UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period endedSeptember 30, 20172018

 

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

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission File Number:001-35561

 

  

 

 

 

SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP,IDEANOMICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada20-1778374
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

No.455 Broadway, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10006

(Address of principal executive offices)

212-206-1216

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.

(Former name if changed since last report)

No. 4 Drive-in Movie Theater Park,

No. 21, Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100125

(Address of principal executive offices)

212-206-1216

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)Former address if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YesxNo¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yesx    No¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filer                 ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨xSmaller reporting companyx
Emerging growth company  ¨

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes¨      Nox

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 62,309,492102,266,066 shares as of November 10, 2017.2018.

 

 

 

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

OF SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP,IDEANOMICS, INC.

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 20172018

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements3
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations3334
Item 3Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk4445
Item 4.Controls and Procedures4445
   
PART II-OTHER INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings46
Item 1A.Risk Factors46
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds4763
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities4763
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures4763
Item 5.Other Information4763
Item 6.Exhibits4864
Signatures4965

 

References

 

Except as otherwise indicated by the context, references in this report to (i) the “Company,” “Seven Stars Cloud,”, “SSC”, “we,” “us,” and “our” are to Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. (formerly known as Wecast Network, Inc.), a Nevada corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities; (ii) “CB Cayman” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary China Broadband, Ltd., a Cayman Islands company; (iii) “YOD Hong Kong” refers to YOU On Demand (Asia) Limited (formerly known as Sinotop Group Limited), a Hong Kong company wholly-owned by CB Cayman; (iv) “YOD WFOE” refers to YOU On Demand (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company wholly-owned by YOD Hong Kong; (v) “Sinotop Beijing” or “Sinotop” refers to Beijing Sino Top Scope Technology Co., Ltd, a PRC company controlled by YOD Hong Kong through contractual arrangements; (vi) “Zhong Hai Media” refers to Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media Co., Ltd., a PRC company 80% owned by Sinotop Beijing until September 30, 2017; (vii) “SSF” refers to Tianjin Sevenstarflix Network Technology Limited, a PRC company controlled by YOD Hong Kong through contractual arrangements; (viii) “Hua Cheng” refers to Hua Cheng Hu Dong (Beijing) Film and Television Communication Co., Ltd., a PRC company 39% owned by Sinotop Beijing and 20% owner of Zhong Hai Media; (ix) “Wecast Services” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary Wecast Services Group Limited (formerly known as Sun Video Group Hong Kong Limited) a Hong Kong company; (x) “Wide Angle” refers to Wide Angle Group Limited, a Hong Kong company 55% owned by the Company; (xi) “Wecast SH” refers to Shanghai Wecast Supply Chain Management Limited, a PRC company 51% owned by the Company; (xii)“SEC” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; (xiii) “Securities Act” refers to Securities Act of 1933, as amended; (xiv) “Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (xv) “PRC” and “China” refer to People’s Republic of China; (xvi) “Renminbi” and “RMB” refer to the legal currency of China; (xvii) “U.S. dollar,” “$” and “US$” refer to United States dollars; and (xviii) “VIEs” refers to our current variable interest entities, Sinotop Beijing, and Tianjin Sevenstarflix Network Technology Limited.following:

(i)the “Company,” “Ideanomics,”, “IDEX”, “we,” “us,” and “our” are to Ideanomics, Inc.(formerly known as Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.), a Nevada corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities;
(ii)“CB Cayman” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary China Broadband, Ltd., a Cayman Islands company;
(iii)“Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
(iv)“Hua Cheng” refers to Hua Cheng Hu Dong (Beijing) Film and Television Communication Co., Ltd., a PRC company 39% owned by Sinotop Beijing and 20% owner of Zhong Hai Media;
(v)“PRC” and “China” refer to People’s Republic of China;
(vi)“Renminbi” and “RMB” refer to the legal currency of China;
(vii)“SEC” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
(viii)“Securities Act” refers to Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
(ix)“Sinotop Beijing” or “Sinotop” refers to Beijing Sino Top Scope Technology Co., Ltd, a PRC company controlled by YOD Hong Kong through contractual arrangements;
(x)“SSF” refers to Tianjin Sevenstarflix Network Technology Limited, a PRC company controlled by YOD Hong Kong through contractual arrangements;
(xi)“U.S. dollar,” “$” and “US$” refer to United States dollars;
(xii)“VIEs” refers to our current variable interest entities, Sinotop Beijing, and Tianjin Sevenstarflix Network Technology Limited;
(xiii)“Wecast Services” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary Wecast Services Group Limited (formerly known as Sun Video Group Hong Kong Limited,) a Hong Kong company;
(xiv)“Wecast SH” refers to Shanghai Wecast Supply Chain Management Limited, a PRC company 51% owned by the Company;
(xv)“Wide Angle” refers to Wide Angle Group Limited, a Hong Kong company 55% owned by the Company;

(xvi)“Zhong Hai Media” refers to Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media Co., Ltd., a PRC company 80% owned by Sinotop Beijing until June 30, 2017

2

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP,IDEANOMICS, INC., ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

INDEX TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 20172018

 

 Page
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets4
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations5
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive LossIncome (Loss)6
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows7
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity8
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements910

 

 3 

 Table of Contents

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016  September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 
         (As adjusted*) 
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
Cash $1,676,756  $3,761,814  $16,030,248  $7,208,037 
Restricted cash  -   369,280 
Accounts receivable, net  42,784,281   9,522,151   105,534,523   26,962,085 
Licensed content, current  883,015   124,319 
Notes receivable  -   1,749,830 
Licensed content  16,958,148   16,958,149 
Inventory  375,693   203,697   216,453   216,453 
Prepaid expenses  370,041   375,944   1,995,538   2,202,728 
Other current assets  2,163,878   3,581,822   3,054,573   2,276,096 
Total current assets  48,253,664   19,319,577   143,789,483   56,192,828 
Property and equipment, net  119,304   4,963,725   258,053   127,275 
Licensed content, non-current  16,075,134   17,593,528 
Intangible assets, net  151,069   453,242   3,124,979   148,874 
Goodwill  -   6,648,911   1,399,646   - 
Long term investments  6,958,411   6,654,664   18,767,510   6,975,511 
Other non-current assets  -   112,643   383,797   - 
Total assets $71,557,582  $55,746,290  $167,723,468  $63,444,488 
LIABILITIES, CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND EQUITY                
Current liabilities:(including amounts of consolidated VIEs without recourse to Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. See note 3)        
Current liabilities:(including amounts of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Ideanomics, Inc. See Note 3)        
Accounts payable $43,128,270  $13,341,680  $33,390,027  $26,829,593 
Deferred revenue  207,112   1,350,054   588,824   222,350 
Accrued interest due to a related party  397,852   557,918   109,808   20,055 
Accrued other expenses  118,833   708,987 
Accrued salaries  684,739   766,957   720,385   737,072 
Payable for purchase of building  -   987,015 
Amounts due to related parties  58,567   1,060,817 
Amount due to related parties  71,908,057   434,030 
Other current liabilities  168,316   934,480   1,906,147   801,560 
Accrued license content fees  -   1,236,661 
Convertible promissory note due to a related party  3,000,000   3,000,000   3,074,197   3,000,000 
Warrant liabilities  -   70,785 
Total current liabilities  47,763,689   24,015,354   111,697,445   32,044,660 
Convertible note, net of debt discount  10,734,949   - 
Deferred tax liabilities  673,706   - 
Other non-current liabilities  -   384,243 
Total liabilities $47,763,689  $24,015,354  $123,106,100  $32,428,903 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)        
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)        
Convertible redeemable preferred stock:                
Series A - 7,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation and deemed liquidation preference of $3,500,000 as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively $1,261,995  $1,261,995 
Series A - 7,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation and deemed liquidation preference of $3,500,000 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively $1,261,995  $1,261,995 
Equity:                
Series E Preferred Stock - $0.001 par value; 16,500,000 shares authorized, Nil and 7,154,997 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference of Nil and $12,521,245 as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively  -   7,155 
Common stock - $0.001 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized, 62,264,494 and 53,918,523 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively  62,264   53,918 
Common stock - $0.001 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized, 77,246,801 and 68,509,090 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively  77,246   68,509 
Additional paid-in capital  145,791,961   152,755,919   190,188,410   158,449,544 
Accumulated deficit  (120,521,733)  (115,669,268)  (145,921,262)  (126,693,022)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (775,512)  (1,353,302)  (239,775)  (782,074)
Total Seven Stars Cloud shareholders’ equity  24,556,980   35,794,422 
Total shareholders’ equity  44,104,619   31,042,957 
Non-controlling interest  (2,025,082)  (5,325,481)  (749,246)  (1,289,367)
Total equity  22,531,898   30,468,941   43,355,373   29,753,590 
Total liabilities, convertible redeemable preferred stock and equity $71,557,582  $55,746,290  $167,723,468  $63,444,488 

*The above consolidated balance sheets present the Shanghai Guang Ming Investment Management Limited (“Guang Ming”), acquired from Tianjin Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Co. Ltd. (“Tianjin”) and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co. Ltd. on April 4 2018 as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

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

4

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
     (As adjusted*)     (As adjusted*) 
Revenue $43,707,937   30,229,255  $362,628,296  $106,724,866 
Cost of revenue from third parties  42,844,876   28,273,863   115,729,433   100,889,004 
Cost of revenue from related parties  -   -   244,110,132   - 
Gross profit  863,061   1,955,392   2,788,731   5,835,862 
                 
Operating expenses:                
Selling, general and administrative expense  4,333,259   3,684,749   16,861,425   8,021,825 
Research and development expense  667,416   400,040   1,393,025   400,040 
Professional fees  1,927,431   839,836   3,280,729   1,888,361 
Depreciation and amortization  291,512   36,952   314,737   294,272 
Impairment of other intangible assets  -   152,847   -   216,468 
Total operating expense  7,219,618   5,114,424   21,849,916   10,820,966 
                 
Loss from operations  (6,356,557)  (3,159,032)  (19,061,185)  (4,985,104)
                 
Interest and other income (expense)                
Interest expense, net  (145,610)  (26,029)  (201,782)  (70,779)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  -   131,357   -   (112,642)
Equity in loss of equity method investees  (13,882)  (23,632)  (44,316)  (100,468)
Other  (925,771)  72,120   (558,271)  (38,480)
Loss before income taxes  (7,441,820)  (3,005,216)  (19,865,554)  (5,307,473)
                 
Income tax expense (benefit)  -   -   -   - 
                 
Net loss  (7,441,820)  (3,005,216)  (19,865,554)  (5,307,473)
                 
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  254,973   (22,723)  637,314   608,910 
                 
Net loss attributable to common shareholders $(7,186,847) $(3,027,939) $(19,228,240) $(4,698,563)
                 
Basic loss per share $(0.10) $(0.05) $(0.27) $(0.08)
Diluted loss per share $(0.10) $(0.05) $(0.27) $(0.08)
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                
Basic  74,063,495   62,146,168   71,574,303   59,594,289 
Diluted  74,063,495   62,146,168   71,574,303   59,594,289 

* The above consolidated statements of operation present Guang Ming, acquired from Tianjin and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd. on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

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

 

 45 

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONSCOMPREHENSIVE LOSS

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
Revenue $30,223,638  $1,626,844  $106,712,428  $4,377,034 
Cost of revenue  28,273,862   893,796   100,888,964   2,609,975 
Gross profit  1,949,776   733,048   5,823,464   1,767,059 
                 
Operating expenses:                
Selling, general and administrative expense  3,630,949   2,320,247   7,771,561   6,294,206 
Research and development expense  400,040   -   400,040   - 
Professional fees  831,039   326,353   1,845,590   964,290 
Depreciation and amortization  36,508   123,502   293,661   344,308 
Impairment of other intangible assets  152,847   172,064   216,468   172,064 
Total operating expense  5,051,383   2,942,166   10,527,320   7,774,868 
                 
Loss from operations  (3,101,607)  (2,209,118)  (4,703,856)  (6,007,809)
                 
Interest and other income (expense)                
Interest expense, net  (27,186)  (24,971)  (72,439)  (225,154)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  131,357   58,220   (112,642)  201,826 
Equity in loss of equity method investees  (23,632)  17,487   (100,468)  (19,862)
Other  (806)  (3,313)  (111,448)  (8,409)
Loss before income taxes  (3,021,874)  (2,161,695)  (5,100,853)  (6,059,408)
                 
Income tax benefit  -   8,612   -   25,836 
                 
Net loss  (3,021,874)  (2,153,083)  (5,100,853)  (6,033,572)
                 
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest  (22,723)  105,879   608,910   261,809 
                 
Net loss attributable to Seven Stars Cloud shareholders $(3,044,597) $(2,047,204) $(4,491,943) $(5,771,763)
                 
Basic loss per share $(0.05) $(0.05) $(0.08) $(0.18)
Diluted loss per share $(0.05) $(0.05) $(0.08) $(0.18)
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                
Basic  62,146,168   41,184,037   59,594,289   31,640,230 
Diluted  62,146,168   41,184,037   59,594,289   31,640,230 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
     (As adjusted*)     (As adjusted*) 
Net loss $(7,441,820) $(3,005,216) $(19,865,554) $(5,307,473)
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of nil tax                
Foreign currency translation adjustments  708,140   57,374   565,315   760,363 
Comprehensive loss  (6,733,680)  (2,947,842)  (19,300,239)  (4,547,110)
                 
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest  243,078   (17,517)  614,298   647,074 
Comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders $(6,490,602) $(2,965,359) $(18,685,941) $(3,900,036)

* The above consolidated statements of comprehensive loss present the Guang Ming, acquired from Tianjin and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co. Ltd on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

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

5

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
Net loss $(3,021,874) $(2,153,083) $(5,100,853) $(6,033,572)
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of nil tax                
Foreign currency translation adjustments  60,557   (67,764)  760,363   (269,274)
Comprehensive loss  (2,961,317)  (2,220,847)  (4,340,490)  (6,302,846)
                 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest  17,517   (100,982)  (647,074)  (240,350)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Seven Stars Cloud shareholders $(2,978,834) $(2,119,865) $(3,693,416) $(6,062,496)

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

 6 

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 2017  September 30, 2016 
       
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(5,100,853) $(6,033,572)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities        
Share-based compensation expense  202,501   286,577 
Provision for doubtful accounts  103,040   366,887 
Depreciation and amortization  293,661   344,308 
Amortization of debt issuance costs  -   122,696 
Income tax benefit  -   (25,836)
Equity in  loss of equity method investees  100,468   19,862 
Loss on disposal of assets  683,195   - 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  112,642   (201,826)
Impairment of long-lived assets  216,468   172,064 
Foreign currency exchange losses  -   3,431 
         
Change in assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  (34,582,490)  (2,890,663)
Inventory  (159,240)  - 
Licensed content  759,698   (639,225)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  3,679,359   (799)
Accounts payable  29,792,542   177,354 
Accrued expenses, salary and other current liabilities  (798,209)  250,856 
Deferred revenue  (1,139,357)  (10,359)
Accrued license content fees  -   112,896 
Net cash used in operating activities  (5,836,575)  (7,945,349)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Acquisition of property and equipment  (46,260)  (3,130,862)
Acquisition of leasehold improvements  -   (455,723)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment  2,450,044   - 
Disposal of subsidiary, net of cash disposed  (8,753)  - 
Cash paid for the acquisition of subsidiaries  (741,433)  (650,000)
Investments in intangibles  -   (2,811,346)
Investment in long term investments  (250,000)  (3,584,025)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  1,403,598   (10,631,956)
         
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from private placement  2,529,344   - 
Repayment of amounts due to related parties  (243,503)  - 
Costs associated with financing activities  -   (294,890)
Proceeds from issuance of warrant and shares  -   18,000,000 
Net cash provided by financing activities  2,285,841   17,705,110 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  62,078   (57,416)
Net increase (decrease) in cash  (2,085,058)  (929,611)
         
Cash at beginning of period  3,761,814   3,768,897 
         
Cash at end of period $1,676,756  $2,839,286 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

        
         
Exchange of Series E Preferred Stock for common stock $7,155  $100 
Issuance of convertible note for licensed content (Note 12) $-  $17,717,847 
Issuance of shares for the settlement of liability $-  $75,000 
Issuance of shares upon conversion of convertible note, including accrued interest and debt issuance cost $-  $17,733,297 
Payment of interest $250,000  $- 
Acquisition of long term investment through transfer of Game IP rights $-  $2,714,441 
Payable for Game IP rights acquired $-  $93,828 
Payable for workforce acquired $-  $121,695 

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 2018  September 30, 2017 
     (As adjusted*) 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(19,865,554) $(5,307,473)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities        
Share-based compensation expense  3,372,447   202,501 
Provision for doubtful accounts  -   103,040 
Depreciation and amortization  314,737   294,272 
Equity in  loss of equity method investees  44,316   100,468 
Loss on disposal of assets  -   683,195 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  -   112,642 
Impairment of intangible assets  -   216,468 
Foreign currency exchange losses  -   (42,891)
         
Change in assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  (78,572,438)  (34,582,490)
Inventory  -   (159,240)
Licensed content  -   759,698 
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (3,332,696)  3,646,384 
Accounts payable  6,560,434   29,792,542 
Amount due to related parties  71,939,834   - 
Accrued expenses, salary and other current liabilities  1,530,544   (867,504)
Deferred revenue  366,474   (1,139,357)
Net cash used in operating activities  (17,641,902)  (6,187,745)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Acquisition of property and equipment  (167,891)  (46,260)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment  -   2,450,044 
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed  -   (8,751)
Cash paid for the acquisition of subsidiaries  (2,840,219)  (26,857)
Investment in long term investments  (2,035,190)  (250,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (5,043,300)  2,118,176 
         
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from convertible note  12,000,000   - 
Repayment of amounts due to related parties  -   (682,364)
Proceeds from issuance of warrant and shares  19,186,771   2,607,974 
Net cash provided by financing activities  31,186,771   1,925,610 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  (48,638)  62,078 
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  8,452,931   (2,081,881)
         
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period  7,577,317   3,761,814 
         
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $16,030,248  $1,679,933 
         

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

        
Cash paid for income tax $-  $- 
Cash paid for interest $-  $- 
         
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:        
Exchange of Series E Preferred Stock for common stock $-  $7,155 

* The above consolidated statements of cash flows present Guang Ming, acquired from Tianjin and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

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

 

 7 

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20162017

 

  Series E
Preferred
Stock
  Series E
Par
Value
  Common
Stock
  Par
Value
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
  Seven Stars Cloud
Shareholders'
Equity
  Non-
controlling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 

Balance,

January 1, 2016

  7,254,997  $7,255   24,249,109  $24,249  $97,512,542  $(86,457,840) $(414,910) $10,671,296  $(2,388,031) $8,283,265 
Share-based compensation  -   -   25,000   25   286,552   -   -   286,577   -   286,577 
Common stock issuance  -   -   9,090,909   9,091   17,268,483   -   -   17,277,574   -   17,277,574 
Warrants issued in connection with common stock issuance  -   -   -   -   722,426   -   -   722,426   -   722,426 
Issuance cost in connection with the issuance of common stock and warrants  -   -   -   -   (411,223)  -   -   (411,223)  -   (411,223)
Common stock issued from conversion of  convertible note  -   -   9,208,860   9,209   17,724,088   -   -   17,733,297   -   17,733,297 
Restricted Shares granted in connection with  acquisition  -   -           121,695   -   -   121,695   -   121,695 
Common stock issued for settlement of liability  -   -   41,780   42   74,958   -   -   75,000   -   75,000 
Common stock issued from series E preferred stock  (100,000)  (100)  100,000   100   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (5,771,763)  -   (5,771,763)  (261,809)  (6,033,572)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of nil tax  -   -   -   -   -   -   (290,733)  (290,733)  21,459   (269,274)

Balance, 

September 30, 2016

  7,154,997  $7,155   42,715,658  $42,716  $133,299,521  $(92,229,603) $(705,643) $40,414,146  $(2,628,381) $37,785,765 
  

Series E

Preferred

Stock

  

Series E

Par

Value

  

Common

Stock

  

Par

Value

  

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

  

Accumulated

Deficit

  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

  

Shareholders'

Equity

  

Non-

controlling

Interest

  

Total

Equity

 
Balance, January 1, 2017 (As adjusted*)  7,154,997  $7,155   53,918,523  $53,918  $152,792,855  $(115,829,451) $(1,371,498) $35,652,979  $(5,325,481) $30,327,498 
Share-based compensation  -   -   -   -   202,501   -   -   202,501   -   202,501 
Common stock issuance  -   -   727,273   727   1,999,273   -   -   2,000,000   -   2,000,000 
Common stock issuance for RSU vested  -   -   111,465   111   (111)  -   -   -   -   - 
Common stock issuance for option exercised  -   -   41,131   41   39,862   -   -   39,903   -   39,903 
Common stock issued for warrant exercised  -   -   311,105   311   681,916   -   -   682,227   -   682,227 
Common stock issued from conversion of series E preferred stock  (7,154,997)  (7,155)  7,154,997   7,155   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Disposal of Zhong Hai Shi Xun  -   -   -   -   (9,887,398)  (360,521)  (220,737)  (10,468,656)  3,947,473   (6,521,183)
Acquisition of Guang Ming                  78,630           78,630       78,630 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (4,698,563)  -   (4,698,563)  (608,910)  (5,307,473)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of nil tax  -   -   -   -   -   -   787,372   787,372   (27,009)  760,363 
Balance, September 30, 2017 (As adjusted*)  -  $-   62,264,494  $62,263  $145,907,528  $(120,888,535) $(804,863) $24,276,393  $(2,013,927) $22,262,466 

 

* The above consolidated statements of equity present Guang Ming, acquired from Tianjin and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd. on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

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

 

 8 

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 

 

  Series E
Preferred
Stock
  Series E
Par
Value
  Common
Stock
  Par
Value
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Seven Stars Cloud
Shareholders'
Equity
  Non-
controlling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 

Balance,

January 1, 2017

  7,154,997  $7,155   53,918,523  $53,918  $152,755,919  $(115,669,268) $(1,353,302) $35,794,422  $(5,325,481) $30,468,941 
Share-based compensation  -   -   -   -   202,501   -   -   202,501   -   202,501 
Common stock issuance  -   -   727,273   727   1,999,273   -   -   2,000,000   -   2,000,000 
Common stock issuance for RSU vested  -   -   111,465   112   (112)  -   -   -   -   - 
Common stock issuance for option exercised  -   -   41,131   41   39,862   -   -   39,903   -   39,903 
Common stock issued for warrant exercised  -   -   311,105   311   681,916   -   -   682,227   -   682,227 
Common stock issued from conversion of series E preferred stock  (7,154,997)  (7,155)  7,154,997   7,155   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Disposal of Zhong Hai Shi Xun  -   -   -   -   (9,887,398)  (360,522)  (220,737)  (10,468,657)  3,947,473   (6,521,184)
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (4,491,943)  -   (4,491,943)  (608,910)  (5,100,853)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of nil tax  -   -   -   -   -   -   798,527   798,527   (38,164)  760,363 

Balance, 

September 30, 2017

  -  $-   62,264,494  $62,264  $145,791,961  $(120,521,733) $(775,512) $24,556,980  $(2,025,082) $22,531,898 

  Common
Stock
  Par
Value
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Shareholders'
Equity
  Non-
controlling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 

Balance, January 1, 2018 (As adjusted*)

  68,509,090  $68,509  $158,449,544  $(126,693,022) $(782,074) $31,042,957  $(1,289,367) $29,753,590 
Share-based compensation          3,372,447           3,372,447       3,372,447 
Investment from GTD and SSS          11,188,502           11,188,502       11,188,502 
Common stock issuance for RSU vested  1,240,707   1,241   (1,241)          -       - 
Common stock issuance for option exercised  82,797   82   2,550           2,632       2,632 
Common stock issued for warrant exercised  643,714   644   1,125,856           1,126,500       1,126,500 
Common stock issuance for acquisition of BDCG  3,000,000   3,000   7,797,000           7,800,000   -   7,800,000 
Common stock issuance for Star Thrive Group Limited  3,770,493   3,770   6,869,138           6,872,908       6,872,908 
Conversion feature of convertible note          1,384,614           1,384,614       1,384,614 
Acquisition of Grapevine                          1,154,419   1,154,419 
Net loss              (19,228,240)      (19,228,240)  (637,314)  (19,865,554)
Foreign currency translation adjustments                  542,299   542,299   23,016   565,315 

Balance,  September 30, 2018

  77,246,801  $77,246  $190,188,410  $(145,921,262) $(239,775) $44,104,619  $(749,246) $43,355,373 

 

* The above consolidated statements of equity present Guang Ming, acquired from and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd, on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

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

 

 9 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.Organization and Principal Activities

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDEX), formerly known as Wecast Network,Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., is a Nevada corporation that primarily operates in China (“PRC”) through its subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.,The Company, its subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs are collectively referred to as Seven Stars CloudIdeanomics (“SSC”Ideanomics”, “we”, “us”, or “the Company”).

 

In the Company’s video on demand (“VOD”) business, the Company provides premium content and integrated value-added service solutions for the delivery of VOD and paid video programing to digital cable providers, Internet protocol television (“IPTV”) providers, over-the-top (“OTT”) streaming providers, mobile manufacturers and operators, as well as direct customers. The Company historically has offered these products under the business name “YOU On Demand” and refers to these operations as the legacy YOD business.

SSC is aimingStarting in early 2017, while continuing to support the legacy YOD business, Ideanomics began transitioning its business model to become a global leadernext generation financial technology (“fintech”) company through several acquisitions and the establishment of joint ventures, with the intention of offering financing solutions and logistics solutions, each based on the emergence of systems that utilize blockchain and artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies. On the financing solutions side, the Company has been building capabilities both in providing next-generation Artificial-Intelligent (AI) & Fintech Powered, Supply Chain + Digital Finance Solutions. SSC’s innovative model helps businesses enhancebusiness consulting services related to traditional financings, as well as in developing digital asset securitization services via AI and unlockblockchain enabled platforms. On the logistics side, the Company has been building expertise in the traditional commodities trading business, with an initial focus on crude oil trading and consumer electronics trading, with the goal of leveraging such expertise to inform the development of an AI and blockchain enabled logistics platform.

The Company refers to its YOD business as the Legacy YOD segment, and to all our other operations as the Wecast Service segment. Aside from the Legacy YOD segment, only the commodities trading component of the Company’s logistics business is operational and capital value from both the supply chain and real assets. In addition, SSC offers a closed trade ecosystem for buyers and sellers designed to eliminate transactional middlemen and create a more direct and margin-expanding path for principals. There are three engines that drive our business platform: 1. Intelligent Supply Chain Management; 2. Asset Based Securitization and Tokenization Issuance and Trading Platform and 3. Digital Index and Financial Derivatives Issuance and Trading Platform; All three engines are supported by “ABCD” Technology & Infrastructure (A: Artificial IntelligenceI, B: Blockchain, C: Cloud Computing, D: Data). SSC is also leveraging its legacy operations as a premium content Video On Demand (“VOD”) service provider in China.revenue generating.

 

On January 30, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Sun Video SPA”“SVG Purchase Agreement”) with BT Capital Global Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“BT”) and an affiliate of the Company’s Chairman, Bruno Wu, for the purchase by the Company of all of the outstanding capital stock of Sun Video Group Hong Kong Limited.Limited, a Hong Kong company (“Wecast Services”). On January 31, 2017, the Company entered into another Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Wide Angle SPA”) with BT and Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited (“SSMGL”), a Hong Kong company and one of the Company’s largest shareholders, controlled by Mr. Wu, as guarantor, for the purchase by us of 55% of the outstanding capital stock of Wide Angle Group Limited (“Wide Angle”). Details of these two acquisitions are disclosed in Note 4. AfterBy acquiring these two entities, other than the Company’s legacy You On Demand (“YOD”) business, the Company became engaged in consumer electronics and smart supply chain management operations.

