | 184,087 | 75,509 | 59,037 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AI cloud service revenue | 3,105 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 5 | 1,566 | 3,137 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of subsidiaries | - | 3,258 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 6 | (50,650) | (30,856) | (7,741) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity charges | (81,605) | (35,753) | (10,978) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on financial asset | 24 | 4,121 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits expense | (22,203) | (17,897) | (7,448) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments expense | 31 | (23,636) | (14,356) | (13,896) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 16 | - | (105,172) | (167) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reversal of impairment of assets | 14 | 108 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional fees | (8,079) | (6,271) | (6,807) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Site expenses | (8,657) | (4,544) | (1,821) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 7 | (21,085) | (14,278) | (9,884) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain/(loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 43 | (6,628) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on financial asset | 24 | (3,448) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating profit/(loss) | (26,333) | (153,851) | 307 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance expense | 8 | (253) | (16,363) | (425,441) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 5,831 | 924 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain/(loss) | (4,747) | (191) | 8,009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income tax expense | (25,502) | (169,481) | (417,046) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 9 | (3,453) | (2,390) | (2,724) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense for the year | (28,955) | (171,871) | (419,770) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | (338) | (13,641) | (23,553) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year, net of tax | (338) | (13,641) | (23,553) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | (29,293) | (185,512) | (443,323) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | 23 | (0.29) | (3.14) | (10.25) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | 23 | (0.29) | (3.14) | (10.25) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The above consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-7
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Consolidated statements of financial position | |||||
As at 30 June 2024 and 2023 | |||||
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 10 | 404,601 | 68,894 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other receivables | 11 | 29,367 | 6,543 | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 24 | 6,530 | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepayments and other assets | 13 | 11,888 | 13,793 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 452,386 | 89,230 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 14 | 441,371 | 241,102 | |||||||||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets | 15 | 1,549 | 1,374 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets | 9 | - | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Computer hardware prepayments | 12 | 239,841 | 68 | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepayments and other assets | 13 | 17,459 | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | 427 | 292 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-current assets | 700,647 | 242,844 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 1,153,033 | 332,074 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | 17 | 214 | 192 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax | 1,389 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits | 1,342 | 961 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trade and other payables | 19 | 32,119 | 16,644 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | 20 | 2,558 | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Provisions | 18 | 13,375 | 6,172 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 50,997 | 24,001 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | 17 | 1,441 | 1,256 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 9 | 3,125 | 1,365 | |||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits | 119 | 91 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 4,685 | 2,712 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 55,682 | 26,713 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Issued capital | 21 | 1,764,289 | 965,857 | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation reserve | (34,993) | (34,655) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments reserve | 51,286 | 28,435 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated losses | (683,231) | (654,276) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity | 1,097,351 | 305,361 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | 1,153,033 | 332,074 | ||||||||||||||||||
F-8
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Consolidated statements of changes in equity | |||||
For the years ended 30 June 2024, 2023 and 2022 | |||||
Issued capital | Foreign currency translation reserve | Share-based payments reserve | Accumulated losses | Total equity (deficit) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 1 July 2021 | 10,338 | 2,539 | 304 | (62,635) | (49,454) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense for the year | - | - | - | (419,770) | (419,770) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax | - | (23,553) | - | - | (23,553) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | (23,553) | - | (419,770) | (443,323) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments | - | - | 13,896 | - | 13,896 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue of ordinary shares | 220,683 | - | - | - | 220,683 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of hybrid financial instruments | 695,383 | - | - | - | 695,383 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments, prepaid in advance | 177 | - | - | - | 177 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 30 June 2022 | 926,581 | (21,014) | 14,200 | (482,405) | 437,362 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issued capital | Foreign currency translation reserve | Share-based payments reserve | Accumulated losses | Total equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 1 July 2022 | 926,581 | (21,014) | 14,200 | (482,405) | 437,362 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense for the year | - | - | - | (171,871) | (171,871) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax | - | (13,641) | - | - | (13,641) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | (13,641) | - | (171,871) | (185,512) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments (note 31) | 515 | - | 14,235 | - | 14,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issuances (note 21) | 41,581 | - | - | - | 41,581 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital raise costs (note 21) | (2,820) | - | - | - | (2,820) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 30 June 2023 | 965,857 | (34,655) | 28,435 | (654,276) | 305,361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F-9
Issued capital | Foreign currency translation reserve | Share-based payments reserve | Accumulated losses | Total equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 1 July 2023 | 965,857 | (34,655) | 28,435 | (654,276) | 305,361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense for the year | - | - | - | (28,955) | (28,955) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax | (338) | - | (338) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | (338) | - | (28,955) | (29,293) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments (note 31) | 1,716 | - | 22,851 | - | 24,567 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issuances (note 21) | 822,855 | - | - | - | 822,855 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital raise costs (note 21) | (26,139) | - | - | - | (26,139) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 30 June 2024 | 1,764,289 | (34,993) | 51,286 | (683,231) | 1,097,351 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The above consolidated statements of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-10
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Consolidated statements of cash flows | |||||
For the years ended 30 June 2024, 2023 and 2022 | |||||
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receipts from Bitcoin mining revenue | 183,586 | 78,423 | 59,037 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receipts from AI cloud services revenue | 3,432 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receipts from other income | 438 | 3,104 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments for electricity, suppliers and employees | (139,535) | (72,183) | (32,231) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest received | 5,008 | 803 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid | (213) | (4,102) | (5,253) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from operating activities | 28 | 52,716 | 6,045 | 21,557 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments for property, plant and equipment net of mining hardware prepayments | 14 | (141,855) | (116,064) | (83,654) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments for mining hardware prepayments | (338,054) | - | (210,593) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments for prepayments and other assets | (18,600) | (7,363) | (22,038) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayments/(advancement) of loan proceeds | - | 2,291 | (1,870) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deconsolidation of Non-Recourse SPVs | - | (1,214) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment | 14 | 43 | 32,488 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from release of deposits | - | 18,395 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (498,466) | (71,467) | (318,115) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from hybrid financial instruments | 21 | - | - | 107,845 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital raise costs | 21 | (946) | (1,012) | (4,212) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from mining hardware finance | - | - | 65,200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of borrowings | - | (9,432) | (12,120) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from Initial Public Offering (net of underwriting fees) | 21 | - | - | 215,331 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from loan funded shares | 21 | 503 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment of borrowing transaction costs | - | (250) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issuances | 783,069 | 39,252 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of lease liabilities | (497) | (318) | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from financing activities | 782,129 | 28,240 | 372,038 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 336,379 | (37,182) | 75,480 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year | 68,894 | 109,970 | 38,990 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (672) | (3,894) | (4,500) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year | 10 | 404,601 | 68,894 | 109,970 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The above consolidated statements of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-11
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 1. General information
The consolidated financial statements cover Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) as a Group consisting of Iris Energy Limited d/b/a IREN ("Company" or "Parent Entity") and the entities it controlled at the end of, or during, the year (collectively the "Group").
The Company’s shares trade on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “IREN”.
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its registered office and principal place of business are:
| Registered office | Principal place of business | ||||
| c/o Pitcher Partners | Level 12, 44 Market Street | ||||
| Level 13, 664 Collins Street | Sydney NSW 2000 | ||||
| Docklands VIC 3008 | Australia | ||||
| Australia | |||||
The Group is a leading next-generation data center business powering the future of Bitcoin, AI and beyond.
The consolidated financial statements were authorized and approved for issue, in accordance with a resolution of Directors, on 28 August 2024. The Directors have the power to amend and reissue the consolidated financial statements.
Note 2. Material accounting policies
The material accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are set out below.
Going concern
The Group has determined there is material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern but has concluded it is appropriate to prepare the consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis which contemplates continuity of normal business activities, the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The operating cash flows generated by the Group are inherently linked to several key uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, volatility associated with the economics of Bitcoin mining and the ability of the Group to execute its business plan.
For the year ended 30 June 2024, the Group incurred a loss after tax of $28,955,000 (2023: $171,871,000) and net operating cash inflows of $52,716,000 (2023: $6,045,000). As at 30 June 2024, the Group had net current assets of $401,389,000 (2023: net current assets of $65,229,000) and net assets of $1,097,351,000 (2023: net assets of $305,361,000).
As further background, the Group owns mining hardware that is designed specifically to mine Bitcoin and its future success will depend in a large part upon the value of Bitcoin, and any sustained decline in its value could adversely affect the business and results of operations. Specifically, the revenues from Bitcoin mining operations are predominantly based upon two factors: (i) the number of Bitcoin rewards that are successfully mined and (ii) the value of Bitcoin. A decline in the market price of Bitcoin, increases in the difficulty of Bitcoin mining, changes in the regulatory environment, and/or adverse changes in other inherent risks may significantly negatively impact the Group’s operations. Due to the volatility of the Bitcoin price and the effects of the other aforementioned factors, there can be no guarantee that future mining operations will be profitable, or the Group will be able to raise capital to meet growth objectives.
The strategy to mitigate these risks and uncertainties is to try to execute a business plan aimed at operational efficiency, revenue growth, improving overall mining profit, managing operating expenses and working capital requirements,
F-12
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
maintaining potential capital expenditure optionality, and securing additional financing, as needed, through one or more debt and/or equity capital raisings.
The continuing viability of the Group and its ability to continue as a going concern and meet its debts and commitments as they fall due are therefore significantly dependent upon several factors. These factors have been considered in preparing a cash flow forecast over the next 12 months to consider the going concern of the Group. The key assumptions include:
•A base case scenario assuming recent Bitcoin economics including Bitcoin prices and global hashrate;
•Three operational sites in British Columbia, Canada with installed nameplate capacity of 160MW; 80MW Mackenzie, 50MW Prince George and 30MW Canal Flats;
•A fourth operational site at Childress, Texas with installed nameplate capacity of 100MW as at 31 July 2024 incrementally increasing to 350 MW by 31 December 2024;
•Securing additional financing as required to achieve the Group’s growths objectives.
The key assumptions have been stress tested using a range of Bitcoin price and global hashrate. The Group aims to maintain a degree of flexibility in both operating and capital expenditure cash flow management where it practicably makes sense, including ongoing internal cash flow monitoring and projection analysis performed to identify potential liquidity risks arising and to try to respond accordingly.
As a result, the Group has concluded there is material uncertainty related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, that it may be unable to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, the Group considers that it will be successful in the above matters and will have adequate cash reserves to enable it to meet its obligations for at least one year from the date of approval of the consolidated financial statements, and, accordingly, has prepared the consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis.
Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS Accounting Standards") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
Historical cost basis
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed in note 3.
Principles of consolidation
The principles outlined below are guided by IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’ and pertain to the preparation of consolidated financial statements for Iris Energy Limited and its subsidiaries.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Iris Energy Limited as at 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023 and the results of all subsidiaries for the years ended 30 June 2024, 30 June 2023, and 30 June 2022.
