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Thumzup Media Corporation (TZUP)
NASDAQ:TZUP
Risk Overview Q4, 2024
Risk Distribution
54% Finance & Corporate
14% Production
12% Tech & Innovation
8% Legal & Regulatory
8% Macro & Political
4% Ability to Sell
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Thumzup Media Corporation Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2024
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 27 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 27 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
50
S&P 500 Average: 31
50
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2024
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2024
Number of Risk Changed
0
S&P 500 Average: 3
0
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Thumzup Media Corporation in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 50
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 27/50 (54%)Above Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights10 | 20.0%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Combination or "layering" of multiple risk factors may significantly increase the risk of loss on share of the Company's common stock.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
The Company cannot assure investors that the Thumzup App will be accepted.Anticipation of demand and market acceptance of service offerings are subject to a high level of uncertainty and challenges to implementation. The success of the Company's service offerings primarily depends on the interest of Creators joining its service, as to which it cannot assure to prospective Investors. In general, achieving market acceptance for the Company's services will require substantial marketing efforts and the expenditure of significant funds, the availability of which the Company cannot be assured, to create awareness and demand among customers. The Company has limited financial, personnel and other resources to undertake extensive marketing activities. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the acceptance of the Thumzup App services or the Company's ability to generate the revenues necessary to remain in business.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
We are a "smaller reporting company" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we decide to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies, our common stock could be less attractive to investors.We qualify as a "smaller reporting company," meaning that we are not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a "smaller reporting company," and have either: (i) a public float of less than $250 million or (ii) annual revenues of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and (A) no public float or (B) a public float of less than $700 million. As a "smaller reporting company," we are entitled to rely on certain reduced disclosure requirements, such as an exemption from providing executive compensation information in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We are also exempt from the auditor attestation requirements provided in Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These exemptions and reduced disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as a smaller reporting company may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Stock and our stock prices may be more volatile.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
Because we can issue additional shares of Common Stock, purchasers of our Common Stock may incur immediate dilution and experience further dilution.We are authorized to issue up to 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 9,426,502 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding as of March 4, 2025. Our Board of Directors has the authority to cause us to issue additional shares of Common Stock without consent of any of stockholders. Consequently, our stockholders may experience further dilution in their ownership of our stock in the future, which could have an adverse effect on the trading market for our Common Stock.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports about the company, or if they issue unfavorable commentary or downgrade its common stock, the market price of its common stock will likely decline.The trading market for the Company's common stock will rely in part on the research and reports that equity research analysts, over whom it has no control, publish about the Company and its business. The Company may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of the Company, the market price for its common stock could decline. In the event the Company obtains securities or industry analyst coverage, the market price of the common stock could decline if one or more equity analysts downgrade the common stock or if those analysts issue unfavorable commentary, even if it is inaccurate, or cease publishing reports about the Company or its business.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
The Company is an "emerging growth company" under the JOBS Act and it cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make the Company's common stock less attractive to investors.The Company is an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and it expects to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies" including, but not limited to, (i) being required to present only two years of audited financial statements and related financial disclosure, (ii) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (iii) extended transition periods for complying with new or revised accounting standards, (iv) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in periodic reports and proxy statements and (v) exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. The Company has taken, and in the future may take, advantage of these exemptions until such time that it is no longer an "emerging growth company. As a result, the Company's financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates. The Company cannot predict if investors will find its Common Stock less attractive because it relies on these exemptions. If some investors find the Company's Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for the Common Stock and the price of the Common Stock may be more volatile.
The Company will remain an "emerging growth company" for up to five years, although it will lose that status sooner if its annual revenues exceed $1.07 billion, if it issues more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three-year period, or if the market value of the Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
The Company is controlled by a small group of existing shareholders, whose interests may differ from other shareholders. The Company's Officers and Directors will significantly influence its activities, and their interests may differ from an investor's interests as a shareholder.The Company's Officers and Directors still beneficially own, collectively, a substantial percentage of the outstanding common stock. Accordingly, these shareholders have had, and will continue to have, significant influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or any other matter submitted for approval to the Company's shareholders, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of assets, Director elections and other significant corporate actions. They will also have significant influence in preventing or causing a change in control of the Company. In addition, without the consent of these shareholders, the Company could be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to it. The interests of these shareholders may differ from an Investor's interests as a shareholder, and they may act in a manner that advances their best interests and not necessarily those of other shareholders.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of the Company's common stock could adversely affect the market price of the common stock.Sales of substantial amounts of shares of the Company's common stock, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the common stock and could impair the Company's future ability to raise capital through common stock offerings. The Company's Officers and Directors still beneficially own, collectively, a substantial percentage of the outstanding common stock. If one or more of them were to sell a substantial portion of the shares they hold, it could cause the Company's stock price to decline.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9
If our shares of common stock become subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If we do not obtain a listing on a national securities exchange and if the price of our common stock is less than $5.00, our common stock could be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that before effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser's written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our common stock, and therefore stockholders may have difficulty selling their shares.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10
The Company's common stock price may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors and litigation.In addition to changes to market prices based on the Company's results of operations and the factors discussed elsewhere in this "Risk Factors" section, the market price of and trading volume for the common stock may change for a variety of other reasons, not necessarily related to the Company's actual operating performance. The capital markets have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of the Company's common stock. In addition, the average daily trading volume of the securities of small companies can be very low, which may contribute to future volatility. Factors that could cause the market price of the Common Stock to fluctuate significantly include:
- the results of operating and financial performance and prospects of other companies in the same industry;- strategic actions by the Company or its competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings; - announcements of innovations, increased service capabilities, new or terminated customers or new, amended or terminated contracts by competitors; - the public's reaction to Company press releases, other public announcements, and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; - lack of securities analyst coverage or speculation in the press or investment community about the Company or market opportunities in the social media marketing industry; - changes in government policies in the United States and, as the Company's international business increases, in other foreign countries; - changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities or research analysts who track the Company's Common Stock or failure of the Company's actual results of operations to meet those expectations; - market and industry perception of the Company's success, or lack thereof, in pursuing its growth strategy; - changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; - any lawsuit involving the Company, its services or its products; - arrival and departure of key personnel; - sales of common stock by the Company, its investors or members of its management team; and - changes in general market, economic and political conditions in the United States and global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from natural or man-made disasters.