 

On June 30,In 2017, the Company entered into another Securities Purchase Agreement (the “BT SPA”) with BT, pursuant to which the issued and outstanding stock that SSCthe Company holds in three separateone loss-generating non-core assets wereasset, was sold to BT in exchange for RMB100 million (approximately $14.75 million at current exchange rates) in a combination of cash and publicly traded stock to be paid to SSC within one year of closing. A minimum of 20% of the total consideration to SSC will be paid in cash (approximately $2.95 million). A portion of the consideration may be paid in the form of publicly traded stock at the discretion of BT, and in that case, the securities will represent a public company affiliated with BT, in an industry related to SSC’s and with an average daily trading value of at least $146,000.zero. The detaildetails of this transaction hashave been disclosed in Note 11.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position as of September 30, 2017,2018, results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, have been made. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 30, 2018 (“2017 (“2016 Annual Report”).

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates (ASU): ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606); ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10) and ASU 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash ASU 2018-02. ASU 2014-09 has no financial impact to our unaudited financial statement, and impact by ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2016-18 has been reflected in our unaudited consolidated statements of cash flow and Note 8 to this unaudited consolidated financial statements.

10

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2.Going Concern and Management’s Plans

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, the Company incurred loss from operations of approximately $4.7$19.1 million and $6.0$5.0 million, respectively, and incurred net loss of $5.1$19.9 million and $6.0$5.3 million, respectively, and cash used in operations was approximately $5.8$17.6 million and $7.9$6.2 million, respectively. Further, the Company had accumulated deficit of approximately $120.5$145.9 million and $115.7$126.7 million as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively, due to recurring losses since the inception of its business.

 

The Company must continue to rely on proceeds from debt and equity issuances to pay for ongoing operating expenses in order to execute its business plan. On March 28, 2016,In May, 2017, the Company completed a common stock financing for $10.0 million. In addition, the Company completed four separate common stock financings with Seven Star Works Co. Ltd. (“SSW”) for $4.0 million on July 19, 2016, with Harvest Alternative Investment Opportunities SPC (“Harvest”) for $4.0 million on August 12, 2016, with Sun Seven Stars Hong Kong Cultural Development Limited (“SSSHK”) for $2.0 million on November 17, 2016 and with certain investors, officers & directors and affiliates in a private placementplacement. In October 2017, the Company completed a common stock financing with Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited for $2.0$10 million. In June 2018, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited for $3.0 million, on May 19, 2017, respectively. and the Company has received $1.1 million as of September 30, 2018 (See Note 9). In July 2018, the Company completed a common stock financing from GT Dollar Pte. Ltd for $10.0 million (See Note 9). In July 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase & Option Agreement with Star Thrive Group Limited for $23.0 million and the Company has received $6.9 million as of September 30, 2018 (See Note 9). In July 2018, the Company completed a convertible note financing with Advantech Capital Investment II Limited for $12.0 million(See Note 9).

Although the Company believes it has the abilitymay attempt to

10

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

raise funds by issuing debt or equity instruments, additional financing may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to the Company or at all or such resources may not be received in a timely manner. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, the Company may be required to scale back or to discontinue certain operations, scale back or discontinue the development of new business lines, reduce headcount, sell assets, file for bankruptcy, reorganize, merge with another entity, or cease operations.

 

These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and, accordingly, do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If the Company is in fact unable to continue as a going concern, the shareholders may lose their entire investment in the Company.

 

3.VIE Structure and Arrangements

 

a)Sinotop VIE structure and arrangement

 

In response toTo comply with PRC laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of companies that provides value-added telecommunication services, the Company provides its services through Sinotop Beijing. The Company has the ability to control Sinotop Beijing through a series of contractual agreements entered into among YOD WFOE,WOFE, YOD Hong Kong, Sinotop Beijing and the legal shareholders of Sinotop Beijing.

 

Prior to January 2016, the Company entered into a series of contractual agreements to give it the ability to control Sinotop Beijing with Zhang Yan, the former legal shareholder of Sinotop Beijing (the spouse of its then-CEO). In January 2016, in connection with the appointment of a new CEO and in accordance with its rights under the contractual agreements, (1) the legal ownership of Sinotop Beijing was transferred from Zhang Yan to Bing Wu, the brother of its current Chairman and Yun Zhu, the former Vice President of Beijing Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Limited (“SSS”), (2) the Company terminated the series of contractual arrangements with Zhang Yan, and (3) the Company entered into new contractual agreements with Bing Wu and Yun Zhu (collectively, the “Former Sinotop VIE Agreements”). In October 2016, in accordance with its rights under contractual agreements, (1) the legal ownership of Sinotop Beijing was transferred from Bing Wu to Mei Chen, the former CFO of the Company, (2) the Company terminated the series of contractual arrangements with Bing Wu, and (3) the Company entered into new contractual agreements with Mei Chen (collectively, the “New Sinotop VIE Agreements”). Although the Former Sinotop VIE Agreements and New Sinotop VIE Agreements resulted in changes to the legal shareholders of Sinotop Beijing, there was no change in the Company’s ability to control Sinotop Beijing or the Company’s rights to 100% of the economic benefits of Sinotop Beijing. The Company was the primary beneficiary of Sinotop Beijing prior to the signing of the Former Sinotop VIE Agreements and New Sinotop VIE Agreements and the Company remained the primary beneficiary of Sinotop Beijing after the signing of the former Sinotop VIE Agreements and the New Sinotop VIE Agreements. Accordingly, the change in legal ownership of Sinotop Beijing did not have any impact to the Company’s consolidation of Sinotop Beijing. The key terms of the New Sinotop VIE Agreements are summarized as follows:

 

Equity Pledge Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement among YOD WFOE,WOFE, Sinotop Beijing, Mei Chen and Yun Zhu (collectively, the “Nominee Shareholders”), the Nominee Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Sinotop Beijing (the “Collateral”) to YOD WFOEWOFE as security for the performance of the obligations of Sinotop Beijing to make all the required technical service fee payments pursuant to the Technical Services Agreement and for performance of the Nominee Shareholders’ obligation under the Call Option Agreement. The terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement expire upon satisfaction of all obligations under the Technical Services Agreement and Call Option Agreement.

 

11

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Call Option Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Call Option Agreement among YOD WFOE,WOFE, Sinotop Beijing and the Nominee Shareholders, the Nominee Shareholders granted an exclusive option to YOD WFOE,WOFE, or its designee, to purchase, at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or any portion of the Nominee Shareholders’ equity in Sinotop Beijing. The exercise price of the option shall be determined by YOD WFOEWOFE at its sole discretion, subject to any restrictions imposed by PRC law. The term of the agreement is until all of the equity interest in Sinotop Beijing held by the Nominee Shareholders are transferred to YOD WFOE,WOFE, or its designee and may not be terminated by any part to the agreement without consent of the other parties.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Pursuant to the Power of Attorney agreements among YOD WFOE,WOFE, Sinotop Beijing and each of the respective Nominee Shareholders, each of the Nominee Shareholders granted YOD WFOEWOFE the irrevocable right, for the maximum period permitted by law, all of its voting rights as shareholders of Sinotop Beijing. The Nominee Shareholders may not transfer any of its equity interest in Sinotop Beijing to any

11

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

party other than YOD WFOE.WOFE. The Power of Attorney agreements may not be terminated except until all of the equity in Sinotop Beijing has been transferred to YOD WFOEWOFE or its designee.

 

Technical Service Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Technical Service Agreement between YOD WFOEWOFE and Sinotop Beijing, YOD WFOEWOFE has the exclusive right to provide technical service, marketing and management consulting service, financial support service and human resource support services to Sinotop Beijing, and Sinotop Beijing is required to take all commercially reasonable efforts to permit and facilitate the provision of the services by YOD WFOE.WOFE. As compensation for providing the services, YOD WFOEWOFE is entitled to receive service fees from Sinotop Beijing equivalent to YOD WFOE’sWOFE’s cost plus 30% of such costs as calculated on accounting policies generally accepted in the PRC. YOD WFOEWOFE and Sinotop Beijing agree to periodically review the service fee and make adjustments as deemed appropriate. The term of the Technical Services Agreement is perpetual, and may only be terminated upon written consent of both parties.

 

Spousal Consent

 

Pursuant to the Spousal Consent, undersigned by the respective spouse of Nominee Shareholders (collectively, the “Spouses”), the Spouses unconditionally and irrevocably agreed to the execution of the Equity Pledge Agreement, Call Option Agreement and Power of Attorney agreement. The Spouses agreed to not make any assertions in connection with the equity interest of Sinotop Beijing and to waived consent on further amendment or termination of the Equity Pledge Agreement, Call Option Agreement and Power of Attorney agreement. The Spouses further pledge to execute all necessary documents and take all necessary actions to ensure appropriate performance under these agreements upon YOD WFOE’sWOFE’s request. In the event the Spouses obtain any equity interests of Sinotop Beijing which are held by the Nominee Shareholders, the Spouses agreed to be bound by the New Sinotop VIE Agreements, including the Technical Services Agreement, and comply with the obligations thereunder, including sign a series of written documents in substantially the same format and content as the New Sinotop VIE Agreements.

 

Letter of Indemnification

 

Pursuant to the Letter of Indemnification among YOD WFOEWOFE and Mei Chen and YOD WFOEWOFE and Yun Zhu, YOD WFOEWOFE agreed to indemnify Nominee Shareholders against any personal, tax or other liabilities incurred in connection with their role in equity transfer to the greatest extent permitted under PRC law. YOD WFOEWOFE further waived and released Nominee Shareholders from any claims arising from, or related to, their role as the legal shareholder of Sinotop Beijing, provided that their actions as a nominee shareholder are taken in good faith and are not opposed to YOD WFOE’sWOFE’s best interests. Conversely, the Nominee Shareholders will not be entitled to dividends or other benefits generated therefrom, or receive any compensation in connection with this arrangement. The Letter of Indemnification will remain valid until either Nominee Shareholders or YOD WFOEWOFE terminates the agreement by giving the other party hereto 60 days’ prior written notice.

 

In addition to the New Sinotop VIE Agreements, the Management Service Agreement between Sinotop Beijing and YOD Hong Kong continued to remain in effect, the key terms of which are as follows:

12

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Management Services Agreement

 

Pursuant to a Management Services Agreement, as of March 9, 2010, YOD Hong Kong has the exclusive right to provide to Sinotop Beijing management, financial and other services related to the operation of Sinotop Beijing’s business, and Sinotop Beijing is required to take all commercially reasonable efforts to permit and facilitate the provision of the services by YOD Hong Kong. As compensation for providing the services, YOD Hong Kong is entitled to receive a fee from Sinotop Beijing, upon demand, equal to 100% of the annual net profits as calculated on accounting policies generally accepted in the PRC of Sinotop Beijing during the term of the Management Services Agreement. YOD Hong Kong may also request ad hoc quarterly payments of the aggregate fee, which payments will be credited against Sinotop Beijing’s future payment obligations.

 

The Management Services Agreement also provides YOD Hong Kong, or its designee, with a right of first refusal to acquire all or any portion of the equity of Sinotop Beijing upon any proposal by the sole shareholder of Sinotop Beijing to transfer such equity. In addition, at the sole discretion of YOD Hong Kong, Sinotop Beijing is obligated to transfer to YOD Hong Kong, or its designee, any part or all of the business, personnel, assets and operations of Sinotop Beijing which may be lawfully conducted, employed, owned or operated by YOD Hong Kong, including:

12

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(a) business opportunities presented to, or available to Sinotop Beijing may be pursued and contracted for in the name of YOD Hong Kong rather than Sinotop Beijing, and at its discretion, YOD Hong Kong may employ the resources of Sinotop Beijing to secure such opportunities;

 

(b) any tangible or intangible property of Sinotop Beijing, any contractual rights, any personnel, and any other items or things of value held by Sinotop Beijing may be transferred to YOD Hong Kong at book value;

 

(c) real property, personal or intangible property, personnel, services, equipment, supplies and any other items useful for the conduct of the business may be obtained by YOD Hong Kong by acquisition, lease, license or otherwise, and made available to Sinotop Beijing on terms to be determined by agreement between YOD Hong Kong and Sinotop Beijing;

 

(d) contracts entered into in the name of Sinotop Beijing may be transferred to YOD Hong Kong, or the work under such contracts may be subcontracted, in whole or in part, to YOD Hong Kong, on terms to be determined by agreement between YOD Hong Kong and Sinotop Beijing; and

 

(e) any changes to, or any expansion or contraction of, the business may be carried out at the sole discretion of YOD Hong Kong, and in the name of and at the expense of, YOD Hong Kong; provided, however, that none of the foregoing may cause or have the effect of terminating (without being substantially replaced under the name of YOD Hong Kong) or adversely affecting any license, permit or regulatory status of Sinotop Beijing.

 

The term of the Management Services Agreement is 20 years, and may not be terminated by Sinotop Beijing, except with the consent of, or a material breach by, YOD Hong Kong.

 

Pursuant to the above contractual agreements, YOD WFOEWOFE can have the assets transferred freely out of Sinotop Beijing without any restrictions. Therefore, YOD WFOEWOFE considers that there is no asset of Sinotop Beijing that can be used only to settle obligations of Sinotop Beijing, except for the registered capital of the entity amounting to RMB10.6 million (approximately $1.6 million) as of September 30, 2017.2018. As Sinotop Beijing is incorporated as limited liability company under PRC Company Law, creditors of this entity do not have recourse to the general credit of other entities of the Company.

 

b)Tianjin Sevenstarflix Network Technology Limited (“SSF”) VIE structure and arrangements

 

In response toTo comply with PRC laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of companies that provides value-added telecommunication services, the Company plans to also provide its services through SSF, which is applying to hold the licenses and approvals to provide digital distribution and Internet content services in the PRC. The Company has the ability to control SSF through a series of contractual agreements, as described below, entered into among YOD WFOE,WOFE, YOD Hong Kong, SSF and the legal shareholders of SSF.

 

On April 5, 2016, YOD WFOEWOFE entered into variable interest entity agreements with SSF and its nominee shareholders pursuant to the Amended Tianjin Agreement dated December 21, 2015 (see Note 12(c)) (the “SSF VIE Agreements”). Lan Yang, holder of 99% equity ownership in SSF and a party to certain of the SSF VIE Agreements, is the spouse of Bruno Zheng Wu, the Company’s Chairman. Yun Zhu, holder of 1% equity ownership in SSF and a party to certain of the SSF VIE Agreements, is the Vice President of SSS.

 

13

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The terms of the SSF VIE Agreements are as follows:

 

Equity Pledge Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement among YOD WFOE,WOFE, Lan Yang and Yun Zhu (the “Nominee Shareholders”), dated April 5, 2016, the Nominee Shareholders pledged all of their capital contribution rights in SSF to YOD WFOEWOFE as security for the performance of the obligations of SSF to make all the required technical service fee payments pursuant to the Technical Services Agreement and for performance of the Nominee Shareholders’ obligation under the Call Option Agreement. The terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement expire upon satisfaction of all obligations under the Technical Services Agreement and Call Option Agreement.

 

Call Option Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Call Option Agreement among YOD WFOE,WOFE, SSF and the Nominee Shareholders, dated April 5, 2016, the Nominee Shareholders granted an exclusive option to YOD WFOE,WOFE, or its designee, to purchase, at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or any portion of the Nominee Shareholders’ equity in SSF. The exercise price of the option shall be

13

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

determined by YOD WFOEWOFE at its sole discretion, subject to any restrictions imposed by PRC law. The term of the agreement is until all of the equity interest in SSF held by the Nominee Shareholders is transferred to YOD WFOE,WOFE, or its designee and may not be terminated by any party to the agreement without consent of the other parties.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Pursuant to the Power of Attorney agreements among YOD WFOE,WOFE, SSF and each of the respective Nominee Shareholders, dated April 5, 2016, each of the Nominee Shareholders granted YOD WFOEWOFE the irrevocable right, for the maximum period permitted by law, to all of its voting rights as shareholders of SSF. The Nominee Shareholders may not transfer any of their equity interest in SSF to any party other than YOD WFOE.WOFE. The Power of Attorney agreements may not be terminated except until all of the equity in SSF has been transferred to YOD WFOEWOFE or its designee.

 

Technical Service Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Technical Service Agreement, dated April 5, 2016, between YOD WFOEWOFE and SSF, YOD WFOEWOFE has the exclusive right to provide technical service, marketing and management consulting service, financial support service and human resource support services to SSF, and SSF is required to take all commercially reasonable efforts to permit and facilitate the provision of the services by YOD WFOE.WOFE. As compensation for providing the services, YOD WFOEWOFE is entitled to receive service fees from SSF equivalent to YOD WFOE’sWOFE’s cost plus 20-30% of such costs as calculated on accounting policies generally accepted in the PRC. YOD WFOEWOFE and SSF agree to periodically review the service fee and make adjustments as deemed appropriate. The term of the Technical Services Agreement is perpetual, and may only be terminated upon written consent of both parties.

 

Spousal Consent

 

Pursuant to the Spousal Consent, dated April 5, 2016, undersigned by the respective spouse of the Nominee Shareholders (collectively, the “Spouses”), the Spouses unconditionally and irrevocably agreed to the execution of the Equity Pledge Agreement, Call Option Agreement and Power of Attorney agreement. The Spouses agreed to not make any assertions in connection with the equity interest of SSF and to waive consent on further amendment or termination of the Equity Pledge Agreement, Call Option Agreement and Power of Attorney agreement. The Spouses further pledge to execute all necessary documents and take all necessary actions to ensure appropriate performance under these agreements upon YOD WFOE’sWOFE’s request. In the event the Spouses obtain any equity interests of SSF which are held by the Nominee Shareholders, the Spouses agreed to be bound by the SSF VIE Agreements, including the Technical Services Agreement, and comply with the obligations thereunder, including sign a series of written documents in substantially the same format and content as the SSF VIE Agreements.

 

Letter of Indemnification

 

Pursuant to the Letter of Indemnification among YOD WFOEWOFE and Lan Yang and YOD WFOEWOFE and Yun Zhu, both dated as of April 5, 2016, YOD WFOEWOFE agreed to indemnify Nominee Shareholders against any personal, tax or other liabilities incurred in connection with their role in equity transfer to the greatest extent permitted under PRC law. YOD WFOEWOFE further waived and released the Nominee Shareholders from any claims arising from, or related to, their role as the legal shareholder of SSF, provided that their actions as a nominee shareholder are taken in good faith and are not opposed to YOD WFOE’sWOFE’s best interests. The Nominee Shareholders will not be entitled to dividends or other benefits generated therefrom, or receive any compensation in connection with this arrangement. The Letter of Indemnification will remain valid until either the Nominee Shareholders or YOD WFOEWOFE terminates the agreement by giving the other party hereto 60 days’ prior written notice.

 

14

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Loan Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Loan Agreement among YOD WFOEWOFE and the Nominee Shareholders, dated April 5, 2016, YOD WFOEWOFE agrees to lend RMB 19.8 million and RMB 0.2RMB0.2 million, respectively, to the Nominee Shareholders for the purpose of establishing SSF and for development of its business. As of December 31, 2016, RMB 27.6September 30, 2018, RMB27.6 million (US $4.2($4.2 million) and RMB nil have been lent to Lan Yang and Yun Zhu, respectively. Lan Yang has contributed all of the RMB 27.6RMB27.6 million (US $4.2($4.2 million) in the form of capital contribution. The loan can only be repaid by a transfer by the Nominee Shareholders of their equity interests in SSF to YOD WFOEWOFE or YOD WFOE’sWOFE’s designated persons, through (i) YOD WFOEWOFE having the right, but not the obligation to at any time purchase, or authorize a designated person to purchase, all or part of the Nominee Shareholders’ equity interests in SSF at such price as YOD WFOEWOFE shall determine (the “Transfer Price”), (ii) all monies received by the Nominee Shareholders through the payment of the Transfer Price being used solely to repay YOD WFOEWOFE for the loans, and (iii) if the Transfer Price exceeds the principal amount of the loans, the amount in excess of the principal amount of the loans being deemed as interest payable on the loans, and to be payable to YOD WFOEWOFE in cash. Otherwise, the

14

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

loans shall be deemed to be interest-free. The term of the Loan Agreement is perpetual, and may only be terminated upon the Nominee Shareholders receiving repayment notice, or upon the occurrence of an event of default under the terms of the agreement. The loan extended to the Nominee Shareholders and the capital of SSF are fully eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Management Services Agreement

 

In addition to the SSF VIE Agreements, the Company’s subsidiary and the parent company of YOD WFOE,WOFE, YOU On Demand (Asia) Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong (“YOD Hong Kong”) entered into a Management Services Agreement with SSF, dated as of April 6, 2016 (the “Management Services Agreement”). Pursuant to a Management Services Agreement, YOD Hong Kong has the exclusive right to provide to SSF management, financial and other services related to the operation of SSF’s business, and SSF is required to take all commercially reasonable efforts to permit and facilitate the provision of the services by YOD Hong Kong. As compensation for providing the services, YOD Hong Kong is entitled to receive a fee from SSF, upon demand, equal to 100% of the annual net profits as calculated on accounting policies generally accepted in the PRC of SSF during the term of the Management Services Agreement. YOD Hong Kong may also request ad hoc quarterly payments of the aggregate fee, which payments will be credited against SSF’s future payment obligations.

 

In addition, at the sole discretion of YOD Hong Kong, SSF is obligated to transfer to YOD Hong Kong, or its designee, any part or all of the business, personnel, assets and operations of SSF which may be lawfully conducted, employed, owned or operated by YOD Hong Kong, including:

 

(a)        business opportunities presented to, or available to SSF may be pursued and contracted for in the name of YOD Hong Kong rather than SSF, and at its discretion, YOD Hong Kong may employ the resources of SSF to secure such opportunities;

 

(b)        any tangible or intangible property of SSF, any contractual rights, any personnel, and any other items or things of value held by SSF may be transferred to YOD Hong Kong at book value;

 

(c)        real property, personal or intangible property, personnel, services, equipment, supplies and any other items useful for the conduct of the business may be obtained by YOD Hong Kong by acquisition, lease, license or otherwise, and made available to SSF on terms to be determined by agreement between YOD Hong Kong and SSF;

 

(d)        contracts entered into in the name of SSF may be transferred to YOD Hong Kong, or the work under such contracts may be subcontracted, in whole or in part, to YOD Hong Kong, on terms to be determined by agreement between YOD Hong Kong and SSF; and

(e)        any changes to, or any expansion or contraction of, the business may be carried out in the exercise of the sole discretion of YOD Hong Kong, and in the name of and at the expense of, YOD Hong Kong;

 

provided, however, that none of the foregoing may cause or have the effect of terminating (without being substantially replaced under the name of YOD Hong Kong) or adversely affecting any license, permit or regulatory status of SSF.

 

15

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The term of the Management Services Agreement is 20 years, and may not be terminated by SSF, except with the consent of, or a material breach by, YOD Hong Kong.

 

Pursuant to the above contractual agreements, YOD WFOEWOFE can have the assets transferred freely out of SSF without any restrictions. Therefore, YOD WFOEWOFE considers that there is no asset of SSF that can be used only to settle obligation of YOD WFOE,WOFE, except for the registered capital of SSF amounting to RMB 50.0RMB50.0 million (approximately $7.5 million), among which RMB 27.6RMB27.6 million (approximately $4.1$4.2 million) has been injected as of September 30, 2017.2018. As SSF is incorporated as limited liability company under PRC Company Law, creditors of this entity do not have recourse to the general credit of other entities of the Company.

 

Financial Information

 

On June 30, 2017, Company entered into BT SPA, under which Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media, which was formerly 80% owned by Sinotop Beijing, was sold to BT. The details of this transaction are disclosed in Note 11.

The following financial information of our VIEs, as applicable for the periods presented, affected the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

15
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2018  2017 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash $1,495   3,898 
Prepaid expenses  1,635   3,604 
Other current assets  1,456   1,537 
Intercompany receivables due from the Company's subsidiaries(i)  2,363,133   2,494,505 
Total current assets  2,367,719   2,503,544 
Long term investments  3,677,927   3,719,467 
Total assets $6,045,646   6,223,011 
         
LIABILITIES        
Current liabilities:        
Other current liabilities $39   41 
Intercompany payables due to the Company's subsidiaries(i)  3,419,561   3,601,454 
Total current liabilities  3,419,600   3,601,495 
Total liabilities $3,419,600   3,601,495 

 Table of Contents

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017 
Revenue $-   794,273 
Net income (loss) $(46,508)  (4,293,469)

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  September 30,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash $4,063  $1,519,125 
Accounts receivable, net  -   1,260,529 
Prepaid expenses  2,156   30,455 
Other current assets  1,503   191,427 
Intercompany receivables due from the Company's subsidiaries(i)  2,439,391   150,725 
Total current assets  2,447,113   3,152,261 
Property and equipment, net  -   196,677 
Intangible assets, net  -   2,570 
Long term investments  3,649,042   3,654,664 
Other non-current assets  -   442,782 
Total assets $6,096,155  $7,448,954 
         
LIABILITIES        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $-  $5,817 
Deferred revenue  -   824,563 
Accrued expenses  -   268,074 
Other current liabilities  40   394,314 
Accrued license content fees  -   1,236,661 
Intercompany payables due to the Company's subsidiaries(i)  3,518,877   14,752,338 
Total current liabilities  3,518,917   17,481,767 
Total liabilities $3,518,917  $17,481,767 

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016 
Revenue $794,273  $4,377,034 
Net loss $(4,293,469) $(1,182,884)

 Nine Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, September 30,  September 30, September 30, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Net cash used in operating activities $(1,661,531) $(3,777,951) $(2,403)  (1,661,531)
Net cash used in investing activities $(43,047) $(3,355,296) $-   (43,047)
Net cash provided by financing activities(i) $189,515  $6,555,377  $-   189,515 

 

(i)Intercompany receivables and payables are eliminated upon consolidation. The intercompany financing activities include the capital injection of $0.2 million to Sinotop Beijing in the nine months period ended September 30, 2017.

 

After theThe decrease in revenue, net income and net cash used in operating activities was mainly due to disposal of Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media as of June 30, 2017, the total assets consisted of receivablesin 2017.

16

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and long term investments. The Company expects that a lower percentage of its total revenue will be generated from its VIEs in the foreseeable future.Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4.Acquisition

(i) Acquisition of SVG and Wide Angle

 

On January 30, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Sun Video SPA”) with BT Capital Global Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“BT”) which is controlled by Company’s Chairman Bruno Wu, for the purchase by SSC of all of the outstanding capital stock of Sun Video Group Hong Kong Limited, a Hong Kong corporation (“SVG”), for an aggregate purchase price of $800,000 and a $50 million Promissory Note (the “SVG Note”) with the principal and interest thereon convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate of $1.50 per share. BT has guaranteed that SVG will achieve certain financial goals within 12 months of the closing. Until receipt of necessary shareholder approvals, the SVG Note is not convertible into shares of our common stock, but once the necessary shareholder approval is received, the unpaid principal and interest thereon will automatically convert. Under the terms of the Sun Video SPA, BT has guaranteed that the business of SVG and its subsidiaries (the “Sun Video Business”) shall achieve revenue of $250 million and $15 million of gross profit (collectively the “Performance Guarantees”) within 12 months of the closing. If the Sun Video Business fails to meet either of the Performance Guarantees within such time, BT shall forfeit back to the Company the shares of the Company’s common stock or the SVG Note, on a pro rata basis based on the Performance Guarantee for which the Sun Video Business achieves the lowest percentage of the respective amount guaranteed.

 

16

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In addition, if the Sun Video Business achieves more than $50 million in cumulative net income within 3 years of closing, (the “Net Income Threshold”), the Company shall pay BT 50% of the amount of any cumulative net income above the Net Income Threshold. Profit share payments shall be made on an annual basis, in either cash or stock at the discretion of our Board of Directors. If the Board decides to make the payment in stock, the number of our shares of common stock to be awarded shall be calculated based on the market price of such shares.

 

After the acquisition of SVG, the Company changed its name to Wecast Services Group Limited, and is therefore also referred to herein as Wecast Services.