Subsidiaries are all those entities over which the Group has control (as listed in note 27). The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to
F-13
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.
Where the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes the assets including goodwill and liabilities in the subsidiary together with any cumulative translation differences recognized in equity. The Group recognizes the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any investment retained together with any gain or loss in profit or loss.
Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between entities in the Group are eliminated upon consolidation. Accounting policies of subsidiaries align to the policies adopted by the Group.
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. A change in ownership interest, without the loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction, where the difference between the consideration transferred and the book value of the share of the non-controlling interest acquired is recognized directly in equity attributable to the parent.
Operating segments
Operating segments are presented using the ‘management approach’, where the information presented is on the same basis as the internal reports provided to the Chief Operating Decision Makers ("CODM"). The CODM is responsible for the allocation of resources to operating segments and assessing their performance.
Functional and presentation currency
The functional currency of the Parent is Australian dollars, whilst the presentation currency of the Group is in US dollars. Some subsidiaries have a functional currency other than Australian dollars which is translated to the presentation currency. The presentation currency of US dollars has been adopted to suit the needs of the primary users of the financial statements.
Transactions in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency are initially recorded in the functional currency by applying the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency are retranslated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the reporting date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognized in the consolidated statements of profit or loss.
Foreign exchange differences that arise on the translation of monetary items that form part of the net investment in a foreign operation are recognized in the foreign currency translation reserve in the consolidated statements of financial position. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the initial transaction.
Foreign operations
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into US dollars using the relevant exchange rates at the reporting date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into US dollars using the average exchange rates, which approximate the rates at the dates of the transactions, for the period. All resulting foreign exchange differences are recognized in other comprehensive income through the foreign currency translation reserve in equity.
The foreign currency reserve, reflecting the cumulative translation differences, is recognized in the consolidated statements of profit or loss when the foreign operation or net investment is disposed of.
Revenue and other income recognition
The Group recognizes revenue and other income as follows:
Revenue from contracts with customers
The Group recognizes revenue under IFRS 15, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” ("IFRS 15"). The core principle of this standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
•Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer
F-14
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
•Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
•Step 3: Determine the transaction price
•Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
•Step 5: Recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation
In order to identify the performance obligations in a contract with a customer, a company must assess the promised goods or services in the contract and identify each promised good or service that is distinct. A performance obligation meets IFRS 15’s definition of a “distinct” good or service (or bundle of goods or services) if both of the following criteria are met: The customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (i.e., the good or service is capable of being distinct), and the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (i.e., the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract).
If a good or service is not distinct, the good or service is combined with other promised goods or services until a bundle of goods or services is identified that is distinct.
The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The consideration promised in a contract with a customer may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both. When determining the transaction price, an entity must consider the effects of all of the following:
•Variable consideration
•Constraining estimates of variable consideration
•The existence of a significant financing component in the contract
•Non-cash consideration
•Consideration payable to a customer
Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The transaction price allocated to each performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or over time as appropriate.
Bitcoin mining revenue
The Group operates data center infrastructure supporting the verification and validation of Bitcoin blockchain transactions in exchange for Bitcoin, referred to as “Bitcoin mining”. The Group’s revenue is derived from providing computing power (hashrate) to mining pools. The Company has entered into arrangements, as amended from time to time, with mining pool operators to provide computing power to the mining pools. The provision of computing power to mining pools is an output of the Company’s ordinary activities. The Company has the right to decide the point in time and duration for which it will provide computing power. As a result, the Company’s enforceable right to compensation only begins when, and continues as long as, the Company provides computing power to the mining pool. The contracts can be terminated at any time by either party without substantive compensation to the other party for such termination. Upon termination, the mining pool operator (i.e., the customer) is required to pay the Company any amount due related to previously satisfied performance obligations. Therefore, the Company has determined that the duration of the contract is less than 24 hours and that the contract continuously renews throughout the day. The Company has determined that this renewal right is not a material right as the terms, conditions, and compensation amounts are at then market rates. There is no significant financing component in these transactions.
In exchange for providing computing power, which represents the Company’s only performance obligation, the Company is entitled to non-cash consideration in the form of cryptocurrency, calculated under the Full Pay Per Share ("FPPS") payout methods which contain three components, (1) a fractional share of the fixed cryptocurrency award from the mining pool operator (referred to as a “block reward”), (2) transaction fees generated from (paid by) blockchain users to execute transactions and distributed (paid out) to individual miners by the mining pool operator, and (3) mining pool operating fees retained by the mining pool operator for operating the mining pool. The Company’s total compensation is the sum of the Company’s share of (a) block rewards and (b) transaction fees, less (c) mining pool operating fees.
F-15
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
1.The block reward earned by the Company is calculated by the mining pool operator based on the proportion of hashrate the Company contributed to the mining pool to the total network hashrate used in solving the current algorithm. The Company is entitled to its relative share of consideration even if a block is not successfully added to the blockchain by the mining pool.
2.Transaction fees refer to the total fees paid by users of the network to execute transactions. Under FPPS, the Company is entitled to a pro-rata share of the total network transaction fees. The transaction fees paid out by the mining pool operator to the Company is based on the proportion of hashrate the Company contributed to the mining pool to the total network hashrate. The Company is entitled to its relative share of consideration even if a block is not successfully added to the blockchain by the mining pool.
3.Mining pool operating fees are charged by the mining pool operator for operating the mining pool as set forth in a rate schedule to the mining pool contract. The mining pool operating fees reduce the total amount of compensation the Company receives and are only incurred to the extent that the Company has generated mining revenue pursuant to the mining pool operators’ payout calculation.
Because the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled for providing computing power is entirely variable (block rewards, transaction fees and pool operating fees), as well as being non-cash consideration, the Company assesses the estimated amount of the variable non-cash consideration to which it expects to be entitled for providing computing power at contract inception and subsequently, to determine when and to what extent it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur once the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. For each contract under the FPPS payout method, the Company recognizes the non-cash consideration on the same day that control of the contracted service transfers to the mining pool operator, which is the same day as the contract inception.
The Group measures the non-cash consideration received at the fair market value of the Bitcoin received. Management estimates fair value on a daily basis, as the quantity of Bitcoin received multiplied by the price quoted on Kraken on the day it was received. Management considers the prices quoted on Kraken to be a level 1 input under IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement. The Group did not hold any Bitcoin on hand as at 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: Nil).
AI cloud services revenue
The Group generates AI cloud services revenue through the provision of AI cloud services to clients. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for services, net of discounts and sales taxes. The
steps involved in recognizing AI cloud services revenue are set out as follows:
•AI cloud services revenue is recognized as service revenue rateably over the enforceable term of individual contracts which is typically the stated term. The Company satisfies its performance obligation as these services are provided over time. This method best represents the transfer of services.
•Transaction price is determined as the list price of services (net of discounts) that the Company delivers to its customers, considering the term of each individual contract, and the ability to enforce and collect the consideration.
•Usage revenue (overage and consumption-based services) is recorded as AI cloud services revenue in the month the usage is incurred/service is consumed by the customer, based on a fixed agreed upon amount per unit consumed.
Other income
Other income is recognized when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group, and the amount of income can be reliably measured. Other income is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Gains from the sale of other assets are recognized when the control of the asset has been transferred, and it is probable that the entity will receive the economic benefits associated with the transaction.
Income tax
The income tax expense for the period is the tax payable on that period’s taxable income based on the applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted by the changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences, unused tax losses and the adjustment recognized for prior periods, where applicable.
F-16
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences at the tax rates expected to be applied when the assets are recovered or liabilities are settled, based on those tax rates that are enacted or substantively enacted, except for:
•when the deferred income tax asset or liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting nor taxable profits; or
•when the taxable temporary difference is associated with interests in subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, and the timing of the reversal can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary difference only if the Group considers it probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilize those temporary differences and losses.
The carrying amount of recognized and unrecognized deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date. Deferred tax assets recognized are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that future taxable profits will be available for the carrying amount to be recovered. Previously unrecognized deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that there are future taxable profits available to recover the asset.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and deferred tax assets against deferred tax liabilities; and they relate to the same taxable authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend to settle simultaneously.
Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations, changes in tax laws, and the amount and timing of future taxable income. These uncertainties may require management to adjust expectations based on changes in circumstances, which may impact the amount of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities recognized in the statement of financial position and the amount of other tax losses and temporary differences not recognized. In such circumstances, some or all of the carrying amounts of recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities may require adjustment, resulting in a corresponding credit or charge to the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Current and non-current classification
Assets and liabilities are presented in the consolidated statement of financial position based on current and non-current classification.
An asset is classified as current when it is either expected to be realized or intended to be sold or consumed in the Group’s normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is expected to be realized within 12 months after the reporting period; or the asset is cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other assets are classified as non-current.
A liability is classified as current when it is either expected to be settled in the Group’s normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is due to be settled within 12 months after the reporting period; or there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other liabilities are classified as non-current. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are always classified as non-current.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash at bank, deposits that can be withdrawn without notice held with financial institutions, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
Financial assets
Financial assets are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs are included as part of the initial measurement, except for financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Such assets are subsequently measured at either amortized cost, fair value through profit or loss, or fair value through other comprehensive income depending on their classification.
F-17
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
Classification is determined based on both the business model within which such assets are held and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset unless an accounting mismatch is being avoided.
Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership. When there is no reasonable expectation of recovering part or all of a financial asset, its carrying value is written off.
Financial Instrument Fair Value through Profit & Loss ("FVTPL")
The Group recognizes the electricity financial assets at fair value on initial recognition. After initial recognition, financial instruments measured at FVTPL are remeasured at fair value at each reporting date. Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized immediately in profit or loss. A financial instrument measured at FVTPL is derecognized when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the instrument expire or when the Group transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the instrument.
The Group measures the fair value of prepaid electricity using the forward price approach. The fair value is calculated by multiplying the quantity of electricity prepaid by a forward price for the Energy Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”) West Load Zone market which is the principal market for our electricity transactions. The forward prices are provided by OTC Global Holdings and reflect the expected future prices of electricity based on current market conditions and observable market data. The forward prices used to measure the fair value of prepaid electricity are classified as Level 2 inputs under IFRS 13.
Financial assets at amortized cost
A financial asset is measured at amortized cost only if both of the following conditions are met: (i) it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; and (ii) the contractual terms of the financial asset represent contractual cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest. The financial assets at amortized cost include cash and cash equivalents and other receivables (except sales tax receivables).
Impairment of financial assets
The Group recognizes a loss allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets which are either measured at amortized cost or fair value through other comprehensive income. The measurement of the loss allowance depends upon the Group’s assessment at the end of each reporting period as to whether the financial instrument’s credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition, based on reasonable and supportable information that is available, without undue cost or effort to obtain.