Any of these factors, as well as broader market and industry factors, may result in large and sudden changes in the trading volume of the Company's common stock and could seriously harm the market price of the common stock, regardless of the Company's operating performance. This may prevent an Investor from being able to sell its shares at or above the price the investor paid for its shares of common stock, if at all. In addition, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, shareholders often institute securities class action litigation against that company. The Company's involvement in any class action suit or other legal proceeding could divert its senior management's attention and could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Accounting & Financial Operations7 | 14.0%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
Due to the unregulated nature and lack of transparency surrounding the operations of many bitcoin trading venues, bitcoin trading venues may experience greater fraud, security failures or regulatory or operational problems than trading venues for more established asset classes, which may result in a loss of confidence in bitcoin trading venues and adversely affect the value of our bitcoinAccounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
Our historical financial statements do not reflect the potential variability in earnings that we may experience in the future relating to our bitcoin holdingsOur historical financial statements do not fully reflect the potential variability in earnings that we may experience in the future from holding or selling significant amounts of bitcoin.
The price of bitcoin has historically been subject to dramatic price fluctuations and is highly volatile. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-08, which we adopted as of January 1, 2025.
We determine the fair value of our bitcoin based on quoted (unadjusted) prices on the Coinbase exchange (our principal market for bitcoin).
ASU 2023-08 requires us to measure our bitcoin holdings at fair value in our statement of financial position, and to recognize gains and losses from changes in the fair value of our bitcoin in net income each reporting period. ASU 2023-08 also requires us to provide certain interim and annual disclosures with respect to our bitcoin holdings.
Because we intend to purchase additional bitcoin in future periods and increase our overall holdings of bitcoin, we expect that the proportion of our total assets represented by our bitcoin holdings will increase in the future. As a result, and in particular due to our adoption of ASU 2023-08, volatility in our earnings may be significantly more than what we experienced in prior periods.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
Bitcoin and other digital assets are novel assets, and are subject to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertaintyBitcoin and other digital assets are relatively novel and are subject to significant uncertainty, which could adversely impact their price. The application of state and federal securities laws and other laws and regulations to digital assets is unclear in certain respects, and it is possible that regulators in the United States or foreign countries may interpret or apply existing laws and regulations in a manner that adversely affects the price of bitcoin or the ability of individuals or institutions such as us to own or transfer bitcoin.
The U.S. federal government, states, regulatory agencies, and foreign countries may also enact new laws and regulations, or pursue regulatory, legislative, enforcement or judicial actions, that could materially impact the price of bitcoin or the ability of individuals or institutions such as us to own or transfer bitcoin. For example, within the past several years:
- President Trump signed an executive order instructing a working group comprised of representatives from key federal agencies to evaluate measures that can be taken to provide regulatory clarity and certainty built on technology-neutral regulations for individuals and firms involved in digital assets, including through well-defined jurisdictional regulatory boundaries; - the European Union adopted Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation ("MiCA"), a comprehensive digital asset regulatory framework for the issuance and use of digital assets, like bitcoin; - in June 2023, the SEC filed complaints against Binance Holdings Ltd. and Coinbase, Inc., and their respective affiliated entities, relating to, among other claims, that each party was operating as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, dealer, and clearing agency; - in November 2023, the SEC filed a complaint against Payward Inc. and Payward Ventures Inc., together known as Kraken, alleging, among other claims, that Kraken's crypto trading platform was operating as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, dealer, and clearing agency; - in June 2023, the United Kingdom adopted and implemented the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 ("FSMA 2023"), which regulates market activities in "cryptoassets;" - in November 2023, Binance Holdings Ltd. and its then chief executive officer reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, CFTC, the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to resolve a multi-year investigation by the agencies and a civil suit brought by the CFTC, pursuant to which Binance Holdings Ltd. agreed to, among other things, pay $4.3 billion in penalties across the four agencies and to discontinue its operations in the United States; and - in China, the People's Bank of China and the National Development and Reform Commission have outlawed cryptocurrency mining and declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal within the country.
It is not possible to predict whether, or when, new laws will be enacted that change the legal framework governing digital assets or provide additional authorities to the SEC or other regulators, or whether, or when, any other federal, state or foreign legislative bodies will take any similar actions. It is also not possible to predict the nature of any such additional laws or authorities, how additional legislation or regulatory oversight might impact the ability of digital asset markets to function, the willingness of financial and other institutions to continue to provide services to the digital assets industry, or how any new laws or regulations, or changes to existing laws or regulations, might impact the value of digital assets generally and bitcoin specifically. The consequences of any new law or regulation relating to digital assets and digital asset activities could adversely affect the market price of bitcoin, as well as our ability to hold or transact in bitcoin, and in turn adversely affect the market price of our listed securities.
Moreover, the risks of engaging in a bitcoin strategy are relatively novel and have created, and could continue to create, complications due to the lack of experience that third parties have with companies engaging in such a strategy, such as increased costs of director and officer liability insurance or the potential inability to obtain such coverage on acceptable terms in the future.
The growth of the digital assets industry in general, and the use and acceptance of bitcoin in particular, may also impact the price of bitcoin and is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The pace of worldwide growth in the adoption and use of bitcoin may depend, for instance, on public familiarity with digital assets, ease of buying, accessing or gaining exposure to bitcoin, institutional demand for bitcoin as an investment asset, the participation of traditional financial institutions in the digital assets industry, consumer demand for bitcoin as a store of value or means of payment, and the availability and popularity of alternatives to bitcoin. Even if growth in bitcoin adoption occurs in the near or medium-term, there is no assurance that bitcoin usage will continue to grow over the long-term.