 

On January 31, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Wide Angle SPA”) with BT and Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSS”SSSMGL”), one of the Company’s largest shareholders, controlled by our Chairman Bruno Wu, as guarantor, for the purchase by the Company of 55% of the outstanding capital stock of Wide Angle for the sole consideration of the Company adding Wide Angle to the Sun Video Business acquired by the Company under the Sun Video SPASVG Purchase Agreement and thereby including 100% of the revenue and gross profit from Wide Angle in the calculation of the SVG Performance Guarantees set forth in the Sun Video SPA considering the Company has consolidated Wide Angle.

 

Since the Company, Wecast Services and Wide Angle were controlled by our Chairman Bruno Wu since November 10, 2016, as well as both before and after the acquisition, this transaction was accounted for as a business combination between entities under common control by Mr. Wu. Therefore, in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50, the consolidated financial statements of the Company include the acquired assets and liabilities of the SVG and Wide Angle at their historical carrying amounts. In addition, the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 have been prepared as if the Wecast Services and Wide Angle had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 presented and the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 has been retrospectively adjusted accordingly.

As of September 30, 2017,2018, the Company recorded the $50$24.3 million SVG Note as additional paid in capital, as the Company believes that the Performance Guarantees can be met within 12 months of the closing. Considering the proceeds transferred were larger than carrying amounts of the net assets received, such $50$24.3 million was then recognized as a reduction to the Company’s additional paid in capital. The Company has not begun accruing any reserves relating to potential Net Income Threshold earnout payments, since the Sun Video Business is currently not close to exceeding this threshold.

 

(ii) Acquisition of BBD Digital Capital Group Ltd.

On December 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “BDCG Purchase Agreement”) with Tiger Sports Media Limited, a Hong Kong limited liability company (“Tiger”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase Tiger’s 20% equity ownership in BBD Digital Capital Group Ltd. (“BDCG”), a New York corporation. The Company will purchase the 20% equity from Tiger for a total purchase price of $9.8 million (the “Transaction”), which consists of $2 million in cash and $7.8 million paid in the form of the Company’s capital stock (valued at $2.60 per share and equal to 3 million shares of the Company’s common stock). The valuation report was received post-signing of the BDCG Purchase Agreement with both parties agreeing that there is no obligation to close the Transaction until a satisfactory valuation report has been received, evaluated and approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. On April 24, 2018, the Audit Committee approved the satisfactory valuation report provided by an independent third party and closed this transaction. The Company paid the $2 million in cash upon the execution of the BDCG Purchase Agreement and issued the 3 million shares of Company common stock upon the closing of the Transaction. According to the BDCG Joint Venture Agreement, Board actions shall only be valid with more than 2/3 of the directors’ approval. As the Company is only able to assign 3 directors of the 5 in the Board, it is concluded that the Company does not have control in BDCG and should use an equity method to record the investment in BDCG. After such acquisition, the Company owns 60% of BDCG. It will be consolidated once the Company changes BDCG’s article of incorporation (or that joint venture agreement), pursuant to GAAP.

(iii) Acquisition of Shanghai GuangMing

On December 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “GuangMing Purchase Agreement”) with Tianjin Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Co. Ltd, a PRC limited liability company (“Tianjin SSCD”) and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company (“Beijing Nanbei”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase Tianjin SSCD’s 80% equity ownership in Shanghai GuangMing Investment Management (“Shanghai GuangMing”), a PRC limited liability company, and Beijing Nanbei’s 20% equity ownership in Shanghai GuangMing. SSC will purchase the 100% equity for a total purchase price of $0.36 million (the “Transaction”). The fairness opinion report, which is delivered by Deloitte & Touche Financial Advisory Services Limited, has been received, evaluated and approved by the Company’s Audit Committee in April, 2018.

17

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(iv) Acquisition of Grapevine

On July 18, 2018, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with GLI Acquisition Corp. (the “Merger”), a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger Sub”), and Grapevine Logic, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GLI”), and Mr. Grant Deken, as the representative of the holders of capital stock of GLI, pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire 65.65% share of GLI for an aggregate cash payment of $2.4 million to the holders of capital stock of GLI.

On September 4, 2018, the Company have completed the acquisition of 65.65% share of GLT. The Company has preliminarily recorded $1.4 million of Goodwill, $2.9 million of Intangible Assets and $0.7 million of deferred tax liabilities based on the estimated fair values. The preliminary fair value estimates for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for our acquisitions were based upon preliminary calculations and our estimates and assumptions for each of these acquisitions are subject to change as we obtain additional information for our estimates during the respective measurement periods (up to one year from the respective acquisition dates).The Company has included the financial results of GLI in our consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Fomalhaut Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company (“Fomalhaut”), was an equity holder of 34.35% in GLI (the “Fomalhaut Interest”) prior to the merger and remains so following the merger. Fomalhaut will not receive any part of the Purchase Price. Fomalhaut entered into a Stock Option Agreement, effective as of August 31, 2018 (the “Option Agreement”), with the Company pursuant to which the Company provided Fomalhaut with the option to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company. The aggregate sale price for the Fomalhaut Interest is the fair market value of the Fomalhaut Interest as of the close of business on the date preceding the date upon which the right to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company is exercised by Fomalhaut. If the option is exercised, the sale price for the Fomalhaut Interest is payable in a combination of 1/3 cash and 2/3 Company shares of common stock at the then market value. The exercise period for the Option Agreement terminates on August 31, 2021.

(v) Acquisition of Fintalk

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into an Intellectual Property and Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the “SSIL Agreement”) with Sun Seven Star International Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSIL”) and an affiliate of Mr. Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Co- CEO, pursuant to which SSIL sold the assets of FinTalk to the Company in exchange for $1.0 million promissory note (the “Note”) and shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of $6.0 million. The Company shall repay the Note in 12 equal monthly installments commencing on October 7, 2018 at an interest rate of 2.51% per annum. The principal amount of the Note shall become due and payable in the event of a default pursuant to the Note. The transaction has not been completed as of September 30, 2018.

5.Accounts Receivable, Net

 

Accounts receivable consists of the following:

 

 September 30, December 31,  September 30, December 31, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Accounts receivable, gross: $42,787,928  $12,350,947 
Accounts receivable $105,538,117   26,965,731 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts  (3,647)  (2,828,796)  (3,594)  (3,646)
Accounts receivable, net $42,784,281  $9,522,151  $105,534,523   26,962,085 

 

The movement of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

 

 September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2016
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017
 
Balance at the beginning of the period $(2,828,796) $(3,672) $(3,646)  (2,828,796)
Additions charged to bad debt expense  (103,040)  (2,825,124)  -   (145,512)
Write-off of bad debt allowance  47,378   -   52   89,851 
Disposal of Zhong Hai Shi Xun  2,880,811   -   -   2,880,811 
Balance at the end of the period $(3,647) $(2,828,796) $(3,594)  (3,646)

18

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

6.Property and Equipment, Net

 

The following is a breakdown of the Company’s property and equipment:

 

17
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2018  2017 
Furniture and office equipment $312,829   308,383 
Vehicle  143,249   147,922 
Leasehold improvements  163,311   8,058 
Total property and equipment  619,389   464,363 
Less: accumulated depreciation  (361,336)  (337,088)
Property and Equipment, net $258,053   127,275 

 Table of Contents

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  September 30,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Furniture and office equipment $296,161  $1,063,481 
Vehicle  146,466   267,023 
Office Building  -   3,948,058 
Leasehold improvements  -   939,844 
Total property and equipment  442,627   6,218,406 
Less: accumulated depreciation  (323,323)  (1,254,681)
Property and Equipment, net $119,304  $4,963,725 

The Company recorded depreciation expense of approximately $8,508$14,820 and $32,941 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $8,341 and $209,139 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and $33,000 and $101,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

 

7.Intangible Assets

 

As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company’s amortizing and indefinite lived intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
 Amortizing Intangible Gross
Carrying
  Accumulated  Impairment  Net  Gross
Carrying
  Accumulated  Impairment  Net 
Assets Amount  Amortization  Loss  Balance  Amount  Amortization  Loss  Balance 
                                
Charter/Cooperation agreements (iii) $-  $-  $-  $-  $2,755,821  $(909,257) $(1,846,564) $- 
Software and licenses  211,939   (195,160)  -   16,779   267,991   (241,932)  -   26,059 
Patent and trademark (iv)  92,965   (39,943)  (53,022)  -   92,965   (39,943)  -   53,022 
Website and mobile app development (ii)  -   -   -   -   593,193   (421,129)  (172,064)  - 
Workforce (i)  305,694   (152,847)  (152,847)  -   305,694   (76,422)  -   229,272 
Total amortizing intangible assets $610,598  $(387,950) $(205,869) $16,779  $4,015,664  $(1,688,683) $(2,018,628) $308,353 
Indefinite lived intangible assets                                
Website name  134,290   -   -   134,290   134,290   -   -   134,290 
Patent (iv)  10,599   -   (10,599)  -   10,599   -   -   10,599 
Total intangible assets $755,487  $(387,950) $(216,468) $151,069  $4,160,553  $(1,688,683) $(2,018,628) $453,242 

  September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
  Gross
Carrying
  Accumulated  Impairment  Net  Gross
Carrying
  Accumulated  Impairment  Net 
Amortizing Intangible Assets Amount  Amortization  Loss  Balance  Amount  Amortization  Loss  Balance 
Charter/ Cooperation agreements  301,495   (32,303)     269,192   -   -   -   - 
Intangible assets – Content (ii)  2,903,762   (241,980)  -   2,661,782   -   -   -   - 
Software and licenses  238,163   (203,663)  -   34,500   214,210   (199,626)  -   14,584 
Patent and trademark (i)  92,965   (39,943)  (53,022)  -   92,965   (39,943)  (53,022)  - 
Total amortizing intangible assets $3,536,385   (517,889)  (53,022)  2,965,474  $307,175  $(239,569) $(53,022) $14,584 
                                 
Indefinite lived intangible assets                                
Website name  159,505   -   -   159,505   134,290   -   -   134,290 
Patent (i)  10,599   -   (10,599)  -   10,599   -   (10,599)  - 
Total intangible assets $3,706,489   (517,889)  (63,621)  3,124,979  $452,064  $(239,569) $(63,621) $148,874 

 

(i) On April 1, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Changsheng Liu, under which SSC agreed to pay Mr. Changsheng Liu cash consideration of $187,653 and 66,500 shares of restricted shares with a six month restriction period and a fair value of $121,695 in exchange for a workforce of 10 personnel experienced in programing content mobile apps. All 10 personnel entered into three year employment contracts with SSC effective April 1, 2016. The Company also acquired certain laptop and desktop computers with fair value of $3,655. According to the agreement, 30% of the cash consideration is due upon the signing of the agreement, 20% is due 2 months after the signing of the agreement and 50% is due 6 months after the signing of the agreement. All cash consideration has been paid. If any of 3 key staff, as defined, terminated their employment with SSC during the first 12 months of employment, SSC has the right to forfeit the unpaid cash consideration. In addition, Mr. Changsheng Liu would be required to pay a default penalty at minimal of $129,180. SSC has accounted for the transaction as an asset acquisition in which SSC mainly acquired a workforce, which is recognized as an intangible asset at cost. Subsequently, the workforce intangible is amortized over the employment term of three years.

The Company recorded amortization expense related to our amortizing intangible assets of approximately $28,000 and $84,522 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and $90,000 and $243,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 respectively, which included the amortization expense of the workforce acquired as stated above.

In September, 2017, after evaluating the cost and benefit, Company decided to terminate the service contract with this entire team and therefore Company recognize impairement in the amount of $152,847.

(ii) Considering a new mobile app has been developed to be put into market in October 2016, the Company determined that the future cash flows generated from the old mobile app was nil. In accordance with ASC 350,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. The Company estimated the fair value of this intangible asset to be nil as of December 31, 2016. Fair value was determined using unobservable (Level 3) inputs. In June, 2017, this intangible asset has been disposed of along with other net assets in Zhong Hai Shi Xun.

18

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(iii) During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company determined that the Charter/Cooperation agreements will not serve the business or generate future cash flow. As no future cash flows will be generated from the Charter/Cooperation agreements, the Company estimated the fair value of the Charter/Cooperation agreements to be nil as of December 31, 2016. Fair value was determined using unobservable (Level 3) inputs. Impairment loss from Charter/Cooperation agreements of $1,846,000 was recognized in 2016 to write off the entire book value of the Charter/Cooperation agreements. In June, 2017, this intangible asset has been disposed of along with other net assets in Zhong Hai Shi Xun.

(iv) During the second quarter of 2017, the Company determined that one of its subsidiaries in the US willwould not serve the non-corecore business or generate future cash flow. As no future cash flows will be generated from using the patentpatents owned by this subsidiary, the Company estimated the fair value of those patentpatents to be nil as of June 30, 2017. Fair value was determined using unobservable (Level 3) inputs. Impairment loss from patentpatents of $63,621 was recognized in 2017 to write off the entire book value of the patent.patents.

(ii) During the third quarter of 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of 65.65% share of GLT, and preliminarily recorded $1.4 million of Goodwill, $2.9 million of intangible assets and $0.7 million of deferred tax based on the estimated fair values (Note 4)

 

The following table outlines the amortization expense for the next three years and thereafter:following years:

 

 Amortization to be  Amortization to be 
Years ending December 31, Recognized  Recognized 
2017 (3 months) $2,517 
2018  10,067 
2018 (3 months) $760,680 
2019  4,195   2,076,117 
2020  114,677 
2021 and thereafter  14,000 
Total amortization to be recognized $16,779  $2,965,474 

 

19

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8.Long Term Investments

Cost method investments

 

Cost methodEquity investments without readily determinable fair values

Equity investments without readily determinable fair values as of the period ended September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 are as follow:

 

 September 30, December 31, 
 2017  2016  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017
 
Topsgame (i) $3,291,600  $3,156,985  $3,365,969  $3,365,969 
Frequency (ii)  3,000,000   3,000,000   3,000,000   3,000,000 
DBOT (iii)  250,000    -   250,000   250,000 
Liberty (iv)  1,011,916   - 
Asia Times (v)  1,023,274   - 
Total $6,541,600  $6,156,985  $8,651,159  $6,615,969 

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10). Under the new ASC, entities no longer use the cost method of accounting as it was applied before, but it can elect a measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for the practical expedient in ASC 820 to estimate fair value using the NAV per share. After management’s assessment of each of these three equity investments, management concluded that these three investments should be accounted for using measurement alternative. Under the alternative, the Company measures these investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer, and the Company has to make a separate election to use the alternative for each eligible investment and has to apply the alternative consistently from period to period until the investment’s fair value becomes readily determinable. ASU further requires that the Company should use prospective method for all equity investments without readily determinable fair values.

 

(i)Investment in Topsgame

 

On April 13, 2016, SSF entered into a Game Right Assignment Agreement with SSS for the acquisition of certain game IP rights (“Game IP Rights”) for approximately $2.7 million (RMB18 million) in cash. On April 15, 2016, SSF entered into a Capital Increase Agreement with Nanjing Tops Game Co., Ltd. (“Topsgame”) and its shareholders whereby SSF transferred the Game IP Rights acquired from SSS to Topsgame in exchange for 13% of Topsgame’s equity ownership. Topsgame is a PRC company that specializes in the independent development and operation of online, stand-alone and other games as well as the distribution of domestic and overseas games. The Company’s 13% ownership interest does not provide the Company with the right to nor does the Company have representation on the board of directors of Topsgame.

 

The Company has recognized the cost of the investment in Topsgame, which is a private company with no readily determinable fair value, based on the acquisition cost of Game IP Rights of approximately $2.7 million and accounts for the investment by the cost method.

 

On September 14, 2016, SSF increased its investment in Topsgame by RMB3,900,000 (approximately $584,000) and maintained its 13% equity ownership of Topsgame. The investment continued to be accounted for using the cost method.as equity investments without readily determinable fair values.

 

On June 30, 2017, theThe Company entered into the BT SPA, pursuantexpects to which, Topsgame has been agreedsell its investment interest in Topgame and other owned IP and its investment interest in Frequency (discussed in Note 8 (ii)) to be sold to BT in the consideration of the fair value of Topsgame which approximates to its carrying book value (appraised by an independent third party). However, consideringparty with consideration greater than its net book value in 2018. The Company has signed a letter of intent with this third party and management believes it will close this transaction in 2018 on the payment term is in one year, its collectability is uncertain and required legal transfer process wasbasis of a valuation report provided by a qualified independent valuation firm. Accordingly, the Company did not completedmake any impairment to either of these long-lived assets as of September 30, 2017, Company did not account for this transaction as of September 30, 2017.

19

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2018.

 

(ii)Investment in Frequency

 

In April 2016, the Company and Frequency Networks Inc. (“Frequency”) entered into a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) for the purchase of 8,566,271 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Frequency (the “Frequency Preferred Stock”) for a total purchase price of $3 million. The 8,566,271 Series A Preferred Stock represent 9% ownership and voting interest on an as converted basis and does not provide the Company with the right to nor does the Company have representation on the board of directors of Frequency.

20

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Frequency Preferred Stock is entitled to non-cumulative dividends at the rate of $0.02548 per share per annum, declared at the discretion of Frequency’s board of directors. The Frequency Preferred Stock is also convertible into shares of Frequency common stock at the Company’s election any time after issuance on a 1:1 basis, subject to certain adjustment. Each share of Frequency Preferred Stock also has a liquidation preference of $0.42467 per share, plus any declared but unpaid dividends.

 

The Company has recognized the cost of the investment in Frequency, which is a private company with no readily determinable fair value, at its cost of $3 million and accounts for the investment by the cost method.

 

There were no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of our cost method investments, accordingly the fair value of our cost method investments are not estimated.this investment.

 

(iii)Investment in DBOT

 

In August, 2017, the Company madesubscribed for a strategic investment of US$250,000 in the Delaware Board of Trade Holdings, Inc. (“DBOT”) to acquire 187,970 common shares. DBOT is a FINRA member firm, and filed an approved and licensed FINRA- and SEC-regulated electronic trading platform withinitial operations in Delaware. Onereport on Form ATS to give notice of DBOT ATS’s operations. DBOT is powered through the blockchain technology from one of our subsidiaries is powered by DBOT’s platform, trading system and technology.strategic licensing partners. The Company accounts for thisthe investment using the cost method,in DBOT as equity investments without readily determinable fair values, as the Company owns less than 4% of the common shares and the Company has no significant influence over DBOT.

On December 18, 2017, January 12, 2018 and February 28, 2018, the Company entered into three stock purchase agreements with certain existing DBOT shareholders to acquire their owned shares of common stock of DBOT in an aggregate amount of 3,543,546 shares. To acquire those shares, the Company agreed to issue the aggregate amount of 2,267,869 shares of the Company’s common stock. The transaction closed in October 2018. Together with shares acquired in 2017, the Company owns 28% of the common shares and will account for the investment using equity method starting from October 2018.

(iv)Investment in Liberty

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited (“Sun”), an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the then Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company, pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase from Sun and other persons for whom Sun acted as seller-representative:

an aggregate of 8,583,034 shares of common stock of Liberty Biopharma, an entity listed on the TSX venture exchange (“Liberty”), at fair market value, in consideration for Company common stock of equivalent value; and

an aggregate of 3,240,433 additional shares of Liberty, subject to the sellers receiving those shares from Liberty as award of performance shares if and when certain performance and vesting conditions set out in an agreement among Sun, Liberty and the sellers are achieved, in consideration for Company common stock of equivalent value. These Liberty shares represent 50% of performance based Liberty shares to which the sellers are entitled. In the event the performance criteria are not met, the Liberty performance shares will not be issued to the sellers and thus the purchase of these performance shares by the Company will not close.

The Company shares to be issued to the sellers in consideration for the Liberty shares are valued at fair market value on the date of each closing. As of September 30, 2018 this transaction was not completed, the Company had not received any shares from Liberty, nor had the Company issued any shares to the sellers.

On September 28, 2018, the Company signed the Subscription Agreement with Liberty to purchase 1,173,333 common shares for $2.0 million.  The Company paid $1.0 million of the purchase price as of September 30, 2018.  As of September 30, 2018, this subscription transaction has not yet closed and the Company has not received the shares from Liberty.

(v)Investment in Asia Times

On September 12 2018, the Company announced a 50/50 Joint Venture (JV) with Asia Times Holdings, to be named Asia Times Financial Limited. JV will be providing next generation financial information service by AI-enabled financial data analytics and end-to-end encrypted messaging system that will work alongside blockchain-based financial services. As part of the deal, the Company will take a 10% stake in Asia Times Holdings for $4.0 million cash investment and Asia Times Holdings agreed to contribute $1.0 million of the $4.0 investment to the JV. The Purchase Price is payable in 4 tranches of $1,000,000 payable on September 21, 2018, October 15, 2018, November 15, 2018 and December 15, 2018, respectively. The Company paid the first $1.0 million payment prior to September 30, 2018. No shares from Asia Times have been issued as of September 30, 2018.

21

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Equity method investments

 

Equity method investment movement for the nine months ended on September 30, 20172018 is as follow:

 

   September 30, 2017    September 30, 2018 
   December 31,
2016
 Capital increase Loss on
investment
 Impairment loss Foreign currency
translation adjustments
 September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2017
 Addition Loss on
 investment
 Foreign currency
translation adjustments
 September 30,
2018
 
Wecast Internet (i)  132,782   -   (77,210)  -   3,797   59,369  (i)  6,044   -   (1,652)  1   4,393 
Hua Cheng (ii)  364,897   -   (23,258)  -   15,803   357,442  (ii)  353,498   -   (42,664)  1,124   311,958 
Shandong Media (iii)  -   -   -   -   -   -  (iii)  -   -   -   -   - 
BDCG (iv)  -   9,800,000   -   -   9,800,000 
Total   $497,679   -  $(100,468)  -  $19,600  $416,811    $359,542   9,800,000   (44,316)  1,125   10,116,351 

 

(i)Investment in Wecast Internet

 

In October 2016, the Company’s subsidiary, YOU On Demand (Asia) Ltd., invested RMB1,000,000 (approximately $149,750) in Wecast Internet Limited (“Wecast Internet”) and held its 50% equity ownership. In 2017, Wecast Internet closed its 100% owned subsidiary and the Company received $35,612 from its previous capital investment, and expects to receive the remaining investment from Wecast Internet in 2018.

 

(ii)Investment in Hua Cheng

 

As of the period ended September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company held 39% equity ownership in Hua Cheng, and accounted for the investment by the equity method.

 

(iii)Investment in Shandong Media

 

As of the period ended September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company held 30% equity ownership in Shandong Media, and accounts for the investment by the equity method. The investment was fully impaired as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.

20(iv)Investment in BDCG

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its SubsidiariesSeptember 30, 2018 and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2017, the Company held 60% and 20% equity ownership in BDCG respectively, and accounts for the investment by the equity method, as indicated in Note 4.

 

9.Stockholders’ Equity

On July 6, 2016, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SSW SPA”) with Seven Stars Works Co., Ltd., a Korea company (“SSW”) and an affiliate of SSS. Pursuant to the terms of the SSW SPA, the Company has agreed to sell and issue 2,272,727 shares of the Company’s common stock for $1.76 per share, or a total purchase price of $4.0 million to SSW. A total of $4.0 million was received and 2,272,727 shares were issued on July 19, 2016.

On August 11, 2016, the Company entered into Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Harvest SPA”) with Harvest Alternative Investment Opportunities SPC (“Harvest”), a Cayman Islands company. Pursuant to the terms of the Harvest SPA, the Company has agreed to sell and issue 2,272,727 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $1.76 per share, or a total purchase price of $4.0 million to Harvest. A total of $4.0 million was received and 2,272,727 shares were issued on August 12, 2016.

On November 11, 2016, the Company entered into Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SSSHKCD SPA”) with Sun Seven Stars Hong Kong Cultural Development Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSSHKCD”) and an affiliate of SSS. Pursuant to the terms of the SSSHKCD SPA, the Company has agreed to sell and issue 1,136,365 shares of the Company’s common stock for $1.76 per share, or a total purchase price of $2.0 million to SSSHKCD. A total of $2.0 million was received and 1,136,365 shares were issued on November 17, 2016.

As described in Note 12, the Company and SSS entered into a series of agreements, including an agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue 4,545,455 shares of the Company's common stock and warrants to acquire an additional 1,818,182 shares (at an exercise price of $2.75 per share) for an aggregate purchase price of $10 million to SSS.

 

On May 19, 2017, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with certain investors, including officers, directors and other affiliates of the Company, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to such investors, in a private placement, an aggregate of 727,273 shares of the common stock of the Company, for $2.75 per share, or a total purchase price of $2.0 million. Investors in the private placement included Lan Yang, the wife of the Company’s Chairman Bruno Wu, and China Telenet Ventures Limited, an entity owned and controlled by Sean Wang, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. As of July 18, 2017, all subscription amounts have been received by the Company.

 

On October 23, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company has agreed to sell and issue 5,494,505 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited for $1.82 per share, or a total purchase price of $10.0 million.

On March 17, 2018, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with GT Dollar Ptd. Ltd. (“GTD”) for a private placement (“GT Financing”) in the total amount of $40.0 million, which consists of issuance of new shares in the amount of $25.1 million and issuance of two promissory notes in the amount of $ 10.0 million and $4.9 million, respectively. The Subscription Agreement was subsequently amended and restated (the “Amended Agreement”) on June 28, 2018 to reduce the amount of such investment to $10.0 million and to terminate the two promissory notes. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company will issue and sell to GTD, an aggregate of 5,494,506 shares of the common stock of the Company, for $1.82 per share, or a total purchase price of $10.0 million. The Company has received $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2018 and the remaining $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2018. The shares have been issued on October 3, 2018.

On June 21, 2018, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation (“SSSIG”), an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Co- CEO, pursuant to which SSSIG purchased $3 million of Common Stock at the then market price. The Company has received $1.1 million as of September 30, 2018 and the remaining $1.9 million on November 9, 2018. No shares have been issued as of as of September 30, 2018.

22

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On July 24, 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase & Option Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Star Thrive Group Limited (“Star”), a British Virgin Islands corporation, pursuant to which Star will purchase 12,568,306 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $23.0 million (the “Investment”). The Investment will be made over 6 separate monthly closings between now and December 31, 2018. The Company also granted to Star a share purchase option (the “Call Option”) pursuant to which the Purchaser may, within 24 months after July 24, 2018, purchase from the Company such number of shares of common stock that would bring Star’s total ownership of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares up to 19.5% on a fully diluted basis, at a price equal to 95% of the weighted average trading price of the common stock within 3 months prior to the exercise date of the Call Option. As of September 30, 2018, the Company has received $6.9 million and 3,770,493 shares have been issued. The fair value of the call option is $8.0 million using the Black-Sholes valuation model using the following assumptions: expected terms 1.81 years; volatility 132.55%; dividend yield: zero and risk free interest rate 2.81%.

10.Convertible Note

On June 28, 2018, the Company entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and a Convertible Bond (the “Bond”) with Advantech Capital Investment II Limited, an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Advantech”), pursuant to which Advantech invested $12 million. Such investment is convertible into common stock, at a conversion price of $1.82. The Bond matures on June 28, 2021 and accrues at an 8% interest rate. the Company records $1.4 million of beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) in the additional paid in capital. The BCF for the Bond is recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital. The intrinsic value is generally calculated at the commitment date as the difference between the conversion price and the fair value of the common stock or other securities into which the security is convertible, multiplied by the number of shares into which the security is convertible. As of September 30, 2018, the carrying amount of the Bond net of the discount related to the beneficial conversion feature is $10.7 million.

11.Fair Value Measurements

 

Accounting standards require the categorization of financial assets and liabilities, based on the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The various levels of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows:

 

·Level 1 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in an active market that we have the ability to access.

 

·Level 2 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

·Level 3 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

 

Accounting standards require the use of observable market data, when available, in making fair value measurements. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The Company reviews the valuation techniques used to determine if the fair value measurements are still appropriate on an annual basis, and evaluate and adjust the unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements based on current market conditions and third party information.

 

Common stock is valued at closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.