Where there has not been a significant increase in exposure to credit risk since initial recognition, a 12-month expected credit loss allowance is estimated. This represents a portion of the asset’s lifetime expected credit losses that is attributable to a default event that is possible within the next 12 months. Where a financial asset has become credit impaired or where it is determined that credit risk has increased significantly, the loss allowance is based on the asset’s lifetime expected credit losses. The amount of expected credit loss recognized is measured on the basis of the probability weighted present value of anticipated cash shortfalls over the life of the instrument discounted at the original effective interest rate.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is measured at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.
F-18
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the net cost (less residual value where applicable) of each item of property, plant and equipment (excluding land) over their expected useful lives as follows:
| Buildings | 20 years | ||||
| Plant and equipment | 3-10 years | ||||
Mining hardware1 | 2 - 4 years | ||||
| High-performance computing ("HPC") hardware | 5 years | ||||
The residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.
An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.
An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when there is no future economic benefit to the Group. Gains and losses between the carrying amount and the disposal proceeds are taken to profit or loss.
Development assets consist of data center sites under development. Development assets are not depreciated until they are available for use. Once an asset becomes available for use, it is transferred to another category within property, plant and equipment and depreciated over its useful economic life.
Mining and HPC hardware includes both installed hardware units and units that have been delivered but are in storage, yet to be installed. Depreciation of mining hardware commences once units are onsite and available for use.
Repair and maintenance costs incurred are expensed to ‘other operating expenses’ in the consolidated statements of profit or loss.
Leases
The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Group applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases, except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets.
The Group has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a term of 12 months or less, and leases of low value assets. The Group recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
A right-of-use asset is recognized at the commencement date of a lease. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of the right-of-use assets includes the amount of the lease liability recognized, adjusted for, as applicable, any lease payments made at or before the commencement date net of any lease incentives received, any initial direct costs incurred, and, except where included in the cost of inventories, an estimate of costs expected to be incurred for dismantling and removing the underlying asset, and restoring the site or asset. Right-of-use assets are depreciated from the commencement of the lease on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term and the estimated useful lives of the assets.
At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognizes lease liabilities measured at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amount expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Group and payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising the option to terminate.
1 During the year ended 30 June 2024, the Group reduced the useful life of its Bitmain Antminer S19jPros and Antminer S19 Pros (together the “S19j Pros”), refer to Note 14. All other models are depreciated over 4 years.
F-19
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
In calculating the present value of the lease payments, the Group uses the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. The lease liability is subsequently increased by the interest cost on the lease liability and decreased by lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the lease payments (e.g. changes to future payments resulting from a change in an index or rate used to determine such lease payments) or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset. The Group has applied judgement to determine the lease term for contracts which include renewal and termination options.
Goodwill
Goodwill arises on the acquisition of a business. Goodwill is not amortized. Instead, the cash-generating unit (CGU) to which goodwill has been allocated is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired and is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Impairment losses on goodwill are taken to profit or loss and are not subsequently reversed.
Impairment of other non-financial assets
At the end of reporting period, property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets are reviewed to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If there is an indication of possible impairment, the recoverable amount of any affected asset (or group of related assets) is estimated and compared with its carrying amount. An impairment loss is recognized in the profit or loss for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, where the recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal ("FVLCOD") or the value in use ("VIU"). In assessing VIU, the estimated future cash flows of the asset are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the asset or the CGU to which the asset belongs and relevant market assessments. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows which are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
A recognized impairment loss on an asset is subject to reversal if there is a subsequent change in the variables and assumptions that were used to calculate the asset’s recoverable amount. Such a reversal is executed only when the asset’s estimated recoverable amount exceeds its current carrying amount. However, the adjusted carrying amount after reversal must not exceed the asset’s carrying amount that would have been determined (net of depreciation and amortization) had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years.
Trade and other payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year and which are unpaid. They are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. However, due to their short-term nature, they are not discounted.
Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables are initially recognized at the fair value of the consideration received, net of transaction costs. They are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
The Group derecognizes financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognized and the consideration paid and payable is recognized in profit or loss.
Finance costs
Finance costs attributable to qualifying assets are capitalized as part of the asset. All other finance costs are expensed using the effective interest rate method.
Provisions
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present (legal or constructive) obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable the Group will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present
F-20
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
obligation at the reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. If the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate specific to the liability. The increase in the provision resulting from the passage of time is recognized as a finance expense.
Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits
Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave and long service leave expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.
Other long-term employee benefits
The liability for annual leave and long service leave not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service.
Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based compensation benefits are provided to employees. Equity-settled transactions are awards of shares, or options over shares and restricted stock units ("RSUs"), that are provided to employees in exchange for the rendering of services.
The cost of equity-settled transactions is measured at fair value on grant date. Fair value is independently determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model and Monte-Carlo simulations which take into account the exercise price, the term of the option or the RSU, the impact of dilution, the share price at grant date, expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the option, together with non-vesting conditions that do not determine whether the Group receives the services that entitle the employees to receive payment.
The cost of equity-settled transactions are recognized as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity over the vesting period. The cumulative charge to profit or loss is calculated based on the grant date fair value of the award, the best estimate of the number of awards that are likely to vest and the expired portion of the vesting period. The amount recognized in profit or loss for the period is the cumulative amount calculated at each reporting date less amounts already recognized in previous periods.
Market conditions are taken into consideration in determining fair value. Therefore, any awards subject to market conditions are considered to vest irrespective of whether or not that market condition has been met, provided all other conditions are satisfied.
If equity-settled awards are modified, as a minimum, an expense is recognized as if the modification has not been made. An additional expense is recognized, over the remaining vesting period, for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based compensation benefit as at the date of modification.
If equity-settled awards are cancelled or settled during the vesting period (other than a grant cancelled by forfeiture when the vesting conditions are not satisfied), this is treated as an acceleration of vesting and the amount that otherwise would have been recognized for services received over the remainder of the vesting period will be recognized immediately through share-based payments expense in the profit or loss.
Fair value measurement
When an asset or liability, financial or non-financial, is measured at fair value for recognition or disclosure purposes, the fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; and assumes that the transaction will take place either: in the principal market; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market.
F-21
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
Fair value is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming they act in their economic best interests. For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement is based on its highest and best use, determined by maximization of value by way of continuing use or sale to third party. Valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, are used, maximizing the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified into three levels, using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. Classifications are reviewed at each reporting date and transfers between levels are determined based on a reassessment of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the end of the reporting period in which they occur.
For recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements, external valuers may be used when internal expertise is either not available or when the valuation is deemed to be significant. External valuers are selected based on market knowledge and reputation. Where there is a significant change in fair value of an asset or liability from one period to another, an analysis is undertaken, which includes a verification of the major inputs applied in the latest valuation and a comparison, where applicable, with external sources of data.
Issued capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity because they represent ownership in the company and do not have an obligation to be repurchased or settled in cash or other financial assets. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to the owners of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN), by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year. The weighted average number of shares is also adjusted for any ordinary shares to be issued under mandatorily convertible instruments issued by the Group.
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted average number of shares assumed to have been issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive potential ordinary shares.
Foreign currency translation reserve
The reserve is used to recognize exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations to United States dollar.
Share-based payments reserve
The reserve is used to recognize the value of equity benefits provided to employees and Directors as part of their remuneration, and other parties as part of their compensation for services.
Goods and Services Tax ("GST") and other similar taxes
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognized net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the tax authority. In this case it is recognized as part of the cost of the acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.
Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority is included in other receivables or other payables in the consolidated statements of financial position.
Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the tax authority, are presented as operating cash flows.
F-22
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 2. Material accounting policies (continued)
Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority.
Computer hardware prepayments
Computer hardware prepayments represent payments made by the Group for the purchase of mining and HPC hardware that were yet to be delivered as of the end of the financial year. These prepayments are in accordance with payment schedules set out in relevant purchase agreements with hardware manufacturers.
Government grants
Grants from the government are recognized at their fair value where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the Group expects to comply with the conditions. Depending on the grant conditions, grants received may be deferred and recognized over time on a straight-line basis.
Rounding of amounts
Amounts in this report have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, the nearest dollar.
New or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted
The Group has adopted all of the new or amended IFRS and Interpretations as issued by the IASB that are mandatory for the current reporting period.
Any new or amended Accounting Standards or Interpretations that are not yet mandatory have not been early adopted. The Group believes that the impact of recently issued standards or amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
Note 3. Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities (refer to the respective notes) within the next financial year are discussed below.
Share-based payment transactions
The Group measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and Monte-Carlo simulations which take into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. Management has exercised its best judgements in determining the key inputs for the valuation models used which includes volatility, grant-date share price, expected term and the risk-free rate. Refer note 31 for further information and key assumptions.
Estimation of useful lives of assets
The Group determines the estimated useful lives, residual values and related depreciation charges for its property, plant and equipment. The useful lives could change significantly as a result of technical innovations or some other event. The depreciation charge will increase where the useful lives are less than previously estimated lives, or technically obsolete or non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold will be written off or written down.
Impairment of non-financial assets
The Group assesses impairment of non-financial assets other than goodwill at each reporting date by evaluating conditions specific to the Group and to the particular asset that may lead to impairment. If an impairment trigger exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined. This involves assessing the value of the asset at FVLCOD or using VIU models which incorporate a number of key estimates and assumptions. No triggers existed at the reporting date which suggested any additional impairment of assets was necessary.
F-23
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 3. Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued)
Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets relating to temporary differences and unused tax losses are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that the future taxable profit will be available against which the benefits of the deferred tax can be utilized. At the reporting date, deferred tax assets have only been recognized to the extent of deferred tax liabilities if they are related to the same tax jurisdiction. Deferred tax assets in relation to losses have not been recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position and will not be recognized until such time when there is more certainty in relation to the availability of future taxable profits.
Income tax
Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations, changes in tax laws, and the amount and timing of future taxable income. These uncertainties may require management to adjust expectations based on changes in circumstances, which may impact the amount of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position and the amount of other tax losses and temporary differences not yet recognized. In such circumstances, some or all of the carrying amounts of recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities may require adjustment, resulting in a corresponding credit or charge to profit or loss or other comprehensive income/(loss).
Going concern
The assessment of going concern requires management to make judgements based on projections of the operating cash flows generated by the Group, which is subject to a number of key assumptions. The Group has determined there is material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern but has concluded it is appropriate to prepare the consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis. Refer to Note 2 for further information.
Provisions
Provisions are recorded for present obligations arising from past events where settlement is expected to result in an outflow of resources. The Group has recorded provisions for sales tax at the best estimate of expenditure required to settle the obligation. Management makes assessments of provisions based on the expectations of probability of outcome and expectations of settlement which is inherently subject to uncertainty. Refer to Note 18 for further information.