Because bitcoin has no physical existence beyond the record of transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain, a variety of technical factors related to the Bitcoin blockchain could also impact the price of bitcoin. For example, malicious attacks by miners, inadequate mining fees to incentivize validating of bitcoin transactions, hard "forks" of the Bitcoin blockchain into multiple blockchains, and advances in digital computing, algebraic geometry, and quantum computing could undercut the integrity of the Bitcoin blockchain and negatively affect the price of bitcoin. The liquidity of bitcoin may also be reduced and damage to the public perception of bitcoin may occur, if financial institutions were to deny or limit banking services to businesses that hold bitcoin, provide bitcoin-related services or accept bitcoin as payment, which could also decrease the price of bitcoin. Actions by U.S. banking regulators, such as the issuance in February 2023 by Federal banking agencies of the "Interagency Liquidity Risk Statement," which cautioned banks on contagion risks posed by providing services to digital assets customers, and similar actions, have in the past resulted in or contributed to reductions in access to banking services for bitcoin-related customers and service providers, or the willingness of traditional financial institution to participate in markets for digital assets. The liquidity of bitcoin may also be impacted to the extent that changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements negatively impact the ability of exchanges and trading venues to provide services for bitcoin and other digital assets.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4
The Company was formed in October 2020 and has not yet established profitable operations and has generated nominal revenue.For the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred a net loss available to shareholders of $3,999,905 primarily due to software research and development expenses of $244,909, marketing expenses of $1,395,961, and general and administrative expenses of $653,611. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred a net loss available to shareholders of $3,324,180 primarily due to software research and development expenses of $513,088, marketing expenses of $855,270, professional and consulting expenses of $727,554, and general and administrative expenses of $395,624.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 5
The Company is a new company with a brief operating history, no revenue and an untested business plan which may not be accepted in the markets in which it intends to operate.The Company was formed in Nevada in October 2020 and will encounter difficulties, including unforeseen difficulties as an early-stage company in establishing the credibility of its brand and service.
The Company will incur net losses in the foreseeable future if it is unable to anticipate market trends and match its service offerings to market patterns. The Company's business strategy is unproven, and it may not be successful in addressing early-stage challenges, such as establishing the Company's position in the market and developing effective marketing of its Thumzup App. To implement its business plan, the Company may be required to obtain additional financing but cannot guaranty that such additional financing will be available.
The Company's prospects must be considered highly speculative, considering the risks, expenses, and difficulties frequently encountered in the establishment of a new business with an unproven business plan, specifically the risks inherent in developmental stage companies seeking to have mobile app users with limited number social media followers endorse products or services at a level that Advertisers will seek to fund and support. The Company expects to continue to incur significant operating and capital expenditures and, as a result, it expects significant net losses in the future. The Company cannot assure that it will be able to achieve positive cash flow operations or, if achieved, that positive cash can be maintained for any significant period, or at all.
Although the Company believes that its business strategy addresses an underserved but significant niche of market segment utilizing important Creators or consumers whom it defines as "micro-influencers," the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy or its business strategy may not be successful, either of which will impede the Company's development and growth. The Company's business strategy involves attracting a large number of Creators who are active in social media and who are willing to make recommendations over the Thumzup App with Advertisers who find the Company's service cost effective in generating sales and market support. The Company's ability to implement this business strategy is dependent on its ability to:
- predict concerns of Advertisers; - identify and engage Advertisers; - convince a large number of end users to adopt the Thumzup App; - establish brand recognition and customer loyalty; and - manage growth in administrative overhead costs during the initiation of the Company's business efforts.
The Company does not know whether it will be able to successfully implement its business strategy or whether the Company's business strategy will ultimately be successful. In assessing the Company's ability to meet these challenges, a potential Investor should consider the Company's lack of operating history and brand recognition, its focus on nano-influencer Creators, management's relative inexperience, the competitive conditions existing in its industry and general economic conditions and consumer discretionary spending habits. The Company's growth is largely dependent on its ability to successfully implement its business strategy. The Company's revenue may be adversely affected if it fails to implement its business strategy or if the Company diverts resources to a business strategy that ultimately proves unsuccessful.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 6
Because the Company does not intend to pay any cash dividends on its shares of common stock in the near future, shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless and until they sell them.The Company intends to retain a significant portion of any future earnings to finance the development, operation and expansion of its business. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on its Common Stock in the near future. The declaration, payment, and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of the Company Board of Directors, and will depend upon, among other things, the results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors as its Board of Directors considers relevant. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and, if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend. Unless the Board of Directors determines to pay dividends, Shareholders will be required to look to appreciation of the Company's Common Stock to realize a gain on their investment. There can be no assurance that this appreciation will occur.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 7
The Company's future financial results are uncertain and its operating results may fluctuate, due to, among other things, consumer trends, the impact of COVID on advertising budgets and App user activity, competition, and changing social media behaviors.As a result of the Company's lack of operating history, it is unable to forecast market penetration or anticipated revenue and it has little historical financial data upon which to base planned operating expenses. The Company bases its current and future expense levels on its operating plans and estimates of future expenses. The Company's expenses are dependent in large part upon expenses associated with its proposed marketing expenditures and related overhead expenses, and the costs of hiring and maintaining qualified personnel to carry out its respective services. Sales and operating results are difficult to forecast because they will depend on the growth of the Company's customer base, changes in customer demands based on consumer trends, the degree of utilization of its advertising services as well as the mix of products and services sold by its Advertisers.
As a result, the Company may be unable to make accurate financial forecasts and adjust its spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall. This inability could cause the Company's net losses in a given period to be greater than expected and could further cause continuing greater losses period over period.
