Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-283367
The information contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated December 6, 2024
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Preliminary Prospectus dated November 20, 2024)
BTC DIGITAL LTD.
[ ] Ordinary Shares and [ ] Pre-Funded Warrants
We are offering [ ] of our ordinary shares, par value US$0.06 per share (“Ordinary Shares”) and [ ] pre-funded warrants, pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, at a purchase price of $[ ] per share and $[ ] per pre-funded warrants, respectively. In this prospectus supplement, references to the term “securities” refers collectively to our Ordinary Shares and the pre-funded warrants. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before you purchase any of the securities offered hereby.
For a more complete description of the plan of distribution of these securities, see the section entitled “Underwriting” beginning on page S-21 of this prospectus supplement.
Our ordinary shares are traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BTCT.” On December 5, 2024, the last reported sales price for our ordinary shares was $15.66 per share. Some of our warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “BTCTW.” On December 5, 2024, the last reported sale price of the warrants was US$0.0601per warrant. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any securities market or exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus.
| | Per Share | | | Total | |
Public offering price | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Proceeds, before expenses | | $ | | | | $ | | |
(1) | See “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriter, including reimbursable expenses. |
We have granted the underwriter an option for a period of 45 days to purchase up to an additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion before investing in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriter expects to deliver the shares against payment in New York, New York on or about , 2024.
Sole Book-Running Manager
Aegis Capital Corp.
The date of this prospectus is , 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
PROSPECTUS
We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not consider this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities is not authorized. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus supplement outside the United States. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process and consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also supplements and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. If the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in this prospectus supplement.
This prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, includes all material information relating to this offering. You should carefully read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information by Reference” before buying any securities in this offering.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectuses we may provide to you in connection with this offering. Neither we nor any underwriters have authorized anyone to give you any information or to make any representation other than the information and representations contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information others may give you. If different information is given or different representations are made, you may not rely on that information or those representation as having been authorized by us or any underwriters. You may not imply from the delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, nor from a sale made under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, that our affairs are unchanged since the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any sale of a security. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell the securities.
In this prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “BTC,” “BTC Digital,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to BTC Digital Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company.
This prospectus supplement contains or incorporates by reference summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information by Reference.”’
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Any forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus reflect our current views with respect to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations described in the forward-looking statements we make. You are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are referenced in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference herein.
You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are made as of the date of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
A statement contained in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated in this prospectus supplement modifies or replaces such statement. Any statements so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. All of the market data used in this prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference herein involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such data. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. Our estimates of the potential market opportunities for our product candidate include several key assumptions based on our industry knowledge, industry publications, third-party research and other surveys, which may be based on a small sample size and may fail to accurately reflect market opportunities. While we believe that our internal assumptions are reasonable, no independent source has verified such assumptions.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information about us and this offering. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing. Before investing in our common stock, you should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors,” and the financial statements and accompanying notes and other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
OUR COMPANY
Our Business
Through the operating entities, we are a crypto asset technology company based in the U.S. with a focus on bitcoin mining. We also generate revenue through mining machines resale and rental business operations. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we generated a substantial majority of our revenue from bitcoin mining. We store all of our bitcoins mined in hot wallets, or cryptocurrency wallets connected to the internet, and may from time to time exchange bitcoins mined for fiat currency to generate cash flow to fund our subsidiaries’ business operations. We attribute our growth since we launched our crypto asset business in 2022 to our competitive strengths in diversified revenue streams, dedicated team and efforts towards regulatory compliance, and our experienced and visionary management team.
No CSRC Filing Requirement
On February 17, 2023, China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, and the relevant five guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. The Trial Measures provides that if the issuer meets both of the following criteria, the overseas securities offering and listing conducted by such issuer will be deemed as indirect overseas offering by PRC domestic companies: (i) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year is accounted for by domestic companies; and (ii) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main place(s) of business are located in mainland China, or the majority of senior management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in mainland China. As advised by Allbright Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, as of the date of this prospectus, in connection with this offering, under current PRC laws, regulations and rules, we are not required to submit applications for the approval of the CSRC based on the facts that (i) we are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, with 50% or more of our operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 generated outside of mainland China; (ii) our business activities are not primarily conducted in mainland China, the main places of the our business are located in mainland China; and the majority of senior management staff of the Company in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens and have their usual places of residence located in mainland China.
Corporate Information
We were formed as a Cayman Islands exempted company on September 27, 2019. We were formed to serve as a holding company after consummation of a series of mergers. Prior to the mergers, we owned no material assets and did not operate any business. Our principal executive office is located at 61 Robinson Road Level 6 & 7, #738, Singapore 068893 and our telephone number is +65 6022 2515. You can find more information about our corporate information and the mergers under the heading “Corporate History and Corporate Structure,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, in any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that have been filed since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any other documents that we file (not furnish) with the SEC in the future, together with all of the other information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
THE OFFERING
Ordinary shares offered by us | | shares |
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Ordinary Shares to be outstanding immediately after the offering | | shares |
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Option to purchase additional shares | | The underwriter has an option to purchase up to an additional Ordinary Shares from us. The underwriters can exercise this option at any time within 45 days from the date of this prospectus supplement. |
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Use of proceeds | | We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.” |
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Risk factors | | See “Risk Factors” beginning on S-3 of this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for a discussion of factors you should consider carefully before deciding to invest in our common stock. |
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Nasdaq Capital Market symbol | | “BTCT” |
Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes the following:
| ● | no issuance, exercise or settlement of stock-based awards under our 2020 share incentive plan; |
| ● | no exercise of any warrants; |
| ● | no exercise by the underwriter of its option to purchase additional shares. |
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $[ ] (or approximately $[ ] million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include increasing our working capital, reducing indebtedness as applicable, acquisitions or investments in businesses, products or technologies that are complementary to our own and capital expenditures.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September 30, 2024 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance of [ ] shares of our Ordinary Shares in this offering at a public offering price of $[ ] per share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.
You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and other financial information incorporated by reference herein.
| | As of September 30, 2024 | |
(in thousands, except share data) | | Actual | | | As Adjusted(1) | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | |
[ ] | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total capitalization | | $ | | | | $ | | |
(1) | Assumes that the underwriter’s over-allotment option is not exercised. |
DILUTION
If you purchase shares of our Ordinary Shares in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share and the net tangible book value per share of our Ordinary Shares immediately after this offering. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing the number of shares of Ordinary Shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024, into our total tangible assets less total liabilities.
Our historical net tangible book value as of September 30, 2024, was approximately $[ ], or $[ ] per share, based on 4,145,249 shares of our Ordinary Shares outstanding as of that date.
After giving effect to the sale of [ ] shares of Ordinary Shares by us, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2024, would have been $[ ], or $[ ] per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $[ ] per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution of $[ ] per share to investors in this offering, as illustrated by the following table:
Public offering price per share | | | | | | $ | | |
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2024 | | $ | | | | | | |
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to investors participating in this offering | | $ | | | | | | |
As adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering | | | | | | $ | | |
Dilution per share to investors in this offering | | | | | | $ | | |
If the underwriter exercises in full their option to purchase [ ] additional shares from us, the as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $[ ] per share, the increase in net tangible book value per share to existing shareholders would be $[ ] per share and the dilution to new investors purchasing shares in this offering would be $[ ] per share.