 

The fair value of the warrant liabilities was valued using Monte Carlo Simulation method at the year ended December 31, 2016. All the remaining warrant liabilities have been expired as of August 30, 2017. The following assumptions were incorporated:

21

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Monte Carlo
December 31,
2016
Risk-free interest rate0.70%
Expected volatility55%
Expected term0.67 year
Expected dividend yield0%

The following tables present the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016:

  December 31, 2016    
  Fair Value Measurements    
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total Fair Value 
Liabilities            
Warrant liabilities (see Note 13) $-  $-  $70,785  $70,785 

The table below reflects the components effecting the change in fair value for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:

  Level 3 Assets and Liabilities    
  For the Nine  Months Ended September 30 , 2017    
   January 1,     Change in  September 30, 
  2017  Settlements  Fair Value  2017 
Liabilities:            
Warrant liabilities (see Note 13) $70,785  $(183,427) $112,642  $- 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s warrant includes the risk free interest rate, expected volatility, expected term and expected dividend yield. Significant increases or decreases in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly different fair value measurement.

The carrying amount of cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued other expenses, other current liabilities and convertible promissory notenotes as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

11.12.Related Party Transactions

 

(a)$3.0 Million Convertible Note

 

On May 10, 2012, the Executive Chairman and Principal Executive Officer, Mr. Shane McMahon, made a loan to the Company in the amount of $3,000,000.$3.0 million. In consideration for the loan, the Company issued a convertible note to Mr. McMahon in the aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000$3.0 million (the “Note”) at a 4% interest rate computed on the basis of a 365 day year. Upon issuance, the conversion price of the Note was equal to the price per share paid for securities by investors in the most recent financing (as of the date of conversion) of equity or equity-linked securities of the Company.

 

23

Effective on January 31, 2014,

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On November 9, 2017, the Company and Mr. McMahon entered intoBoard of Directors approved Amendment No. 47 to the$3.0 million Note, pursuant to which the Note is at Mr. McMahon’s option, payable on demand or convertible on demand into shares of Series E Preferred Stock of the Company (the “Series E Preferred Stock”) at a conversion price of $1.75, until December 31, 2015. As a result, in 2014, the Company recognized a beneficial conversion feature discount calculated as the difference between the Series E Preferred Stock at its intrinsic value, which was the fair value of the common stock at the commitment date for the Series E Preferred Stock investment and the effective conversion price. As such, we recognized a beneficial conversion feature of approximately $2,126,000 in 2014 which was reflected as interest expense and additional paid-in capital since the note was payable upon demand.

Effective December 30, 2014, the Company and Mr. McMahon entered into Amendment No. 5 pursuant to which the maturity date of the Note was extended to December 31, 2016.2019. The Note remains payable on demand or convertible on demand into shares of Series E Preferred Stockcommon stock at a conversion price of $1.75 at Mr. McMahon’s option.$1.50.

 

On December 31, 2016,For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded interest expense of $30,247 and Mr. McMahon entered into an amendment pursuant$89,753, respectively, related to which the Note will be at Mr. McMahon’s option, payable on demand or convertible on demand into shares of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock, provided that the Note will no longer be convertible into Series E Preferred Stock upon the conversion of the Series E Preferred stock owned by C

22

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Media into the Company’s Common Stock (pursuant to which all Series E Preferred Stock will be automatically converted) but then convertible only into Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50, until December 31, 2018.

Note; For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded interest expense of $30,247 and $89,753, respectively, related to the Note; For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded interest expense of $30,000 and $90,000, respectively, related to the Note. In August, 2017, Company has paid $250,000 interest related to the Note.

(b)Cost of Revenue

Hua Cheng, in which the Company holds 39% of the equity shares, charged the Company licensed content fees of approximately Nil and $55,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, and approximately Nil and $148,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(c)Purchase of Game IP Rights

On April 13, 2016, SSF entered into a Game Right Assignment Agreement with SSS for the acquisition of certain Game IP Rights for cash of $2.7 million (RMB 18 million), which was paid in full in 2016. The Game IP Rights was recorded at cost and then subsequently transferred in exchange for the investment in Topsgame as disclosed in Note 8 above.

(d)Deposit for Investment in MYP

On September 19, 2016, the Company signed a non-binding term sheet with Sun Video Group HK Limited ("SVG") in purchase for its 51% ownership of M.Y. Products, LLC ("MYP"), a video commerce and supply chain management operator, in exchange for $50 million worth of Wecast Network common stock and $800,000 cash.

 

In accordance with the Term Sheet, the Company wired $800,000 (or its RMB equivalent)(b) Asset Disposal to MYP upon signing the term sheet as Good Faith Deposit. The transaction has already been closed, and all of the deposit paid to MYP has been transferred into liability due to BT which is the former shareholder of SVG, and as of September 30, 2017, Company still owed to BT in the amount of $58,567.

(e)Assets Disposal to BT

 

On June 30,November 28, 2017, for strategic reasons, the Company and BT agreed to amend the BT SPA, in which the Company will neither sell the equity of Nanjing Tops Game Co., Ltd, and the equity of the Pantaflix joint venture to BT nor receive the previously agreed upon consideration for such sales. Instead the Company sold to BT 80% of the outstanding capital stock of Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media to streamline the operations of the Company and to eliminate the Company’s exposure to any liabilities and obligations of Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media.

(c) Acquisition of GuangMing

On December 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the BT SPA) with BT, pursuant to which theShanghai Guang Ming Investment Management Limited, a PRC limited liability company (“Guang Ming”), Tianjin Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Co. Ltd. (“Tianjin”) and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co. Ltd. (“BNH”) The Company purchased 100% of Guang Ming’s issued and outstanding stock that SSC holds in three separate non-core assets were sold to BT in exchangeshares for RMB100 million (approximately $14.75 million at current exchange rate) in a combination of cash and publicly traded stock to be paid to SSC within one year of closing. A minimum of 20% of the total consideration to SSC will be paid in cash (approximately $2.95 million). A portion of the consideration may be paid in the form of publicly traded stock at the discretion of BT, and in that case the securities will represent a public company affiliated with BT, in an industry related to SSC’s and with an average daily trading value of at least $146,000.

These three separate non-core assets that sold to BT included 80% equity interest in Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media for zero, 13% equity interest in Nanjing Tops Game and 25% share capital investment right in Pantaflix JV in consideration of RMB100 million. As Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media is the Company’s subsidiary, sale of a subsidiary to a related party under common control would cause the Company to derecognize the net assets transferred at its carrying amounts and recognize no gains or losses. The difference between proceeds received and the carrying amount of the net assets transferred is recognized in additional paid in capital. At the same time, the Goodwill in the amount of $6.6 million has been pushed down to Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media along with the disposal.

Meanwhile, considering the payment term is one year, there is uncertainty with respect to collectability and required legal transfer process of Nanjing Tops Game was not completed, Company did not account for the transaction of disposal of 13% equity interest in Nanjing Tops Game and 25% share capital investment right in Pantaflix JV as of September 30, 2017 until the collectability is reasonably assured.

12.SSS Agreements

On November 23, 2015, the Company entered into a series of agreements for a strategic investment by SSS, a PRC company in the media and entertainment industry that is controlled by the Company’s Chairman, Bruno Wu. The strategic investment by SSS included a private placement of equity securities of the Company, a content licensing agreement, and the potential for Tianjin Enternet Network Technology Limited (“Tianjin Enternet”), an affiliate of SSS, to earn additional shares of the Company’s common stock contingent on

23

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the performance of SSF. SSF intends to provide a branded pay content service, consumer payments and behavior data analysis service, customer management and data-based service and mobile social TV-based customer management service.

On December 21, 2015, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Amended SSS Purchase Agreement”) and a Revised Content License Agreement (the “Revised Content Agreement”) with SSS which amended certain terms of the original agreements dated November 23, 2015. In addition, the Company also entered into an Amended and Restated Share Purchase Agreement (the “Amended Tianjin Agreement”) with Tianjin Enternet.

On July 6, 2016, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Seven Stars Works Co., Ltd., a Korea company (“SSW”) and an affiliate of SSS for the purchase by SSW of 2,272,727 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $1.76 per share, or a total purchase price of $4.0 million.

On November 11, 2016,RMB2.4 million (approximately $363,436). Guang Ming holds a special fund management license. The acquisition will help the Company entered intodevelop a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Sun Seven Stars Hong Kong Cultural Development Limited,fund management platform. The closing of the acquisition is conditioned upon, among other things, Guang Ming, Tianjin and BNH obtaining all of the necessary approvals from the Asset Management Association of China (“AMAC”), a Hong Kong company (“SSSHKCD”)self-regulatory organization that oversees and regulates fund management companies in China. In the event that AMAC does not accept the submission for change of ownership, this agreement shall be rescinded, and the Company shall receive a refund from the sellers of any portion of the purchase price previously paid within 15 days of notice from the Company. This agreement was approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. The closing of the acquisition is also subject to the receipt of a fairness opinion and valuation report satisfactory to the Company, which together conclude that the purchase price of the acquisition is fair from a financial point of view to the Company’s shareholders. The acquisition is deemed to be a related party transaction because Tianjin is an affiliate of SSS. Pursuant toBruno Wu, the terms ofCompany’s Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer. In April 2018, the SPA,fairness opinion was approved by Audit Committee, and the Company has agreed to sellpaid the consideration and issue 1,136,365 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $1.76 per share, or a total purchase price of $2.0 million to SSSHKCD.

(a)Amended SSS Purchase Agreement

On March 28, 2016, pursuant to the Amended SSS Purchase Agreement, the Company sold, and SSS purchased, 4,545,455 shares of the Company’s common stock for a purchase price of $2.20 per share, or an aggregate of $10.0 million. In addition, SSS received a two-year warrant to acquire an additional 1,818,182 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share (the “SSS Warrant”). Until receipt of necessary shareholder approvals, the SSS Warrant may not be exercised to the extent that such exercise would result in SSS and its affiliates beneficially owning more than 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On June 27, 2016, shareholder approval was obtained.closed this acquisition.

 

Since(d) Crude Oil Trading

During the SSS Warrant does not embody any future obligation forfirst nine months of 2018, ten of our crude oil transactions were purchased from three entities of which our minority shareholder has significant influence upon and because this minority shareholder has significant influence on both our Singapore joint venture and these three entities/suppliers, the Company to repurchasereported these ten purchases as related party transaction from accounting perspective and hence recorded this as separate related party costs in its own shares, is indexed to the Company’s own stock, may only be settled by the physical deliveryfinancial statement. Associated amounts payable represents almost 58.3% of shares, and no conditions exist in which net cash settlement could be forced upon the Company by SSS in any other circumstances, the SSS Warrant is considered an equity classified instrument. The proceeds of $10.0 million, net of issuance cost of approximately $411,000, was allocated to common stock and SSS Warrant based on their relative fair value as of March 28, 2016 of approximately $8,227,000 and $673,000, respectively. Accordingly, the Company recorded approximately $725,000 in additional paid-in capital for the SSS Warrant.

(b)Revised Content Agreement

On March 28, 2016, pursuant to the Amended and Restated SSS Purchase Agreement, SSS granted the Company non-exclusive royalty-free distribution rights for certain video content value in exchange for a convertible promissory note (the “SSS Note”). The SSS Note has a stated principal amount of approximately $17,718,000, was originally due to mature on May 21, 2016. On May 12, 2016, the Company and SSS entered into an amendment agreement to extend the maturity date of the SSS Note to July 31, 2016. The SSS Note beard an interest at the rate of 0.56% per annum. Immediately upon the receipt of the required shareholder approval to allow SSS to beneficially own more than 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, which was obtained on June 27, 2016, the SSS Note was converted into 9,208,860 shares of the Company’s common stock.

In connection with the issuance of the SSS Note, the Company recorded debt issuance costs of approximately $131,000 which was to be amortized over the period of the SSS Note’s maturity date, of which approximately $123,000 was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company measured the effective conversion price of the SSS Note using its carrying value on March 28, 2016 and compared it to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on that date. As the effective conversion price of the SSS Note of $1.91 exceeded the fair value of the Company’s common stock of $1.81, no beneficial conversion feature was recognized.

The carrying value of the SSS Note as of June 27, 2016, which included the unamortized issuance costs of $8,000 and, pursuant to the terms of SSS Note, accrued interest expense of $25,000 has been recorded into the common shares issued on June 27, 2016.total liabilities.

 

 24 

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(c)Amended Tianjin Agreement

(e) Acquisition of Grapevine

 

PursuantOn September 4, 2018, the Company have completed the acquisition of 65.65% share of GLT (Note 4). Fomalhaut Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company (“Fomalhaut”), was an equity holder of 34.35% in GLI (the “Fomalhaut Interest”) prior to the Amended Tianjin Agreement dated December 21, 2015, Tianjin Enternet was to contribute 100%merger and remains so following the merger. Fomalhaut will not receive any part of the equity ownershipPurchase Price. Fomalhaut entered into a Stock Option Agreement, effective as of SSF, a newly-formed subsidiary of Tianjin EnternetAugust 31, 2018 (the “Option Agreement”), with the Company pursuant to which the Company provided Fomalhaut with the option to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company. ContingentThe aggregate sale price for the Fomalhaut Interest is the fair market value of the Fomalhaut Interest as of the close of business on the performancedate preceding the date upon which the right to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company is exercised by Fomalhaut. If the option is exercised, the sale price for the Fomalhaut Interest is payable in a combination of SSF, Tianjin Enternet was1/3 cash and 2/3 Company shares of common stock at the then market value. The exercise period for the Option Agreement terminates on August 31, 2021.

(f) Investment in Asia Times

On September 12 2018, the Company announced a 50/50 Joint Venture (JV) with Asia Times Holdings, to receivebe named Asia Times Financial Limited. to take a 10% stake in Asia Times Holdings. (Note 8). As part of the deal, the Company will take a 10% stake in Asia Times Holdings for $4.0 million cash investment and Asia Times Holdings agreed to contribute $1.0 million of the $4.0 investment to the JV. The Purchase Price is payable in 4 tranches. The Company paid the first $1.0 million payment prior to September 30, 2018. Uwe Parpart, the Company’s Chief Strategy Officer, is the Chairman of Asia Times Holdings.

(g) SSSIG Investment

On June 21, 2018, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation (“SSSIG”), an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which SSSIG purchased $3 million of Common Stock at the then market price. The Company has received $1.1 million as of September 30, 2018. No shares have been issued as of as of September 30, 2018.

(h) Acquisition of Fintalk

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into an Intellectual Property and Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the “SSIL Agreement”) with Sun Seven Star International Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSIL”) and an affiliate of Mr. Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Co- CEO, pursuant to which SSIL sold the assets of FinTalk to the Company in exchange for $1.0 million promissory note (the “Note”) and shares of the Company’s common stock over three years, with a fair market value of $6.0 million. The Company shall repay the exact number not exceeding 5.0 millionNote in 12 equal monthly installments commencing on October 7, 2018 at an interest rate of 2.51% per year, provided the earn-out provisions for eachannum. The principal amount of the 2016, 2017Note shall become due and payable in the event of a default pursuant to the Note.” The transaction has not been completed as of September 30, 2018.

(i) Investment in Liberty

On September 7, 2018, annual periods (the “Earn-Outthe Company entered into a Share Award”Purchase Agreement with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited (“Sun”) was achieved. The earn-out provision, an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the then Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company, pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase from Sun and other persons for 2016, 2017whom Sun acted as seller-representative:

an aggregate of 8,583,034 shares of common stock of Liberty Biopharma, an entity listed on the TSX venture exchange (“Liberty”), at fair market value, in consideration for Company common stock of equivalent value; and 2018

an aggregate of 3,240,433 additional shares of Liberty, subject to the sellers receiving those shares from Liberty as award of performance shares if and when certain performance and vesting conditions set out in an agreement among Sun, Liberty and the sellers are either 50.0 million homes/users passed or $4.0 million net income, 100.0 million homes/users passed or $6.0 million net income and 150.0 million homes/users passed or $8.0 million net income, respectively.achieved, in consideration for Company common stock of equivalent value. These Liberty shares represent 50% of performance based Liberty shares to which the sellers are entitled. In the event thatthe performance criteria are not met, the Liberty performance shares will not be issued to the sellers and thus the purchase of these performance shares by the Company will not close.

The Company shares to be issued to the sellers in consideration for the Liberty shares are valued at fair market value on the date of each closing. As of September 30, 2018 this transaction was not completed, the Company had not received any shares from Liberty, nor had the Company issued any shares to the sellers.

On September 28, 2018, the Company signed the Subscription Agreement with Liberty to purchase 1,173,333 common shares for $2.0 million.  The Company paid $1.0 million of the purchase price as of September 30, 2018.  As of September 30, 2018, this subscription transaction has not yet closed and the Company has not obtained the required vote from shareholders to issue the earn-out shares to Tianjin Enternet, the Company was required to issue a promissory note with a principal amount equal to the quotient by multiplying 5.0 million by the applicable stock price defined in the agreement.

On April 5, 2016, in lieu of Tianjin Enternet contributing 100% of the equity ownership of SSF to the Company, YOD WFOE entered into VIE agreements with SSF and its legal shareholders in order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements on certain industries. SSF is 99% owned by Lan Yang, the spouse of Bruno Zheng Wu, the Company’s Chairman, and 1% owned by Yun Zhu, a Vice President of Wecast Network. By virtue of these VIE agreements; YOD WFOE obtained financial controlling interest in SSF, including the power to direct the activities of SSF, and therefore is the primary beneficiary of SSF. As the control of SSF was transferred to YOD WFOE through both the VIE agreements and physical handover of company documents on April 5, 2016, the transaction was determined to be completed on that date.

At the time YOD WFOE obtained control over SSF, SSF had no assets, liabilities, employees or operating activities, nor did it hold any licenses, trade names or other intellectual properties. The Company also did not receive any assets, employees, contracts, sales or distribution systems or intellectual property from Tianjin Enternet in connection with the transaction. Since the acquisition of SSF did not include any input or processes, as defined under ASC 805-10-20, the transaction was not considered a business combination under ASC 805.

The earn-out provision was originally based on either the number of home/user pass or the net income of SSF. While the net income was to be measured based on the operations of SSF, the number of home/user pass is measured based on number of home/user pass of SSF’s distributors. Such earn-out provision is based on an index that is not calculated solely by reference to the operations of SSF, which is not considered indexed to the Company’s own shares. Also the earn-out provisions permit cash settlement if the Company cannot issue the earn-out shares. Therefore, the earn-out provision is classified as a liability and measured initially and subsequently at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings at each reporting periods.

On June 27, 2016, the Company held its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders and received approval from its stockholders to allow SSS to beneficially own more than 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Accordingly, the Earn-Out Share Award became issuable at the time when the earn-out provisions are considered to have been met pursuant to the Amended Tianjin Agreement.

On November 10, 2016, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of SSC held a special meeting. At the recommendation of the Company’s audit committee, the Board determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Company’s shareholders to amend the terms of the Earn-Out Share Award to (1) reduce the total Earn-Out Share Award from 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock to 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock and (2) measure the achievement of the earn-out provisions based on the Companywide achievement of homes passed in lieu of the measurement being measured by SFF’s stand-alone achievement of homes passed. Based on evidence provided to the Board, the requisite thresholds necessary to trigger issuance of all shares of Common Stock subject to the Earn-Out Share Award have been achieved. Accordingly, on November 10, 2016, the Board approved the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock to SSS”) and the shares were issued on November 11, 2016.from Liberty.

The Company recognized the fair value of the Common Stock to SSS of approximately $13,700,000, based on the market price of the Company’s Common Stock, as Earn-out share award expense in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

13.Warrant Liabilities

In connection with our August 30, 2012 private financing, the Company issued 977,063 warrants to investors and the broker. In accordance with ASC 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, the warrants have been accounted as derivative liabilities to be re- measured at the end of every reporting period with the change in fair value reported in the consolidated statement of operations. On August 30, 2012, such warrants were valued at $1,525,000 utilizing a valuation model and were initially recorded as a liability. The fair value of the warrants is remeasured at each reporting period based on the Monte Carlo valuation.

25

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2016, the warrant liability was revalued as disclosed in Note 10, and recorded at its fair value of approximately $70,785.

In 2017, there were 182,534 warrants exercised during nine months ended September 30, 2017, all the remaining 353,716 warrants were expired as of August 30, 2017.

14.Share-Based Payments

 

As of September 30, 2017,2018, the Company had 1,845,0101,706,431 options, 422,08590,586 restricted shares and 3,118,18160,000 warrants outstanding (including the 1,818,182 warrants issued to SSS as disclosed in Note 12 (a) to purchase shares of our common stock.outstanding.

 

The Company awards common stock and stock options to employees and directors as compensation for their services, and accounts for its stock option awards to employees and directors pursuant to the provisions of ASC 718,Stock Compensation. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Merton valuation model. The Company recognizes the fair value of each option as compensation expense ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the service period, which is generally the vesting period.

25

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Total share-based payments expense recorded by the Company during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, and 2016respectively, is as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Employees and directors share-based payments $54,846  $75,000  $202,501  $287,000 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Employees and directors share-based payments $11,530  $54,846  $3,372,447  $202,501 

 

Effective as of December 3, 2010, ourthe Company’s Board of Directors approved the SSCWecast Network, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (“the 2010 Plan”) pursuant to which options or other similar securities may be granted. The maximum aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Plan is 4,000,000 shares. As of September 30, 2017,2018, options available for issuance are 1,415,003132,499 shares.

 

(a)Stock Options

 

Stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 is summarized as follows:

 

        Weighted Average    
        Remaining  Aggregated 
  Options  Weighted Average  Contractual Life  Intrinsic 
  Outstanding  Exercise Price  (Years)  Value 
Outstanding at January 1, 2017  2,101,425  $2.42   4.59  $- 
Granted  170,000   1.57         
Exercised  (78,211)  1.63         
Expired  (45,662)  2.90         
Forfeited  (302,542)  1.50         
Outstanding at September 30, 2017  1,845,010   2.67   4.46   0.39 
Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2017  1,845,010   2.67   4.46   0.39 
Options exercisable at September 30, 2017 (vested)  1,609,196   2.82   3.80   0.36 

On January 4, March 1 and March 16, 2017, 90,000, 45,000 and 35,000 shares stock options, respectively, were issued to certain employees for services provided to us. The fair value of the stock options granted were valued using the Black-Scholes Merton method on the grant date, amounting to $61,200, $45,443 and $36,750, respectively.

        Weighted Average    
        Remaining  Aggregated 
  Options  Weighted Average  Contractual Life  Intrinsic 
  Outstanding  Exercise Price  (Years)  Value 
Outstanding at January 1, 2018  1,853,391  $3.20   2.99   0.02 
Granted  -   -         
Exercised  (110,295)  1.99         
Expired  (36,665)  1.58         
Forfeited  -   -         
Outstanding at September 30, 2018  1,706,431   3.28   4.34   0.86 
Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2018  1,706,431   3.28   4.34   0.86 
Options exercisable at September 30, 2018 (vested)  1,615,598   3.36   4.09   0.80 

 

As of September 30, 2017,2018, approximately $220,777$110,584 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested share options is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.981.67 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 was approximately $319,001 and $56,765 and $12,000,  respectively. 

26

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(b) Warrants

 

In connection with the Company’s financings, the Warner Brother Agreement and the service agreements, the Company issued warrants to service providers to purchase common stock of the Company. The warrants issued to Warner Brother will expire on Jan 31, 2019. The warrants that were issued to SSS has been expired on March 28, 2018.

 

As of September 30, 2017,2018, the weighted average exercise price of the warrants was $2.33$1.75 and the weighted average remaining life was 0.810.59 years. The following table outlines the warrants outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016:2017:

 

  September 30,  December 31,       
  2017  2016       
  Number of  Number of       
  Warrants  Warrants     
Warrants Outstanding Outstanding and
Exercisable
  Outstanding and
Exercisable
  Exercise
Price
  Expiration
Date
 
             
2012 August Financing Warrants  (i)  -   536,250  $1.50   08/30/17 
2013 Broker Warrants (Series D Financing)  100,000   228,571   1.75   07/05/18 
2013 Broker Warrants (Convertible Note)  114,285   114,285   1.75   11/04/18 
2014 Broker Warrants (Series E Financing)  1,085,714   1,085,714   1.75   01/31/19 
2016 Warrants to SSS (Note 12)  1,818,182   1,818,182  $2.75   03/28/18 
   3,118,181   3,783,002         
  September 30,  December 31,      
  2018  2017      
  Number of  Number of      
  Warrants  Warrants  Exercise  Expiration
Warrants Outstanding Outstanding  Outstanding  Price  Date
            
2014 Broker Warrants (Series E Financing)  60,000   703,714  $1.75  01/31/2019
2016 Warrants to SSS  -   1,818,182  $2.75  03/28/2018
   60,000   2,521,896       

 

On September 24, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreements with three executives. As part of their employment agreements, they are entitled to warrants for an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $5.375 per share (the “Exercise Price”), which is a 25% premium to the $4.30 per share closing market price of the Company’s common stock on September 7, 2018, the date upon which the terms of the employment agreements were mutually agreed. The grant date of the Warrants will be the first date that the Company’s common stock trades at or above the Exercise Price (the “Grant Date”) and the Warrants shall vest as follows: (i) 25% will vest 9 months following the Grant Date; (ii) 50% will vest 18 months following the Grant Date; and (iii) 25% will vest 24 months following the Grant Date. The Company has reserved 8,000,000 shares for issuance in connection with these Warrants. The Company’s shares have not traded at or above the Exercise Price and no warrants have been granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. No stock based compensation expense was recognized since the warrants have not been granted as of September 30, 2018.

(i)26The warrants are classified as derivative liabilities as disclosed in Note 13.

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(c) Restricted Shares

 

In January, 2017, the Company granted 35,000 restricted shares to one employee under the “2010 Plan”. The restricted shares have a vesting period of four years with the first one-fourth vesting on the first anniversary from grant date and the remaining three-fourth vesting ratably over twelve quarters. The grant date fair value of the restricted shares was $43,750. As this employee left the Company in February, no expense was recorded.

 

In March and April, 2017, the Company granted 365,000 restricted shares to certain employees under the “2010 Plan”. The restricted shares have a vesting period of four years with the first one-fourth vesting on the first anniversary from grant date and the remaining three-fourth vesting ratably over twelve quarters. The grant date fair value of the restricted shares was $778,200.

 

In November, 2017, the Board of Directors approved 2017 independent board compensation plan, which approved to grant 4,488 restricted shares to each of four then independent directors under the “2010 Plan.” The restricted shares were all vested immediately since commencement date. The aggregated grant date fair value of all those restricted shares was $100,000.

In April and June, 2018, the Company granted 1,342,743 restricted shares to certain employees under the “2010 Plan”. 1,239,743 of the restricted shares were all vested immediately since commencement date. Rest of the shares have a vesting period of two years with the first half vesting on the first anniversary from grant date and the other half vesting on the second anniversary. The grant date fair value of the restricted shares was $3,469,532.

A summary of the restricted shares is as follows:

 

 Shares  Weighted-average 
 fair value
  Shares  Weighted-average
fair value
 
Restricted shares outstanding at January 1, 2017  228,550  $1.75 
Restricted shares outstanding at January 1, 2018  109,586   1.92 
Granted  400,000   2.05   1,342,743   2.58 
Forfeited  (95,000)  1.65   (97,000)  2.26 
Vested  (111,465)  1.73   (1,264,743)  2.56 
Restricted shares outstanding at September 30, 2017  422,085  $2.07 
Restricted shares outstanding at September 30, 2018  90,586   2.46 

 

15.14.LossEarnings (Loss) Per Common Share

 

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(3,044,597) $(2,047,204) $(4,491,943) $(5,771,763)
Basic                
Basic weighted average shares outstanding  62,146,168   41,184,037   59,594,289   31,640,230 
                 
Diluted                
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding  62,146,168   41,184,037   59,594,289   31,640,230 
                 
Net loss per share:                
Basic $(0.05) $(0.05) $(0.08) $(0.18)
Diluted $(0.05) $(0.05) $(0.08) $(0.18)

27
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(7,186,847) $(3,027,939) $(19,228,240) $(4,698,563)
Basic                
Basic weighted average shares outstanding  74,063,495   62,146,168   71,574,303   59,594,289 
                 
Diluted                
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding  74,063,495   62,146,168   71,574,303   59,594,289 
                 
Net loss per share:                
Basic $(0.10) ($0.05) $(0.27) ($0.08)
Diluted $(0.10) ($0.05) $(0.27) ($0.08)

Table of Contents

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Basic lossearnings (loss) per common share attributable to Seven Stars Cloud shareholders is calculated by dividing the net lossearnings (loss) attributable to Seven Stars Cloud shareholders by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the applicable period.