Debt & Financing4 | 8.0%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
The Company may not generate sufficient cash flows to cover its operating expenses.Debt & Financing - Risk 2
Our bitcoin holdings are less liquid than our existing cash and cash equivalents and may not be able to serve as a source of liquidity for us to the same extent as cash and cash equivalentsHistorically, the bitcoin market has been characterized by significant volatility in price, limited liquidity and trading volumes compared to sovereign currencies markets, relative anonymity, a developing regulatory landscape, potential susceptibility to market abuse and manipulation, compliance and internal control failures at exchanges, and various other risks inherent in its entirely electronic, virtual form and decentralized network. During times of market instability, we may not be able to sell our bitcoin at favorable prices or at all. For example, a number of bitcoin trading venues temporarily halted deposits and withdrawals in 2022, although the Coinbase exchange (our principal market for bitcoin) has, to date, not done so. As a result, our bitcoin holdings may not be able to serve as a source of liquidity for us to the same extent as cash and cash equivalents. Further, bitcoin we hold with our custodians and transact with our trade execution partners does not enjoy the same protections as are available to cash or securities deposited with or transacted by institutions subject to regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Additionally, we may be unable to enter into term loans or other capital raising transactions collateralized by our unencumbered bitcoin or otherwise generate funds using our bitcoin holdings, including in particular during times of market instability or when the price of bitcoin has declined significantly. If we are unable to sell our bitcoin, enter into additional capital raising transactions, including capital raising transactions using bitcoin as collateral, or otherwise generate funds using our bitcoin holdings, or if we are forced to sell our bitcoin at a significant loss, in order to meet our working capital requirements, our business and financial condition could be negatively impacted.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
You could lose some or all of your investment.An investment in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Potential investors should be aware that the value of an investment in the Company may go down as well as up. In addition, there can be no certainty that the market value of an investment in the Company will fully reflect its underlying value. You could lose some or all of your investment.
Debt & Financing - Risk 4
The availability of spot ETPs for bitcoin and other digital assets may adversely affect the market price of our listed securitiesAlthough bitcoin and other digital assets have experienced a surge of investor attention since bitcoin was invented in 2008, until recently investors in the United States had limited means to gain direct exposure to bitcoin through traditional investment channels, and instead generally were only able to hold bitcoin through "hosted" wallets provided by digital asset service providers or through "unhosted" wallets that expose the investor to risks associated with loss or hacking of their private keys. Given the relative novelty of digital assets, general lack of familiarity with the processes needed to hold bitcoin directly, as well as the potential reluctance of financial planners and advisers to recommend direct bitcoin holdings to their retail customers because of the manner in which such holdings are custodied, some investors have sought exposure to bitcoin through investment vehicles that hold bitcoin and issue shares representing fractional undivided interests in their underlying bitcoin holdings. These vehicles, which were previously offered only to "accredited investors" on a private placement basis, have in the past traded at substantial premiums to net asset value, possibly due to the relative scarcity of traditional investment vehicles providing investment exposure to bitcoin.
On January 10, 2024, the SEC approved the listing and trading of spot bitcoin ETPs, the shares of which can be sold in public offerings and are traded on U.S. national securities exchanges. The approved ETPs commenced trading directly to the public on January 11, 2024, with a trading volume of $4.6 billion on the first trading day. Additionally, on May 23, 2024, the SEC approved rule changes permitting the listing and trading of spot ETPs that invest in ether, the main crypto asset supporting the Ethereum blockchain. The approved spot ETPs commenced trading directly to the public on July 23, 2024. The listing and trading of spot ETPs for ether offers investors another alternative to gain exposure to digital assets, which could result in a decline in the trading price of bitcoin as well as a decline in the value of our common stock relative to the value of our bitcoin.
Although we are an operating company, and we believe we offer a different value proposition than a bitcoin investment vehicle such as a spot bitcoin ETP, investors may nevertheless view our common stock as an alternative to an investment in an ETP, and choose to purchase shares of a spot bitcoin ETP instead of our common stock. They may do so for a variety of reasons, including if they believe that ETPs offer a "pure play" exposure to bitcoin that is generally not subject to federal income tax at the entity level as we are, or the other risk factors applicable to an operating business, such as ours. Additionally, unlike spot bitcoin ETPs, we (i) do not seek for our shares of common stock to track the value of the underlying bitcoin we hold before payment of expenses and liabilities, (ii) do not benefit from various exemptions and relief under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Regulation M, and other securities laws, which enable ETPs to continuously align the value of their shares to the price of the underlying assets they hold through share creation and redemption, (iii) are a Delaware corporation rather than a statutory trust, and do not operate pursuant to a trust agreement that would require us to pursue one or more stated investment objectives, and (iv) are not required to provide daily transparency as to our bitcoin holdings or our daily net asset value. Furthermore, recommendations by broker-dealers to buy, hold, or sell complex products and non-traditional ETPs, or an investment strategy involving such products, may be subject to additional or heightened scrutiny that would not be applicable to broker-dealers making recommendations with respect to our class A common stock. Based on how we are viewed in the market relative to ETPs, and other vehicles which offer economic exposure to bitcoin, such as bitcoin futures exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), leveraged bitcoin futures ETFs, and similar vehicles offered on international exchanges, any premium or discount in our common stock relative to the value of our bitcoin holdings may increase or decrease in different market conditions.
As a result of the foregoing factors, availability of spot ETPs for bitcoin and other digital assets could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our listed securities.
Corporate Activity and Growth6 | 12.0%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Our bitcoin strategy exposes us to various risks, including risks associated with bitcoin.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
The emergence or growth of other digital assets, including those with significant private or public sector backing, could have a negative impact on the price of bitcoin and adversely affect our businessAs a result of our bitcoin strategy, our assets are concentrated in our bitcoin holdings. Accordingly, the emergence or growth of digital assets other than bitcoin may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. As of December 31, 2024, bitcoin was the largest digital asset by market capitalization. However, there are numerous alternative digital assets and many entities, including consortiums and financial institutions, are researching and investing resources into private or permissioned blockchain platforms or digital assets that do not use proof-of-work mining like the Bitcoin network. For example, in late 2022, the Ethereum network transitioned to a "proof-of-stake" mechanism for validating transactions that requires significantly less computing power than proof-of-work mining. The Ethereum network has completed another major upgrade since then and may undertake additional upgrades in the future. If the mechanisms for validating transactions in Ethereum and other alternative digital assets are perceived as superior to proof-of-work mining, those digital assets could gain market share relative to bitcoin.