Functional currency determination
The functional currency for the Company and its subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. Determination of functional currency is conducted through an analysis of the consideration factors identified in IAS 21 “The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates” and may involve certain judgements to determine the primary economic environment. The Company reconsiders the functional currency of its entities if there is a change in events and conditions which determine the primary economic environment. Significant changes to those underlying factors could cause a change to the functional currency.
Note 4. Operating segments
Identification of reportable operating segments
The Group is organized into different business activities:
•Bitcoin mining: The Group owns and operates ASIC hardware used to mine Bitcoin. The revenue depends on the number of Bitcoin received from the mining pool each day and the Bitcoin price.
•AI cloud services: The Group owns and operates HPC hardware and generates revenue by providing third-party customers with remote access to these HPC hardware.
However, the Group's CODM assesses the business performance and primarily makes resource allocation decisions based on the Group as a whole, rather than by individual business lines or geographical regions.
The Group’s internal reporting used by the CODM is structured as a single integrated business and thus does not contain discrete financial information on separate business activities. Therefore, in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments, the Group has determined that it has only one reportable segment.
F-24
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 4. Operating segments (continued)
Additionally, revenue and assets related to the AI cloud services business activity represent less than 10% of the Group's total revenue and assets.
Major customers
The Group generated 98% (2023: 100%, 2022: 100%) of its revenue through the provision of computing power to three (2023: two, 2022: two) Bitcoin mining pools for the year ended 30 June 2024.
Geographical information
Disaggregated revenue data by geographical region in terms of where the services were provided within the operating segment is as follows:
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue per geographical area | ||||||||||||||
| Australia | 184,087 | 81,884 | ||||||||||||
North-America | 4,671 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Non-current assets, excluding deferred tax assets, are located in the following geographical locations:
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Non-current assets per geographical area | ||||||||||||||
| Australia | 658 | 867 | ||||||||||||
North-America | 699,989 | 241,969 | ||||||||||||
Note 5. Other income
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain on disposal of other assets | - | 3,117 | - | |||||||||||||||||
| ERS revenue | 1,566 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | - | 20 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total other income | 1,566 | 3,137 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income for the year ended 30 June 2024 comprises income generated from an Emergency Response Service ("ERS") program entered into in Texas. This ERS program is a demand response program designed to help ERCOT mitigate rolling blackouts. The Group receives recurring capacity payments for agreeing to curtail electricity consumption in response to abnormally high electricity demand or other grid emergencies. Other income is generated by the Group’s participation in
F-25
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 5. Other income (continued)
this program at the site in Childress, Texas, and the revenue is recognized on a monthly basis depending on electricity related factors as determined by the operator.
Note 6. Depreciation
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 50,415 | 30,636 | 7,682 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | 235 | 220 | 59 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total depreciation | 50,650 | 30,856 | 7,741 | |||||||||||||||||
Note 7. Other operating expenses
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance | 7,033 | 5,687 | 5,065 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sponsorship and marketing | 2,051 | 716 | 305 | |||||||||||||||||
| ERS fees | 94 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Charitable donations | 640 | 164 | 464 | |||||||||||||||||
| Legal expenses | 1,797 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Filing fees | 79 | 76 | 462 | |||||||||||||||||
| Site identification costs | - | 15 | 258 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-refundable sales tax (See Note 18 - Provisions) | 6,276 | 4,972 | 2,469 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-refundable provincial sales tax | 1,408 | 371 | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 1,707 | 2,277 | 861 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total other operating expenses | 21,085 | 14,278 | 9,884 | |||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses previously included site expenses, however, for the year ended 30 June 2024, site expenses has been presented as a separate financial statement line item. Comparative figures have been updated accordingly.
F-26
Note 8. Finance expense
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on borrowings | - | 15,213 | 5,343 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on hybrid financial instruments | - | - | 26,748 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on lease liabilities | 253 | 112 | 99 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of capitalized borrowing costs | - | 1,038 | 2,508 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss on embedded derivatives held at fair value through profit or loss | - | - | 390,743 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total finance expense | 253 | 16,363 | 425,441 | |||||||||||||||||
For the year ended 30 June 2023, interest expense on borrowings includes late fees and interest charged on third-party loans held by IE CA 3 Holdings Ltd and IE CA 4 Holdings Ltd.
F-27
Note 9. Income tax expense
Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense and tax at the statutory rate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income tax expense | (25,502) | (169,481) | (417,046) | |||||||||||||||||
Tax at the statutory tax rate of 30% (2023: 30%, 2022: 30%) | (7,650) | (50,844) | (125,114) | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect amounts which are not deductible in calculating taxable income: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-deductible/non-allowable items | 8,793 | 4,756 | 128,643 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1,143 | (46,088) | 3,529 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current year tax losses not recognized | 1,207 | 28,349 | 534 | |||||||||||||||||
| Recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses | 12 | - | (1,019) | |||||||||||||||||
| Derecognition of previously recognized tax losses | 860 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Difference in overseas tax rates | (315) | 1,979 | 203 | |||||||||||||||||
| Current year temporary differences not recognized | 535 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Prior year tax over/(under) provisions | (296) | (212) | (523) | |||||||||||||||||
| Deconsolidation of Non-recourse SPVs | - | 18,362 | - | |||||||||||||||||
Other | 307 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 3,453 | 2,390 | 2,724 | |||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current tax expense/(benefit) | 1,709 | (1,013) | 672 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax expense | 1,744 | 3,403 | 2,052 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 3,453 | 2,390 | 2,724 | |||||||||||||||||
F-28
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 9. Income tax expense (continued)
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unrecognized deferred tax assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Available tax losses | 155,608 | 136,849 | 19,268 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect at the applicable tax rate for each jurisdiction | 41,750 | 39,238 | 5,117 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax asset on tax losses recognized to the extent of taxable temporary differences | 19,148 | 10,761 | 3,854 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax asset on losses not recognized | 22,602 | 28,477 | 1,263 | |||||||||||||||||
In addition to tax losses unrecognized, there are $123,987,000 of deductible temporary differences in relation to capital losses, capital raising costs and other temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognized as at 30 June 2024. These tax losses can only be utilized against availability of future available profits. These tax losses are not expected to expire.
Recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities
The following are the deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized by the Group and movements during the years ended 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023:
| Tax losses | Employee benefits | Property, plant and equipment | Unrealized foreign exchange losses | Capital raising costs | Other deferred tax assets | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Movement in balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 1 July 2022 | 3,854 | 113 | 15 | 725 | 4,627 | 1,222 | 10,556 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Charge)/credit to profit or loss | 6,907 | (381) | (15) | (691) | (666) | 1,117 | 6,271 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 30 June 2023 | 10,761 | (268) | - | 34 | 3,961 | 2,339 | 16,827 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offset against deferred tax liabilities | (16,819) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 30 June 2023 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 1 July 2023 | 10,761 | (268) | - | 34 | 3,961 | 2,339 | 16,827 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Charge)/credit to profit or loss | 8,391 | 152 | - | 702 | (1,701) | 1,654 | 9,198 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Charge)/credit to equity | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 30 June 2024 | 19,152 | (116) | - | 736 | 2,260 | 3,993 | 26,025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offset against deferred tax liabilities | (26,025) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 30 June 2024 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F-29
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 9. Income tax expense (continued)
Property, plant and equipment | Unrealized foreign exchange gains | Other deferred tax liabilities | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Movement in balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 1 July 2022 | (4,692) | (3,471) | (347) | (8,510) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Charge)/credit to profit or loss | (7,426) | (1,540) | (708) | (9,674) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 30 June 2023 | (12,118) | (5,011) | (1,055) | (18,184) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offset against deferred tax assets | 16,819 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 30 June 2023 | (1,365) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 1 July 2023 | (12,118) | (5,011) | (1,055) | (18,184) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Charge)/credit to profit or loss | (12,455) | 2,227 | (738) | (10,966) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 30 June 2024 | (24,573) | (2,784) | (1,793) | (29,150) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offset against deferred tax assets | 26,025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As at 30 June 2024 | (3,125) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note 10. Cash and cash equivalents
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Cash at bank | 304,601 | 38,657 | ||||||||||||
| Cash on deposit (cash equivalents) | 100,000 | 30,237 | ||||||||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents | 404,601 | 68,894 | ||||||||||||
Cash on deposit includes term deposits with maturities of less than 90 days and are therefore considered cash and cash equivalents.
F-30
Note 11. Other receivables
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Trade receivable | 152 | - | ||||||||||||
| Government grant receivable (note 20) | 2,078 | - | ||||||||||||
| Share issuances proceeds receivable | 16,563 | 1,581 | ||||||||||||
| Provincial sales tax receivable | - | 122 | ||||||||||||
| Interest receivable | 1,472 | - | ||||||||||||
ERS receivable | 1,128 | - | ||||||||||||
| Other receivable | 130 | 97 | ||||||||||||
| GST receivable | 7,844 | 4,743 | ||||||||||||
| Total other receivables | 29,367 | 6,543 | ||||||||||||
Note 12. Computer hardware prepayments
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Mining hardware prepayment | 239,841 | 68 | ||||||||||||
Computer hardware prepayments represent payments made by the Group for the purchase of Bitcoin mining hardware. These prepayments are in accordance with payment schedules set out in relevant purchase agreements with hardware manufacturers.
Mining hardware prepayments at 30 June 2024 include Bitcoin mining hardware prepayments of $203,783,000 and $36,058,000 relating to initial 10% non-refundable deposits for options to purchase further Bitcoin mining hardware. $22,768,000 and $13,290,000 of these option deposits expire if unexercised before March and May 2025 respectively.
During the year ended 30 June 2023, an impairment of $12,961,000 was recorded in relation to mining hardware prepayments of which $11,301,000 related to the above utilization of all prepayments under the 10 EH/s contract with Bitmain. During the year ended 30 June 2023, an impairment of $1,660,000 was recorded against mining hardware prepayments held by IE CA 3 Holdings Ltd reducing the underlying carrying amount of the mining hardware prepayments held by IE CA 3 Holdings Ltd to $2,381,000 which were derecognized by the Group on deconsolidation of the entity on 3 February 2023. See note 16.
F-31
Note 13. Prepayments and other assets
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Security deposits | 2,101 | 2,420 | ||||||||||||
| Prepayments | 9,787 | 11,373 | ||||||||||||
Total current | 11,888 | 13,793 | ||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Security deposits | 17,459 | - | ||||||||||||
| Total prepayments and other assets | 29,347 | 13,793 | ||||||||||||
Non-current deposits include connection deposits paid for expansion projects in British Columbia, Canada and West Texas, USA.