The number of shares of Ordinary Shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 4,145,249 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024, and excludes:
| ● | | 10% of our issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares as of December 31, 2024 issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options pursuant to the 2020 share incentive plan; and |
| ● | | 8,860 shares of Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares. |
To the extent that outstanding options are exercised or other shares are issued pursuant to the foregoing, investors purchasing shares of our Ordinary Shares in this offering could experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of those securities could result in further dilution to our shareholders.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and our affairs are governed by our currently effective amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Memorandum and Articles of Association”), and Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Act”), and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
Our ordinary shares are listed and traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BTCT” and are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. In addition, our warrants are quoted on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BTCTW.” This exhibit contains a description of the rights of the holders of ordinary shares and warrants.
Description of Ordinary Shares
The following is a summary of material provisions of our Memorandum and Articles of Association, as well as the Companies Act (As Amended) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Act”) insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
Type and Class of Securities
Each ordinary share has a par value of US$0.06 each. The number of ordinary shares that have been issued as of the date of this prospectus is 4,145,249. Our ordinary shares may be held in either certificated or uncertificated form.
Preemptive Rights
The ordinary shares are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights under the Companies Act or pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Limitations or Qualifications
Each ordinary share entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of our company, voting together as one class.
Rights of Other Types of Securities
Not applicable.
Rights of ordinary shares
Ordinary Shares
Our authorized share capital is US$1,500,000 divided into 25,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.06 per share. All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer their ordinary shares.
Dividends
The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors or declared by our shareholders by ordinary resolution (provided that no dividend may be declared by our shareholders which exceeds the amount recommended by our directors). Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of funds of our Company lawfully available therefor. Dividends may also be declared and paid out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized for this purpose in accordance with the Companies Act.
Voting Rights
In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, holders of ordinary shares shall, at all times, vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote by the members at any such general meeting. Each ordinary share shall be entitled to one vote on all matters subject to the vote at our general meetings. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one or more shareholders representing not less than 10% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote at the meeting.
An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast at a meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding ordinary shares at a meeting and includes a unanimous written resolution. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name, reducing the share capital or making changes to our Memorandum and Articles of Association to be in effect.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares
The instrument of transfer of any ordinary share shall be in writing and in any usual or common form or in a form prescribed by Nasdaq or such other form approved by our board of directors and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor or, if the transferor or transferee is a clearing house or a central depository house or its nominee(s), by hand or by electronic machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Board may approve from time to time.
The instrument of transfer shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and the transferee provided that our board of directors may dispense with the execution of the instrument of transfer by the transferee in any case which it thinks fit in its discretion to do so.
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, and without giving any reason therefore, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share that has not been fully paid up, issued under any share incentive plan for employees upon which a restriction on transfer still subsists, or is subject to a company lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of such ordinary share unless:
| a) | a fee of such maximum sum as Nasdaq may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our board of directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof; |
| b) | the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares; |
| c) | the instrument of transfer is lodged at the registered office or such other place at which the our register of members is kept in accordance with the accompanied by any relevant share certificate(s) and/or such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer (and, if the instrument of transfer is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person so to do); and |
| d) | if applicable, the instrument of transfer is duly and properly stamped. |
If our board of directors refuses to register a transfer, it shall, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged with us, to send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice requirement of Nasdaq, be suspended and our register of members closed at such times and for such periods (not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in any year) as our board of directors may from time to time determine.
Liquidation
On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution among our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed among our shareholders in proportion to the capital paid up, or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up, on the shares held by them respectively.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares
Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days in advance. The notice shall name a further day on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made and where the payment is required to be made to.
If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable our board of directors may give to such shareholder a 14 clear days’ notice:
| a) | requiring payment of the unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and which may still accrue up to the date of actual payment; and |
| b) | stating that if such notice is not complied with the shares on which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
If the requirements of any such notice are not complied with, any share in respect of which such notice has been given any at any time thereafter, before payment of all calls and interest due in respect thereof has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of our board of directors to that effect, and such forfeiture shall include all dividends and bonuses declared in respect of the forfeited share but not actually paid before the forfeiture.
Requirements to Change the Rights of Holders of Ordinary Shares
Variations of Rights of Shares
Whenever our capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attaching to any class of share (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed by at least a two-thirds majority of the holders of the shares of that class. The necessary quorum shall be one or more persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third of the voting power of the issued shares of the relevant class (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those shareholders who are present shall form a quorum).
Unless the terms on which a class of shares was issued state otherwise, the rights conferred on the shareholder holding shares of any class shall not be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with the existing shares of that class or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any shares of any class by our company.
Limitations on the Rights to Own Ordinary Shares
There are no limitations under the laws of the Cayman Islands or under our Memorandum and Articles of Association that limit the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote ordinary shares.
Provisions Affecting Any Change of Control
Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our Memorandum and Articles of Association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our Memorandum and Articles of Association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Ownership Threshold
There are no provisions under the Companies Act or under the Memorandum and Articles of Association that govern the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Differences Between the Law of Different Jurisdictions
The Companies Act is modelled after that of England and Wales but does not follow recent statutory enactments in England. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
A merger of two or more constituent companies under Cayman Islands law requires a plan of merger or consolidation to be approved by the directors of each constituent company and authorization by a special resolution of the members of each constituent company.
A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders. For this purpose a subsidiary is a company of which at least ninety percent (90%) of the issued shares entitled to vote are owned by the parent company.
The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.
Save in certain circumstances, a dissentient shareholder of a Cayman constituent company is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares upon dissenting to a merger or consolidation. The exercise of appraisal rights will preclude the exercise of any other rights save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must, in addition, represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
| ● | the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met; |
| ● | the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class; |
| ● | the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act. |
When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.
If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Shareholders’ Suits
In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, there are exceptions to the foregoing principle, including when:
| ● | a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires; |
| ● | the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and |
| ● | those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.” |
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that we shall indemnify our directors, secretary and other officers for the time being of our company and our liquidator or trustees (if any) for the time being acting in relation to any of the affairs of our company and each of them, and each of their heirs, executors and administrators, shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and profits of our company from and against all actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of them, their or any of their heirs, executors or administrators, shall or may incur or sustain by or by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about the execution of their duty, or supposed duty, in their respective offices or trusts; and none of them shall be answerable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of the other or others of them or for joining in any receipts for the sake of conformity, or for any bankers or other persons with whom any moneys or effects belonging to our company shall or may be lodged or deposited for safe custody, or for insufficiency or deficiency of any security upon which any moneys of or belonging to our company shall be placed out on or invested, or for any other loss, misfortune or damage which may happen in the execution of their respective offices or trusts, or in relation thereto, provided that the indemnity shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may attach to any of said persons. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and senior executive officers that will provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Anti-Takeover Provisions in our Memorandum and Articles of Association
Some provisions of our Memorandum and Articles of Association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favourable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our Memorandum and Articles of Association, as amended and restated from time to time, for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Directors’ Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him to do so) and a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that shareholders may not approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings or allow our shareholders to requisition a shareholders’ meeting. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association allow our shareholders to requisition shareholders’ meetings.
Cumulative Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law, our Memorandum and Articles of Association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.
Under our Memorandum and Articles of Association, directors may be removed by an ordinary resolution of shareholders.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding Up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.
Under the Companies Act and our Memorandum and Articles of Association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by the vote of holders of two-thirds of our shares voting at a meeting
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our Memorandum and Articles of Association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class only with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by Cayman Islands law, our Memorandum and Articles of Association may only be amended by a special resolution of shareholders.
Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our Memorandum and Articles of Association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our Memorandum and Articles of Association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Directors’ Power to Issue Shares
Subject to applicable law, our board of directors is empowered to issue or allot shares or grant options and warrants with or without preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights or restrictions.
Changes in Capital
We may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
| ● | increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amount, as the resolution shall prescribe; |
| ● | consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares; |
| ● | divide the shares into several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by our shareholders, as the board of directors may determine; |
| ● | sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount than that fixed by the our Memorandum of Association; and |
| ● | cancel any shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the ordinary shares so cancelled. |
We may by special resolution, subject to any confirmation or consent required by the Companies Act, reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by law.
Debt Securities
Not applicable.
Warrants and Rights
As of the date of this prospectus, we had 5,316,025 warrants issued and outstanding, out of which 3,853,376 warrants are quoted on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BTCTW.”
Exercise Price and Exercise Price Adjustment
The exercise price and number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuance of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price.
Currently, each warrant is exercisable to purchase 1/600 ordinary share at an exercise price of $6,900 per share.
Duration of Warrants
The warrants may be exercised any time and from time to time beginning on March 30, 2020 until the earlier of March 30, 2025 or the date on which we elect to redeem all of our warrants.
Exercise of Warrants
The warrants may be exercised upon the surrender of the certificate evidencing such warrant on or before the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, with the subscription form, as set forth in the warrants, duly executed, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised.
Redemption
We may redeem the outstanding warrants in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder, and if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the ordinary shares (or the closing bid price of ordinary shares in the event the ordinary shares are not traded on any specific day) equals or exceeds $495.00 per share, subject to adjustment, for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before the redemption notice is sent to the warrant holders. We will not redeem the warrants unless an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current and available throughout the 30-day redemption period.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, we will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. In this case, the “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants.
Registration of our Ordinary Shares
No warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such ordinary shares is available, and such shares are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder. If we during any period fail to have maintained an effective registration statement covering the our ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, the warrant holders shall have the right to exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis.”
Tender Offer to Exercise Warrants
As of November 30, 2020, we had outstanding 12,705,000 warrants to purchase 12,705,000 ordinary shares. On December 7, 2020, we filed a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, as amended (File number: 005-91479) in relation to our offer to the holders of outstanding warrants to purchase 12,705,000 ordinary shares, each with an exercise price of $11.50 per share, the opportunity to exercise the warrants at a temporarily reduced price of $1.40 per ordinary share. The tender offer for warrants terminated on January 5, 2021. Upon completion of the offer to exercise, 4,423,062 warrants had been validly tendered for cash exercise. In addition, 2,629,812 warrants had been validly tendered for cashless exercise, resulting in the issuance of 1,364,512 ordinary shares.
Effective January 6, 2021, we temporarily reduced the exercise price of all outstanding warrants to $2.50 per share, and has added a “full-ratchet” anti-dilution protection with respect to subsequent equity sales in which any person will be entitled to acquire ordinary shares at an effective price per share that is lower than the then exercise price of the warrants, subject to customary exceptions (the “Temporary Reduction Period”). As a result of our offering of 40,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of $1.0 per share, which was on May 25, 2021, the exercise price of the warrants was reduced to $1.0 per warrant. On September 7, 2021, we closed our offering of $60 million of ordinary shares and pre-funded warrants, at a price of $0.30 per share and $0.2999 per pre-funded warrant. As a result of that offering, the exercise price of the warrants was reduced to $0.30 per warrant. The exercise price of the warrants was later adjusted to $9.00 on May 4, 2022, following the effectiveness of our 30-to-1 share consolidation. The Temporary Reduction Period will terminate on the date following which the closing price of the Ordinary Shares has been equal to or greater than $90.00 per share for at least twenty (20) trading days during the preceding thirty (30) trading day period.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
General
We may issue debt securities which may or may not be converted into our ordinary shares or preferred shares. We may issue the debt securities independently or together with any underlying securities, and debt securities may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. In connection with the issuance of any debt securities, we do not intend to issue them pursuant to a trust indenture upon reliance of Section 304(a)(8) of the Trust Indenture Act and Rule 4a-1 promulgated thereunder.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the debt securities that we may issue. The summary is not complete. When debt securities are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the debt securities as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any specific debt securities document or agreement. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of warrants. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” below for information on how to obtain a copy of a debt securities document when it is filed.
When we refer to a series of debt securities, we mean all debt securities issued as part of the same series under the applicable indenture.
Terms
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, may describe the terms of any debt securities that we may offer, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | the title of the debt securities; |
| ● | the total amount of the debt securities; |
| ● | the amount or amounts of the debt securities will be issued and interest rate; |
| ● | the conversion price at which the debt securities may be converted; |
| ● | the date on which the right to convert the debt securities will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| ● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of debt securities that may be converted at any one time; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of material federal income tax consideration; |
| ● | if applicable, the terms of the payoff of the debt securities; |
| ● | the identity of the indenture agent, if any; |
| ● | the procedures and conditions relating to the conversion of the debt securities; and |
| ● | any other terms of the debt securities, including terms, procedure and limitation relating to the exchange or conversion of the debt securities. |
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
We may issue the debt securities in registered form or bearer form. Debt securities issued in registered form, i.e., book-entry form, will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository, which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by the global security. Those investors who own beneficial interests in global debt securities will do so through participants in the depository’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depository and its participants. In addition, we may issue debt securities in non-global form, i.e., bearer form. If any debt securities are issued in non-global form, debt securities certificates may be exchanged for new debt securities certificates of different denominations, and holders may exchange, transfer, or convert their debt securities at the debt securities agent’s office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus.
Prior to the conversion of their debt securities, holders of debt securities convertible for ordinary shares or preferred shares will not have any rights of holders of ordinary shares or preferred shares, and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the ordinary shares or preferred shares.
Conversion of Debt Securities
A debt security may entitle the holder to purchase, in exchange for the extinguishment of debt, an amount of securities at a conversion price that will be stated in the debt security. Debt securities may be converted at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the terms of such debt security. After the close of business on the expiration date, debt securities not exercised will be paid in accordance with their terms.
Debt securities may be converted as set forth in the applicable offering material. Upon receipt of a notice of conversion properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the indenture agent, if any, or to us, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the debt security represented by such security is converted, a new debt security will be issued for the remaining debt security.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
General
We may issue warrants to purchase our securities. We may issue the warrants independently or together with any underlying securities, and the warrants may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. We may also issue a series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the warrants that we may issue. The summary is not complete. When warrants are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the warrants as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of warrants in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any specific warrant document or agreement, if applicable. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of warrants. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” below for information on how to obtain a copy of a warrant document when it is filed.
When we refer to a series of warrants, we mean all warrants issued as part of the same series under the applicable warrant agreement.
Terms
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, may describe the terms of any warrants that we may offer, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | the title of the warrants; |
| ● | the total number of warrants; |
| ● | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
| ● | the price or prices at which the warrants may be exercised; |
| ● | the currency or currencies that investors may use to pay for the warrants; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| ● | whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form; |
| ● | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| ● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| ● | if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each underlying security; |
| ● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related underlying securities will be separately transferable; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of material federal income tax considerations; |
| ● | if applicable, the terms of redemption of the warrants; |
| ● | the identity of the warrant agent, if any; |
| ● | the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; and |
| ● | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Warrant Agreement
We may issue the warrants in one or more series under one or more warrant agreements, each to be entered into between us and a bank, trust company, or other financial institution as warrant agent. We may add, replace, or terminate warrant agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own warrant agent or may choose one of our subsidiaries to do so.