Other alternative digital assets that compete with bitcoin in certain ways include "stablecoins," which are designed to maintain a constant price because of, for instance, their issuers' promise to hold high-quality liquid assets (such as U.S. dollar deposits and short-term U.S. treasury securities) equal to the total value of stablecoins in circulation. Stablecoins have grown rapidly as an alternative to bitcoin and other digital assets as a medium of exchange and store of value, particularly on digital asset trading platforms. As of December 31, 2024, two of the eight largest digital assets by market capitalization were U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins.
Additionally, central banks in some countries have started to introduce digital forms of legal tender. For example, China's CBDC project was made available to consumers in January 2022, and governments including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Israel have been discussing the potential creation of new CBDCs. Whether or not they incorporate blockchain or similar technology, CBDCs, as legal tender in the issuing jurisdiction, could also compete with, or replace, bitcoin and other digital assets as a medium of exchange or store of value. As a result, the emergence or growth of these or other digital assets could cause the market price of bitcoin to decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
The concentration of our bitcoin holdings enhances the risks inherent in our bitcoin strategyAs of March 3, 2025, we held approximately 19.11 bitcoins that were acquired at an aggregate purchase price of $2.00 million and we intend to purchase additional bitcoin and increase our overall holdings of bitcoin in the future. The concentration of our bitcoin holdings limits the risk mitigation that we could achieve if we were to purchase a more diversified portfolio of treasury assets, and the absence of diversification enhances the risks inherent in our bitcoin strategy. The price of bitcoin experienced a significant decline in 2022, and this had, and any future significant declines in the price of bitcoin would have, a more pronounced impact on our financial condition than if we used our cash to purchase a more diverse portfolio of assets.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
The Company is a recently formed company with an unproven business plan, has not yet established profitable operations and has generated minimal revenue.The Company has principally funded its operations through the sale of equity and equity instruments, including sales of common stock of $7,339,477 and $1,573,891, net offering costs, along with sales of preferred stock of $805,000 and $0, during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As the Company moves forward in developing its technology and commercializing the Thumzup mobile application (the "Thumzup App" or "App"), or as it responds to potential opportunities and/or adverse events, the Company's working capital needs may change. Pending its ability to generate adequate cash flow, as to which no assurance can be given, the Company likely will continue to incur significant losses in the foreseeable future for various reasons, including unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, and delays, and other unknown events. As a result, the Company will require additional funding to sustain its ongoing operations and to continue its research and development activities. The Company cannot assure that its available funds will be sufficient to meet its anticipated needs for working capital and capital expenditures through any period of twelve months.
The Company's ability to generate positive cash flow will be dependent upon its ability to recruit and retain Advertisers and Creators. The Company can give no assurances it will generate sufficient cash flows in the future to satisfy its liquidity requirements or sustain continuing operations, or that additional funding, if required, will be available when needed or, if available, on favorable terms.
The Company's ability to generate positive cash flow will be dependent upon its ability to recruit and retain Advertisers and Creators. The Company can give no assurances it will generate sufficient cash flows in the future to satisfy its liquidity requirements or sustain continuing operations, or that additional funding, if required, will be available when needed or, if available, on favorable terms.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 5
Our bitcoin strategy exposes us to risk of non-performance by counterpartiesOur bitcoin strategy exposes us to the risk of non-performance by counterparties, whether contractual or otherwise. Risk of non-performance includes inability or refusal of a counterparty to perform because of a deterioration in the counterparty's financial condition and liquidity or for any other reason. For example, our execution partners, custodians, or other counterparties might fail to perform in accordance with the terms of our agreements with them, which could result in a loss of bitcoin, a loss of the opportunity to generate funds, or other losses.
Our primary counterparty risk with respect to our bitcoin is custodian performance obligations under the various custody arrangements we have entered into. A series of recent high-profile bankruptcies, closures, liquidations, regulatory enforcement actions and other events relating to companies operating in the digital asset industry, including the filings for bankruptcy protection by Three Arrows Capital, Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, FTX Trading and Genesis Global Capital, the closure or liquidation of certain financial institutions that provided lending and other services to the digital assets industry, including Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank, SEC enforcement actions against Coinbase, Inc., Binance Holdings Ltd., and Kraken, the placement of Prime Trust, LLC into receivership following a cease-and-desist order issued by Nevada's Department of Business and Industry, and the filing and subsequent settlement of a civil fraud lawsuit by the New York Attorney General against Genesis Global Capital, its parent company Digital Currency Group, Inc., and former partner Gemini Trust Company have highlighted the perceived and actual counterparty risk applicable to digital asset ownership and trading. Although these bankruptcies, closures and liquidations have not resulted in any loss or misappropriation of our bitcoin, nor have such events adversely impacted our access to our bitcoin, legal precedent created in these bankruptcy and other proceedings may increase the risk of future rulings adverse to our interests in the event one or more of our custodians becomes a debtor in a bankruptcy case or is the subject of other liquidation, insolvency or similar proceedings.
While all of our custodians are subject to regulatory regimes intended to protect customers in the event of a custodial bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceeding, no assurance can be provided that our custodially-held bitcoin will not become part of the custodian's insolvency estate if one or more of our custodians enters bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings. Additionally, if we pursue any strategies to create income streams or otherwise generate funds using our bitcoin holdings, we would become subject to additional counterparty risks. Any significant non-performance by counterparties, including in particular the custodians with which we custody substantially all of our bitcoin, could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 6
The Company may not be able to successfully execute the business plan.The Company is raising significant amounts of capital in order to scale its operations. This will allow the Company to expand its operations and continue to build out its business model. There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to achieve or sustain the foregoing within the anticipated timeframe, or at all - even though the Company's Directors and Officers are industry professionals. The Company may exceed the budget, encounter obstacles in development activities, or be hindered or delayed in implementing the Company's plans, any of which could imperil the Company's ability to execute its business plan.