 

Diluted lossearnings (loss) per share is calculated by taking net loss,earnings (loss), divided by the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted lossearnings (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 both equal to basic loss per share for respective periods because the effect of securities convertible into common shares is anti-dilutive.

27

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table includes the number of shares that may be dilutive potential common shares in the future. These shares were not included in the computation of diluted lossearnings (loss) per share because the effect was either antidilutive or the performance condition was not met.

 

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Warrants  3,118,181   3,783,002   3,118,181   3,783,002 
Options  2,267,095   2,151,428   2,267,095   2,151,428 
Series A Preferred Stock  933,333   933,333   933,333   933,333 
Series E Preferred Stock  -   7,154,997   -   7,154,997 
Convertible promissory note and interest  35,598,447   2,015,812   35,598,447   2,015,812 
Total  41,917,056   16,038,572   41,917,056   16,038,572 

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Warrants  60,000   3,118,181   60,000   3,118,181 
Options  1,797,017   2,267,095   1,797,017   2,267,095 
Series A Preferred Stock  933,333   933,333   933,333   933,333 
Convertible note and interest  10,227,507   35,598,447   10,227,507   35,598,447 
Total  13,017,857   41,917,056   13,017,857   41,917,056 

 

16.15.Income Taxes

 

As of September 30, 2017,2018, the Company had approximately $34.4$38.0 million of the U.SUS domestic cumulative tax loss carryforwards and approximately $15.0$33.2 million of the foreign cumulative tax loss carryforwards, which may be available to reduce future income tax liabilities in certain jurisdictions. No U.S. tax loss would be expired based on new Tax Law. These U.S. and foreignPRC tax loss carryforwards will expire beginning in 2028 through 2036, and 2018year 2019 to 2022, respectively.year 2023.

 

The income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 is close to nil because of net operating loss and deferred tax assets related to the net operating loss carryovers utilized had been offset by a valuations allowance. The Company had established a 100% valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets due to its history of pre-tax losses and the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowance was increased by approximately $1.0$4.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018, which consists of $3.8 million resulting from operations and $0.7 million resulting from deferred tax liabilities acquired in the Grapevine aquisition.

 

As of September 30, 2017,2018, there are no unrecorded tax benefits which would impact our financial position or our results of operations.

 

17.16.Contingencies and Commitments

 

(a)Operating Lease Commitment

(a) Operating Lease Commitment

 

The Company is committed to paying leased property costs related to our offices as follows:

 

 Leased Property  Leased Property 
Years ending December 31, Costs  Costs 
2017(3 months) $19,711 
2018  70,211 
2018(3 months)  274,640 
2019  36,269   515,016 
2020  37,147   167,712 
Thereafter  18,575   - 
Total $181,913  $957,368 

 

(b)Lawsuits and Legal Proceedings

(b) Lawsuits and Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. As of September 30, 2017,2018, there are no such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.

 

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Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

18.17.Concentration, Credit and Other Risks

 

(a)PRC Regulations

(a)PRC Regulations

 

The PRC market in which the Company operates poses certain macro-economic and regulatory risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties extend to the ability of the Company to conduct wireless telecommunication services through contractual arrangements in the PRC since the industry remains highly regulated. The Company conducts legacy YOD business in China through Zhong Hai Media, which the Company controls as a result of a series of contractual arrangements entered among YOD WFOE,WOFE, Sinotop Beijing as the parent company of Zhong Hai Media, SSF and the respective legal shareholders of Sinotop Beijing and SSF. The Company believes that these contractual arrangements are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable. If Sinotop Beijing, SSF or their respective legal shareholders fail to perform the obligations under the contractual arrangements or any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, YOD WFOEWOFE or YOD HK can enforce its rights under the VIE contracts through PRC law and courts. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit the Company’s ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In particular, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve uncertainties. If YOD WFOEWOFE had direct ownership of Sinotop Beijing and SSF, it would be able to exercise its rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of Sinotop Beijing or SSF, which in turn could effect changes at the management level, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations. However, under the current contractual arrangements, the Company relies on Sinotop Beijing, SSF and their respective legal shareholders to perform their contractual obligations to exercise effective control. The Company also gives no assurance that PRC government authorities will not take a view in the future that is contrary to the opinion of the Company. If the current ownership structure of the Company and its contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their equity holders were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the Company's ability to conduct its business could be affected and the Company may be required to restructure its ownership structure and operations in the PRC to comply with the changes in the PRC laws which may result in deconsolidation of the VIEs.

 

In addition, the telecommunications, information and media industries remain highly regulated. Restrictions are currently in place and are unclear with respect to which segments of these industries foreign owned entities, like YOD WFOE,WOFE, may operate. The PRC government may issue from time to time new laws or new interpretations on existing laws to regulate areas such as telecommunications, information and media, some of which are not published on a timely basis or may have retroactive effect. For example, there is substantial uncertainty regarding the Draft Foreign Investment Law, including, among others, what the actual content of the law will be as well as the adoption and effective date of the final form of the law. Administrative and court proceedings in China may also be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. While such uncertainty exists, the Company cannot assure that the new laws, when it is adopted and becomes effective, and potential related administrative proceedings will not have a material and adverse effect on the Company's ability to control the affiliated entities through the contractual arrangements. Regulatory risk also encompasses the interpretation by the tax authorities of current tax laws, and the Company’s legal structure and scope of operations in the PRC, which could be subject to further restrictions resulting in limitations on the Company’s ability to conduct business in the PRC.

 

(b)Major Customers

(b) Major Customers

 

Legacy YOD business

 

The Company has agreements with distribution partners, including digital cable operators, IPTV operators, OTT streaming operators and mobile smartphone manufacturers and operator. A distribution partner that individually generates more than 10% of the Company’s revenue is considered a major customer.

 

On October 8, 2016, the Company signed an agreement to form a partnership with Zhejiang Yanhua ("Yanhua Agreement"), where Yanhua will act as the exclusive distribution operator (within the territory of the People's Republic of China) of SSC'sWCST's licensed library of major studio films. According to the Yanhua Agreement, the existing legacy Hollywood studio paid contents as well as other IP contents specified in the agreement, along with the corresponding authorized rights letter that SSCWCST is entitled to, will be turned over to Yanhua as a whole package, which was agreed to be priced at RMB13,000,000.RMB13.0 million. In addition to the above-mentioned minimal guarantee fee of RMB13,000,000RMB13.0 million specified, there is a provision in the Yanhua Agreement which states that once the revenue recognized from the existing contents transferred from SSCWCST to Yanhua reaches the amount of RMB13,000,000,RMB13.0 million, the revenue above RMB13,000,000RMB13.0 million will be shared with SSCWCST from the date when this revenue threshold is reached based on certain revenue-sharing mechanism stipulated in the Yanhua Agreement.

 

Pursuant to ASC Subtopic 926-605, Entertainment-Films - Revenue Recognition, for certain contracts that involve sub-licensing content within the specified license period, revenue is recognized upon delivery of films when the arrangement includes a nonrefundable minimum guarantee, delivery is complete and there are no substantive future obligations to provide future additional services.

29

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

According to the Yanhua Agreement, the total price of the Existing Contents to be transferred is RMB13,000,000.RMB13.0 million. The payment is agreed to be paid in two installments, the first half of RMB6,500,000RMB6.5 million was received on December 30, 2016. The remaining RMB6,500,000RMB6.5 million will be paid under the scenario that the license content fees due to Studios for the existing legacy Hollywood paid contents will be settled. Due to the fact that the second installment will depend upon some future events and is contingent in nature, we deemthe Company deems this portion of the fee is not fixed or determinable and therefore, this portion of the revenue did not meet the revenue recognition criteria to be recognized accordingly.

 

29

Pursuant to the Yanhua Agreement, RMB6,500,000 was recognized as revenue in the first three months ended March 31, 2017 based on the relative fair value of licensed content delivered to Yanhua.

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In terms of the additional revenue-sharing fee over the above-mentioned RMB13,000,000RMB13.0 million fee specified, considering that this part of arrangement fee is not fixed or determinable at the time point as of September 30, 2017,2018, it has not met the criteria for revenue recognition, management will recognize it once it becomes determinable and meet the other revenue recognition criteria in the future.

 

ForPursuant to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, three customers individually accounted for 31%, 16% and 13%Yanhua Agreement, RMB6.5 million was recognized as revenue in 2017 based on the relative fair value of the Company’s revenue. Three customers individually accounted for 33%, 14% and 12% of the Company’s net accounts receivables as of September 30, 2016.licensed content delivered to Yanhua.

 

Wecast Services

 

The holdings and businesses from Company’s two acquisitions in January 2017 (Note2017(Note 4) now reside under “Wecast Services”, our wholly-owned subsidiary Wecast Services Group Limited. Wecast Services (which resides under the Product Sales Cloud) is currently primarily engaged with consumer electronics e-commerce and smartcrude oil supply chain management operations. The Company’s ending customers include British Telecom, Micromax and about 15 to 20 other corporations acrossCompany has been engaged in the world.

crude oil supply chain business since October 2017.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, three customersone customer individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue. ThreeTwo customers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net accounts receivables as of September 30, 2017, respectively.

For the nine months ended September, 2018, one customer individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue. One customer individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net accounts receivables as of September 30, 2018.

 

(c) Major Suppliers

 

Legacy YOD business

 

The Company relies on agreements with studio content partners to acquire video contents. A content partner that accounts for more than 10% of the Company’s cost of revenues is considered a major supplier.

As of December 31, 2016, all licensed contents have been recognized as cost of revenues other than Since January 1, 2017, only the onescontent that was acquired from SSS in the amount of $17.7 million (note 12).

were still recorded as licensed content assets and amortized into cost of sales based on revenue and gross profit margin estimates. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, four suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s2017, $0.8 million was recorded in cost of revenues. Two suppliers individually accounted for 10%sales and $0.8 million was recorded as revenue. No further revenue nor cost of the Company’s accounts payable as of September 30, 2016.sales was recorded since March 31, 2017.

 

Wecast Services

 

The Company relies on agreements with consumer electronics manufacturers to provide integrated circuit, printed circuit board assembly and other necessary assembly.crude oil suppliers.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, fivethree suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s cost of revenues. Three suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts payable as of September 30, 2017.

 

(d)Concentration of Credit Risks

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, two suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s cost of revenues. Two supplier individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts payable and amount due to related parties as of September 30, 2018.

(d) Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and accounts receivable. As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company’s cash was held by financial institutions located(located in the PRC, Hong Kong and, the United States and Singapore) that management believes have acceptable credit. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are mainly derived from revenues from the Company’s VOD content distribution partners, and smart sales products to

30

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

customers.Wecast Services. The risk with respect to accounts receivable is mitigated by regular credit evaluations that the Company performs on its distribution partners and its ongoing monitoring of outstanding balances.

 

(e) Foreign Currency Risks

 

A majorityportion of the Company’s operating transactions are denominated in RMB and a significant portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities is denominated in RMB. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in the centralPRC’s government policies and to international economic and political developments. In the PRC, certain foreign exchange transactions are required by laws to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”). Remittances by us in currencies other than RMB by the Company in China must be processed through PBOC or other China foreign exchange regulatory bodies whichthat require certain supporting documentation in order to complete the remittance.

 

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Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cash consistconsists of cash on hand and demand deposits at banks, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal.

 

Time deposits, which mature within one year as of the balance sheet date, represent interest-bearing certificates of deposit with an initial term of greater than three months when purchased. Time deposits which mature over one year as of the balance sheet date are included in non-current assets.

 

Cash and time deposits maintained at banks consist of the following:

 

 September 30, December 31,  September 30,  December 31, 
  2017    2016  2018  2017 
RMB denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in the PRC $1,431,601   1,566,107  $961,428   684,115 
US dollar denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in the PRC $19,227   670,951  $328,021   628,481 
HKD denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HK SAR”) $47,723   14,151  $35,695   17,508 
US dollar denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HK SAR”) $117,528   1,402,842  $11,310,538   1,505,271 
US dollar denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in Singapore (“Singapore”)  884,060   1,033,769 
US dollar denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in The United States of America (“USA”) $56,975   95,030  $1,934,395   3,698,704 

 

As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, deposits of $407,903$nil and $384,545$398,243 were insured, respectively. To limit exposure to credit risk relating to bank deposits, the Company primarily places bank deposits only with large financial institutions in the PRC, HK SAR, USA, Singapore and Cayman with acceptable credit rating.ratings.

 

19.18.Defined Contribution Plan

 

For our U.S. employees, during 2011, the Company began sponsoring a 401(k) defined contribution plan ("401(k) Plan") that provides for a 100% employer matching contribution of the first 3% and a 50% employer matching contribution of each additional percent contributed by an employee up to 4%5% of each employee’s pay. Employees become fully vested in employer matching contributions after six months of employment. Company 401(k) matching contributions were approximately approximately$487 and $3,242 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 respectively and $3,980 and $6,526 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 respectively and $1,000 and $3,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 respectively.

 

Full time employees in the PRC participate in a government-mandated defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. PRC labor regulations require the Company to make contributions based on certain percentages of the employees’ basic salaries. Other than such contributions, there is no further obligation under these plans. The total contribution for such PRC employee benefits was $274,049$607,872 and $387,560$274,049 for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively.

 

20.19.Segment Reporting

 

The Company’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Company. In fiscal year 2016, the Company operated and reported its performance in one segment. However, starting from fiscal year 2017, since Company has acquired Wecast Services Limited and Wide Angle Group Limited in January 2017 (see note 4), the Company has operated two segments based on different clouds that major business resides in, including Legacy YOD segment and Wecast Service segment. Therefore, there are two reportable segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. The two reportable segments are: 

 

(i)Legacy YOD – This segment provides premium content and integrated value-added service solutions for the delivery of VOD and paid video programming to digital cable providers, Internet Protocol Television (“IPTV”) providers. The core revenues are generated from both minimum guarantee payments and revenue sharing arrangements with distribution partners as well as subscription or transactional fees from subscribers.

Legacy YOD - Provides premium content and integrated value-added service solutions for the delivery of VOD and paid video programming to digital cable providers, Internet Protocol Television (“IPTV”) providers. The core revenues are being generated from

(ii)Wecast Service - Wecast Services is currently primarily engaged with consumer electronics and oil crude supply chain management operations, and is also focused on acquiring and developing next-generation fintech solutions based on AI and blockchain technology.

 

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Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

both minimum guarantee payments and revenue sharing arrangements with distribution partners as well as subscription or transactional fees from subscribers.

Wecast Services - Wecast Services (which resides under the Product Sales Cloud) is currently primarily engaged with consumer electronics and smart supply chain management operations.

 

Segment disclosures are on a performance basis consistent with internal management reporting. The Company does not allocate expenses below segment gross profit since these segments share the same executive team, office space, occupancy expenses, information technology infrastructures, human resources and finance department. The following tables summarized the Company’s revenue and cost generated from different revenue streams.segments.

 

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016 
NET SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS        
-Legacy YOD $794,273  $4,377,034 
-Wecast Services  105,918,155   - 
Net sales  106,712,428   4,377,034 
GROSS PROFIT        
-Legacy YOD  31,659   1,767,059 
-Wecast Services  5,791,805   - 
Gross profit  5,823,464   1,767,059 

 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, September 30, 
 2018 2017 
NET SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS        
-Legacy YOD $-  $794,273 
-Wecast Service  362,628,296   105,930,593 
Net sales  362,628,296   106,724,866 
GROSS PROFIT        
-Legacy YOD  -   31,662 
-Wecast Service  2,788,731   5,804,200 
Gross profit  2,788,731   5,835,862 
        
 September 30, December 31,  September 30, December 31, 
 2017 2016  2018 2017 
TOTAL ASSETS                
-Legacy YOD $26,377,184  $36,975,911  $27,034,157   27,141,163 
-Wecast Services  46,125,371   14,448,702 
-Wecast Service  51,254,046   30,084,607 
-Unallocated assets  4,036,369   4,321,677   94,617,524   11,270,378 
-Intersegment elimination  (4,981,342)  -   (5,182,259)  (5,051,660)
Total  71,557,582   55,746,290   167,723,468   63,444,488 

  

21.20.Subsequent EventEvents

As of November 14, 2018, the Company’s material subsequent events described below.

Business Name Change

 

On October 17, 2017, Wecast Services Group Limited (“Wecast”),2018, following approval from the Company’s shareholders received by written consent on August 28, 2018 and as disclosed in an information statement mailed to the Company’s stockholders on or about September 11, 2018, the Company filed a wholly owned subsidiarycertificate of amendment to articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada changing the Company’s name from Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. to Ideanomics, Inc.

Global Headquarters for Technology and Innovation in Connecticut

On October 10, 2018, the Company purchased a 58-acre former University of Connecticut campus in West Hartford from the State of Connecticut and in connection for $5.2 million. The Company also obtained a surety bond in favor of the University of Connecticut and the State of Connecticut in connection with the Company’s environmental remediation obligations.  In order to obtain the surety bond the Company was required to post $3.6 million in cash collateral with the bonding company. Ideanomics plans to transform the property into a world-renowned technology campus named Fintech Village. The planned $283 million-plus investment will focus on being a leading technology and innovation facility for developing new and leading edge Fintech solutions utilizing artificial intelligence, deep learning, IoT, and blockchain.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company also entered into a Technical Licensean Assistance Agreement with Guangxi Dragon Coin Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guangxi”by and between the State of Connecticut, acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development (the “Assistance Agreement"), pursuant to which Wecast has agreedthe State of Connecticut may provide up to $10 million of financial assistance (the “Funding”) which in such case shall be evidenced by a promissory note, provided, however, that the aggregate principal of the funding shall not exceed 50% of the cost of the project. The Company will provide Guangxi with a non-exclusive agreementsecurity for its obligation to licenserepay the technology platform from Wecast’s Red Coin Chain. PursuantFunding to the termsState of Connecticut in the form of a first position mortgage. The Company agrees that in exchange for the Funding it will provide a minimum number of jobs at a minimum annual amount of compensation by December 31, 2021. Failure of the License Agreement, Guangxi, a subsidiaryCompany to do so will subject it to certain cash penalties for each employee below the minimum employment threshold. If the Company meets the employment obligations it is eligible for forgiveness of Courage Investment Group Limited (1145.HK) (“Courage Investment Group”),up to $10.0 million of the Funding. The Company will be granted a non-exclusive license from Wecast and the Red Coin Chain (“Red Coin”),agree to use Red Coin’s technology platform specifically and exclusively for real estate based securitization. In exchange and in consideration for, the non-exclusive rightscertain covenants with respect to the technology,Funding and such Funding may become immediately due and payable upon the Company will receive 17.9%occurrence of the existing total equitycertain standard events of Courage Investment Group, which is Guangxi’s Hong Kong listed parent company.default.

 

On October 23, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase AgreementJoint Venture with Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company has agreed to sell and issue 5,494,505 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited for $1.82 per share, or a total purchase price of $10.0 million.TPJ Ltd.

 

On NovemberOctober 9 2017,2018,  the BoardCompany announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with TPJ Ltd, to create Ideanomics Resources LTD, a company organized under the laws of Directors approved Amendment No. 7 to $3.0 million Convertible Promissory NotesEngland and Wales and based in London. The joint venture will initially focus its efforts in Africa and Middle East, where it has significant long-term relationships and unlock value in the commodities and energy sectors by leveraging and utilizing the Ideanomics Platform-as-a-Service (“Note”PaaS”) issued to Mr. Shane McMahon, our Vice Chairman, pursuant to which the maturity datesolutions. The Company will own 75% equity interest of the Note was extended to December 31, 2019. The Note remains payable on demand or convertible on demand into Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50.

Ideanomics Resources.

 

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "continue", or other similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or financial condition or state other "forward-looking" information. For example, forward-looking statements include any statements regarding the strategies, prospects, plans, expectations or objectives of management for future operations, the progress, scope or duration of the development of our video on demand business, blockchain enabled logistics business, digital trading business, any business plans, timelines and potential results, the benefits that may be derived from certain acquisitions, joint venture or partnerships, or the commercial or market opportunity involving securitizing digital assets, our anticipated operations, financial position, revenues, costs or expenses, statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, statements of belief and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. TheseHowever, these forward-looking statements are not however, guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from the expectations that are expressed, implied or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements. There may be events in the future that we are unable to accurately predict or control, including weather conditions and other natural disasters which may affect demand for our products, and the product–development and marketing efforts of our competitors. Examples of these events are more fully described in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report under Part I.II. Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Unless required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ReadersHowever, readers should carefully review the reports and documents the Company files from time to time with the SEC, particularly its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K , Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains certain forward-looking information. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” above for certain information concerning those forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSC) is aiming to become a global leader in providing next-generation Artificial-Intelligent (AI) & Fintech Powered, Supply Chain + Digital Finance Solutions. SSC’s innovative model helps businesses enhance and unlock operational and capital value from both the supply chain and real assets. In addition, SSC offers a closed trade ecosystem for buyers and sellers designed to eliminate transactional middlemen and create a more direct and margin-expanding path for principals. There are three engines that drive our business platform: 1. Intelligent Supply Chain Management; 2. Asset Based Securitization and Tokenization Issuance and Trading Platform and 3. Digital Index and Financial Derivatives Issuance and Trading Platform; All three engines are supported by “ABCD” Technology & Infrastructure (A: Artificial IntelligenceI, B: Blockchain, C: Cloud Computing, D: Data).

SSC launched its legacy VOD service through the acquisition of YOD Hong Kong (formerly Sinotop Group Limited) on July 30,From 2010 through its subsidiary China CB Cayman. Through a series of contractual arrangements, YOD WFOE, the subsidiary of YOD Hong Kong, controls Sinotop Beijing, a corporation established2017, our primary business activities have been providing premium content video on demand (“VOD”) services with primary operations in the PRC. Sinotop Beijing wasPeople’s Republic of China through our subsidiaries and variable interest entities under the 80% owner of Zhong Hai Media until June 30, 2017, through whichbrand name YOU On Demand (“YOD”). In our YOD business, we provided: 1)provide premium content and integrated value–added business–to–business (“B2B”)value-added service solutions for the delivery of VOD and enhanced premium contentpaid video programing to digital cable providers, Internet protocol television (“IPTV”) providers, over-the-top (“OTT”) streaming providers, mobile manufacturers and operators, as well as direct customers.

Starting in early 2017, while continuing to support our legacy YOD business, we began transitioning our business model to become a next generation financial technology (“fintech”) company, with the intention of offering financing solutions and logistics solutions, each based on the emergence of trading systems that utilize blockchain and artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies. On the financing solutions side, we have been building capabilities both in providing business consulting services related to traditional financings, as well as in developing digital asset securitization services via AI and blockchain enabled financial services platforms. On the logistics side, we have been building expertise in the traditional commodities trading business, with an initial focus on crude oil trading and consumer electronics trading, with the goal of leveraging such expertise to inform the development of an AI and blockchain enabled logistics platform.

We refer to our YOD business as our Legacy YOD segment, and to all our other operations as our Wecast Service segment. Aside from the Legacy YOD segment, only the commodities trading component of our logistics business is operational and revenue generating.

Financing Solutions

We plan to assist various companies across industry verticals in completing capital raising transactions by providing consulting services to companies seeking financing through conventional means, such as sales of traditional equity and debt securities, and through the sales of securitized assets represented by digital tokens, or “digital securitized assets.” We believe that this dual approach to raising capital will provide us with flexibility to address the needs of issuers and investors. In connection with this strategy, we intend to use AI and blockchain enabled financial technology to provide asset owners and the investment community a seamless method and platform for the creation of digital assets. Specifically, we plan to facilitate the securitization of tangible and intangible assets into new financial products, “tokenize” these financial products by digitally recording them on a blockchain, enable advanced platforms and capabilities using AI and blockchain technology, and support the distribution and monetization of digital assets. We believe the infrastructure we are developing in these areas will enable us to assist customers and derive revenues from fees in connection with the process of creating, marketing and selling digital securitized assets.

We believe that regulated alternative trading systems (“ATSs”) are important for the development of trading markets for blockchain based digital tokens, including the digital securitized assets we plan to originate as part of our financing solutions business. Accordingly, we are making strategic investments that are intended to promote the development of regulated ATSs that will enhance the blockchain token trading ecosystem. In 2017, we made an investment in Delaware Board of Trade Holdings, Inc. (“DBOT”), which is a FINRA member firm and has filed an initial operations report on Form ATS to give notice of operations of DBOT ATS, LLC, and which we believe is well positioned to develop blockchain enabled transactional platforms.

We also intend to enter into partnerships and joint ventures to support the use of AI powered analytics for the trading, pricing, indexing and ratings of digital tokens, including digital securitized assets, such as a joint venture to develop AI driven financial data services that we established in 2017. We expect the value of these strategic investments to increase as the market for digital cable; 2) integrated value–added business–to–business–to–customer (“B2B2C”) servicetokens matures and to the extent these platforms begin to provide more robust solutions to the trading ecosystem.

Logistics Management Platform

As part of our larger blockchain strategy, we intend to enter into joint ventures, strategic investments and partnerships to explore the application of blockchain technologies to logistics management. We believe that blockchain enabled logistics platforms can eliminate standard transactional intermediaries in the freight and shipping industry. We believe that by decreasing middle-man costs, we can greatly improve the efficiency of capital utilization, expand margins and accelerate inventory turnover for companies shipping goods across myriad industries. We are continuing to investigate potential blockchain technologies that are well-suited to the deliverydevelopment of VOD and enhanced premium content for IPTV and OTT providers and; 3) a directproducts to user, or B2C, mobile video service app. The detail ofstreamline the disposal of Zhong Hai Media has been disclosed in Note 11.logistics market.

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OnIn connection with this strategy, we entered the commodities trading business through a series of acquisitions and investments. The primary goal for entering this business was to learn about the needs of buyers and sellers in industries that rely heavily on the shipment of goods, which we believe has informed our understanding of the features a blockchain platform would need to serve the logistics market. Specifically, we elected to focus on the crude oil and consumer electronics businesses, which are industries that we believe are sufficiently commoditized and high volume to serve as meaningful controls to identify inefficiencies in the logistics market and generate data to support the potential future application of AI solutions. Our crude oil trading business commenced in October 8,2017, when we formed our Singapore joint venture, Seven Stars Energy Pte. Ltd. Our consumer electronics trading business commenced on January 2017, and is operated out of Hong Kong through our subsidiary, Amer Global Technology Limited. Our end customers include about 15 to 20 corporations across the world. Our commodities trading business does not currently integrate blockchain or AI based logistics solutions.

Legacy YOD Segment

The core revenues from our Legacy YOD segment have been generated both from minimum guarantee payments and revenue sharing arrangements with distribution partners as well as subscription or transactional fees from subscribers. We run our legacy YOD business with limited resources, as our legacy YOD business since October 2016 the Company signed an agreement to formhas operated through a five-year partnership with Zhejiang Yanhua ("Yanhua Agreement"Culture Media Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC (“Yanhua”), where Yanhua will act as the exclusive distribution operator (within the territory of the PRC) of the Company'sour licensed library of major studio films. According tofilms (the “Yanhua Partnership”). We entered into the Yanhua Agreement,Partnership in order to offset losses from high upfront minimum guarantee licensing fees to studios. The Yanhua Partnership modified and improved our legacy major studio paid content business model by moving from a framework that included [high and fixed costs and upfront minimum guaranteed payments], rising content costs from major Hollywood studios and low margins to a structure that will now include relatively nominal costs to our Company and the existing legacy Hollywood pay-per-view contents as well as other IP contents specifiedopportunity to reach an even wider audience. With the Yanhua Partnership, Yanhua assumed all sales and marketing costs and will pay us a minimum guarantee in exchange for a percentage of the agreement, alongtotal revenue share.