F-32
Note 14. Property, plant and equipment
Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Land - at cost | 3,601 | 1,803 | ||||||||||||
| Buildings - at cost | 215,542 | 153,100 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (13,237) | (5,042) | ||||||||||||
Total buildings | 202,305 | 148,058 | ||||||||||||
| Plant and equipment - at cost | 4,856 | 4,145 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (1,142) | (712) | ||||||||||||
Total plant and equipment | 3,714 | 3,433 | ||||||||||||
| Mining hardware - at cost | 177,766 | 115,024 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (54,892) | (15,709) | ||||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated impairment | (25,605) | (25,934) | ||||||||||||
Total mining hardware | 97,269 | 73,381 | ||||||||||||
| HPC hardware - at cost | 33,315 | - | ||||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (1,779) | - | ||||||||||||
Total HPC hardware | 31,536 | - | ||||||||||||
| Development assets - at cost | 102,946 | 14,427 | ||||||||||||
| Total property, plant and equipment | 441,371 | 241,102 | ||||||||||||
Details of impairment expenses recorded during the year ended 30 June 2023 is set out in note 16.
F-33
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 14. Property, plant and equipment (continued)
Reconciliations
Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set out below:
| Land | Buildings | Plant and equipment | Mining hardware | HPC hardware | Development assets | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 1 July 2022 | 1,836 | 13,082 | 3,200 | 163,147 | - | 66,297 | 247,562 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additions | - | 22,467 | 673 | 163,663 | - | 67,866 | 254,669 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deconsolidation of subsidiaries | - | - | - | (90,054) | - | - | (90,054) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disposals | (6) | - | - | (39,046) | - | - | (39,052) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange differences | (27) | 2,852 | (93) | (7,826) | - | (4,685) | (9,779) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | - | - | - | (90,524) | - | (1,084) | (91,608) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transfers in/(out) | - | 113,967 | - | - | - | (113,967) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation expense (note 6) | - | (4,310) | (347) | (25,979) | - | - | (30,636) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 30 June 2023 | 1,803 | 148,058 | 3,433 | 73,381 | - | 14,427 | 241,102 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additions | 1,817 | 3,288 | 876 | 65,291 | 33,685 | 150,408 | 255,365 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disposals | - | - | (35) | (6) | - | (5) | (46) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange differences | (19) | (2,706) | (104) | (1,595) | (369) | 252 | (4,541) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reversal of impairment | - | - | - | - | - | 108 | 108 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets written off | - | - | - | - | - | (202) | (202) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transfers in/(out) | - | 62,042 | - | - | (62,042) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation expense (note 6) | - | (8,377) | (456) | (39,802) | (1,780) | - | (50,415) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at 30 June 2024 | 3,601 | 202,305 | 3,714 | 97,269 | 31,536 | 102,946 | 441,371 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation of mining hardware and HPC hardware commences once units are installed onsite and available for use.
Development assets include costs related to the development of data center infrastructure at Childress, Texas along with other early-stage development costs. Depreciation will commence on the development assets at Childress as each phase of the underlying infrastructure becomes available for use.
Change in estimates
Following the announcement made in May 2024, the Group intends to grow to 30 EH/s operating capacity by 31 December 2024, therefore planning to renew its current Bitcoin mining fleet to improve both hashrate and efficiency. As such, the Group intends to replace older miners consisting of the S19j Pros with the newer Bitmain S21 Pros, which resulted in changes in the expected usage of the S19j Pros. The S19j Pros which were previously intended to be used for four years, are now expected to remain active until 1 October 2024. As a result, the expected useful life of the S19j Pros decreased, and their estimated residual value is now expected to equal the secondary market price upon selling date which is expected to be approximately $16,770,000.
The effect of these changes on actual and expected depreciation expense was as follows.
F-34
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 14. Property, plant and equipment (continued)
| In $'000 | 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2025 | 30 June 2026 | 30 June 2027 | ||||||||||
| Increase / (decrease) in depreciation expenses | 11,568 | 1,712 | (21,037) | (8,818) | ||||||||||
Note 15. Right-of-use assets
Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Land and buildings - right-of-use assets | 2,054 | 1,649 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (505) | (275) | ||||||||||||
| Total right-of-use assets | 1,549 | 1,374 | ||||||||||||
Reconciliations
Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set out below:
| Consolidated | US$’000 | ||||||||||
| Balance at 1 July 2022 | 1,253 | ||||||||||
| Additions | 373 | ||||||||||
| Disposals | - | ||||||||||
| Exchange differences | (32) | ||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | - | ||||||||||
| Depreciation (note 6) | (220) | ||||||||||
| Balance at 30 June 2023 | 1,374 | ||||||||||
| Additions | 347 | ||||||||||
| Disposals | - | ||||||||||
| Lease modification | 102 | ||||||||||
| Exchange differences | (39) | ||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | - | ||||||||||
| Depreciation (note 6) | (235) | ||||||||||
| Balance at 30 June 2024 | 1,549 | ||||||||||
The land and buildings right-of-use asset represents a 30-year lease of a site in Prince George, B.C., Canada, a 3-year lease of a corporate office in Sydney, Australia and a 5-year corporate office lease in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
F-35
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 16. Goodwill and impairment
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill - at cost | 598 | 617 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Impairment | (598) | (617) | ||||||||||||
| Total goodwill | - | - | ||||||||||||
The Group tests whether goodwill is impaired on an annual basis or when indicators of impairment exist. To determine if goodwill is impaired, the carrying value of the identified CGU to which the goodwill is allocated is compared to its recoverable amount. For the years ended 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023 the Group operated as a single CGU.
The recoverable amount of the CGU is based on VIU calculations, determined by discounting the future cash flows to be generated from continuing the use of the CGU.
As at 30 June 2024, no impairment indicators existed for the CGU.
Reconciliation
Impairment recorded during the year ended 30 June 2023 comprised of the following:
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | ||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||
| Goodwill | - | 603 | |||||||||
| Mining hardware | - | 25,700 | |||||||||
| Mining hardware – Non-Recourse SPVs | - | 64,824 | |||||||||
| Mining hardware prepayments | - | 11,301 | |||||||||
| Mining hardware prepayments – Non-Recourse SPVs | - | 1,660 | |||||||||
| Development assets | - | 1,084 | |||||||||
| Impairment of assets | - | 105,172 | |||||||||
The impairment expense described above has been recognized in the consolidated statements of profit or loss as impairment of assets.
As at June 30, 2024, the Group has not identified any indicator of impairment for the property, plant and equipment.
F-36
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 17. Lease liabilities
Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Lease liability | 214 | 192 | ||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Lease liability | 1,441 | 1,256 | ||||||||||||
| Total lease liabilities | 1,655 | 1,448 | ||||||||||||
Lease liabilities
The Group’s lease liabilities include a 30-year lease of a site in Prince George, B.C., Canada, a 3-year lease of a corporate office in Sydney, Australia and a 5-year corporate office lease in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. A reconciliation of lease liabilities is set out below, an undiscounted contractional maturity analysis of lease liabilities is included in Note 24.
| Reconciliation | US$’000 | |||||||
| Balance as at 1 July 2022 | 1,267 | |||||||
| Additions | 390 | |||||||
| Lease charges | (332) | |||||||
| Finance charges | 166 | |||||||
| Exchange differences | (42) | |||||||
| Balance as at 30 June 2023 | 1,448 | |||||||
| Additions | 344 | |||||||
| Modifications | 101 | |||||||
| Lease charges | (398) | |||||||
| Finance charges | 194 | |||||||
| Exchange differences | (34) | |||||||
| Balance as at 30 June 2024 | 1,655 | |||||||
| Current portion | 214 | |||||||
| Non-current portion | 1,441 | |||||||
Note 18. Provisions
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Non-refundable sales tax and other provisions | 13,375 | 6,172 | ||||||||||||
F-37
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 18. Provisions (continued)
Non-Refundable Sales Tax
The Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") is currently conducting an audit of input tax credits ("ITCs") claimed by several of the Group’s Canadian subsidiaries. The CRA has issued an assessment in relation to one of the subsidiaries which, the Directors believe may be applied across the Group’s Canadian subsidiaries. Under the proposed decision, the CRA has noted that ITCs claimed by the Group would be allowed. However, the Canadian subsidiaries would also be required to remit an amount of 5% on services exported to the Australian parent under an intercompany service agreement. The export of services typically attract a 0% rate of GST in Canada. If GST were to apply to these services at a rate of 5%, the Australian parent may not be permitted to recover this tax.
The Group has submitted additional information to the CRA to further support the ITCs claimed and the 0% rate applied to the exported services in addition to the formally submitted a formal notice of objection to the CRA in November 2022. The CRA provided an initial response to the Group's formal notice of objection in April 2024, to which the Group responded to in early July 2024. The Group has yet to receive further correspondence from the CRA in relation to the matter.
Additionally, amendments were made to Canadian Tax legislation in June 2023 regarding Mining Activities in respect of Cryptoassets. The CRA has yet to clarify it's interpretation of this legislation and the application to the subsidiaries of the Group. The Group continues to monitor developments in this regard. Consequently, the affected subsidiaries continue to accrue a provision in line with the aforementioned methodology.
Note 19. Trade and other payables
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Trade payables | 27,346 | 11,544 | ||||||||||||
| Employment tax payables | 367 | 2,207 | ||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | 4,406 | 2,893 | ||||||||||||
| Total trade and other payables | 32,119 | 16,644 | ||||||||||||
Note 20. Deferred revenue
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| British Columbia ("B.C.") Affordability Credit | 2,078 | - | ||||||||||||
| AI Cloud deferred revenue | 480 | - | ||||||||||||
| Total deferred revenue | 2,558 | - | ||||||||||||
F-38
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 20. Deferred revenue (continued)
The Government of B.C. announced on 22 February 2024 that all eligible British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority ("B.C. Hydro") customers will receive an electricity affordability credit from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. As the conditions for receiving the credit have been met, the Group has recognized a receivable and associated deferred revenue for the credit to be received from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Note 21. Issued capital
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Shares | US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary shares - Issued capital | 186,367,686 | 64,747,477 | 1,764,289 | 965,857 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Movements in ordinary share capital
| Details | Date | Shares | US$’000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Opening balance as at | 1 July 2022 | 53,028,867 | 926,581 | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued under Committed Equity Facility | 11,089,357 | 39,939 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid shares issued under Committed Equity Facility | 364,967 | 1,642 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for services | 260,286 | 500 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity settled share-based payments | 4,000 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capital raise costs, net of tax | - | (2,820) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Opening balance as at | 1 July 2023 | 64,747,477 | 965,857 | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued under Committed Equity Facility | 12,887,814 | 51,417 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued under ATM Facility | 108,063,868 | 771,438 | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued for services | 106,687 | 319 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Share based payment - employees | 561,840 | 1,397 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capital raise costs, net of tax | (26,139) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Closing balance as at | 30 June 2024 | 186,367,686 | 1,764,289 | |||||||||||||||||
Refer note 33 for further information on B Class restricted shares issued.
Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on the winding up of the Company in proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held. The fully paid ordinary shares have no par value and the Company does not have a limited amount of authorized capital.
At-the-market Facility
On 13 September 2023, Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) entered into an At-the-market ("ATM") Sales Agreement with B. Riley Securities, Inc., Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC, pursuant to which Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) has the option, but not the obligation, to sell up to $300,000,000 of its Ordinary shares through or to the Sales Agents, for a period of up to 36 months. On 21 March 2024, the Company added Canaccord
F-39
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 21. Issued capital (continued)
Genuity LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc. as Sales Agents pursuant to the Sales Agreement and filed a new prospectus supplement relating to the offer and sales of its ordinary shares under the Sales Agreement, which reflected an increase of $200,000,000 in the aggregate offering price, from an aggregate of up to $300,000,000 under the previously filed prospectus supplement relating to the offer and sale of ordinary shares under the Sales Agreement (“the ATM Facility”). As a result, in accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) may offer and sell its ordinary shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $500,000,000. On 15 May, 2024, Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) filed a new registration statement, including an accompanying prospectus, that provided Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) with the option, but not the obligation, to sell up to an aggregate of $500 million of its Ordinary shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement. As at 30 June 2024, 108,063,868 shares have been issued under the ATM facilities raising total gross proceeds of approximately $771,438,000. An additional $5,191,000 was raised through the sale of 463,089 shares from trades which were executed in June 2024 and subsequently issued and settled in July 2024.
Committed Equity Facility
On 23 September 2022 Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) entered into a share purchase agreement with B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC (“B. Riley”) to establish a committed equity facility (“ELOC”), pursuant to which Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) may, at its option, sell up to US$100 million of ordinary shares to B. Riley over a two-year period. A resale registration statement relating to shares sold to B. Riley under the ELOC was declared effective by the SEC on 26 January 2023. During the year ended 30 June 2024, 12,887,814 shares were issued under the facility raising gross proceeds of $51,417,000. On February 15, 2024, Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) terminated the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and on February 16, 2024, Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) filed a post-effective amendment to the registration statement on Form F-1 related to this offering, which deregistered all remaining shares on such registration statement, terminating the offering.
Loan-funded shares
As at 30 June 2024, there are 1,496,768 (30 June 2023: 1,954,049) restricted ordinary shares issued to management under the Employee Share Plans as well as certain non-employee founders of Podtech Innovation Inc. The total number of ordinary shares outstanding (including the loan funded shares) is 187,864,454 as at 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: 66,701,526).
Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development of the business.
Capital is regarded as total equity, as recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position, plus net debt. Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents.
In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares, issue new debt or sell assets to reduce debt.
Note 22. Dividends
There were no dividends paid, recommended or declared during the current or previous financial year.
F-40
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 23. Earnings per share
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax | (28,955) | (171,871) | (419,770) | |||||||||||||||||
| Number | Number | Number | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares used in calculating basic earnings per share | 99,640,920 | 54,775,571 | 40,941,074 | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share | 99,640,920 | 54,775,571 | 40,941,074 | |||||||||||||||||
| US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | (0.29) | (3.14) | (10.25) | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | (0.29) | (3.14) | (10.25) | |||||||||||||||||
As the Group has recorded a loss after tax for all years presented, any potential ordinary shares are antidilutive.
Note 24. Financial instruments
Financial risk management objectives
The Group has a simple capital structure and its principal financial assets are cash and cash equivalents and other receivables (except for sales tax receivables). The Group is subject to market risk by way of being exposed to daily volatility in the Bitcoin price and variations in foreign exchange rates. The Group has limited exposure to credit risk. The Group primarily holds cash and cash equivalents with regulated authorized deposit taking institutions which have strong credit ratings. The Group may also be exposed to liquidity and capital risk, due to the nature of operations and the requirements to incur capital expenditure.
Risk management is carried out by senior executives who identify, evaluate and hedge financial risks.
Market risk
Foreign currency risk
The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currency and is exposed to foreign currency risk through foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognized financial assets and financial liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting.
F-41
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 24. Financial instruments (continued)
The Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk arises when a Group entity holds a financial asset or liability in a currency other than the functional currency of that entity. At the end of the reporting period, the Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk was as follows (denominated in US Dollars):
| Financial assets | Financial liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| US dollars | 442,127 | 96,888 | 56,720 | 32,619 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian dollars | 112,639 | 124,549 | 1,265 | 37,390 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 554,766 | 221,437 | 57,985 | 70,009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Sensitivity analysis
The following table illustrates sensitivities to the Group’s exposure to changes in exchange rates. The table indicates the impact on how profit and equity values reported at the end of the reporting period would have been affected by changes in the relevant risk variables that management considers to be reasonably possible. These sensitivities assume that the movement in a particular variable is independent of other variables, each scenario assumes no change to other variables.
Strengthened | Weakened | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | Change % | Effect on profit before tax US$’000 | Effect on equity US$’000 | Change % | Effect on profit before tax US$’000 | Effect on equity US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US dollar | 10 | % | 45,350 | 45,350 | 10 | % | (55,427) | (55,427) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian dollar | 10 | % | 18,115 | 18,115 | 10 | % | (18,251) | (18,251) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australian dollar | 10 | % | (62,606) | (62,606) | 10 | % | 76,179 | 76,179 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Price risk
The Group is exposed to daily price risk on Bitcoin rewards it generates through contributing computing power to mining pools. Bitcoin rewards are typically liquidated on a daily basis and no Bitcoin is held as at the reporting period end (30 June 2023: nil).
Bitcoin currency prices are affected by various forces including global supply and demand, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation and the global political and economic conditions. The profitability of the Group is directly related to the current and future market price of digital currencies. A decline in the market prices for digital currencies could negatively impact the Group’s future operations. The Group has not hedged the conversion of any of its sales of Bitcoin.
Interest rate risk
The Group has limited exposure to interest rate risk, which is the risk that a financial instrument’s value will fluctuate as a result of changes in the market interest rates on variable interest-bearing financial instruments. The Group does not, at this time, use derivatives to mitigate these exposures. The Group’s cash and cash equivalents consist of balances available on demand and term deposits.
A reasonably possible change of 100 basis points ("bp") in interest rates at the reporting date would have increased (decreased) profit or loss by the amounts shown below:
F-42
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 24. Financial instruments (continued)
| 30 June 2024 | 100 bp increase US$’000 | 100 bp decrease US$’000 | |||||||||||||||
Term deposit | 425 | (425) | |||||||||||||||
Remunerated bank account | 897 | (897) | |||||||||||||||
Cash flow sensitivity (net) | 1,322 | (1,322) | |||||||||||||||
Credit risk
The Group’s exposure to credit risk is primarily related to its potential counterparty credit risk with exchanges, mining pools and regulated financial institutions. It mitigates credit risk associated with mining pools and exchanges by maintaining relationships with various alternative mining pools and transferring fiat currency to its Australian bank account on a regular basis. The Group cash and cash equivalents consists of balances held with regulated, listed financial institutions. The Group regularly monitors industry developments, actively monitors concentration risks with each financial institution and primarily holds balances on demand with A-1 rated institutions (based on Standard & Poor’s ratings).
Liquidity risk
The Group is exposed to liquidity risk and is required to maintain sufficient liquid assets (mainly cash and cash equivalents) and available borrowing facilities to be able to pay contractual obligations as and when they become due and payable. The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. The Group regularly updates cash projections for changes in business and fluctuations in the Bitcoin price. Refer to the Going Concern section within note 2 for further information in relation to how the Group intends to meet its short-term contractual obligations.
Remaining contractual maturities
The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial instruments and other liabilities. The table presents the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the financial liabilities are required to be paid. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows disclosed as remaining contractual maturities and therefore these totals may differ from their carrying amount in the consolidated statement of financial position.
Weighted average contractual interest rate | 1 year or less | Between 1 and 2 years | Between 2 and 5 years | Over 5 years | Remaining contractual maturities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | % | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade and other payables | - | 24,780 | - | - | - | 24,780 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | - | 371 | 261 | 516 | 2,869 | 4,017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-derivatives | 25,151 | 261 | 516 | 2,869 | 28,797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F-43
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 24. Financial instruments (continued)
| Weighted average contractual interest rate | 1 year or less | Between 1 and 2 years | Between 2 and 5 years | Over 5 years | Remaining contractual maturities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2023 | % | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade and other payables | - | 13,541 | - | - | - | 13,541 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | - | 335 | 326 | 446 | 2,270 | 3,377 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-derivatives | 13,876 | 326 | 446 | 2,270 | 16,918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Power Supply Agreement
A subsidiary of the Company (“the Subsidiary”) entered into a Power Supply Agreement ("PSA") for the procurement of electricity at the Childress site.
Under the PSA, the Subsidiary has the right to purchase a fixed quantity of electricity in advance at a fixed price however, the Subsidiary has no obligation to take physical delivery of electricity purchased. For any unused electricity purchased, the Subsidiary sells the unused electricity to the counterparty of the PSA at the prevailing spot price at the time of curtailment.
As the PSA meets the definition of a financial instrument under IAS 32, it is accounted for as a financial asset at fair value through Profit and Loss under IFRS 9.
Accordingly, the PSA is recorded at an estimated fair value each reporting period with the change in the fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of profit and loss.
As at 30 June 2024, the financial asset comprises the fair value of unused electricity procured for future periods.
F-44
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 24. Financial instruments (continued)
On settlement, a realized gain or loss on a financial asset is recognized in profit or loss. The gain or loss is calculated based on the unused quantity of electricity multiplied by prevailing spot price at the time of curtailment less the price paid upon prepayment (fixed costs). For the year ended 30 June 2024, the realized gain was $4,121,000 (2023: nil).
Note 25. Fair value measurement
Fair value hierarchy
Assets and Liabilities that are measured in the consolidated statements of financial position at fair value are categorized into a three-level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation. The categorization within the hierarchy is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement, being:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly
Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability
There were no transfers between levels during the financial years ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2024. The carrying amounts of other receivables, trade and other payables are assumed to approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature and are excluded from the hierarchy.
The following tables show the valuation techniques used in measuring Level 2 fair values for financial instruments in the statement of financial position, as well as the significant unobservable inputs used as at 30 June 2024:
Fair Value Hierarchy Level | Asset Description | Valuation Technique | Significant Input | ||||||||
Level 2 | Prepaid Electricity - Financial assets at FVTPL | Forward Price Approach | Forward Prices from OTC Global Holdings | ||||||||
Note 26. Commitments
As at 30 June 2024, the Group had commitments of $194,641,000 (30 June 2023: $7,481,000) which are payable within the year ended 30 June 2025. These commitments include committed capital expenditure on infrastructure related to site development.