Production
Total Risks: 7/50 (14%)Above Sector Average
Employment / Personnel4 | 8.0%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
The Company is dependent on key personnel.Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
The Company's Officers, Directors, and employees are entitled to receive compensation, payments and reimbursements, regardless of whether it operates at a profit or a loss.Any compensation received by the Officers, management personnel, and Directors, and for the Company's founders will be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Company's Officers, Directors and management personnel will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred on their behalf.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 3
Key personnel of the Company do not devote full time to the affairs of the Company and could allocate their time and attention to other business ventures which may not benefit the Company.The Company's Officers and Directors may engage in other activities. Although there are none known to the Company, the potential for conflicts of interest exists among the Officers, Directors, and affiliated persons for future business opportunities that may not be presented to the Company. The Company's Officers and Directors may have conflicts of interests in allocating time, services, and functions between the other business ventures in which those persons may be or become involved. The Company's Officers and Directors however believe that the business will have sufficient staff, consultants, employees, agents, contractors, and managers to adequately conduct its business.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 4
The Company is controlled by its Chairman/Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President, and additional Officers of the Company.The Company is reliant on the Directors and Officers for key operations. Officers and Directors currently own a majority of common shares outstanding. The Board, therefore, has complete control as to the direction of the Company. There is a disproportionate reliance on the Directors and Officers for the operation of the Company, and therefore a risk that the direction of the Company may change if the Board or Officers are unable to perform their duties as Directors and Officers.
Supply Chain2 | 4.0%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
We rely on third-party internal and outsourced software to run our critical development and information systems. As a result, any sudden loss, disruption or unexpected costs to maintain these systems could significantly increase our operational expense and disrupt the management of our business operations.Supply Chain - Risk 2
The Company is dependent on third parties to, among other things, maintain its servers, provide the bandwidth necessary to transmit content, and utilize the content derived therefrom for the potential generation of revenues.The Company depends on third-party service providers, suppliers, and licensors to supply some of the services, hardware, software, and operational support necessary to provide some of its products and services. Some of these third parties do not have a long operating history or may not be able to continue to supply the equipment and services the Company desires in the future. If demand exceeds these vendors' capacity, or if these vendors experience operating or financial difficulties or are otherwise unable to provide the equipment or services the Company needs in a timely manner, at its specifications and at reasonable prices, the Company's ability to provide some products and services might be materially adversely affected, or the need to procure or develop alternative sources of the affected materials or services might delay its ability to serve its users. These events could materially and adversely affect the Company's ability to retain and attract users, and have a material negative impact on its operations, business, financial results, and financial condition.
Costs1 | 2.0%
Costs - Risk 1
The Company's ability to succeed will depend on the ability of its management to control costs.Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 6/50 (12%)Below Sector Average
Trade Secrets1 | 2.0%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
Although the Company may own various intellectual property rights, these rights may not provide it with any competitive advantage.Cyber Security5 | 10.0%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise the Company's information and expose it to liability, which would cause its business and reputation to suffer.Cyber Security - Risk 2
We face risks relating to the custody of our bitcoin, including the loss or destruction of private keys required to access our bitcoin and cyberattacks or other data loss relating to our bitcoinWe hold our bitcoin with regulated custodians that have duties to safeguard our private keys. Our custodial services contracts do not restrict our ability to reallocate our bitcoin among our custodians, and our bitcoin holdings may be concentrated with a single custodian from time to time. In light of the significant amount of bitcoin we hold, we continually seek to engage additional custodians to achieve a greater degree of diversification in the custody of our bitcoin as the extent of potential risk of loss is dependent, in part, on the degree of diversification. If there is a decrease in the availability of digital asset custodians that we believe can safely custody our bitcoin, for example, due to regulatory developments or enforcement actions that cause custodians to discontinue or limit their services in the United States, we may need to enter into agreements that are less favorable than our current agreements or take other measures to custody our bitcoin, and our ability to seek a greater degree of diversification in the use of custodial services would be materially adversely affected.
As of December 31, 2024, the insurance that covers losses of our bitcoin holdings covers only a small fraction of the value of the entirety of our bitcoin holdings, and there can be no guarantee that such insurance will be maintained as part of the custodial services we have or that such coverage will cover losses with respect to our bitcoin. Moreover, our use of custodians exposes us to the risk that the bitcoin our custodians hold on our behalf could be subject to insolvency proceedings and we could be treated as a general unsecured creditor of the custodian, inhibiting our ability to exercise ownership rights with respect to such bitcoin. Any loss associated with such insolvency proceedings is unlikely to be covered by any insurance coverage we maintain related to our bitcoin.
Bitcoin is controllable only by the possessor of both the unique public key and private key(s) relating to the local or online digital wallet in which the bitcoin is held. While the Bitcoin blockchain ledger requires a public key relating to a digital wallet to be published when used in a transaction, private keys must be safeguarded and kept private in order to prevent a third party from accessing the bitcoin held in such wallet. To the extent the private key(s) for a digital wallet are lost, destroyed, or otherwise compromised and no backup of the private key(s) is accessible, neither we nor our custodians will be able to access the bitcoin held in the related digital wallet. Furthermore, we cannot provide assurance that our digital wallets, nor the digital wallets of our custodians held on our behalf, will not be compromised as a result of a cyberattack. The bitcoin and blockchain ledger, as well as other digital assets and blockchain technologies, have been, and may in the future be, subject to security breaches, cyberattacks, or other malicious activities.