The warrant agent under a warrant agreement will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants issued under that agreement. Any holder of warrants may, without the consent of any other person, enforce by appropriate legal action, on its own behalf, its right to exercise those warrants in accordance with their terms.
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
We may issue the warrants in registered form or bearer form. Warrants issued in registered form, i.e., book-entry form, will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository, which will be the holder of all the warrants represented by the global security. Those investors who own beneficial interests in a global warrant will do so through participants in the depository’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depository and its participants. In addition, we may issue warrants in non-global form, i.e., bearer form. If any warrants are issued in non-global form, warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and holders may exchange, transfer, or exercise their warrants at the warrant agent’s office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus.
Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for ordinary shares or preferred shares will not have any rights of holders of ordinary shares or preferred shares and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the ordinary shares or preferred shares.
Exercise of Warrants
A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable offering material. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be redeemed as set forth in the applicable offering material.
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable offering material. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable offering material, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
We may issue rights to purchase our securities. The rights may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and one or more banks, trust companies, or other financial institutions, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:
| ● | the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution; |
| ● | the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights; |
| ● | the conditions to completion of the rights offering; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the rights will expire; and |
| ● | any applicable federal income tax considerations. |
Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of securities at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.
If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters, or dealers, or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units composed of any combination of our securities. We will issue each unit so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. As a result, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to units that we may offer. The summary is not complete. When units are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the units as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the unit agreement, collateral arrangements, and depositary arrangements, if applicable. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of units. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” below for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed.
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus may describe:
| ● | The designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| ● | Any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities composing the units; |
| ● | Whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form; and |
| ● | Any other terms of the units. |
The applicable provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Share Capital,” “Description of American Depositary Shares,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” and “Description of Rights” above, will apply to each unit and to each security included in each unit, respectively.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands, as an exempted company, in order to enjoy the following benefits:
| ● | political and economic stability; |
| ● | an effective judicial system; |
| ● | the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and |
| ● | the availability of professional and support services. |
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and these securities laws provide significantly less protection to investors as compared to the United States; and |
| ● | Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States. |
Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors, and shareholders, be arbitrated.
All of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and all of our assets are located outside the United States. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in U.S. courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed Puglisi & Associates as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.
Conyers Dill & Pearman, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands, would:
| ● | recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature; or |
| ● | entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. |
Our counsel with respect to the laws of the Cayman Islands has advised us that it is uncertain whether the courts of the Cayman Islands will allow shareholders of our company to originate actions in the Cayman Islands based upon securities laws of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law related to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such a determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. As the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on making such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Our counsel has further advised us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any reexamination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided (a) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment; (b) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands; (c) such judgment was not obtained by fraud; (d) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands; (e) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands; and (f) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
UNDERWRITING
Aegis Capital Corp., or “Aegis” or the “underwriter”, is the underwriter and the book-running manager of this offering. Under the terms of an underwriting agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriter and the underwriter has agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the following number of Ordinary Shares:
Underwriter | | Number of
Ordinary Shares |
Aegis Capital Corp. | | [●] |
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriter’s obligation to purchase Ordinary Shares depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement including:
| ● | the representations and warranties made by us to the underwriter are true; |
| | |
| ● | there is no material change in our business or the financial markets; and |
| | |
| ● | we deliver customary closing documents to the underwriter. |
The underwriter has agreed to purchase all of the Ordinary Shares offered by this prospectus (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below), if any are purchased under the underwriting agreement.
The underwriter is offering the Ordinary Shares subject to various conditions and may reject all or part of any order. The underwriter has advised us that it proposes to offer the Ordinary Shares directly to the public at the public offering price per Ordinary Share that appears on the cover page of this prospectus. In addition, the underwriter may offer some of the Ordinary Shares to other securities dealers at such price less a concession of $[●] per Ordinary Share. After the Ordinary Shares are released for sale to the public, the underwriter may change the offering price and other selling terms at various times.
Over-Allotment Option
We have granted the underwriter an over-allotment option. This option, which is exercisable for up to forty-five (45) days after the closing of the offering, permits the underwriter to purchase a maximum of [●] additional Ordinary Shares (i.e., up to 15.0% of the Ordinary Shares and/or Pre-Funded Warrants sold in this offering) from us to cover over-allotments, if any. The purchase price to be paid per additional Ordinary Share will be equal to the public offering price per Ordinary Share, less the underwriting discount. We will be obligated, pursuant to the option, to sell these additional Ordinary Shares to the underwriter to the extent the option is exercised. If any additional Ordinary Shares are purchased, the underwriter will offer the additional Ordinary Shares on the same terms as those on which the other Ordinary Shares are being offered hereunder. If this over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total offering price to the public will be approximately $25.0 million, and the total net proceeds, before expenses and after deducting the underwriting discounts described above, to us will be approximately $[●] million (based upon a public offering price of $[●] per Ordinary Share).
Underwriting Discounts and Expenses
The following table shows the per Ordinary Share and total underwriting discounts we will pay to Aegis. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional securities.
| | | | | | | Total | |
| | | Per Share | | | | No Exercise | | | | Full Exercise | |
Public offering price | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | |
Underwriting discounts to be paid by us (7.0%): | | $ | ([●] | ) | | $ | ([●] | ) | | $ | ([●] | ) |
Non-accountable expense allowance (0.75%)(1) | | $ | ([●] | ) | | $ | ([●] | ) | | $ | ([●] | ) |
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | |
| (1) | We have agreed to pay a non-accountable expense allowance to Aegis equal to 0.75% of the gross proceeds received in this offering. |
We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain of its expenses, including “roadshow,” diligence, and reasonable legal fees and disbursements, in an amount not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate. We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding underwriting discounts, will be approximately $[●].
Stabilization
In accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, the underwriter may engage in activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our Ordinary Shares, including short sales and purchases to cover positions created by short positions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions, penalty bids and passive market making.
| ● | Short positions involve sales by the underwriter of Ordinary Shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriter is obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares involved in the sales made by the underwriter in excess of the number of shares they are obligated to purchase is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase by exercising their option to purchase additional shares. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in their option to purchase additional shares. The underwriter may close out any short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. |
| | |
| ● | Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security as long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specific maximum price. |
| | |
| ● | Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of our Ordinary Shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares. If the underwriter sells more shares than could be covered by the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares, thereby creating a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. |
| | |
| ● | Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the Ordinary Shares originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. |
| | |
| ● | In passive market making, market makers in our Ordinary Shares who are underwriters or prospective underwriters may, subject to limitations, make bids for or purchase our Ordinary Shares until the time, if any, at which a stabilizing bid is made. |
These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our Ordinary Shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our Ordinary Shares. As a result of these activities, the price of our Ordinary Shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on NASDAQ or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Neither we nor the underwriter makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our Ordinary Shares. In addition, neither we nor the underwriter makes any representation that Aegis will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Discretionary Accounts
The underwriter has informed us that they do not expect to make sales to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority in excess of five percent (5%) of the securities being offered in this offering.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify Aegis, its affiliates, and each person controlling Aegis against any losses, claims, damages, judgments, assessments, costs, and other liabilities, as the same are incurred (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), relating to or arising out of the offering, undertaken in good faith.