F-45
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 26. Commitments (continued)
The committed amounts are payable as set out below:
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | |||||||||||||
| Mining hardware commitments | ||||||||||||||
| Amounts payable within 12 months of balance date: | 116,982 | - | ||||||||||||
| Amounts payable after 12 months of balance date: | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Other commitments | ||||||||||||||
| Amounts payable within 12 months of balance date: | 77,659 | 7,481 | ||||||||||||
| Amounts payable after 12 months of balance date: | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Total commitments | 194,641 | 7,481 | ||||||||||||
F-46
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 27. Interests in subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following subsidiaries in accordance with the accounting policy described in note 2:
Beneficial Ownership interest | ||||||||||||||
| Name | Principal place of business / Country of incorporation | 30 June 2024 % | 30 June 2023 % | |||||||||||
| Iris Energy Custodian Pty Ltd | Australia | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| Iris Energy Holdings Pty Ltd | Australia | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| SA 1 Holdings Pty Ltd | Australia | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| SA 2 Holdings Pty Ltd | Australia | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| TAS 1 Holdings Pty Ltd | Australia | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| Podtech Data Centers Inc. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA Compute Ltd. | Canada | 100% | -% | |||||||||||
| IE CA Leasing Ltd. | Canada | 100% | -% | |||||||||||
| IE CA 1 Holdings Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA 2 Holdings Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA 5 Holdings Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA Development Holdings Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA Development Holdings 2 Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA Development Holdings 3 Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA Development Holdings 4 Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA Development Holdings 5 Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE CA Development Holdings 7 Ltd. | Canada | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US 1, Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Holdings Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Development Holdings 1 Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Development Holdings 3 Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Development Holdings 4 Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Development Holdings 5 Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Development Holdings 6 Inc. | United States of America | 100% | -% | |||||||||||
| IE US Hardware 1 Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Hardware 3 Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Hardware 4 Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
| IE US Operations Inc. | United States of America | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||
F-47
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 28. Reconciliation of loss after income tax to net cash from/(used in) operating activities
Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loss after income tax expense for the year | (28,955) | (171,871) | (419,770) | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments for: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 50,650 | 30,856 | 7,741 | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital raising costs | - | - | 4,212 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | - | 105,172 | 167 | |||||||||||||||||
| Reversal of impairment of assets | (108) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Other income | - | (3,137) | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of subsidiaries | - | (3,258) | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain/(loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment | (43) | 6,628 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange loss/(gain) | (3,540) | 5,055 | (8,889) | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss on embedded derivatives held at fair value through profit or loss | - | - | 390,743 | |||||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | - | 11,223 | 26,748 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of capitalized borrowing costs | - | 1,038 | 2,508 | |||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payment expense | 23,636 | 14,356 | 13,896 | |||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on financial asset | (4,121) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on financial asset | 3,448 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Decrease/(increase) in other receivables | (5,588) | 17,641 | (72) | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase in deferred tax assets | - | (6,271) | (9,645) | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables | 2,869 | (5,800) | 6,476 | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase/(decrease) in provision for income tax | 1,357 | (1,172) | 671 | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase in deferred tax liabilities | - | 9,674 | 6,892 | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase/(decrease) in employee benefits | 409 | (1,175) | 2,026 | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase in other provisions | 7,203 | 3,703 | 2,469 | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase in deferred revenue | 2,558 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase for prepayments and deposits | 2,941 | (6,617) | (4,604) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from operating activities | 52,716 | 6,045 | 21,557 | |||||||||||||||||
F-48
Note 29. Non-cash investing and financing activities
Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | Year ended 30 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| US$’000 | US$’000 | US$’000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mining hardware finance additional fee payable in cash or equity | - | - | (1,424) | |||||||||||||||||
| Mining hardware finance prepayments made directly by third party financier | - | (3,420) | (37,980) | |||||||||||||||||
| Additions to right of use assets | 347 | 373 | 298 | |||||||||||||||||
| Share issuance proceeds under Committed Equity Facility | - | 1,642 | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on financial asset | 4,121 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| ATM agent fees | 23,143 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Share based payment - third party issuance | 319 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Total non-cash investing and financing activities | 27,930 | (1,405) | (39,106) | |||||||||||||||||
Note 30. Contingent liabilities
In addition to PwC continuing in their capacity as receiver in respect of the Non-Recourse SPVs, a hearing was held in June 2023 in the Trial Court with respect to, among other things, claims brought by the lender, NYDIG, seeking remedies regarding the limited recourse equipment financing facilities entered into by the Non-Recourse SPVs. A judgement on those proceedings was delivered on 10 August 2023 which declared, among other things, that the transactions pursuant to hashpower services provided by the Non-Recourse SPVs to Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) to be void. On 21 August 2023, Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) and the Non-Recourse SPVs filed a notice to appeal the judgement. On 30 January 2024, NYDIG filed a notice of cross appeal with the Court of Appeal to appeal the dismissal of the substantive consolidation and oppression remedy relief that was dismissed. In particular, NYDIG sought an order that the substantive consolidation and oppression remedies be remitted to the Trial Court for consideration and reasons. On 27 June 2024, the Court of Appeal released its reasons for judgment. The Court of Appeal: (a) granted the appeal by the Non-Recourse SPVs and Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN), finding that the intercompany transactions were not fraudulent conveyances (b) denied NYDIG’s cross-appeal by finding that there is no basis for appellate interference in relation to the Trial Court’s dismissal of NYDIG’s substantive consolidation claim; and (c) upheld NYDIG’s cross-appeal in part by finding that the application for relief in relation to the oppression remedy is remitted to the Trial Court for the judge for consideration. The matter has not been listed in the Trial Court as of the date of these consolidated financial statements.
Note 31. Share-based payments
The Group has entered into a number of share-based compensation arrangements. Details of these arrangements, which are considered as options for accounting purposes, are described below:
Employee Share Plans
The Group’s Employee Share Plans are loan-funded share schemes. These loan-funded shares generally vest subject to satisfying employment service periods (and in some cases, non-market-based performance milestones). The employment service periods are generally met in three equal tranches on the third, fourth and fifth anniversary of the grant date. Under this scheme, the Company issues a limited recourse loan (that has a maximum term of up to 9 years and 11 months) to employees for the sole purpose of acquiring shares in the Company. Upon disposal of any loan-funded shares by employees, the aggregate purchase price for the shares shall be applied by the Company to pay down the outstanding loan payable.
F-49
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 31. Share-based payments (continued)
The recourse on the loan is limited to the lower of the initial amount of the loan granted to the employee and the proceeds from the sale of the underlying shares. Employees are entitled to exercise the voting and dividend rights attached to the shares from the date of allocation. If the employee leaves the Company within the vesting period, the shares may be bought back by the Company at the original issue price and the loan is repaid. Loan-funded shares have been treated as options as required under IFRS 2 Share-based Payments. Vesting of instruments granted under the Employee Share Plans are dependent on specific service thresholds being met by the employee.
2021 Executive Director Liquidity and Price Target Options
On 20 January 2021, the Board approved the grant of 1,000,000 options each to entities controlled by Daniel Roberts and William Roberts (each an Executive Director) to acquire ordinary shares at an exercise price of $3.868 (A$5.005) with an expiration date of 20 December 2025. All ‘Executive Director Liquidity and Price Target Options’ vested on completion of the IPO on 17 November 2021.
Employee Option Plan
The Board approved an Employee Option Plan on 28 July 2021. The terms of the Employee Option Plan are substantially similar to the Employee Share Plan, with the main difference being that the incentives are issued in the form of options and loans are not provided to participants. If the employee leaves the Company within the vesting period of the options granted, the Board retains the absolute discretion to cancel any unvested options held by the employee. Vesting of options granted under the Employee Option Plan is generally dependent on specific service thresholds being met by the employee.
Non-Executive Director Option Plan
The Board approved a Non-Executive Director Option Plan ("NED Option Plan") on 28 July 2021. The terms of the NED Option Plan are substantially similar to the Employee Option Plan. Vesting of instruments granted under the NED Option Plan is dependent on specific service thresholds being met by the Non-Executive Director. Where an option holder ceases to be a Director of the Company within the vesting period, the options granted to that Director will vest on a pro-rata basis of the associated service period. The Board retains the absolute discretion to cancel any remaining unvested options held by the option holder.
$75 Exercise Price Options
On 18 August 2021, the Group’s shareholders approved the grant of 2,400,000 long-term options each to entities controlled by Daniel Roberts and William Roberts to acquire ordinary shares at an exercise price of $75 per option ("$75 Exercise Price Options"). These options were granted on 14 September 2021, and have a contractual exercise period of 12 years.
The options are subject to customary adjustments to reflect any reorganization of the Company’s capital, as well as adjustments to vesting thresholds including any future issuance of ordinary shares by the Company.
The $75 Exercise Price Options will vest in four tranches following listing of the Company, if the relevant ordinary share price is equal to or exceeds the corresponding vesting threshold and the relevant executive director has not voluntarily resigned as a director of the Company. The initial vesting thresholds are detailed below based on 24,195,092 ordinary shares outstanding at the time of issuance:
•If the VWAP of an ordinary share over the immediately preceding 20 trading days is equal to or exceeds $370: 600,000 Long-term Target Options will vest
•If the VWAP of an ordinary share over the immediately preceding 20 trading days is equal to or exceeds $650: 600,000 Long-term Target Options will vest
•If the VWAP of an ordinary share over the immediately preceding 20 trading days is equal to or exceeds $925: 600,000 Long-term Target Options will vest
•If the VWAP of an ordinary share over the immediately preceding 20 trading days is equal to or exceeds $1,850: 600,000 Long-term Target Options will vest
The VWAP vesting thresholds may also be triggered by a sale or takeover of the Company based upon the price per ordinary share received in such transaction.
F-50
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 31. Share-based payments (continued)
The option holder is entitled to receive in its capacity as a holder of the options, a distribution paid by the Company per ordinary share as if the vested options were exercised and ordinary shares issued to the option holder at the relevant time of such distribution.
2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Units ("2022 LTIP")
In June 2022, the Board approved a new long term incentive plan under which participating employees generally have been granted RSUs in two equal tranches after and four years of continued service, including a portion the vesting of which is also subject to the achievement of specified performance goals over this time period. RSUs issued under the new long term incentive plan are subject to other terms and conditions contained in the plan.
Under the terms of the plan, the Board maintains sole discretion over the administration, eligibility and vesting criteria of instruments issued under the 2022 LTIP.
During the year ended 30 June 2023, the following grants were made under the 2022 LTIP:
•1,594,215 RSUs to certain employees and key management personnel (‘KMP’) of the Group were issued RSUs of which 50% of each individual’s RSU grant will vest after 3.25 years and the remaining 50% will vest after 4.25 years, subject to the following criteria which is tested at the end of each respective vesting period:
◦80% vesting based on continued service with the Group over the vesting period; and
◦20% vesting based on total shareholder return (‘TSR’) against a peer group of Nasdaq listed entities (and continued service over the vesting period).