Cyber Security - Risk 3
If we or our third-party service providers experience a security breach or cyberattack and unauthorized parties obtain access to our bitcoin, or if our private keys are lost or destroyed, or other similar circumstances or events occur, we may lose some or all of our bitcoin and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affectedSubstantially all of the bitcoin we own is held in custody accounts at institutional-grade digital asset custodians. Security breaches and cyberattacks are of particular concern with respect to our bitcoin. Bitcoin and other blockchain-based cryptocurrencies and the entities that provide services to participants in the bitcoin ecosystem have been, and may in the future be, subject to security breaches, cyberattacks, or other malicious activities. For example, in October 2021 it was reported that hackers exploited a flaw in the account recovery process and stole from the accounts of at least 6,000 customers of the Coinbase exchange (our principal market for bitcoin), although the flaw was subsequently fixed and Coinbase reimbursed affected customers. Similarly, in November 2022, hackers exploited weaknesses in the security architecture of the FTX Trading digital asset exchange and reportedly stole over $400 million in digital assets from customers. A successful security breach or cyberattack could result in:
- a partial or total loss of our bitcoin in a manner that may not be covered by insurance or the liability provisions of the custody agreements with the custodians who hold our bitcoin; - harm to our reputation and brand; - improper disclosure of data and violations of applicable data privacy and other laws; or - significant regulatory scrutiny, investigations, fines, penalties, and other legal, regulatory, contractual and financial exposure.
Further, any actual or perceived data security breach or cybersecurity attack directed at other companies with digital assets or companies that operate digital asset networks, regardless of whether we are directly impacted, could lead to a general loss of confidence in the broader Bitcoin blockchain ecosystem or in the use of the Bitcoin network to conduct financial transactions, which could negatively impact us.
Attacks upon systems across a variety of industries, including industries related to bitcoin, are increasing in frequency, persistence, and sophistication, and, in many cases, are being conducted by sophisticated, well-funded and organized groups and individuals, including state actors. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized, improper or illegal access to systems and information (including personal data and digital assets), disable or degrade services, or sabotage systems are constantly evolving, may be difficult to detect quickly, and often are not recognized or detected until after they have been launched against a target. These attacks may occur on our systems or those of our third-party service providers or partners. We may experience breaches of our security measures due to human error, malfeasance, insider threats, system errors or vulnerabilities or other irregularities. In particular, 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, such as hacking, social engineering, phishing and fraud. In the past, hackers have successfully employed a social engineering attack against one of our service providers and misappropriated our digital assets, although, to date, such events have not been material to our financial condition or operating results. Threats can come from a variety of sources, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored intrusions, industrial espionage, and insiders. In addition, 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. Further, there has been an increase in such activities due to the increase in work-from-home arrangements since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of cyberattacks could also be increased by cyberwarfare in connection with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, or other future conflicts, including potential proliferation of malware into systems unrelated to such conflicts. Any future breach of our operations or those of others in the bitcoin industry, including third-party services on which we rely, could materially and adversely affect our business.
Cyber Security - Risk 4
Failures or security breaches of our networks or information technology systems could have an adverse effect on our business.We rely heavily on information technology (IT) both in our products and services for customers and in our IT systems used to run our business. Further, we collect and store sensitive information in cloud-based data centers and on our networks. Government agencies and security experts have warned about growing risks of hackers, cyber-criminals, malicious insiders and other actors targeting confidential information and all types of IT systems. These actors may engage in fraudulent activities, theft of confidential or proprietary information and sabotage or ransomware.
Our IT systems, our connected products, and our confidential information may be vulnerable to damage or intrusion from a variety of attacks including computer viruses, worms or other malicious software programs. The risk of such attacks may increase as we integrate newly acquired companies or develop new connected products and related software. These attacks pose a risk to the security of our products, private data, systems and networks and those of our customers, suppliers and third-party service providers, as well as to the confidentiality of our information and the integrity and availability of our data. While we attempt to mitigate these risks through board oversight, hiring additional internal cyber-security professionals to manage these risks, enhancing controls, due diligence, employee training and communication, third party intrusion testing, system hardening, email and web filters, regular patching, multi-factor authentication, surveillance, encryption, and other measures, we remain vulnerable to information security threats.
We monitor certain cyber security threats and vulnerabilities in our systems, and we have experienced viruses and attacks targeting our IT systems and networks. Such prior events, to date, have not had a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Despite the precautions we take, we have had, and could have again, an intrusion or infection of our systems or connected products. While such intrusions or infections to date have not resulted in the significant disruption of our business, or a loss of proprietary or confidential information, we cannot guarantee the same for future intrusions or infections. Similarly, an attack on our IT systems or connected products could result in theft or disclosure of trade secrets or other intellectual property, a breach of confidential customer or employee information, or product failure or misuse. Any such events could have an adverse impact on sales, harm our reputation and cause us to incur legal liability and increased costs to address such events and related security concerns. As the threats evolve and become more potent, we may incur additional costs to secure the products that we sell, as well as our data and infrastructure of networks and devices.
Cyber Security - Risk 5
Cyber security breaches of our systems and information technology could adversely impact our ability to operate.We need to protect our own internal trade secrets, work product for our clients, and other business confidential information from disclosure. We face the threat to our computer systems of unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses, malicious code, organized cyber-attacks and other security problems and system disruptions, including possible unauthorized access to our and our clients' proprietary or classified information.