Recent Developments

On August 3, 2018, we entered into a joint venture with Aladdin Fintech Company Limited (“Aladdin”). The joint venture will focus on three primary areas of business activities: (1) Fixed income-based real estate product offerings using Velocity Ledger for global fractionalization, securitization, and tokenization offerings, starting with the corresponding authorized rights letter thatcash flow-producing commercial properties of large insurance companies as underlying assets; (2) Velocity Ledger-based fractionalization, securitization, and tokenization of Real Estate projects and services; and (3) the Company’s BBD Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance real estate ratings and risk management services. The Company and Aladdin each own 50% of the joint venture respectively. The joint venture’s board has three members, comprised of a Company appointee, an Aladdin appointee, and an independent appointee. Aladdin is contributing RMB300,000 as working capital, and the Company is entitled to, will be transferred to Yanhuacontributing RMB300,000 as a whole packageloan at 4% and repaid as a priority from revenues generated. Aladdin’s subsidiary, I-House (“IHT”)  is responsible for staffing the joint venture’s management, sales and operations team. The Company will also contribute the systems and resources to facilitate digital offerings through the IHT platform. The Company is responsible for (i) all company registrations, licenses and regulatory approvals required for operations in the territories agreed by the two parties, (ii) contributing deal flow and strategic cooperation to ensure real estate assets are available for IHT token offerings and (iii) developing a global real estate index series utilizing its BBD AI Engine.

On August 19, 2018, we entered into a Financial Advisory Agreement with National Transport Capacity Co., Ltd, a company established in the People’s Republic of China (“NTC”), pursuant to which NTC agreed to engage the Company as NTC’s advisor with respect to NTC’s financing of its electric bus transformation business for the next 3 years. The Company shall assist NTC with conducting fractionalization sales of fixed income products in China on a non-exclusive basis. The Company shall also assist with conducting fixed income product issuance and digital asset issuance in areas other than mainland China on an exclusive basis.

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On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into a Global Advisory Agreement (the “First Auto Agreement”) with First Auto Loan (Oriental Huixin Investment Management Co., Ltd.), a company established in the People’s Republic of China (“First Auto”) pursuant to which First Auto agreed to engage the Company as First Auto’s advisor with respect certain areas, amongst other things, First Auto’s (i) electric vehicle upgrading and updating services; (ii) financing small businesses in the micro-car circulation industry; (iii) consumption installment of car loans and (iv) asset securitization of existing auto loan packages. The First Auto Agreement is exclusive other than with respect to mainland China and Hong Kong. The First Auto Agreement is for a minimum guarantee fee3 year term, however, each of RMB 13,000,000. In additionthe Company and First Auto may terminate the First Auto Agreement if proper progress is not made within 6 months.

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into an Intellectual Property and Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the “SSIL Agreement”) with Sun Seven Star International Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSIL”) and an affiliate of Mr. Bruno Wu, our Chairman, pursuant to which SSIL sold the assets of FinTalk to the minimal guarantee feeCompany in exchange for $1,000,000 promissory note and shares of RMB 13,000,000,the Company’s Common Stock with a provisionfair market value of $6,000,000. The Company shall repay the promissory note in 12 equal monthly installments commencing on October 7, 2018 at an interest rate of 2.51% per annum. The principal amount of the Note shall become due and payable in the Yanhuaevent of a default pursuant to the Note.

On October 10, 2018, the Company closed the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement, stateswhich was effective July 11, 2018, with the State of Connecticut acting by and through the University of Connecticut pursuant to which the Company purchased the parcel of land formerly known as the University of Connecticut Greater Hartford campus, including buildings and improvements for purposes of creating a technology and innovation center. The Company delivered $5,200,000, the balance of the purchase price contemplated by the agreement is closed. The Company also obtained a surety bond in favor of the University of Connecticut and the State of Connecticut in connection with the Company’s environmental remediation obligations. In order to obtain the surety bond the Company was required to post $3.6 million in cash collateral with the bonding company. In connection with the acquisition, the Company also entered into an Assistance Agreement by and between the State of Connecticut, acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development (the “Assistance Agreement"), pursuant to which the State of Connecticut may provide up to $10,000,000 of financial assistance (the “Funding”) which in such case shall be evidenced by a promissory note, provided, however, that revenue recognized from the existing content transferred fromaggregate principal of the funding shall not exceed 50% of the cost of the project. The Company will provide security for its obligation to repay the Funding to the State of Connecticut in the form of a first position mortgage. The Company agrees that in exchange for the Funding it will provide a minimum number of jobs at a minimum annual amount of compensation by December 31, 2021. Failure of the Company to Yanhua in excess of RMB 13,000,000,do so will be shared withsubject it to certain cash penalties for each employee below the minimum employment threshold. If the Company frommeets the date when this revenue thresholdemployment obligations it is reached basedeligible for forgiveness of up to $10,000,000 of the Funding. The Company will agree to certain covenants with respect to the Funding and such Funding may become immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of certain standard events of default.

On October 18, 2018, we entered into a Financial Advisory Service Agreement (“Financial Advisory Agreement”) with Zhonjinhuifu Resources CO., LTD, a Hong Kong company (“Zhonjinhuifu”), pursuant to which the Company will advise Zhonjinhuifu on (i) its planned $200 million capital raise over the next two years and (ii) a certain revenue-sharing mechanism stipulatedsecurity token offering (“STO”). Zhonjinhuifu operates various mining projects, including the kekeshisi magnesia-nickel silicon mine in Toli County, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Pursuant to the Yanhua Agreement.

terms of the Financial Advisory Agreement, the Company’s services to Zhonjinhuifu will include advising on financing-related activities with respect to the issuance of both utility tokens and securities tokens outside of China and Hong Kong; fixed income products, other digital assets and other financing products; and recommending suitable traditional and digital financing tools, including those on blockchain platforms. The Company will receive a variable service fee of the aggregate funds raised by Zhonjinhuifu, subject to regulatory approval.

  

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On January 30, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Sun Video SPA”) with BT Capital Global Limited which has been controlled by Company’s chairman Bruno Wu, for the purchase by us of all of the outstanding capital stock of Sun Video Group Hong Kong Limited. On January 31, 2017, the Company entered into another Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Wide Angle SPA”) with BT and Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited, one of the Company’s largest shareholders, controlled by Mr. Wu, as guarantor, for the purchase by us of 55% of the outstanding capital stock of Wide Angle. After acquiring these two entities, other than our legacy YOD business, we are also engaged with consumer electronics and smart hand held device design and supply chain management business.

On June 30, 2017, Company entered into another Securities Purchase Agreement (the “BT SPA”) with BT, pursuant to which the issued and outstanding stock that SSC holds in three separate non-core assets were sold to BT in exchange for RMB100 million (approximately $14.75 million at current exchange rate) in a combination of cash and publicly traded stock to be paid to SSC within one year of closing. A minimum of 20% of the total consideration to SSC will be paid in cash (approximately $2.95 million). A portion of the consideration may be paid in the form of publicly traded stock at the discretion of BT, and in that case the securities will represent a public company affiliated with BT, in an industry related to SSC’s and with an average daily trading value of at least $146,000.

 

Principal Factors Affecting Our Financial Performance

 

Our operating results are primarily affected by the following factors:

The Company is in the process of transforming its business model and aims to be be a leading Intelligent Industrial Internet (3I) platform, creating a fintech-powered, supply chain solution simplified for commercial enterprises. There are two engines that drive its business platform; (1) VPaaS + TPaaS - Supply Chain Management for key industry sectors and leaders including but not limited to Big Commodities, Cross-Border Trade, Consumer Electronics & Energy; and (2) Digital Finance Solutions - Supply Chain Finance underwritten by its Global Cornerstone Funds and ABS, Tokenization and Exchange Platforms, which include FINRA and SEC-regulated: Index Exchanges, Initial Coin Offering / Tokenization, ETFs and Derivatives. Both Engines and their various arms will run on 'BASE' technology and infrastructure (Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chain & Exchanges) to power a closed trade ecosystem for buyers and sellers designed to eliminate transactional middlemen and create a more direct and margin-expanding path for principals. In connection with this transformation, the Company has recently assembled a new experienced management team, stabilized the foundation, capitalized and rebranded the Company, reconfigured the business structure, expanded the Company’s mission and business lines, made several key investments and finally, injected several privately held and revenue producing assets into the corporation.

·Our ability to transform our business and to meet internal or external expectations of future performance. We are aiming to become a next generation Artificial-Intelligent (AI) & Blockchain-Powered, Fintech company. By managing and providing an infrastructure and environment that facilitates the transformation of traditional financial markets such as commodities, currency and credit into the asset digitalization era, SSC hopes to provide asset owners and holders a seamless method and platform for digital asset securitization, tokenization and trading. Separately, SSC offers a closed supply chain trading ecosystem for corporate buyers and sellers designed to eliminate standard transactional intermediaries and create a more direct and margin-expanding path for principals. In connection with this transformation, the Company is in the process of considerable changes, which include the assemblement of a new management team in the U.S. and overseas, reconfiguring the business structure to reflect our Blockchain and FinTech strategy, continue to further enhance our controls, procedures, and oversight during this transformation, and expand the Company’s mission and business lines for continued growth.  It is uncertain whether these efforts will prove beneficial or whether we will be able to develop the necessary business models, infrastructure and systems to support the business. This includes having or hiring the right talent to execute our business strategy. Market acceptance of new product and service offerings will be dependent in part on our ability to include functionality and usability that address customer requirements, and optimally price our products and services to meet customer demand and cover our costs.

·Our ability to remain competitive. Our current electronic and crude oil products and services compete in highly competitive global markets characterized by aggressive price competition and resulting downward pressure on gross margins, frequent introduction of new products, short product life cycles, evolving industry standards, continual improvement in product price/performance characteristics, rapid adoption of technological and product advancements by competitors and price sensitivity on the part of consumers. As part of our blockchain and AI focused stratgy, we are currently focused on consumer electronics and the  crude oil trading business in supply chain management with the intent to migrate this on to the blockchain with AI capabilites. As such, the company is co-developing the underlying technology platform with its technology partner with an aim to become a smart supply chain management platform with one token as means of settlement and digital wallet function. In the near future, once the technology platform is fully functional, the company will bring customers of traditional 3C consumer electronics business and crude oil trading business onto the platform, which will greatly improve the efficiency of capital utilization and inventory turnover for both consumer electronics and crude oil business by cutting middle-man cost. The above technology platforms will help both the consumer electronic and crude oil business to transform from supply chain only operations into digital ecosystem management platform.

 

Taxation

 

United States

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group,Ideanomics, Inc. and M. Y. Products, LLC are subject to United States tax. No provision for income taxes in the United States has been made as neither companynone of the companies had taxable profit in the United States since inception. Under U.S. Tax Reform, the Comapny is required to pay, a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries that is payable over eight years. We have subsequently determined that there is only less than $150,000 unrepatriated earnings for each non-U.S. subsidiary in aggregate. Therefore, only a minimal tax is due under this provision.

 

Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands

 

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, we are not subject to tax on our income or capital gains. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands or British Virgin Islands.

 

Hong Kong

Our subsidiaries that were incorporated in Hong Kong arewere under the current laws of Hong Kong, are subject to Profits Tax of 16.5%. No provision for Hong Kong Profits Tax has been made as net operating loss carryovers offset current taxable income.

 

The People’s Republic of China (“PRC”)

 

Under the PRC’s Enterprise Income Tax Law, our Chinese subsidiaries and VIEs are subject to an earned income tax of 25.0%.

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Our future effective income tax rate depends on various factors, such as tax legislation, the geographic composition of our pre-tax income and non-tax deductible expenses incurred. Our management carefully monitors these legislativelegal developments to determine if there will be any change in the statutory income tax rate.

 

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Consolidated Results of Operations

 

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017

 

 Three Months Ended       Three Months Ended      
 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Amount Change % Change  September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Amount Change % Change 
Revenue $30,223,638  $1,626,844  $28,596,794   1758% $43,707,937  $30,229,255  $13,478,682   45%
Cost of revenue  28,273,862   893,796   27,380,066   3063%  42,844,876   28,273,863   14,571,013   52%
Gross profit  1,949,776   733,048   1,216,728   166%  863,061   1,955,392   (1,092,331)  (56)%
                                
Operating expense:                                
Selling, general and administrative expenses expenses  3,630,949   2,320,247   1,310,702   56%  4,333,259   3,684,749   648,510   18%
Research and development expenses  400,040   -   400,040   100%
Research and development  667,416   400,040   267,376   67%
Professional fees  831,039   326,353   504,686   155%  1,927,431   839,836   1,087,595   130%
Impairment of other intangible assets  152,847   172,064   (19,217)  (11%)  -   152,847   (152,847)  (100)%
Depreciation and amortization  36,508   123,502   (86,994)  (70%)  291,512   36,952   254,560   689%
                                
Total operating expense  5,051,383   2,942,166   2,109,217   72%  7,219,618   5,114,424   2,105,194   41%
                                
Loss from operations  (3,101,607)  (2,209,118)  (892,489)  40%  (6,356,557)  (3,159,032)  (3,197,525)  101%
Interest expense, net  (27,186)  (24,971)  (2,215)  9%  (145,610)  (26,029)  (119,581)  459%
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  131,357   58,220   73,137   126%  -   131,357   (131,357)  (100)%
Equity in loss of equity method investees  (23,632)  17,487   (41,119)  (235%)  (13,882)  (23,632)  9,750   (41)%
Others  (806)  (3,313)  2,507   (76%)  (925,771)  72,120   (997,891)  (1384)%
                                
Loss before income taxes  (3,021,874)  (2,161,695)  (860,179)  40%  (7,441,820)  (3,005,216)  (4,436,604)  148%
                                
Income tax benefit  -   8,612   (8,612)  (100%)  -   -   -   0%
                                
Net loss  (3,021,874)  (2,153,083)  (868,791)  40%  (7,441,820)  (3,005,216)  (4,436,604)  148%
                                
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest  (22,723)  105,879   (128,602)  (121%)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  254,973   (22,723)  277,696   (1222)%
                                
Net loss attributable to Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. shareholders $(3,044,597) $(2,047,204) $(997,393)  49%
Net loss attributable to common shareholders $(7,186,847) $(3,027,939) $(4,158,908)  137%

 

Revenues

1>OTT, Mobile App, IPTV and Digital Cable VOD Businesses (Legacy YOD)

Provides premium content and integrated value-added service solutionsAll revenues for the delivery of VOD and paid video programming to digital cable providers, Internet Protocol Television (“IPTV”) providers. The core revenues are beingthree months ended September 30, 2018 were generated from both minimum guarantee payments and revenue sharing arrangements with distribution partners as well as subscription or transactional fees from subscribers.

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2>Wecast Services

On January 30, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Sun Video Group HK Limited ("SVG"), which has a 51% ownership stake in Shanghai Wecast Supply Chain Management Limited ("Wecast SH"). On January 31, 2017, the Company acquired 55% of the outstanding capital stock of Wide Angle Group Limited (“Wide Angle”). The holdings and businesses from both these acquisitions now reside under “Wecast Services”, our wholly-owned subsidiary Wecast Services Limited. Wecast Services (which resides under the Product Sales Cloud) business unit, is currently primarily engaged withby consumer electronics and smart supply chain management operations.trading business in our Wecast segment. Our end customers include British Telecom, Micromax and about 15Legacy YOD segment has not generated significant revenue since the quarter ended March 31, 2017. We received an initial payment from Yanhua of RMB6.5 million (approximately $1 million) on December 30, 2016, which was recognized as revenue in the first quarter of 2017, but we have not received additional payments from Yanhua pursuant to 20 other corporations across the world.Yanhua partnership.

  

  2018Q3  2017Q3  Diff 
  USD  %  USD  USD  % 
Wecast Services  43,707,937   100%  30,229,255   13,478,682   45%
Total  43,707,937   100%  30,229,255   13,478,682   45%

  2017Q3  2016Q3  Difference 
  USD  USD  USD  % 
Legacy YOD  -   1,626,844   (1,626,844)  (100%)
Wecast Services  30,223,638   -   30,223,638   100%
Total  30,223,638   1,626,844   28,596,794   1758%

Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 was $30.2$43.7 million as compared to $1.6$30.2 million for the same period in 2016,2017, an increase of approximately $28.6$13.5 million, or 1,758%45%. The increase was mainly due to our newexpanding business line acquired in January 2017. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of our legacy YOD business in the amount of $1.6 million, as the legacy YOD business shifts to a new exclusive distribution agreement with Zhejiang Yanhua Culture Media Co., Ltd. ("Yanhua ") which was announced in Q4 2016. As revenue generated by Yanhua did not exceed the revenue sharing threshold, no additional revenue was recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2017.consumer electronics .

38

 

Cost of revenues

 

 2017Q3 2016Q3 Difference  2018Q3 2017Q3 Diff 
  USD   USD   USD   %  USD  %  USD  USD  % 
Legacy YOD  -   893,796   (893,796)  (100%)
Wecast Services  28,273,862   -   28,273,862   100%  42,844,876   100%  28,273,863   14,571,013   52%
Total  28,273,862   893,796   27,380,066   3063%  42,844,876   100%  28,273,863   14,571,013   52%

 

Cost of revenues was approximately $42.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to $28.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.2017. Our cost of revenues increased by $27.4$14.6 million which is in line with our increase in revenues. Our cost of revenues is primarily comprised of costcosts to purchasebusiness with consumer electronics products from suppliers.and smart supply chain management .

 

Gross profit

 

  2017 Q3   2016Q3  Difference  2018Q3 2017Q3 Diff 
  USD  USD   USD   %  USD  %  USD  USD  % 
Legacy YOD  -  733,048   (733,048)  (100%)
Wecast Services  1,949,776  -   1,949,776   100%  863,061   100%  1,955,392   (1,092,331)  (56)%
Total  1,949,776  733,048   1,216,728   166%  863,061   100%  1,955,392   (1,092,331)  (56)%

 

GrossOur gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $0.9 million, as compared to gross profit in the amount of $2.0 million during the same period in 2017. The gross profit ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was 2.0%, while in 2017, it was 6.47%. The decrease was mainly due to the gross profit ratio of our consumer electronics decreased by 38.61% from 45.06%compared to 6.45%,the same period in 2017.

Research and development expense

Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $0.7 million as compared to $0.4 million for the Wecast Services business, which currently is engaged mostlysame period in lower margin electronics, is still in its relative infancy2017, an increase of approximately $0.3 million or 67%. The majority of the increase was due to the increase of expense on AI and the business service offerings as well as profit-sharing arrangements with a growing range of suppliers are in transition.blockchain technology.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 was $3.6$4.3 million as compared to $2.3$3.7 million for the same period in 2016,2017, an increase of approximately $1.3$0.6 million or 56%18%. The majority of the increase was due to 1)our efforts to assemble a new management team in the increase of our salesU.S. and marketing expense to introduce and promote our business models to various potential investors and business partners, as well as promote Wecast Services, which was acquired in January, 2017; and 2) financial advisory expenses that were paid to independent professional financial advisory companies to assist us being able to contact and negotiate with more business partners. The Company is also continuing to focus on more cost saving activities to reduce daily operating expenses.overseas.

37

 

Professional fees

 

Professional fees are generally related to public company reporting and governance expenses as well as legal fees related to our business transformation and expansion. Professional fees for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 were $0.8$1.9 million as compared to $0.3$0.8 million for the same period in 2016, an2017, a increase of approximately $0.5$1.1 million. The increase inwas related to the above factors as well as fees associated with continuing to build out our technology ecosystem and establishing strategic partnerships and M&A activity as part of this technology ecosystem.

The majority of the increase was due to required professional fees was mainly caused byservices for legal, audit and tax.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization for the legal, valuation and auditing service fees incurred for three months ended September 30, 2017 in relation2018 was $0.3 million as compared to the acquisitions in January 2017 and increased audit service fees charged by our external auditor$0.04 million for the opening auditsame period in 2017, an increase of approximately $0.26 million. The increase was mainly due to our auditor change in 2017.aquisition for Grapevine.

 

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

 

Certain of our warrants are recognized as derivative liabilities and re-measured at the end of every reporting period and upon settlement, with the change in value reported in the statement of operations. We reported a gain in the fair value of approximatelywarrant liabilities of $0.13 million and a gain of approximately $0.06 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The changes are primarily due to expiration of all2017. All the remaining warrant liability inliabilities have been expired as of August 30, 2017.

 

Income tax expenses

 

The income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 is nil because net operating loss carryovers offset current taxable income and deferred tax assets related to the net operating loss carryovers utilized had been offset by a valuation allowance.

39

 

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

Hua Cheng previously had a 20% non-controlling interest in Zhong Hai Media and accounting for that interest under the equity method was recognized by recording 20% of the operating losses of Zhong Hai Media. For the three months ended September 30, 2016,2017, operating loss attributable to Hua Cheng was approximately $0.1$0.03 million. The Company sold Zhong Hai Media on June 30, 2017 and there have been no more such allocationallocations since then.

 

Dillon Yu has a 49% non-controlling interest in Shanghai Wecast Supply Chain Management Limited (“Wecast SH”) and as such we allocate 49% of the operating loss of Wecast SH to Dillon Yu. During the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, approximately $0.01 million$307 of our operating loss from Wecast SH was allocated to Dillon Yu, which was nilapproximately $0.1 million in the same period in 2016.2017.

 

Swiss Guorong Limited has a 45% non-controlling interest in Wide Angle and as such we allocate 45% of the operating profit of Wide Angle to Swiss Guorong Limited. During the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, approximately $0.03$0.05 million of our operating incomeloss from Wide Angle was allocated to Swiss Guorong Limited, which was nil forapproximately $0.03 million in the same period in 2016.2017.

 

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017

 

 Nine Months Ended       Nine Months Ended      
 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Amount Change % Change  September 30,
2018
  September 30,
2017
  Amount Change  % Change 
Revenue $106,712,428  $4,377,034  $102,335,394   2338% $362,628,296  $106,724,866  $255,903,430   240%
Cost of revenue  100,888,964   2,609,975   98,278,989   3766%  359,839,565   100,889,004   258,950,561   257%
Gross profit  5,823,464   1,767,059   4,056,405   230%  2,788,731   5,835,862   (3,047,131)  (52)%
                                
Operating expense:                                
                
Selling, general and administrative expenses expenses  7,771,561   6,294,206   1,477,355   23%  16,861,425   8,021,825   8,839,600   110%
Research and development expenses  400,040   -   400,040   100%
Research and development  1,393,025   400,040   992,985   248%
Professional fees  1,845,590   964,290   881,300   91%  3,280,729   1,888,361   1,392,368   74%
Impairment of other intangible assets  216,468   172,064   44,404   26%  -   216,468   (216,468)  (100)%
Depreciation and amortization  293,661   344,308   (50,647)  (15%)  314,737   294,272   20,465   7%
                                
Total operating expense  10,527,320   7,774,868   2,752,452   35%  21,849,916   10,820,966   11,028,950   102%
                                
Loss from operations  (4,703,856)  (6,007,809)  1,303,953   (22%)  (19,061,185)  (4,985,104)  (14,076,081)  282%
Interest expense, net  (72,439)  (225,154)  152,715   (68%)  (201,782)  (70,779)  (131,003)  185%
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  (112,642)  201,826   (314,468)  (156%)  -   (112,642)  112,642   (100)%
Equity in loss of equity method investees  (100,468)  (19,862)  (80,606)  406%  (44,316)  (100,468)  56,152   (56)%
Others  (111,448)  (8,409)  (103,039)  1225%  (558,271)  (38,480)  (519,791)  1351%
                                
Loss before income taxes  (5,100,853)  (6,059,408)  958,555   (16%)  (19,865,554)  (5,307,473)  (14,558,081)  274%
                                
Income tax benefit  -   25,836   (25,836)  (100%)  -   -   -   0%
                                
Net loss  (5,100,853)  (6,033,572)  932,719   (15%)  (19,865,554)  (5,307,473)  (14,558,081)  274%
                
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  608,910   261,809   347,101   133%  637,314   608,910   28,404   5%
                                
Net loss attributable to Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. shareholders $(4,491,943) $(5,771,763) $1,279,820   (22%)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders $(19,228,240) $(4,698,563) $(14,529,677)  309%

 

 3840 

Revenues

  YTD 2017Q3  YTD 2016Q3  Difference 
  USD  USD  USD  % 
Legacy YOD  794,273   4,377,034   (3,582,761)  (82%)
Wecast Services  105,918,155   -   105,918,155   100%
Total  106,712,428   4,377,034   102,335,394   2338%

  Nine months ended September 30,
2018
  Nine months ended September 30,
2017
  Diff 
  USD  %  USD  USD  % 
Legacy YOD  -   -   794,273   (794,273)  (100)%
Wecast Services  362,628,296   100%  105,930,593   256,697,703   242%
Total  362,628,296   100%  106,724,866   255,903,430   240%

 

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 was approximately $106.7$362.6 million as compared to $4.4$106.7 million for the same period in 2016.2017, an increase of approximately $255.9 million, or 240%. The increase was mainly due to our expanding business of crude oil trading initiated in revenue of approximately $102.3 millionOctober 2017. This increase was attributable to the new consumer electronics business line acquired in January 2017, and to a lesser extent, one-time consulting services that we provided to certain customers. These revenues were partially offset in the amount of $0.8 million by thea decrease of our legacy YOD business, which is in linehas been operated under new exclusive distribution agreement with our business strategy transition.Yanhua since the fourth quarter of 2016.

 

Gross profit

 

  2017 1-9  2016 1-9  Diff 
  USD  USD  USD  % 
Legacy YOD  31,659   1,767,059   (1,735,400)  (98%)
Wecast Services  5,791,805   -   5,791,805   100%
Total  5,823,464   1,767,059   4,056,405   230%

  2018 1-9  2017 1-9  Diff 
  USD  %  USD  USD  % 
Legacy YOD  -   -   31,659   (31,659)  (100)%
Wecast Services  2,788,731   100%  5,804,203   (3,015,472)  (52)%
Total  2,788,731   100%  5,835,862   (3,047,131)  (52)%

 

Our gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 was approximately $5.8$2.8 million, as compared to $1.8gross profit in the amount of $5.8 million during the same period in 2016. Gross2017. The gross profit ratio for the sixnine months ended September 30, 2018 was 0.77%, while in 2017, it was 5.5%, a5.47%. The decrease from 40.4%, aswas mainly due to the Wecast Serviceslow gross profit margin of the crude oil trading business which currently is engaged mostly in lowerhas expanded and caused our gross profit margin electronics, is still in its relative infancy and the business service offerings as well as profit-sharing arrangements with a growing range of suppliers are in transition.ratio to decrease. 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 increased approximately $1.5$8.8 million, or 23%110%, as compared with the amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

2017. The majority of the increase was due to 1) an increase in headcounts and relevant traveling expense in the amount of $2.6 million; 2) an increase of approximately of $3.2 million in share based compensation that were paid to our employees; 3) an increase of approximately of $1.2 million in consulting, legal, and professional service fees that were paid to our external consultants who provided various consulting services with respect to our on-going financial digital assets business; 4) an increase in our sales and marketing expense in the amount of $1.8 million relating to introducethe introduction and promotepromotion of our business models to various potential investors and business partners, as well as to promotethe marketing of Wecast Services, business; and 2) financial advisory expenses that were paid to independent professional companies to assist uswhich was acquired in being able to contact and negotiate with more business partners.January 2017.

 

39

 

Professional fees

 

Professional fees are generally related to public company reporting and governance expenses as well as legal fees related to business transitiontransformation and expansion. Our costs for professional fees increased approximately $0.9$1.4 million, or 91%74%, to $1.8$3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared with the same period in 2017. The increase was required professional services for legal, valuation, audit and tax as well as fees associated with continuing to build out our technology ecosystem and establishing strategic partnerships and M&A activity as part of this technology ecosystem.

41

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $0.31 million as compared to $0.29 million for the same period in 2016. The2017, an increase in professional fees was mainly caused by the legal, valuation and auditing service fees incurred in relation to the acquisitions in January 2017.of approximately $0.02 million.