•305,630 RSUs to the nominated entity of each of Daniel Roberts and William Roberts which are subject to a sole vesting condition and will immediately vest when the daily closing share price of the of the ordinary shares of Company exceeds $28 for 10 trading days out of any 15 consecutive full trading day period following the grant date.
•Daniel Roberts and William Roberts also received a Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer grant of 713,166 to each of the nominated entity, which have time-based vesting conditions and will vest, in three equal tranches on 1 July 2024, 1 July 2025 and 1 July 2026.
•108,559 RSUs to certain Non-Executive Directors. These RSUs vested within 10 days of the release of the consolidated Group financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.
During the year ended 30 June 2024, there were no grants made under the 2022 LTIP.
2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Units ("2023 LTIP")
In June 2023, the Board approved a revised long term incentive plan under which participating employees have been granted RSUs in three tranches, the first two tranches being time-based vesting conditions and the third tranche being performance-based vesting conditions. RSUs issued under the revised long term incentive plan are subject to other terms and conditions contained in the plan.
Under the terms of the plan, the Board maintains sole discretion over the administration, eligibility and vesting criteria of instruments issued under the 2023 LTIP.
During the year ended 30 June 2024, the following grants were made under the 2023 LTIP:
•3,194,491 RSUs to certain employees and key management personnel (“KMP”) of the Group were issued RSUs of which:
◦809,883 RSUs are subject to time-based vesting conditions and will vest after one years;
◦809,883 RSUs are subject to time-based vesting conditions and will vest after two years;
◦1,574,725 RSUs are subject to performance-based vesting conditions and will vest after three years based on total shareholder return measured against the Nasdaq Small Cap Index ("NQUSS") (and continued service over the vesting period).
•120,303 RSUs to certain Non-Executive Directors. These RSUs will vest within 10 days of the release of the consolidated Group financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024 or in any event by no later than 31 December 2024.
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Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 31. Share-based payments (continued)
Reconciliation of outstanding share options
Set out below are summaries of options granted under all plans:
Number of options | Weighted average exercise price | Number of options | Weighted average exercise price | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding as at 1 July | 8,906,839 | $41.93 | 9,010,547 | $41.67 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted during the year | 34,454 | $13.47 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited during the year | - | - | (103,708) | $20.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised during the year | (457,282) | $1.89 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at the end of the financial year | 8,484,011 | $43.97 | 8,906,839 | $41.93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at the end of the financial year | 3,332,076 | $3.01 | 3,485,302 | $2.97 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As at 30 June 2024, the weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding is 6.56 years (30 June 2023: 7.57 years). As at 30 June 2024, the exercise prices associated with the options outstanding ranges from $1.53 to $75.00 (30 June 2023: $1.53 to $75.00). For the share options exercised during the year, the weighted average share price at the date of exercise is $9.27.
Reconciliation of outstanding RSUs
Set out below are summaries of RSUs granted under all plans:
Number of RSUs | Number of RSUs | ||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Outstanding as at 1 July | 3,623,867 | - | |||||||||
| Granted during the year | 3,314,794 | 3,740,366 | |||||||||
| Forfeited during the year | (221,455) | (112,499) | |||||||||
| Exercised during the year | (104,559) | (4,000) | |||||||||
| Outstanding at the end of the financial year | 6,612,647 | 3,623,867 | |||||||||
| Exercisable at the end of the financial year | - | - | |||||||||
As at 30 June 2024, the weighted average remaining contractual life of RSUs outstanding is 2.76 years. All RSUs have a nil weighted average exercise price.
Valuation methodology
The fair value of instruments issued under the Employee Share Plans have been measured using a Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. The fair value of the Executive Director Liquidity and Price Target Options, and Long-Term Incentive
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Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 31. Share-based payments (continued)
Plan RSUs have been measured using a Monte-Carlo simulation. Service and non-market performance conditions attached to the arrangements were not taken into account when measuring fair value.
The following table lists the inputs used in measuring the fair value of arrangements granted during the years ended 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023:
| Grant date | Dividend yield | Expected volatility | Risk-free interest rate | Expected life (weighted average) | Grant date share price | Exercise price (weighted average) | Fair value (weighted average) | Number of options/RSUs granted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % | % | % | years | US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long Term Incentive Plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 July 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service RSUs | - | - | - | 3.74 | 3.73 | - | 3.73 | 1,109,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TSR RSUs (3.25 years) | - | 120 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.25 | 3.73 | - | 3.22 | 138,189 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TSR RSUs (4.25 years) | - | 120 | % | 3.25 | % | 4.25 | 3.73 | - | 3.38 | 138,189 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share Price Target RSU | - | 120 | % | 3.60 | % | 15.00 | 3.73 | - | 1.72 | 611,260 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22 December 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service RSUs | - | - | - | 1.00 | 1.13 | - | 1.13 | 104,559 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 January 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service RSUs | - | - | - | 3.75 | 1.53 | - | 1.53 | 169,870 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TSR RSUs | - | 120 | % | 3.25 | % | 3.75 | 1.53 | - | 1.32 | 42,467 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 June 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service RSUs | - | - | - | 2.00 | 3.42 | - | 3.42 | 1,426,332 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 July 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service RSUs | - | - | - | 2.00 | 4.66 | - | 4.66 | 1,676,083 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TSR RSUs | - | - | 4.39 | % | 3.00 | 4.66 | - | 2.40 | 1,534,598 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 July 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service RSUs | - | - | - | 1.00 | 7.14 | - | 7.14 | 18,908 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 January 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service RSUs | - | - | - | 2.00 | 5.15 | - | 5.15 | 45,078 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TSR RSUs | - | - | 3.85 | % | 3.00 | 5.15 | - | 2.98 | 40,127 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The share-based payment expense for the year was $23,636,000 (2023: $14,356,000, 2022: $13,896,000).
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Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 32. Related party transactions
Parent entity
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) is the ultimate parent entity.
Subsidiaries
Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 27.
Key management personnel
Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in note 33.
Transactions with related parties
There were no transactions with related parties during the current and previous financial year.
Receivable from and payable to related parties
There were no trade receivables from or trade payables to related parties at the current and previous reporting date.
Loans to/from related parties
There were no loans to or from related parties at the current and previous reporting date.
Note 33. Key management personnel disclosures
Details of Directors and key management personnel
The following persons were Directors of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) at any time during the year, up to the date of this report:
| Individual | Position | Date of Commencement | Date ceased to be KMP | ||||||||
| Daniel Roberts | Executive Director, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 6 November 2018 | - | ||||||||
| William Roberts | Executive Director, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 6 November 2018 | - | ||||||||
| David Batholomew | Non-Executive Director | 24 September 2021 | - | ||||||||
| Christopher Guzowski | Non-Executive Director | 19 December 2019 | - | ||||||||
| Michael Alfred | Non-Executive Director | 21 October 2021 | - | ||||||||
| Sunita Parasuraman | Non-Executive Director | 17 July 2023 | - | ||||||||
The following persons were considered to be KMP of Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) at any time during the year:
| Individual | Position | Date of Commencement | Date ceased to be KMP | ||||||||
| David Shaw | Chief Operating Officer | 22 October 2021 | - | ||||||||
| Belinda Nucifora | Chief Financial Officer | 16 May 2022 | - | ||||||||
| Cesilia Kim | Chief Legal Officer | 1 January 2023 | - | ||||||||
Significant Transactions with key management personnel
On or around 18 August 2021, the shareholders of the Company approved the issue of one B Class share each (for consideration of A$1.00 per B Class share) to entities controlled by Daniel Roberts and William Roberts, respectively. The B Class shares were formally issued on 7 October 2021. Each B Class share confers on the holder fifteen votes for each ordinary share in the Company held by the holder. In addition, a B Class share confers a right for the holder to nominate a director to put forward for election to the Board. Because of the increased voting power of the B Class shares, the holders
F-54
Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 33. Key management personnel disclosures (continued)
of the B Class shares collectively could continue to control a significant percentage of the combined voting power of the Company's shares and therefore may be able to control all matters submitted to the Company’s shareholders for approval until the redemption of the B Class shares by the Company on the earlier of (i) when the holder ceases to be a director due to voluntary retirement; (ii) a transfer of B Class shares in breach of the Constitution; (iii) liquidation or winding up of the Company; or (iv) at any time which is 12 years after the Company’s ordinary shares are first listed on a recognized stock exchange. Aside from these governance rights, the B Class shares do not provide the holder with any economic rights (e.g. the B Class shares do not confer on its holder any right to receive dividends). The B Class shares are not transferable by the holder (except in limited circumstances to affiliates of the holder).
Deed of access, insurance and indemnity
The Group has entered into deeds of access, insurance and indemnity with each of our directors and certain of our officers. These deeds provide the directors and officers with contractual rights to indemnification and expense advancement and are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.
Compensation
The aggregate compensation made to Directors and other members of key management personnel of the Group is set out below:
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended 30 June 2024 | Year ended 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||
| US$ | US$ | |||||||||||||
| Short-term employee benefits | 8,137,249 | 7,967,322 | ||||||||||||
| Post-employment benefits | 86,515 | 66,830 | ||||||||||||
| Share-based payments | 21,571,999 | 13,905,489 | ||||||||||||
| Total KMP compensation | 29,795,763 | 21,939,641 | ||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the movement in options and RSUs outstanding issued to Directors and other members of KMP:
Number of options/RSUs | Weighted average exercise price | Number of options/RSUs | Weighted average exercise price | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2023 | 30 June 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding as at 1 July | 10,008,224 | $ | 37.84 | 6,973,516 | $ | 53.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted during the year | 2,564,809 | - | 3,070,379 | $ | 2.97 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited during the year | - | - | (31,671) | $ | 36.45 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised during the year | (104,559) | - | (4,000) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at the end of the financial year | 12,468,474 | $ | 30.37 | 10,008,224 | $ | 37.84 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at the end of the financial year | 2,017,021 | $ | 3.92 | 2,017,021 | $ | 3.87 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Iris Energy Limited (d/b/a IREN) | | ||||
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | |||||
30 June 2024 | |||||
Note 34. Events after the reporting period
Bitmain Hardware Purchase
The Group entered into a new firm purchase agreement with Bitmain Technologies Delaware Limited (“Bitmain”) dated 16 August 2024, to purchase approximately 39,000 Bitmain S21 XP miners (approximately 10.5 EH/s) at a price of $21.5/TH. The purchased miners are scheduled to be shipped in October and November 2024. The total contracted cost (excluding shipping and taxes) is $226,395,000 payable in instalments.
No other matter or circumstance has arisen since 30 June 2024 that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect the Group's operations, the results of those operations, or the Group's state of affairs in future financial years.
F-56