We rely on industry-accepted security measures and technology to maintain securely all confidential and proprietary information on our information systems. We have devoted and will continue to devote significant resources to the security of our computer systems, but they are still vulnerable to these threats. A user who circumvents security measures can misappropriate confidential or proprietary information, including information regarding us, our personnel and/or our clients, or cause interruptions or malfunctions in operations. Our industry has not been immune from organized cyber-attacks from persons seeking a ransom as a condition of releasing access to the firm's computer systems. As a result, we can be required to expend significant resources to protect against the threat of these system disruptions and security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by these disruptions and breaches. Any of these events can damage our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 4/50 (8%)Below Sector Average
Regulation4 | 8.0%
Regulation - Risk 1
We are not subject to legal and regulatory obligations that apply to investment companies such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, or to obligations applicable to investment advisersRegulation - Risk 2
Regulatory change reclassifying bitcoin as a security could lead to our classification as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and could adversely affect the market price of bitcoin and the market price of our listed securitiesOur assets are concentrated in our bitcoin holdings. While senior SEC officials have stated their view that bitcoin is not a "security" for purposes of the federal securities laws, a contrary determination by the SEC could lead to our classification as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which would subject us to significant additional regulatory controls that could have a material adverse effect on our ability to execute on our bitcoin strategy, and our business and operations and may also require us to substantially change the manner in which we conduct our business.
In addition, if bitcoin is determined to constitute a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, the additional regulatory restrictions imposed by such a determination could adversely affect the market price of bitcoin and in turn adversely affect the market price of our listed securities.
Regulation - Risk 3
As a newly Nasdaq-listed company, we will incur material increased costs and become subject to additional regulations and requirements.As a newly Nasdaq-listed public company, we will incur material additional legal, accounting and other expenses including recruiting and retaining qualified independent directors, payment of annual Nasdaq fees, and satisfying Nasdaq's standards for companies listed with it. Because our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq, we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain such listing. If we violate Nasdaq's listing requirements, our common stock may be delisted. If we fail to meet any of the Nasdaq's listing standards, our common stock may be delisted. In addition, our Board may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq may materially impair our stockholders' ability to buy and sell our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock. The delisting of our common stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.
Regulation - Risk 4
Our bitcoin strategy subjects us to enhanced regulatory oversightAs noted above, several spot bitcoin ETPs have received approval from the SEC to list their shares on a U.S. national securities exchange with continuous share creation and redemption at net asset value. Even though we are not, and do not function in the manner of, a spot bitcoin ETP, it is possible that we nevertheless could face regulatory scrutiny from the SEC or other federal or state agencies due to our bitcoin holdings.
In addition, there has been increasing focus on the extent to which digital assets can be used to launder the proceeds of illegal activities, fund criminal or terrorist activities, or circumvent sanctions regimes, including those sanctions imposed in response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While we have implemented and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable anti-money laundering and sanctions laws and regulations and take care to only acquire our bitcoin through entities subject to anti-money laundering regulation and related compliance rules in the United States, if we are found to have purchased any of our bitcoin from bad actors that have used bitcoin to launder money or persons subject to sanctions, we may be subject to regulatory proceedings and any further transactions or dealings in bitcoin by us may be restricted or prohibited.
Although our bitcoin holdings do not currently serve as collateral securing any of our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2024, we may incur indebtedness or enter into other financial instruments in the future that may be collateralized by our bitcoin holdings. We may also consider pursuing strategies to create income streams or otherwise generate funds using our bitcoin holdings. These types of bitcoin-related transactions are the subject of enhanced regulatory oversight. These and any other bitcoin-related transactions we may enter into, beyond simply acquiring and holding bitcoin, may subject us to additional regulatory compliance requirements and scrutiny, including under federal and state money services regulations, money transmitter licensing requirements and various commodity and securities laws and regulations.
Additional laws, guidance and policies may be issued by domestic and foreign regulators following the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by FTX, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, in November 2022. While the financial and regulatory fallout from FTX's collapse did not directly impact our business, financial condition or corporate assets, the FTX collapse may have increased regulatory focus on the digital assets industry. Increased enforcement activity and changes in the regulatory environment, including changing interpretations and the implementation of new or varying regulatory requirements by the government or any new legislation affecting bitcoin, as well as enforcement actions involving or impacting our trading venues, counterparties and custodians, may impose significant costs or significantly limit our ability to hold and transact in bitcoin.
In addition, private actors that are wary of bitcoin or the regulatory concerns associated with bitcoin have in the past taken and may in the future take further actions that may have an adverse effect on our business or the market price of our listed securities. For example, an affiliate of HSBC Holdings has prohibited customers of its HSBC InvestDirect retail investment platform from buying shares of our class A common stock after determining that the value of our stock is related to the performance of bitcoin, indicating that it did not want to facilitate exposure to virtual currencies.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 4/50 (8%)Above Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment2 | 4.0%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Our business is sensitive to consumer spending, inflation and economic conditions.Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2
Several of our outsourced developers are based in Pakistan and our product development could be impacted by conflict in the Middle East.Pakistan's economy is heavily dependent on exports and subject to high interest rates, economic volatility, inflation, currency devaluations, high unemployment rates and high level of debt and public spending. There is also the possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, security market restrictions, political changes, government regulation, a conflict with India, or diplomatic developments (including war or terrorist attacks), which could affect adversely the economy of Pakistan or the ability of the Company to continue developing its platform. As an emerging country, Pakistan's economy is susceptible to economic, political and social instability; unanticipated economic, political or social developments could impact economic growth. Pakistan is also subject to natural disaster risk. In addition, recent political instability and protests in the Middle East have caused significant disruptions to many industries. Pakistan has recently seen elevated levels of ethnic and religious conflict, in some cases resulting in violence or acts of terrorism. Continued political and social unrest in these areas may negatively affect the Company.
Natural and Human Disruptions1 | 2.0%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Russia's Invasion of Ukraine may negatively impact our business.Capital Markets1 | 2.0%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
Bitcoin is a highly volatile asset, and fluctuations in the price of bitcoin have in the past influenced and are likely to continue to influence our financial results and the market price of our listed securitiesAbility to Sell
Total Risks: 2/50 (4%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 2.0%
Competition - Risk 1
A better financed competitor may enter the marketplace, cause the Company's market share or acceptance rates to plummet and adversely affect its ability to sustain viable operations.Brand / Reputation1 | 2.0%
Brand / Reputation - Risk 1
The Company has not yet established brand identity and customer loyalty.See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.