Lock-Up Agreements
Pursuant to certain “lock-up” agreements, our executive officers, directors, employees and holders of at least 10% of our Company’s Ordinary Shares and securities exercisable for or convertible into its Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately upon the closing of this offering, have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of or announce the intention to otherwise dispose of, or enter into any swap, hedge or similar agreement or arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of, directly or indirectly, engage in any short selling of any Ordinary Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any Ordinary Shares (“Lock-Up Securities”), whether currently owned or subsequently acquired, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, for a period of ninety (90) days after the closing date of the offering. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale – Lock-Up Agreements.”
The underwriter, in its sole discretion, may release the Ordinary Shares and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time. When determining whether or not to release Ordinary Shares and other securities from lock-up agreements, the underwriter will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of Ordinary Shares and other securities for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time.
Company Standstill
We have agreed, for a period of ninety (90) days after the closing date of the offering (the “Standstill Period”), that without the prior written consent of Aegis, we will not (a) offer, sell, issue, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any equity of our Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for equity of our Company; (b) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any equity of our Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for equity of our Company; or (c) enter into any agreement or announce the intention to effect any of the actions described in subsections (a) or (b) hereof (all of such matters, the “Standstill Restrictions”). So long as none of such equity securities shall be saleable in the public market until the expiration of the Standstill Period, the following matters shall not be prohibited by the Standstill Restrictions: (i) the adoption of an equity incentive plan and the grant of awards or equity pursuant to any equity incentive plan, and the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8; and (ii) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of our Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the Standstill Period, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a person or entity (or to the equityholders of an entity) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of our Company and shall provide to our Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which our Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities. In no event should any equity transaction during the Standstill Period result in the sale of equity at an offering price to the public less than that of this offering.
Right of First Refusal
If, for the period beginning on the Closing and ending twelve (12) months after the commencement of sales in the offering, we or any of our subsidiaries (a) decides to finance or refinance any indebtedness, Aegis (or any affiliate designated by Aegis) shall have the right to act as sole book-runner, sole manager, sole placement agent or sole agent with respect to such financing or refinancing; or (b) decides to raise funds by means of a public offering (including at-the-market facility) or a private placement or any other capital raising financing of equity, equity-linked or debt securities, Aegis (or any affiliate designated by Aegis) shall have the right to act as sole book-running manager, sole underwriter or sole placement agent for such financing. If Aegis or one of its affiliates decides to accept any such engagement, the agreement governing such engagement will contain, among other things, provisions for customary fees and terms for transactions of similar size and nature, including indemnification, which are appropriate to such a transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the decision to accept our engagement shall be made by Aegis or one of its affiliates, by a written notice to us, within ten (10) days of the receipt of our notification of financing needs, including a detailed term sheet. Aegis’s determination of whether in any case to exercise its right of first refusal will be strictly limited to the terms on such term sheet, and any waiver of such right of first refusal shall apply only to such specific terms. If Aegis waives its right of first refusal, any deviation from such terms shall void the waiver and require us to seek a new waiver from the right of first refusal.
Other Relationships
The underwriter is a full service financial institution engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. The underwriter may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates for which they may in the future receive customary fees.
In the ordinary course of its business activities, the underwriter and its affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively traded securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of the issuer (directly, as collateral securing other obligation or otherwise) publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.
The underwriter and its affiliates have provided in the past and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they may receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, from time to time, the underwriter and their affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the accounts of customers, and hold on behalf of itself or its customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriter, if any, participating in this offering and the underwriter participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The underwriter may agree to allocate a number of Shares for sale to its online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriter that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of, nor incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed by us or the underwriter in its capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.
Offer Restrictions Outside the United States
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriter that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our Ordinary Shares is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Trading Market
Our Ordinary Shares Ordinary Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BTCT.” We do not intend to apply for listing of the Pre-funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system.
TAXATION
Certain income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering of those securities.
Legal Matters
We are being represented by VCL Law LLP with respect to certain legal matters of United States federal securities and New York state law. The validity of the securities offered in this offering and legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman. Additional legal matters may be passed on for the underwriter by Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.
Experts
Audit Alliance LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Audit Alliance LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of filing those documents. Any reports filed by us with the SEC on or after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including all such documents that we may file with the SEC after the date hereof but prior to the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, except as to any portion of any future report or document that is not deemed filed under such provisions, until we sell all of the securities:
| ● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024; |
| ● | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024; |
| ● | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2024; |
| ● | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2024; |
| ● | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 19, 2024, March 13, 2024, July 3, 2024, August 19, 2024, September 11, 2024, and November 15, 2024; and |
| ● | The description of our ordinary share contained in our registration statement on Form F-1, filed with the SEC on September 7, 2022, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed with the SEC on December 15, 2022. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:
BTC Digital Ltd.
61 Robinson Road Level 6 & 7
#738, Singapore 068893
+65 6022 2515
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and our consolidated subsidiaries and our securities. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings and the exhibits attached thereto. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC’s website.
PROSPECTUS
BTC DIGITAL LTD.
Up to US$150,000,000 of
Ordinary Shares
Preferred Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants, Rights and Units
We may, from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell up to US$150,000,000 of any combination, together or separately, of our ordinary shares, par value US$0.06 per share, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, rights, and units, or any combination thereof as described in this prospectus. In this prospectus, references to the term “securities” refers collectively to our ordinary shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, rights, and units. We will provide specific terms of any offered securities and offering in a supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you purchase any of the securities offered hereby.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
These securities may be offered and sold in the same offering or in separate offerings; to or through underwriters, dealers, and agents; or directly to purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents involved in the sale of our securities, their compensation and any over-allotment options held by them will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. For a more complete description of the plan of distribution of these securities, see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus.
The aggregate market value of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares held by non-affiliates, as of the date of this prospectus, was approximately US$81.5 million, which was calculated based on 4,128,714 ordinary shares held by non-affiliates and the per share price of US$19.75, which was the closing price of our ordinary shares on November 14, 2024.
Our ordinary shares are traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BTCT.” On November 20, 2024, the last reported sales price for our ordinary shares was $18.10 per share. Some of our warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “BTCTW.” On November 20, 2024, the last reported sale price of the warrants was US$0.0761per warrant. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any securities market or exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion before investing in our securities.
Securities may be sold by us through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters or agents and any applicable fees, discounts or commissions, details regarding over-allotment options, if any, and the net proceeds to us will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, from time to time, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $150,000,000 as described in this prospectus. We have provided to you in this prospectus a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration process, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the offering. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement; provided that, if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date - for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement - the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. This prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to this offering. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information by Reference” before buying any securities in this offering.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. Neither we, nor any agent, underwriter or dealer have authorized anyone to give you any information or to make any representation other than the information and representations contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We and any agent, underwriter or dealer take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information others may give you. If different information is given or different representations are made, you may not rely on that information or those representation as having been authorized by us, any agent, underwriter or dealer. You may not imply from the delivery of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, nor from a sale made under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, that our affairs are unchanged since the date of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or any sale of a security. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement may only be used where it is legal to sell the securities.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER AND SELL SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “BTC,” “BTC Digital,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to BTC Digital Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company.
This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information by Reference.”’
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Any forward-looking statements in this prospectus reflect our current views with respect to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations described in the forward-looking statements we make. You are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are referenced in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein.