 

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

 

Certain of our warrants are recognized as derivative liabilities and re-measured at the end of every reporting period and upon settlement, with the change in value reported in the statement of operations. We reported a loss in the fair value of approximatelywarrant liabilities of $0.1 million but a gain of approximately $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The changes are primarily due to fluctuations in our closing stock price.2017. All the remaining warrant liabilities have been expired as of August 30, 2017.

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

Hua Cheng previously had a 20% non-controlling interest in Zhong Hai Media and accounting for that interest under the equity method was recognized by recording 20% of the operating losses of Zhong Hai Media. ForDuring the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, approximately $0.03 million of our operating loss attributablefrom Zhong Hai Media was allocated to Hua Cheng was approximately $0.3 million.Cheng. The CompnayCompany sold Zhong Hai Media on June 30, 2017 and only $0.03 million operating loss were attributable to Hua Cheng for the same period in 2017.there have therefore no more such allocations since then.

 

Dillon Yu has a 49% non-controlling interest in Shanghai Wecast Supply Chain Management Limited (“Wecast SH”) and as such we allocate 49% of the operating loss of Wecast SH to Dillon Yu. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, approximately $0.6 million$1,343 of our operating loss from Wecast SH was allocated to Dillon Yu, which was nil$0.6 million in the same period in 2016.2017.

 

Swiss Guorong Limited has a 45% non-controlling interest in Wide Angle and as such we allocate 45% of the operating profit of Wide Angle to Swiss Guorong Limited. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, approximately $0.003$0.3 million of our operating loss from Wide Angle was allocated to Swiss Guorong Limited, which was nil for$0.003 million in the same period in 2016.2017.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2017,2018, the Company had cash of approximately $1.7$16.03 million. Approximately $11.4 million was held in our Hong Kong, US and Singapore entities and $4.63 million was held in our mainland China entities. The Company has no plans to repatriate these funds.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report, the Company has incurred significant continuing losses in 2018 and 2017, and total accumulated deficits were $145.9 million and had accumulated deficits of approximately $120.5 million and $115.7$126.7 million as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016, respectively, due2017, respectively. The Company also used cash for operations of approximately $17.6 million and $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.We must continue to recurring losses since our inception. These factorsrely on proceeds from debt and equity issuances to fund ongoing operating expenses to date, which could raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

We continue Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 2 to rely on debt and equity financing to pay for ongoing operating expenses and execution of our business plan. On March 28, 2016, we completed a common stock financing for $10.0 million. On July 19, 2016, we completed a stock financing with SSW for $4.0 million. On August 12, 2016, we completed another common stock financing with Harvest Alternative Investment Opportunities SPC for $4.0 million. On November 17, 2016, we completed another common stock financing with SSSHK for $2.0 million. On May 19, 2017, we completed another common stock financing with certain investors, including officers, directors and other affiliates of the Company for $2.0 million.

consolidated financial statements in this report. The consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and, accordingly, do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

On May 19, 2017, we completed a common stock financing with certain investors, including officers, directors and other affiliates of the Company for $2.0 million. In addition, we completed a common stock financing with Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited for $10 million on October 23, 2017. In March 2018, the Company entered into a common stock financing with GT Dollar Pte. Ltd., for a private placement totaling $40.0 million, which agreement was subsequently amended and restated on June 28, 2018 to reduce such investment to $10.0 million (See Note 9). The Company has received $5.3 million during the second quarters, and received the remaining $4.7 million in the third quarter. The Company entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement with Advantech Capital Investment II Limited on June 28, 2018 for $12.0 million. The funds were delivered on July 5, 2018. In July 2018, the Company entered into a common stock financing with Star Thrive Global, for a private placement totaling $23.0 million (with an option to acquire up to 19.9% of the Company), and such installments to be paid in six monthly installments beginning in July 2018. The Company has received all monthly installments due from Star Thrive Global that were due through October, 2018, and expects to receive the remaining installments that are due through December 2018. Although the Company may attempt to raise funds by issuing debt or equity instruments, additional financing may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to the Company or at all or such resources may not be received in a timely manner.

42

The following table provides a summary of our net cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities.

 

  Nine  Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016 
Net cash used in operating activities $(5,836,575) $(7,945,349)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  1,403,598   (10,631,956)
Net cash provided by financing activities  2,285,841   17,705,110 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  62,078   (57,416)
Net decrease in cash  (2,085,058)  (929,611)
         
Cash at beginning of period  3,761,814   3,768,897 
         
Cash at end of period $1,676,756  $2,839,286 

40

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017 
Net cash used in operating activities $(17,641,902) $(6,187,745)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (5,043,300)  2,118,176 
Net cash provided by financing activities  31,186,771   1,925,610 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  (48,638)  62,078 
Net increase/(decrease in cash  8,452,931   (2,081,881)
         
Cash at beginning of period  7,577,317   3,761,814 
         
Cash at end of period $16,030,248  $1,679,933 

 

Operating Activities

Cash used in operating activities decreasedincreased by $11.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 2016,2017, primarily due to a decrease in ouran loss from operation from $6.0$5.3 million to $5.1$19.9 million.

Financing Activities

 

DuringWe received $31.1 million proceeds in a private placement from the issuance of common shares, warrant and options for nine months ended on September 30, 2017, we entered into a subscription agreement with2018, to certain investors, including officers, directors and other affiliates, pursuant to which we issued and sold to such investors, in a private placement, an aggregate of 727,273 shares of the common stock of the Company, for $2.75 per share, or a total purchase price of $2.0 million.affiliates. While in the same period in 2016,2017, we received $10$2.6 million investmentproceeds in private replacement.

Investing Activities

We used $2.8 million to acuquire Grapevine and Shanghai Guangming and $2.0 million to invest in Liberty and Asia Times for nine months ended September 30, 2018. While in the same period in 2017, we received $2.5 million proceeds from the salesdisposal of 4,545,455 shares of our common stock and issuance of a two-year warrant to acquire an additional 1,818,182 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share to SSS.Zhong Hai Shi Xun.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

Inflation and changing prices have had an effect on our business and we expect that inflation or changing prices could materially affect our business in the foreseeable future. Our management will closely monitor the price changeschange and make efforts to maintain effective cost control in operations.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity or capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to an investor in our securities.

 

Seasonality

 

Our operating results and operating cash flows historically for our legacy YOD business have not been subject to seasonal variations. However, we expect a disproportionate amount of our revenues generated from Wecast Services quarter over quarter to be subject to seasoned fluctuations at holiday periods and due to the customers’ seasonal demand, as normally holiday demand orintroduction of new model of product introduction would increase our revenue.products. This pattern may change, however, as a result of new market opportunities or new product introductions.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires our management to make assumptions, estimates, and judgments that affect the amounts reported, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We have identified certain accounting policies that are significant to the preparation of our financial statements. These accounting policies are important for an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from management’s current judgments. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements.

 

43

Variable Interest Entities

We account for entities qualifying as variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Boards (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810,Consolidation. For our consolidated VIEs, management has made evaluations of the relationships between our VIEs and the economic benefit flow of contractual arrangement with VIEs. In connection with such evaluation, management also took into account the fact that, as a result of such contractual arrangements, we control the legal shareholders’ voting interests and have power of attorney in the VIEs, and therefore we are able to direct all business activities of the VIEs. As a result of such evaluation, management concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of our consolidated VIEs.

 

We have concluded that we canconsulted our PRC legal counsel in assessing our ability to control our PRC VIEs after consulting with our in-house PRC legal counsel. Enforecement ofVIEs. Any changes in PRC laws and regulations that affect our ability to control our PRC VIEs may preclude us from consolidating these companies in the future.

 

41

Revenue Recognition

When persuasive evidenceIn the first quarter of an arrangement exists,2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), using the sales price is fixedmodified retrospective method. Topic 606 requires revenue to be recognized when promised goods or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured, we recognize revenue as services are performed. transferred to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Because the Company's primary source of revenues is from industrial trading business, the impact on its consolidated financial statements is not material.

Product sales, including electronic products and crude oil sales are recognized when or as we transfer control of the promised products to our customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods. Sales orders are confirmed after negotiation on price between customers and us. Purchase orders are confirmed after careful selection of suppliers and negotiation on price. Company purchases finished goods from suppliers in accordance with sales orders from customers. Our suppliers then deliver goods to our customers directly. Company is required to bear the direct risk of damage to the goods that the direct default risk that cannot be delivered to the customer. When the delivery is completed, company recognizes revenue and the related cost at the same time. According to purchase orders with suppliers, company, as the owner of the goods, becomes the first responsible party for the goods. Therefore, the Company accounts for revenue from sales of goods on a gross basis. The Company is the primary obligor in the arrangements, as company has the ability to establish prices, and has discretion in selecting the independent suppliers and other third-party that will perform the delivery service, the Company is responsible for the defective products and the Company bears credit risk with customer payments. Accordingly, all such revenue billed to customers is classified as revenue and all corresponding payments to suppliers are classified as cost of revenues.

For certain contracts that involve sub-licensing content within the specified license period, revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC Subtopic 926-605, Entertainment-Films - Revenue Recognition, whereby revenue is recognized upon delivery of films when the arrangement includes a nonrefundable minimum guarantee, delivery is complete and we have no substantive future obligations to provide future additional services. Payments received from customers for the performance of future services are recognized as deferred revenue, and subsequently recognized as revenue in the period that the service obligations are completed.

 

In accordanceOctober, 2016, the Company signed an agreement to form a five years’ partnership with ASC 605-25, Revenue Recognition - Multiple Element Arrangements, contracts with multiple element deliverables are separated into individual units for accounting purposes whenYanhua, where Yanhua will act as the unit determined to have standalone valueexclusive distribution operator (within the territory of PRC) of the Company’s licensed library of major studio films. Pursuant to the customer. SinceYanhua agreement, the contract priceexisting legacy Hollywood studio paid content as well as other IP content specified in the agreement, along with the corresponding authorized rights letter that the Company is for all deliverables, we allocatedentitled to, will be transferred over to Yanhua, which was agreed to be priced at RMB13,000,000 (approximately $2 million). According to the arrangement considerationagreement, as a whole package, the payment is agreed to all deliverables atbe paid in two installments equally in the inceptionamount of RMB6,500,000. As of the arrangement based on their relative selling price. We use (a) vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price,March 31, 2018, the Company only received the first installments and recorded it as revenue within Legacy YOD business, however, considering the second installment was due to be received if it exists, or, (b) the management’s best estimatelicense content fees due to studios for the existing legacy Hollywood paid contents was settled, while the Company did not expect and did not make the payment to the studios, we deemed this portion of the selling price for that deliverablefee to determine the relative selling price of each individual unit.

We also generate revenue from sales of goods. Sales orders are confirmed after negotiation on price between customersbe not fixed or determinable and us. Purchase orders are confirmed after careful selection of suppliers and negotiation on price. We purchase finished goods from suppliers in accordance with sales orders from customers. Our suppliers then deliver goods to our customers directly. We are required to bear the direct risk of damage to the goods that the direct default risk that cannot be delivered to the customer. When the delivery is completed, we recognize revenue and the related cost at the same time. According to purchase orders with suppliers, we, as the ownertherefore, this portion of the goods, becomerevenue did not meet the first responsible party for the goods.

In accordance with ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Consideration, we account for revenue from salesrecognition criteria to be recognized as of goods on a gross basis. We are the primary obligor in the arrangements, as we have the ability to establish prices, and have discretion in selecting the independent suppliers and other third-party that will perform the delivery service, we are responsible for the defective products and we bear credit risk with customer payments. Accordingly, all such revenue billed to customers is classifiedSeptember 30, 2018. Meanwhile, as revenue and all corresponding payments to suppliers are classified as cost of revenues.generated by Yanhua did not exceed the revenue sharing threshold, no additional revenue was recorded.

 

The recognition of revenue involves certain judgments and changes in our assumptions, judgments or estimations may have a material impact on the amount and timing of our revenue recognition.

Licensed Content

We obtain content through content licensing agreements with studios and distributors. We recognize licensed content when the license fee and the specified content titles are known or reasonably determinable. Prepaid license fees are classified as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets as licensed content and accrued license content fees payable are classified as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

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We amortize licensed content in cost of revenues over the contents contractual window of availability based on the expected revenue derived from the licensed content, beginning with the month of first availability, such that our revenues bear a representative amount of the cost of the licensed content. We review factors that impact the amortization of licensed content on a regular basis, including factors that may bear direct impact on expected revenue from specific content titles. We estimate expected revenue by reviewing relevant factors, including marketing considerations, programming efforts, relationship with our channel partners, expected customer renewals and content offered by other distributors on the same platform. Changes in our expected revenue from licensed content could have a significant impact on our amortization pattern.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

We account for intangible assets and goodwill, in accordance with ASC 350,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead be evaluated for impairment at least annually. ASC 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In accordance with ASC 350, goodwill is allocated to reporting units, which are either the operating segment or one reporting level below the operating segment. On an annual basis, we review goodwill for impairment by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances makes it more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, goodwill is further tested for impairment by comparing the carrying value to the estimated fair value of its reporting units, determined using externally quoted prices (if available) or a discounted cash flow model and, when deemed necessary, a market approach.

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Application of goodwill impairment tests requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units and determination of fair value of each reporting unit. Judgment applied when performing the qualitative analysis includes consideration of macroeconomic, industry and market conditions, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, composition, personnel or strategy changes affecting the reporting unit and recoverability of asset groups within a reporting unit. Judgments applied when performing the quantitative analysis includes estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and making other assumptions. Changes in these judgments, estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value for each reporting unit.

Standards Issued and Not Yet Implemented

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The standard will require lessees to report most leases as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, while lessor accounting will remain substantially unchanged. The standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for existing leases, whereby the new rules will be applied to the earliest year presented. We do not expect the new lease standard to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09, a standard that will supersede virtually all of the existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The standard establishes a five-step model that will apply to revenue earned from a contract with a customer. Extensive disclosures will be required, including disaggregation of total revenue, information about performance obligations, changes in contract asset and liability account balances between periods and key judgments and estimates. The FASB has issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations.

The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (the full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective method). We currently anticipate adopting the standard using the modified retrospective method. The new standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2018.

We are undertaking a comprehensive approach to assess the impact of the guidance on our business by reviewing our current accounting policies and practices to identify any potential differences that may result from applying the new requirements to our consolidated financial statements. We do not anticipate that this standard will have a material impact to revenue recognition in both of our legacy YOD business and Wecast Service business. Especially for Wecast Service business, we will continue to recognize revenue as principal for these contracts at the point in time when the products are delivered. The new standard requires to disclose more information about revenue activities and related transactions including quantitative and qualitative information about performance obligations, significant judgements and estimates, contract assets and liabilities and disaggregation of revenue, which we are continuing to assess in the first quarter of 2018. We are also identifying and implementing changes to the Company’s business processes, systems and controls to support adoption of the new standard in 2018. We continue to make significant progress on our review of the standard. Our initial assessment may change as we continue to refine these assumptions.

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The amendments in this Update do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. Rather, the amendments in this Update affect only the narrow aspects of Topic 606. The areas improved include: (1) Assessing the Collectability Criterion in Paragraph 606-10-25-1(e) and Accounting for Contracts That Do Not Meet the Criteria for Step 1; (2) Presentation of Sales Taxes and Other Similar Taxes Collected from Customers; (3) Noncash Consideration; (4) Contract Modifications at Transition; (5) Completed Contracts at Transition; and (6) Technical Correction. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this Update are the same as the effective date and transition requirements for Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by Update 2014-09). We are planning to adopt the above standards on January 1, 2018. We may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this standard. We are currently evaluating this standard and the related updates, including which transition approach to use as well as the impact of adoption on policies, practices and systems. The standard also requires us to evaluate whether our businesses promise to transfer services to the customer itself (as a principal) or to arrange for services to be provided by another party (as an agent). To make that determination, the standard uses a control model rather than the risks-and-rewards model in current U.S. GAAP. At this stage in the evaluation, we do not anticipate that the new guidance will have a material impact on our revenue recognition policies, practices or systems. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard to its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)”. The pronouncement changes the impairment model for most financial assets, and will require the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. We do not expect a material impact to its consolidated financial statement upon adoption of this ASU.

 

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In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires companies to include amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This guidance will be effective in the first quarter of 2018 and early adoption is permitted. Management is still evaluating the effect that this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. The update affects all companies and other reporting organizations that must determine whether they have acquired or sold a business. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The update is intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The update provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business, and also provides more consistency in applying the guidance, reduce the costs of application, and make the definition of a business more operable. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The guidance should be applied prospectively upon its effective date. The effect of ASU 2017-01 on the consolidated financial statements will be dependent on any future acquisitions.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information that would be required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer , as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017.2018. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2017,2018, and as of the date that the evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures was completed, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to satisfy the objectives for which they are intended, as a result of one material weakness described below.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

On February 4, 2017, Ms. Mei ChenApril 6, 2018, Mr. Simon Wang resigned from herhis position as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company. On April 11, 2018, the Board unanimously appointed its previous Finance Director, Mr. Jason Wu, as the interim CFO and principal accounting officer of the Company, and was replaced byeffective immediately. On June 1, 2018, the Board appointed Mr. Simon Wang,Federico Tovar as CFO of the Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.

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Company. In 2016, a material weakness identified in the internal control of financial reporting was identified related to the design, documentation and implementation of effective internal controls over the review of the cash flow forecasts used in the accounting for licensed content recoverability. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain effective internal controls related to management’s review of the data inputs and assumptions used in its cash flow forecasts for licensed content recoverability. Management believes that this material weakness still exists as of the issuance of this quarterly report, even though we may no longer operate any license content business in the future.

 

Other than the changes stated above, there have been no other significant changes in internal control for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,2018, which have materially affected or would likely materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. The Company continues to invest resources in order to review, refine and upgrade internal controls.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our property is subject. To the best of our knowledge, no such actions against us are contemplated or threatened.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In additionRISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND STRATEGY

Substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

We have incurred significant losses and have relied on debt and equity financings to fund our operations. As of September 30, 2018, the other information set forthCompany had accumulated deficit of $145.9 million, with liabilities of $123.1 million and cash on hand of $15.7 million. Based on this cash on hand and our expectation to continue to incur significant operating losses, we do not have the capital to finance operations for the next twelve months.

These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and, accordingly, do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. There is no assurance that we will be successful in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our 2016 Annual Report which could materially affecttransforming our business financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to usmodel or that we currently deemwill be able to be immaterial alsogenerate sufficient cash from operations, create and sell digital assets or borrow funds on favorable terms or at all. If we are in fact unable to continue as a going concern, our shareholders may materially adversely affectlose their entire investment in our business, financial condition or future results. Other than as noted below, there have been no material changes in the risk factors from those disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.Company.

 

We expect to require additional financing in the future to meet our business requirements. Such capital raising may be costly, difficult or not possible to obtain and, if obtained, could significantly dilute current stockholders’ equity interests

The Company must continue to rely on proceeds from debt and equity issuances to pay for ongoing operating expenses and repay existing debt in order to execute its business plan. Although the Company may attempt to raise funds by issuing debt or equity instruments, additional financing may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to the Company or at all or such resources may not be received in a timely manner. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, the Company may be required to scale back or to discontinue certain operations, scale back or discontinue the development of new business lines, reduce headcount, sell assets, file for bankruptcy, reorganize, merge with another entity, or cease operations.

We are in the process of transforming itsour business model, such that there is only a limited basis to evaluate our business and thisprospects. This transformation may continue to evolve, and ultimately may not be successful.

 

The Company isWe are in the process of transforming itsour business model and is aiming to become a global leader in providing next-generation Artificial-Intelligent (AI) & Fintech Powered, Supply Chain + Digital Finance Solutions. SSC’s innovative model helps businesses enhancenext generation fintech company enabled by AI and unlock operational and capital value from both the supply chain and real assets. In addition, SSC offers a closed trade ecosystem for buyers and sellers designed to eliminate transactional middlemen and create a more direct and margin-expanding path for principals. There are three engines that drive our business platform: 1. Intelligent Supply Chain Management; 2. Asset Based Securitization and Tokenization Issuance and Trading Platform and 3. Digital Index and Financial Derivatives Issuance and Trading Platform; All three engines are supported by “ABCD” Technology & Infrastructure (A: Artificial IntelligenceI, B: Blockchain, C: Cloud Computing, D: Data).blockchain technologies. In connection with this transformation, we are in the Company has recently assembledprocess of considerable changes, including initiatives to assemble a new experienced management team, stabilized the foundation, capitalized and rebranded the Company, reconfiguredreconfigure the business structure expanded the Company’sand expand our mission and business lines, made several key investments and finally, injected several privately held and revenue producing assets into the corporation.lines. It is uncertain whether these efforts will prove beneficial or whether we will be able to develop the necessary business models, infrastructure and systems to support the business. This includes having or hiring the right talent to execute our business strategy.strategy, and building a team with the technological capability and know-how to build the products and provide the services we envision. Market acceptance of new product and service offerings will be dependent in part on our ability to include functionality and usability that address customer requirements, and optimally price our products and services to meet customer demand and cover our costs.

 

Although we have been operating our Legacy YOD business for several years, because our new Wecast Services business has only been developed since 2017, there is only a limited basis upon which to evaluate our business and prospects. Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to implement our business plans and complete the transformation we envision. An investor in our stock should consider the challenges, expenses, and difficulties we will face as a company seeking to provide new types of fintech solutions in a competitive market. For example, we have not generated and may never generate revenue from any AI or blockchain enabled products or services. Any failure to implement this planour business plans in accordance with our expectations couldmay have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Further, as digital assets and blockchain technologies become more widely available, we expect the services and products associated with them to evolve. Government regulation may cause us to potentially change our future business in order to comply fully with the federal securities and other laws as well as applicable state securities laws. As a result, to stay current with the industry, our business model may need to continue to evolve as well. From time to time, we may modify aspects four business model relating to our products and services. We cannot offer any assurance that these or any other modifications will be successful or will not have an adverse effect to our business.

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Even if we implement our plan in accordance with our expectations, our assumptions regarding costs and growth of revenue may differ substantially from reality. Furthermore, even if the anticipated benefits and savings are substantially realized in part, there may be consequences, internal control issues, or business impacts that were not expected. Additionally, as a result of our restructuring efforts in connection with our business transformation plan, we may experience a loss of continuity, loss of accumulated knowledge or loss of efficiency during transitional periods. Reorganization and restructuring can require a significant amount of management and other employees'employees’ time and focus, which may divert attention from operating activities and growing our business. If we fail to achieve some or all of the expected benefits of these activities, it could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our operating results are likely to fluctuate significantly and may differ from market expectations.

Our annual and quarterly operating results have varied significantly in the past, and may vary significantly in the future, due to a number of factors which could have an adverse impact on our business. Our revenue may fluctuate as we expect a disproportionate amount of our revenues generated from our Wecast Services segment quarter over quarter due to the customers’ seasonal demand, as normally holiday demand for consumer electronics would increase our revenue. Furthermore, as the launch dates of our new products may not be the same as what we have planned, we expect the financial performance might fluctuate significantly depending on timing, quantity and outcome of such product launches.

The transformation of our business will put added pressure on our management and operational infrastructure, impeding our ability to meet any potential increased demand for our services and possibly hurting our future operating results.

Our business plan is to significantly grow our operations to meet anticipated growth in demand for the services that we offer, and by the introduction of new goods or services. Growth in our businesses will place a significant strain on our personnel, management, financial systems and other resources. The evolution of our business also presents numerous risks and challenges, including:

·our ability to successfully and rapidly expand sales to potential new distributors in response to potentially increasing demand;

·the costs associated with such growth, which are difficult to quantify, but could be significant; and

·rapid technological change.

To accommodate any such growth and compete effectively, we will need to obtain additional funding to improve information systems, procedures and controls and expand, train, motivate and manage our employees, and such funding may not be available in sufficient quantities, if at all. If we are not able to manage these activities and implement these strategies successfully to expand to meet any increased demand, our operating results could suffer.

The success of our business is dependent on our ability to retain our existing key employees and to add and retain senior officers to our management.

We depend on the services of our key employees. Our success will largely depend on our ability to retain these key employees and to attract and retain qualified senior and middle level managers to our management team. In addition, in connection with our transition to a new AI & blockchain-enabled fintech business model, we have recruited certain members of management and employees with extensive knowledge of the blockchain market or technology, and the loss of their expertise could diminish our business.

We have recruited executives and management both in U.S. and China to assist in our ability to manage the business and to recruit and oversee employees. While we believe we offer compensation packages that are consistent with market practice, we cannot be certain that we will be able to hire and retain sufficient personnel to support our business. In addition, severe capital constraints have limited our ability to attract specialized personnel. Moreover, our budget limitations will restrict our ability to hire qualified personnel. The loss of any of our key employees, or failure to find a suitable successor, would significantly harm our business. Our future success will also depend on our ability to identify, hire, develop and retain skilled key employees. We do not maintain key person life insurance on any of our employees. Future sales or acquisitions by us may also cause uncertainty among our current employees and employees of an acquired entity, which could lead to the departure of key employees. Such departures could have an adverse impact on our business and the anticipated benefits of a sale or acquisition.

Changes in our management team may adversely affect our operations.

Over the last several months, we have experienced turnover or changes in our senior management. On April 6, 2018, our CFO, Mr. Simon Wu announced his resignation as the CFO of the Company. On April 11, 2018, the Board appointed Mr. Jason Wu to serve as interim CFO. Effective June 1, 2018, the Board appointed Mr. Federico Tovar as our new CFO. On September 10, 2018, the Board appointed Mr. Brett McGonegal as Co-CEO of the Company, Mr. Evangelos Kalimtgis as Chief Investment Officer and Mr. Uwe Henke Von Parpart as Chief Strategist of the Company.

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While we expect to engage in an orderly transition process as we integrate newly appointed officers and managers, we face a variety of risks and uncertainties relating to management transition, including diversion of management attention from business concerns, failure to retain other key personnel or loss of institutional knowledge. These risks and uncertainties could result in operational and administrative inefficiencies and added costs, which could adversely impact our results of operations, stock price and research and development of our products.

The Company experiences significant competitive pressure, which may negatively impact itsour business, financial condition, and results. of operations.

 

The marketmarkets for the Company’s products and services is very competitive and subject to rapid technological advances, new market entrants, non-traditional competitors, changes in industry standards and changes in customer needs and consumption models. Our company aims to build operative blockchain platforms enhanced by AI technologies. Not only does the Company compete with global distributors, it also competes for customers with regional distributors and some of the Company’s own suppliers that maintain direct sales efforts. Our competitors may introduce new platforms and solutions that are superior to ours. Certain competitors may be able to adapt more quickly to new technologies or may be able to devote greater resources to the development, marketing and sale of their products than we can. In addition, as the Company expands its offerings and geographies,geographic presence, the Company may encounter increased competition from current or new competitors. The Company’s failure to maintain and enhance its competitive position could adversely affect its business and prospects. Furthermore, the Company’s efforts to compete in the marketplace could cause deterioration of gross profit margins and, thus, overall profitability.

 

The size of the Company’s competitors varies across market sectors, as do the resources the Company has allocated to the sectors and geographic areas in which it does business. Therefore, somemany competitors maywill have greater resources or a more extensive customer or supplier base than the Company has in one or more of its market sectors and geographic areas, which may result in the Company not being

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Table of Contents

able to effectively compete in certain markets which could impact the Company’s profitability and prospects.

 

Our International Operations Expose Usinternational operations expose us to a Numbernumber of Risksrisks.

 

Our international activities are significant to our revenues and profits, and we plan to further expand internationally. In certain international market segments, we have relatively little operating experience and may not benefit from any first-to-market advantages or otherwise succeed. It is costly to establish, develop, and maintain international operations and platforms, and promote our brand internationally.