You should read this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are made as of the date of this prospectus, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
A statement contained in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated in this prospectus modifies or replaces such statement. Any statements so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus incorporates by reference statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. All of the market data used in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such data. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. Our estimates of the potential market opportunities for our product candidate include several key assumptions based on our industry knowledge, industry publications, third-party research and other surveys, which may be based on a small sample size and may fail to accurately reflect market opportunities. While we believe that our internal assumptions are reasonable, no independent source has verified such assumptions.
OUR COMPANY
Our Business
Through the operating entities, we are a crypto asset technology company based in the U.S. with a focus on bitcoin mining. We also generate revenue through mining machines resale and rental business operations. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we generated a substantial majority of our revenue from bitcoin mining. We store all of our bitcoins mined in hot wallets, or cryptocurrency wallets connected to the internet, and may from time to time exchange bitcoins mined for fiat currency to generate cash flow to fund our subsidiaries’ business operations. We attribute our growth since we launched our crypto asset business in 2022 to our competitive strengths in diversified revenue streams, dedicated team and efforts towards regulatory compliance, and our experienced and visionary management team.
No CSRC Filing Requirement
On February 17, 2023, China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, and the relevant five guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. The Trial Measures provides that if the issuer meets both of the following criteria, the overseas securities offering and listing conducted by such issuer will be deemed as indirect overseas offering by PRC domestic companies: (i) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year is accounted for by domestic companies; and (ii) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main place(s) of business are located in mainland China, or the majority of senior management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in mainland China. As advised by Allbright Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, as of the date of this prospectus, in connection with this offering, under current PRC laws, regulations and rules, we are not required to submit applications for the approval of the CSRC based on the facts that (i) we are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, with 50% or more of our operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 generated outside of mainland China; (ii) our business activities are not primarily conducted in mainland China, the main places of the our business are located in mainland China; and the majority of senior management staff of the Company in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens and have their usual places of residence located in mainland China.
Corporate Information
We were formed as a Cayman Islands exempted company on September 27, 2019. We were formed to serve as a holding company after consummation of a series of mergers. Prior to the mergers, we owned no material assets and did not operate any business. Our principal executive office is located at 61 Robinson Road Level 6 & 7, #738, Singapore 068893 and our telephone number is +65 6022 2515. You can find more information about our corporate information and the mergers under the heading “Corporate History and Corporate Structure,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, in any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that have been filed since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any other documents that we file (not furnish) with the SEC in the future, together with all of the other information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds to us from the sale of our securities under this prospectus. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include increasing our working capital, reducing indebtedness as applicable, acquisitions or investments in businesses, products or technologies that are complementary to our own and capital expenditures. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and our affairs are governed by our currently effective amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Memorandum and Articles of Association”), and Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Act”), and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
Our ordinary shares are listed and traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BTCT” and are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. In addition, our warrants are quoted on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BTCTW.” This exhibit contains a description of the rights of the holders of ordinary shares and warrants.
Description of Ordinary Shares
The following is a summary of material provisions of our Memorandum and Articles of Association, as well as the Companies Act (As Amended) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Act”) insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
Type and Class of Securities
Each ordinary share has a par value of US$0.06 each. The number of ordinary shares that have been issued as of the date of this prospectus is 4,145,249. Our ordinary shares may be held in either certificated or uncertificated form.
Preemptive Rights
The ordinary shares are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights under the Companies Act or pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Limitations or Qualifications
Each ordinary share entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of our company, voting together as one class.
Rights of Other Types of Securities
Not applicable.
Rights of ordinary shares
Ordinary Shares
Our authorized share capital is US$1,500,000 divided into 25,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.06 per share. All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer their ordinary shares.
Dividends
The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors or declared by our shareholders by ordinary resolution (provided that no dividend may be declared by our shareholders which exceeds the amount recommended by our directors). Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of funds of our Company lawfully available therefor. Dividends may also be declared and paid out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized for this purpose in accordance with the Companies Act.
Voting Rights
In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, holders of ordinary shares shall, at all times, vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote by the members at any such general meeting. Each ordinary share shall be entitled to one vote on all matters subject to the vote at our general meetings. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one or more shareholders representing not less than 10% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote at the meeting.
An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast at a meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding ordinary shares at a meeting and includes a unanimous written resolution. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name, reducing the share capital or making changes to our Memorandum and Articles of Association to be in effect.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares
The instrument of transfer of any ordinary share shall be in writing and in any usual or common form or in a form prescribed by Nasdaq or such other form approved by our board of directors and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor or, if the transferor or transferee is a clearing house or a central depository house or its nominee(s), by hand or by electronic machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Board may approve from time to time.
The instrument of transfer shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and the transferee provided that our board of directors may dispense with the execution of the instrument of transfer by the transferee in any case which it thinks fit in its discretion to do so.
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, and without giving any reason therefore, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share that has not been fully paid up, issued under any share incentive plan for employees upon which a restriction on transfer still subsists, or is subject to a company lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of such ordinary share unless:
| a) | a fee of such maximum sum as Nasdaq may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our board of directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof; |
| b) | the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares; |
| c) | the instrument of transfer is lodged at the registered office or such other place at which the our register of members is kept in accordance with the accompanied by any relevant share certificate(s) and/or such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer (and, if the instrument of transfer is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person so to do); and |
| d) | if applicable, the instrument of transfer is duly and properly stamped. |
If our board of directors refuses to register a transfer, it shall, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged with us, to send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice requirement of Nasdaq, be suspended and our register of members closed at such times and for such periods (not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in any year) as our board of directors may from time to time determine.
Liquidation
On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution among our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed among our shareholders in proportion to the capital paid up, or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up, on the shares held by them respectively.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares
Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days in advance. The notice shall name a further day on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made and where the payment is required to be made to.
If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable our board of directors may give to such shareholder a 14 clear days’ notice:
| a) | requiring payment of the unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and which may still accrue up to the date of actual payment; and |
| b) | stating that if such notice is not complied with the shares on which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
If the requirements of any such notice are not complied with, any share in respect of which such notice has been given any at any time thereafter, before payment of all calls and interest due in respect thereof has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of our board of directors to that effect, and such forfeiture shall include all dividends and bonuses declared in respect of the forfeited share but not actually paid before the forfeiture.
Requirements to Change the Rights of Holders of Ordinary Shares
Variations of Rights of Shares
Whenever our capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attaching to any class of share (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed by at least a two-thirds majority of the holders of the shares of that class. The necessary quorum shall be one or more persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third of the voting power of the issued shares of the relevant class (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those shareholders who are present shall form a quorum).
Unless the terms on which a class of shares was issued state otherwise, the rights conferred on the shareholder holding shares of any class shall not be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with the existing shares of that class or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any shares of any class by our company.
Limitations on the Rights to Own Ordinary Shares
There are no limitations under the laws of the Cayman Islands or under our Memorandum and Articles of Association that limit the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote ordinary shares.
Provisions Affecting Any Change of Control
Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our Memorandum and Articles of Association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our Memorandum and Articles of Association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Ownership Threshold
There are no provisions under the Companies Act or under the Memorandum and Articles of Association that govern the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Differences Between the Law of Different Jurisdictions
The Companies Act is modelled after that of England and Wales but does not follow recent statutory enactments in England. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
A merger of two or more constituent companies under Cayman Islands law requires a plan of merger or consolidation to be approved by the directors of each constituent company and authorization by a special resolution of the members of each constituent company.
A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders. For this purpose a subsidiary is a company of which at least ninety percent (90%) of the issued shares entitled to vote are owned by the parent company.
The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.
Save in certain circumstances, a dissentient shareholder of a Cayman constituent company is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares upon dissenting to a merger or consolidation. The exercise of appraisal rights will preclude the exercise of any other rights save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must, in addition, represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
| ● | the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met; |
| ● | the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class; |
| ● | the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act. |
When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.
If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Shareholders’ Suits
In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, there are exceptions to the foregoing principle, including when:
| ● | a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires; |
| ● | the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and |
| ● | those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.” |
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that we shall indemnify our directors, secretary and other officers for the time being of our company and our liquidator or trustees (if any) for the time being acting in relation to any of the affairs of our company and each of them, and each of their heirs, executors and administrators, shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and profits of our company from and against all actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of them, their or any of their heirs, executors or administrators, shall or may incur or sustain by or by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about the execution of their duty, or supposed duty, in their respective offices or trusts; and none of them shall be answerable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of the other or others of them or for joining in any receipts for the sake of conformity, or for any bankers or other persons with whom any moneys or effects belonging to our company shall or may be lodged or deposited for safe custody, or for insufficiency or deficiency of any security upon which any moneys of or belonging to our company shall be placed out on or invested, or for any other loss, misfortune or damage which may happen in the execution of their respective offices or trusts, or in relation thereto, provided that the indemnity shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may attach to any of said persons. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and senior executive officers that will provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Anti-Takeover Provisions in our Memorandum and Articles of Association
Some provisions of our Memorandum and Articles of Association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favourable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our Memorandum and Articles of Association, as amended and restated from time to time, for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Directors’ Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him to do so) and a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that shareholders may not approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings or allow our shareholders to requisition a shareholders’ meeting. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association allow our shareholders to requisition shareholders’ meetings.
Cumulative Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law, our Memorandum and Articles of Association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.
Under our Memorandum and Articles of Association, directors may be removed by an ordinary resolution of shareholders.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding Up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.
Under the Companies Act and our Memorandum and Articles of Association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by the vote of holders of two-thirds of our shares voting at a meeting
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our Memorandum and Articles of Association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class only with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by Cayman Islands law, our Memorandum and Articles of Association may only be amended by a special resolution of shareholders.
Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our Memorandum and Articles of Association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our Memorandum and Articles of Association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Directors’ Power to Issue Shares
Subject to applicable law, our board of directors is empowered to issue or allot shares or grant options and warrants with or without preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights or restrictions.
Changes in Capital
We may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
| ● | increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amount, as the resolution shall prescribe; |
| ● | consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares; |
| ● | divide the shares into several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by our shareholders, as the board of directors may determine; |
| ● | sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount than that fixed by the our Memorandum of Association; and |
| ● | cancel any shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the ordinary shares so cancelled. |
We may by special resolution, subject to any confirmation or consent required by the Companies Act, reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by law.
Debt Securities
Not applicable.
Warrants and Rights
As of the date of this prospectus, we had 5,316,025 warrants issued and outstanding, out of which 3,853,376 warrants are quoted on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BTCTW.”
Exercise Price and Exercise Price Adjustment
The exercise price and number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuance of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price.
Currently, each warrant is exercisable to purchase 1/600 ordinary share at an exercise price of $6,900 per share.
Duration of Warrants
The warrants may be exercised any time and from time to time beginning on March 30, 2020 until the earlier of March 30, 2025 or the date on which we elect to redeem all of our warrants.
Exercise of Warrants
The warrants may be exercised upon the surrender of the certificate evidencing such warrant on or before the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, with the subscription form, as set forth in the warrants, duly executed, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised.
Redemption
We may redeem the outstanding warrants in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder, and if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the ordinary shares (or the closing bid price of ordinary shares in the event the ordinary shares are not traded on any specific day) equals or exceeds $495.00 per share, subject to adjustment, for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before the redemption notice is sent to the warrant holders. We will not redeem the warrants unless an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current and available throughout the 30-day redemption period.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, we will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. In this case, the “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants.
Registration of our Ordinary Shares
No warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such ordinary shares is available, and such shares are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder. If we during any period fail to have maintained an effective registration statement covering the our ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, the warrant holders shall have the right to exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis.”
Tender Offer to Exercise Warrants
As of November 30, 2020, we had outstanding 12,705,000 warrants to purchase 12,705,000 ordinary shares. On December 7, 2020, we filed a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, as amended (File number: 005-91479) in relation to our offer to the holders of outstanding warrants to purchase 12,705,000 ordinary shares, each with an exercise price of $11.50 per share, the opportunity to exercise the warrants at a temporarily reduced price of $1.40 per ordinary share. The tender offer for warrants terminated on January 5, 2021. Upon completion of the offer to exercise, 4,423,062 warrants had been validly tendered for cash exercise. In addition, 2,629,812 warrants had been validly tendered for cashless exercise, resulting in the issuance of 1,364,512 ordinary shares.
Effective January 6, 2021, we temporarily reduced the exercise price of all outstanding warrants to $2.50 per share, and has added a “full-ratchet” anti-dilution protection with respect to subsequent equity sales in which any person will be entitled to acquire ordinary shares at an effective price per share that is lower than the then exercise price of the warrants, subject to customary exceptions (the “Temporary Reduction Period”). As a result of our offering of 40,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of $1.0 per share, which was on May 25, 2021, the exercise price of the warrants was reduced to $1.0 per warrant. On September 7, 2021, we closed our offering of $60 million of ordinary shares and pre-funded warrants, at a price of $0.30 per share and $0.2999 per pre-funded warrant. As a result of that offering, the exercise price of the warrants was reduced to $0.30 per warrant. The exercise price of the warrants was later adjusted to $9.00 on May 4, 2022, following the effectiveness of our 30-to-1 share consolidation. The Temporary Reduction Period will terminate on the date following which the closing price of the Ordinary Shares has been equal to or greater than $90.00 per share for at least twenty (20) trading days during the preceding thirty (30) trading day period.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
General
We may issue debt securities which may or may not be converted into our ordinary shares or preferred shares. We may issue the debt securities independently or together with any underlying securities, and debt securities may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. In connection with the issuance of any debt securities, we do not intend to issue them pursuant to a trust indenture upon reliance of Section 304(a)(8) of the Trust Indenture Act and Rule 4a-1 promulgated thereunder.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the debt securities that we may issue. The summary is not complete. When debt securities are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the debt securities as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any specific debt securities document or agreement. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of warrants. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” below for information on how to obtain a copy of a debt securities document when it is filed.
When we refer to a series of debt securities, we mean all debt securities issued as part of the same series under the applicable indenture.
Terms
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, may describe the terms of any debt securities that we may offer, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | the title of the debt securities; |
| ● | the total amount of the debt securities; |
| ● | the amount or amounts of the debt securities will be issued and interest rate; |
| ● | the conversion price at which the debt securities may be converted; |
| ● | the date on which the right to convert the debt securities will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| ● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of debt securities that may be converted at any one time; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of material federal income tax consideration; |
| ● | if applicable, the terms of the payoff of the debt securities; |
| ● | the identity of the indenture agent, if any; |
| ● | the procedures and conditions relating to the conversion of the debt securities; and |
| ● | any other terms of the debt securities, including terms, procedure and limitation relating to the exchange or conversion of the debt securities. |
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
We may issue the debt securities in registered form or bearer form. Debt securities issued in registered form, i.e., book-entry form, will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository, which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by the global security. Those investors who own beneficial interests in global debt securities will do so through participants in the depository’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depository and its participants. In addition, we may issue debt securities in non-global form, i.e., bearer form. If any debt securities are issued in non-global form, debt securities certificates may be exchanged for new debt securities certificates of different denominations, and holders may exchange, transfer, or convert their debt securities at the debt securities agent’s office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus.
Prior to the conversion of their debt securities, holders of debt securities convertible for ordinary shares or preferred shares will not have any rights of holders of ordinary shares or preferred shares, and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the ordinary shares or preferred shares.
Conversion of Debt Securities
A debt security may entitle the holder to purchase, in exchange for the extinguishment of debt, an amount of securities at a conversion price that will be stated in the debt security. Debt securities may be converted at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the terms of such debt security. After the close of business on the expiration date, debt securities not exercised will be paid in accordance with their terms.
Debt securities may be converted as set forth in the applicable offering material. Upon receipt of a notice of conversion properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the indenture agent, if any, or to us, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the debt security represented by such security is converted, a new debt security will be issued for the remaining debt security.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
General
We may issue warrants to purchase our securities. We may issue the warrants independently or together with any underlying securities, and the warrants may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. We may also issue a series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the warrants that we may issue. The summary is not complete. When warrants are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the warrants as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of warrants in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any specific warrant document or agreement, if applicable. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of warrants. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” below for information on how to obtain a copy of a warrant document when it is filed.
When we refer to a series of warrants, we mean all warrants issued as part of the same series under the applicable warrant agreement.
Terms
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, may describe the terms of any warrants that we may offer, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | the title of the warrants; |
| ● | the total number of warrants; |
| ● | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
| ● | the price or prices at which the warrants may be exercised; |
| ● | the currency or currencies that investors may use to pay for the warrants; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| ● | whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form; |
| ● | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| ● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| ● | if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each underlying security; |
| ● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related underlying securities will be separately transferable; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of material federal income tax considerations; |
| ● | if applicable, the terms of redemption of the warrants; |
| ● | the identity of the warrant agent, if any; |
| ● | the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; and |
| ● | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Warrant Agreement
We may issue the warrants in one or more series under one or more warrant agreements, each to be entered into between us and a bank, trust company, or other financial institution as warrant agent. We may add, replace, or terminate warrant agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own warrant agent or may choose one of our subsidiaries to do so.
The warrant agent under a warrant agreement will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants issued under that agreement. Any holder of warrants may, without the consent of any other person, enforce by appropriate legal action, on its own behalf, its right to exercise those warrants in accordance with their terms.
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
We may issue the warrants in registered form or bearer form. Warrants issued in registered form, i.e., book-entry form, will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository, which will be the holder of all the warrants represented by the global security. Those investors who own beneficial interests in a global warrant will do so through participants in the depository’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depository and its participants. In addition, we may issue warrants in non-global form, i.e., bearer form. If any warrants are issued in non-global form, warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and holders may exchange, transfer, or exercise their warrants at the warrant agent’s office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus.
Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for ordinary shares or preferred shares will not have any rights of holders of ordinary shares or preferred shares and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the ordinary shares or preferred shares.
Exercise of Warrants
A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable offering material. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be redeemed as set forth in the applicable offering material.
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable offering material. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable offering material, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
We may issue rights to purchase our securities. The rights may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and one or more banks, trust companies, or other financial institutions, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:
| ● | the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution; |
| ● | the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights; |
| ● | the conditions to completion of the rights offering; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the rights will expire; and |
| ● | any applicable federal income tax considerations. |
Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of securities at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.
If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters, or dealers, or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units composed of any combination of our securities. We will issue each unit so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. As a result, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to units that we may offer. The summary is not complete. When units are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the units as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the unit agreement, collateral arrangements, and depositary arrangements, if applicable. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of units. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” below for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed.
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus may describe:
| ● | The designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| ● | Any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities composing the units; |
| ● | Whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form; and |
| ● | Any other terms of the units. |
The applicable provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Share Capital,” “Description of American Depositary Shares,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” and “Description of Rights” above, will apply to each unit and to each security included in each unit, respectively.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands, as an exempted company, in order to enjoy the following benefits:
| ● | political and economic stability; |
| ● | an effective judicial system; |
| ● | the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and |
| ● | the availability of professional and support services. |
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and these securities laws provide significantly less protection to investors as compared to the United States; and |
| ● | Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States. |
Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors, and shareholders, be arbitrated.
All of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and all of our assets are located outside the United States. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in U.S. courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed Puglisi & Associates as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.
Conyers Dill & Pearman, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands, would:
| ● | recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature; or |
| ● | entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. |
Our counsel with respect to the laws of the Cayman Islands has advised us that it is uncertain whether the courts of the Cayman Islands will allow shareholders of our company to originate actions in the Cayman Islands based upon securities laws of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law related to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such a determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. As the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on making such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Our counsel has further advised us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any reexamination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided (a) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment; (b) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands; (c) such judgment was not obtained by fraud; (d) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands; (e) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands; and (f) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including, without limitation:
| ● | to or through underwriters; |
| ● | through broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal); |
| ● | directly by us to purchasers (including our affiliates and shareholders), through a specific bidding or auction process, a rights offering, or other method; |
| ● | through a combination of any such methods of sale; or |
| ● | through any other methods described in a prospectus supplement. |
The distribution of securities may be effected, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including:
| ● | block transactions (which may involve crosses) and transactions on Nasdaq or any other organized market where the securities may be traded; |
| ● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; |
| ● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
| ● | sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; and |
| ● | sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers. |
The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash, extinguishment of debt, or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters, or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.
We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our existing shareholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to our shareholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers, or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.
Some or all of the securities that we offer through this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
Agents may, from time to time, solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, as applicable, any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter of the securities.
If underwriters are used in an offering, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. This prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.
If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we, or an underwriter, will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, as applicable, the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.
We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, as applicable, will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.
Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, as applicable, will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters, or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries or affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
Any person participating in the distribution of securities registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our securities by any such person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities.
These restrictions may affect the marketability of our securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities.
Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions, and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. If any such activities will occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.
TAXATION
Certain income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering of those securities.
Legal Matters
We are being represented by VCL Law LLP with respect to certain legal matters of United States federal securities and New York state law. The validity of the securities offered in this offering and legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman. Additional legal matters may be passed on for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Experts
Audit Alliance LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Audit Alliance LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of filing those documents. Any reports filed by us with the SEC on or after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including all such documents that we may file with the SEC after the date hereof but prior to the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, except as to any portion of any future report or document that is not deemed filed under such provisions, until we sell all of the securities:
| ● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024; |
| ● | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024; |
| ● | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2024; |
| ● | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2024; |
| ● | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 19, 2024, March 13, 2024, July 3, 2024, August 19, 2024, September 11, 2024, and November 15, 2024; and |
| ● | The description of our ordinary share contained in our registration statement on Form F-1, filed with the SEC on September 7, 2022, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed with the SEC on December 15, 2022. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:
BTC Digital Ltd.
61 Robinson Road Level 6 & 7
#738, Singapore 068893
+65 6022 2515
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and our consolidated subsidiaries and our securities. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings and the exhibits attached thereto. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC’s website.
BTC DIGITAL LTD.
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Ordinary Shares
[ ] PRE-FUNDED WARRANGS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Sole Book-Running Manager
Aegis Capital Corp.
, 2024