 

Our international sales and operations are subject to a number of risks, including:

local economic and political conditions;
government regulation of e-commerce and other services, electronic devices, and competition, and restrictive governmental actions (such as trade protection measures, including export duties and quotas and custom duties and tariffs), nationalization, and restrictions on foreign ownership;

·local economic and political conditions;

·government regulation of e-commerce and other services, electronic devices, and competition, and restrictive governmental actions (such as trade protection measures, including export duties and quotas and custom duties and tariffs), nationalization, and restrictions on foreign ownership;

·restrictions on sales or distribution of certain products or services and uncertainty regarding liability for products, services, and content, including uncertainty as a result of less Internet-friendly legal systems, local laws, lack of legal precedent, and varying rules, regulations, and practices regarding the physical and digital distribution of media products and enforcement of intellectual property rights;

·limitations on the repatriation and investment of funds and foreign currency exchange restrictions;

·limited technology infrastructure;

·shorter payable and longer receivable cycles and the resultant negative impact on cash flow;

·laws and regulations regarding consumer and data protection, privacy, network security, encryption, payments, and restrictions on pricing or discounts;

·geopolitical events, including war and terrorism.

We may face challenges in expanding our international and cross-border businesses and operations.

As we expand our international and cross-border businesses into an increasing number of international markets, we will face risks associated with expanding into markets in which we have limited or no experience and in which we may be less well-known. We may be unable to attract a sufficient number of customers and other participants, fail to anticipate competitive conditions or face difficulties in operating effectively in these new markets. The expansion of our international and cross-border businesses will also expose us to risks inherent in operating businesses globally, including:

·inability to recruit international and local talent and challenges in replicating or adapting our company policies and procedures to operating environments different than that of China;

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·lack of acceptance of our product and service offerings;

·challenges and increased expenses associated with staffing and managing international and cross-border operations and managing an organization spread over multiple jurisdictions;
·trade barriers, such as import and export restrictions, customs duties and other taxes, competition law regimes and other trade restrictions, as well as other protectionist policies;

·differing and potentially adverse tax consequences;

·increased and conflicting regulatory compliance requirements;

·challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences;

·increased costs to protect the security and stability of our information technology systems, intellectual property and personal data, including compliance costs related to data localization laws;

·availability and reliability of international and cross-border payment systems and logistics infrastructure;

·exchange rate fluctuations; and

·political instability and general economic or political conditions in particular countries or regions.

As we expand further into new regions and markets, these risks could intensify, and efforts we make to expand our international and cross-border businesses and operations may not be successful. Failure to expand our international and cross-border businesses and operations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Transactions conducted through our international and cross-border platforms may be subject to different customs, taxes and rules and regulations, and we may be adversely affected by the complexity of and developments in customs and import/export laws, rules and regulations in the PRC and other jurisdictions. For example, effective as of April 8, 2016, the Notice on Tax Policies of Cross-Border E-Commerce Retail Importation, or the New Cross-Border E-commerce Tax Notice, replaced the previous system for taxing consumer goods imported into the PRC and introduced a 17% value-added tax, or VAT, on most products sold through e-commerce platforms and consumption tax on high-end cosmetics.

Changes to trade policies, treaties and tariffs in the jurisdictions in which we operate, or the perception that these changes could occur, could adversely affect our international and cross-border operations, our financial condition and results of operations. For example, the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has advocated greater restrictions on trade generally and significant increases on tariffs on goods imported into the United States, particularly from China.

We may also have operations in various markets with volatile economic or political environments and may pursue growth opportunities in a number of newly developed and emerging markets. These investments may expose us to heightened risks of economic, geopolitical, or other events, including governmental takeover (i.e., nationalization) of our manufacturing facilities or intellectual property, restrictive exchange or import controls, disruption of operations as a result of less Internet-friendlysystemic political or economic instability, outbreak of war or expansion of hostilities, and acts of terrorism, each of which could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, the U.S. government, other governments, and international organizations could impose additional sanctions that could restrict us from doing business directly or indirectly in or with certain countries or parties, which could include affiliates.

As we acquire, dispose of or restructure our businesses, product lines, and technologies, we may encounter unforeseen costs and difficulties that could impair our financial performance

An important element of our management strategy is to review acquisition prospects that would complement our existing products, augment our market coverage and distribution ability, or enhance our capabilities. As a result, we may seek to make acquisitions of companies, products, or technologies, or we may reduce or dispose of certain product lines or technologies that no longer fit our business strategies. For regulatory or other reasons, we may not be successful in our attempts to acquire or dispose of businesses, products, or technologies, resulting in significant financial costs, reduced or lost opportunities, and diversion of management’s attention. Managing an acquired business, disposing of product technologies, or reducing personnel entails numerous operational and financial risks, including, among other things, (i) difficulties in assimilating acquired operations and new personnel or separating existing business or product groups, (ii) diversion of management’s attention away from other business concerns, (iii) amortization of acquired intangible assets, (iv) adverse customer reaction to our decision to cease support for a product, and (v) potential loss of key employees or customers of acquired or disposed operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve and manage successfully any such integration of potential acquisitions, disposition of product lines or technologies, or reduction in personnel or that our management, personnel, or systems will be adequate to support continued operations. Any such inabilities or inadequacies could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, and/or cash flows.

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In addition, any acquisition could result in changes, such as potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, the amortization of related intangible assets, and goodwill impairment charges, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and/or the price of our common stock.

We derived a substantial portion of our revenue from several major customers. If we lose any of these customers, or if the volume of business with these distribution partners decline, our revenues may be significantly affected.

We have agreements with only one distribution partner to operate all our legacy YOD business, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, one customers individually accounted for more than 10% of third party revenue in our Wecast Service segment. Due to our reliance on those customers, any of the following events may cause a material decline in our revenue and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations:

·reductions, delays or cessation of purchases from one or more significant customer;

·loss of one or more significant customer and our inability to find new customers that can generate the same volume of business; and

·failure of any customer to make timely payment of our products and services.

We cannot be certain whether these relationships will continue to develop or if these significant customers will continue to generate significant revenue for us in the future.

Intellectual property litigation could cause us to spend substantial resources and could distract our personnel from their normal responsibilities.

Even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal systems, localproceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause us to incur significant expenses, and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development, sales, marketing or distribution activities. We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to adequately conduct such litigation or proceedings. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their greater financial resources. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of intellectual property litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace.

If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results or prevent fraud may be adversely affected, and investor confidence and market price of our shares may be adversely impacted.

As directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX 404”), the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company’s internal controls over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-Q. Under current law, we became subject to these requirements beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. Our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures have been ineffective, and failure to improve them could lead to future errors in our financial statements that could require a restatement or untimely filings, which could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, and a decline in our stock price.

In 2016, a material weakness was identified in the internal control of financial reporting related to the design, documentation and implementation of effective internal controls over the review of the cash flow forecasts used in the accounting for licensed content recoverability. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain effective internal controls related to management’s review of the data inputs and assumptions used in its cash flow forecasts for licensed content recoverability. License content forecasts are highly subjective, even though we no longer operate any license content business in 2017 and onwards, management believes that this material weakness still exists.

Management used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As of December 31, 2017, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is ineffective based on this assessment. See “Item 4. Controls and Procedures.”

If we fail to develop and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, our management may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level. This could in turn result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and negatively impact the trading price of our shares.

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RISKS RELATED TO OUR WECAST SEGMENT

There can be no assurance that we will ever develop, issue or support the trading of securitized digital assets, or that we or our partners will build blockchain-based trading and logistics management platforms, or that any such products will be well received.

We intend to securitize assets that may be owned by third parties or owned by our Company, to encode such securitized assets as digital tokens using blockchain technology, and to support the issuance and trading of such securitized digital assets. As part of our larger blockchain strategy, we also intend to enter into joint ventures, strategic investments and partnerships to explore the application of blockchain technologies to logistics management. There can be no assurance that we will ever develop, issue or support the trading of any securitized digital assets, whatsoever, or that we will ever develop a blockchain or AI enabled logistics management platform. Should we fail to do so, our financial position may be adversely affected.

Even if we do succeed in developing digital securitized assets, there can be no assurance that investors will be interested in purchasing such digital securitized assets, or that a robust ecosystem for their trading on our platforms will develop. For example, established financial institutions may refuse to process the digital assets for these transactions, process wire transfers, or maintain accounts for entities transacting in our digital assets. Conversely, a significate portion of demand for any digital securitized assets we develop may be generated by speculators and investors seeking to profit from the short- or long-term holding of our digital assets. Price volatility undermines the exchange of these digital assets and the liquidity of the digital assets we original may always be low, further fueling price volatility. Increased volatility may lead to a reduction in the value of the digital securitized assets we develop, which could adversely impact the value of any digital securitized assets we originate based on our own assets, and which could reduce demands for our digital financial services by reducing interest in using digital assets as a mean of creating liquidity from others’ owned assets.

In addition, the blockchain-enabled platforms and software upon which our products and services will be based, are in their early stages. Despite the efforts of our strategic partners and joint ventures to develop and complete the launch of, and subsequently to maintain, blockchain platforms for digital token trading and logistics management, it is possible that they will experience malfunctions or otherwise fail to be adequately secured and maintained. We may not have or may not be able to obtain the technical skills, expertise, or regulatory approvals needed to successfully develop blockchain platforms and products, including digital assets, and progress them to a successful launch. In addition, there are significant legal and regulatory considerations that will need to be addressed in order to develop and maintain a blockchain, and addressing such considerations will require significant time and resources. There can be no assurance that we will be able to develop the blockchain platform in such a way that achieves all of the features we anticipate that it will provide, or that the features provided will be sufficient to attract a significant number of users such that the blockchain platform will be widely adopted.

Blockchain technology and tokenized assets are subject to a number of inherent risks that may impact our ability to provide the services we are developing and adversely affect an investment in us.

Blockchain technology and tokenized assets are subject to a number of inherent risks, including reliability risks, security risks, and risks associated with human error, that may impact our ability to provide the services we are developing. For example, a blockchain platform’s functionality depends on the Internet, and a significant disruption in Internet connectivity could disrupt a platform’s operations until the disruption is resolved; such disruption may have an adverse effect on the value of the digital assets traded on a platform. In addition, a hacking or service attack on a platform may cause temporary delays in block creation on the blockchain and in the transfer of digital assets recorded on the chain. Any disruptions, attacks or other security breaches, or the perception that our blockchain technology is unreliable for any reason, may have a material adverse effect on the value of the digital assets, investment in the digital assets and the operations and success of our business operations and financial results.

In addition, tokenized digital assets based on blockchain technology can only be transferred with the private key associated with a platform’s address in which the digital assets are held. We intend to safeguard and securely store the private keys associated with a platform’s addresses by engaging a custodian. To the extent a private key is lost, destroyed, or otherwise compromised and no backup of the private key is accessible, the custodian will be unable to transfer the digital assets held in a platform’s addresses associated with that private key. Consequently, the digital assets associated with such address will effectively be lost, which would adversely affect an investment in digital assets.

We and our digital asset customers may be subject to the risks encountered by the digital asset exchanges we partner with, including a malicious hacking, sale of a digital asset exchange, loss of the digital assets by the exchange, and other risks. Many digital asset exchanges do not provide insurance and may lack the resources to protect against hacking and theft. If a material amount of our digital assets or the digital assets of our customers are held by exchanges, we and our customers may be materially and adversely affected if an exchange suffers a cyberattack or incurs financial problems

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Further, the recording of digital asset transactions are not, from an administrative perspective, reversible without the consent and active participation of the recipient of the transaction or, in theory, control or consent of a majority of the processing power on a certain blockchain platform. Once a transaction has been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain, an incorrect transfer of digital assets or a theft of such digital assets generally will not be reversible. We, our customers and our partners may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or through theft or criminal action, digital assets could be transferred in incorrect amounts or to unauthorized third parties. To the extent that we, our customers or our partners are unable to seek a corrective transaction with such third party or are incapable of identifying the third party that has received the digital assets through error or theft, we, our customers or our partners will be unable to revert or otherwise recover incorrectly transferred digital assets. To the extent that we, our customers and our partners are unable to seek redress for such error or theft, such loss could adversely affect our reputation and our business.

The growth of the blockchain industry in general, as well as the blockchain networks, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty.

The factors affecting the further development of the digital asset industries, as well as blockchain networks, include uncertainty regarding:

·worldwide growth in the adoption and use of digital assets, and other blockchain technologies;

·government and quasi-government regulation of digital assets and other blockchain assets and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of blockchain networks or similar systems;

·the maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the blockchain networks;

·changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences;

·the availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, or trading assets including new means of using traditional currencies or existing networks;

·general economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to digital assets; and

·The popularity or acceptance of blockchain-enabled tokens.

The digital assets industries as a whole have been characterized by rapid changes and innovations and are continually evolving. Although blockchain networks and blockchain assets have experienced significant growth in recent years, the slowing or stopping of the development, general acceptance and adoption and usage of these networks and assets may materially adversely affect our business plans and results of operations.

We currently have limited intellectual property rights related to our new Wecast Services business, and primarily rely on third parties through joint ventures to conduct research and development activities and protect proprietary information.

Although we believe our success will depend in part on our ability to acquire, invest in or develop proprietary technology to effectively compete with our competitors, we currently have, and for the forseable future will have, limited direct intellectual property rights related to our new Wecast Services business. The intellectual property relevant to the products and services we plan to provide are held primarily by joint ventures and our strategic partners. Accordingly, we will rely on these third parties for research and development activities, which poses significant risks. For example, we will have limited control over the research and development activities of the business of our joint ventures, and may require licenses from these third parties if we wish to develop products directly. If our joint venture businesses are unable to effectively maintain a competitive edge relative to the market with its technologies and intellectual property, it may adversely affect our business and financial position.

Our reliance on third parties also presents are risks related to ownership, use and protection of proprietary information. We are required to rely on the terms of the joint venture and partnership agreements to protect our interests, as well as our joint ventures’ and partners trade secret protection, non-disclosure agreements, and invention assignment agreements to protect confidential and proprietary information. If the intellectual property and other confidential information of our joint ventures and strategic partners are not adequately protected, competitors may be able to use their proprietary technologies and information and thereby erode any competitive advantages that intellectual property provide us.

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Domestic and international regulatory regimes governing blockchain technologies, digital assets, distribution and utilization of digital assets is uncertain, and new regulations or policies may materially adversely affect the development and the value of certain digital assets.

Blockchain and distributed ledger platforms are recent technological innovations, and the regulatory schemes to which digital assets may be subject have not been fully explored or developed. Regulation of digital assets varies from country to country as well as within countries. In some cases, existing laws lackhave been interpreted to apply to blockchain-based technologies and digital assets, and in other cases, jurisdictions have adopted laws, regulations or directives that specifically affect digital assets, and some jurisdictions have not taken any regulatory stance on digital assets and or have explicitly declined to apply regulation. Accordingly, there is no clear regulatory framework applicable to blockchain platforms or digital asset products, and laws that do apply at times may overlap or change. Regulation in these areas is likely to rapidly evolve as government agencies take regulatory action to monitor companies and their activities with respect to these areas.

Various legislative and executive bodies in the United States and in other countries may in the future adopt laws, regulations, or guidance, or take other actions, which may severely impact the operability of blockchain platforms and the permissibility of digital assets generally, the technology behind the assets, or the means of transacting or in transferring such assets. Failure by us to comply with any laws, rules and regulations, some of which may not yet exist or are subject to interpretation and may be subject to change, could result in a variety of adverse consequences, including civil penalties and fines.

Digital assets are novel and the application of U.S. federal and state securities laws is unclear in many respects. Digital assets are not traditional investment securities and issues that might be resolved with traditional securities may not be resolved with digital assets if the offer or sale of such digital assets is not made in full compliance with applicable registration exemptions or the federal securities laws, the token issuer may be in violation of such laws. It is possible that regulators may interpret laws in a manner that adversely affects a digital asset’s value.

Blockchain-enabled networks and distributed ledger technologies also face an uncertain regulatory landscape in many foreign jurisdictions, including China. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the near future, adopt laws, regulations or directives that may conflict with those of the United States or may directly and negatively impact our business. The effect of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and materially adverse to our business.

The further development and acceptance of blockchain platforms, which represent a new and rapidly changing industry, are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of blockchain platforms and blockchain assets would have a material adverse effect on our business plans and could have a material adverse effect on us.

Regulatory authorities may never permit a trading system or ATS on which digital assets could trade to become operational.

In order for a securities exchange to allow U.S. investors to participate on its platform, it must register as a broker-dealer with the SEC, become a member of FINRA, file a Form ATS with the SEC and comply with Regulation ATS. DBOT, one of our joint venture investments, has filed an initial operations report on Form ATS to give notice of operations of DBOT ATS, LLC. The Company’s investment in DBOT’s ATS is not approved by the SEC or FINRA. If FINRA, the SEC or any other regulatory authority objected to such system, such regulatory authorities could prevent the system from ever becoming operational.

If the digital assets we develop are considered to be derivatives or commodities, we may be subject to the provisions of the Commodities Exchange Act and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulations.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) has defined “virtual currencies” as a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and/or a store of value, but does not have legal precedent,tender status in any jurisdiction. The CFTC has considered digital assets as commodities or derivatives, depending on the facts of the offering. If we facilitate borrowing transactions that permit the trading of the securitized digital assets we develop on a “leveraged, margined or financed basis,” we must comply with the provisions of the Commodities Exchange Act and varying rules,CFTC regulations. Any regulatory issues encountered with respect to compliance with these regulations and practices regardinglaws would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position.

Our sales of oil and natural gas may expose us to extensive regulation.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the CFTC and the Federal Trade Commission hold statutory authority to monitor certain segments of the physical energy commodities markets. The trading of digital assets linked to such energy commodities may be subject to such regulations. To the extent that any digital asset is deemed to fall within the definition of a commodity future, such as those represented by oil or energy assets, pursuant to subsequent rulemaking by the CFTC, the Company and/or the issuer of such digital asset may be required to register and comply with additional regulation under the CEA. Moreover, the Company or issuer may be required to register as a commodity pool operator and register the platform, or such other entity created to hold the digital distributionassets, as a commodity pool with the CFTC through the National Futures Association. Such additional registrations may result in extraordinary expenses of mediathe Company, and adversely impact the value of the common stock.

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If regulatory changes or interpretations of the Company’s activities require the registration as a money service business under the regulations promulgated by FinCEN under the authority of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, or licensing as a money transmitter (or equivalent designation) under state law in any state in which the Company operates, compliance with these requirements would result in extraordinary expenses to the Company or the termination of the Company.

To the extent that the activities of the Company cause it to be deemed a money service business (“MSB”) under the regulations promulgated by FinCEN under the authority of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, the Company may be required to comply with FinCEN regulations, including those that would mandate the Company to implement anti-money laundering programs, make certain reports to FinCEN and maintain certain records.

To the extent that the activities of the Company cause it to be deemed a “money transmitter” (or equivalent designation) (“MT”) under state law in any state in which it operates, the Company may be required to seek a license or otherwise register with a state regulator and comply with state regulations that may including the implementation of anti-money laundering programs, maintenance of certain records and other operational requirements.

Such additional federal or state regulatory obligations may cause the Company to incur extraordinary expenses, possibly affecting an investment in the common stock in a material and adverse manner. Furthermore, the Company and its service providers may not be capable of complying with certain federal or state regulatory obligations applicable to MSBs and MTs. Such noncompliance or extraordinary expense to comply with regulations may have an adverse effect on the value of the Company’s common stock and affect the financial position of the business.

RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA AND TO OUR LEGACY YOD BUSINESS

U.S. financial regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including without limitation the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. national securities exchanges, have limited ability, and in fact may have no ability, to conduct investigations within the People’s Republic of China concerning the Company, our PRC-based officers, directors, market research services or other professional services or experts.

A substantial part of our assets and our current operations are conducted in the PRC, and some of our officers, directors and other professional service providers are nationals and residents of China. U.S. financial regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including without limitation the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. national securities exchanges, have limited ability, and in fact may have no ability, to conduct investigations within the PRC concerning the Company, and China may have limited or no agreements in place to facilitate cooperation with the SEC’s Division of Enforcement for investigations within its jurisdiction.

Adverse changes in political, economic and other policies of the Chinese government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could materially and adversely affect the growth of our business and our competitive position.

Our business operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:

·the degree of government involvement;
·the level of development;
·the growth rate;
·the control of foreign exchange;
·the allocation of resources;
·an evolving and rapidly changing regulatory system; and
·a lack of sufficient transparency in the regulatory process.

While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in the past 30 years, growth has been uneven, both geographically and across various sectors of the economy. The Chinese economy has also experienced certain adverse effects due to the global financial crisis. In addition, the growth rate of China’s gross domestic product has slowed in recent years to 6.7% in 2016 and 6.9% in 2017, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments, foreign currency exchange restrictions or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us.

The Chinese economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although in recent years the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of the productive assets in China is still owned by the Chinese government. The continued control of these assets and other aspects of the national economy by the Chinese government could materially and adversely affect our business. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over Chinese economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.

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Any adverse change in the economic conditions or government policies in China could have a material adverse effect on overall economic growth, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our products and consequently have a material adverse effect on our businesses.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could limit the legal protections available to you and to us, which could cause material adverse effects to our business operations.

We conduct part of our business through our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC. Our subsidiaries and VIEs are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to foreign invested entities established in the PRC (“FIEs”). The PRC legal system is based on written statutes, and prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, a series of new PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. For example, on January 19, 2015, MOFCOM published a draft of the PRC law on Foreign Investment (Draft for Comment), of the Draft Foreign Investment Law, which was open for public comments until February 17, 2015. At the same time, MOFCOM published an accompanying explanatory note of the Draft Foreign Investment Law, or the Explanatory Note, which contains important information about the Draft Foreign Investment Law, including its drafting philosophy and principles, main content, plans to transition to the new legal regime and treatment of business in China controlled by FIEs, primarily through contractual arrangements such as VIE arrangements. The Draft Foreign Investment Law is intended to replace the current foreign investment legal regime consisting of three laws: the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law, as well as detailed implementing rules. The Draft Foreign Investment Law proposes significant changes to the PRC foreign investment legal regime and may have a material impact on Chinese companies listed or to be listed overseas. The proposed Draft Foreign Investment Law is to regulate FIEs the same way as PRC domestic entities, except for those FIEs that operate in industries deemed to be either “restricted” or “prohibited” in a “Negative List.” As the Negative List has yet to be published, it is unclear whether it will differ from the current list of industries subject to restrictions or prohibitions on foreign investment. The Draft Foreign Investment Law also provides that only FIEs operating in industries on the Negative List will require entry clearance and other approvals that are not required of PRC domestic entities. As a result of the entry clearance and approvals, certain FIEs operating in industries on the Negative List may not be able to continue to conduct their operations through contractual arrangements. Moreover, it is uncertain whether business industries in which our VIEs operate will be subject to the foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions set forth in the “negative list” to be issued.

The Draft Foreign Investment Law has not taken a position on what actions will be taken with respect to the existing VIE structures, while it is soliciting comments from the public on this point by illustrating several possible options. Under these varied options, a company that has a VIE structure and conducts the business on the “negative list” at the time of enactment of the new Foreign Investment Law has either the option or obligation to disclose its corporate structure to the authorities, while the authorities may either permit the company to continue to maintain the VIE structure (if the company is deemed ultimately controlled by PRC nationals), or require the company to dispose of its businesses and/or VIE structure based on circumstantial considerations. The Draft Foreign Investment Law also provides that only FIEs operating in industries on the Negative List will require entry clearance and other approvals that are not required of PRC domestic entities. As a result of such entry clearance and approvals or certain restructuring of our corporate structure and operations, to be completed by companies with existing VIE structure like us, we face substantial uncertainties as to whether these actions can be timely completed, or at all, and our business and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Although the overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system. Recently enacted laws, rules and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China or may be subject to significant degree of interpretation by PRC regulatory agencies and courts. Since the PRC legal system continues to evolve rapidly, the interpretations of many laws, regulations, and rules are not always uniform, and enforcement of intellectualthese laws, regulations, and rules involve uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to you and to us. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the occurrence of the violation.

In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management’s attention. In addition, some of our executive officers and directors are residents of China and not of the United States, and substantially all the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it could be difficult for investors to affect service of process in the United States or to enforce a judgment obtained in the United States against our Chinese operations and entities.

In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, we operate our legacy YOD businesses through companies with which we have contractual relationships. By virtue of these contractual relationships, we control the economic interests and have the power to direct the activities of these entities, and are therefore determined to be the primary beneficiary of these entities, but we do not have any equity ownership interest in these entities. If the PRC government determines that our contractual agreements with these entities are not in compliance with applicable regulations, our business in the PRC could be materially adversely affected.

We do not have direct or indirect equity ownership of our VIEs, which collectively operate all of our legacy YOD businesses in China, but instead have entered into contractual arrangements with our VIEs and each of its individual legal shareholder(s) pursuant to which we received an economic interest in, and have the power to direct the activities of the VIEs, in a manner substantially similar to a controlling equity interest. Although we believe that our business operations are in compliance with the current laws in China, we cannot be sure that the PRC government would view our operating arrangements to be in compliance with PRC regulations that may be adopted in the future. If we are determined not to be in compliance, the PRC government could levy fines, revoke our business and operating licenses, require us to restrict or discontinue our operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, require us to restructure our business, corporate structure or operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on our business operations or on our customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business. As a result, our legacy YOD business in the PRC could be materially adversely affected.

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We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIEs for our operations, which may not be as effective for providing control over these entities as direct ownership.

Our legacy YOD operations and financial results are dependent on our VIEs in which we have no equity ownership interest and must rely on contractual arrangements to control and operate the businesses of our VIEs. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective for providing control over the VIEs as direct ownership. For example, the VIEs may be unwilling or unable to perform its contractual obligations under our commercial agreements. Consequently, we may not be able to conduct our operations in the manner currently planned. In addition, the VIEs may seek to renew their agreements on terms that are disadvantageous to us. Although we have entered into a series of agreements that provide us with the ability to control the VIEs, we may not succeed in enforcing our rights under them insofar as our contractual rights and legal remedies under PRC law are inadequate. In addition, if we are unable to renew these agreements on favorable terms when these agreements expire or to enter into similar agreements with other parties, our legacy YOD business may not be able to operate or expand, and our operating expenses may significantly increase.

Our arrangements with our VIEs and its respective shareholders may be subject to a transfer pricing adjustment by the PRC tax authorities which could have an adverse effect on our income and expenses.

We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that our contracts with our VIEs and their respective shareholders were not entered into based on arm’s length negotiations. Although our contractual arrangements are similar to those of other companies conducting similar operations in China, if the PRC tax authorities determine that these contracts were not entered into on an arm’s length basis, they may adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. Such an adjustment may require that we pay additional PRC taxes plus applicable penalties and interest, if any.

We depend upon contractual arrangements with our VIEs for the success of our legacy YOD business and these arrangements may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership of these businesses and may be difficult to enforce.

Our operations are partially conducted in the PRC, where the PRC government restricts or prohibits foreign-owned enterprises from owning certain other operations in the PRC. Accordingly, we depend on our VIEs, in which we have no direct ownership interest, to provide those services through contractual agreements among the parties and to hold some of our assets. These arrangements may not be as effective in providing control over our operations through direct ownership of these businesses. Due to our VIE structure, we have to rely on contractual rights to effect control and management of our VIEs, which exposes us to the risk of potential breach of contract by the VIEs or their shareholders. A failure by our VIEs or their shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Furthermore, if the shareholders of our VIEs were involved in proceedings that had an adverse impact on their shareholder interests in such VIEs or on our ability to enforce relevant contracts related to the VIE structure, our legacy YOD business would be adversely affected.

As all of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through either arbitration or litigation in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. We would have to rely for enforcement on legal remedies under PRC law, including specific performance, injunctive relief or damages, which might not be effective. As these PRC governmental authorities have wide discretion in granting such approvals, we could fail to obtain such approval. In addition, our VIE contracts might not be enforceable in China if PRC governmental authorities, courts or arbitral tribunals took the view that such contracts contravened PRC law or were otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event we were unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we would not be able to exert effective control over our VIEs, and our ability to conduct our legacy YOD business, and our financial condition and results of operations, would be severely adversely affected.

You may have difficulty enforcing judgments against us.

Most of our assets are located outside of the United States and a substantial part of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, some of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons is located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, that are not residents in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts. Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. Courts in China may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other arrangements that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments with the United States. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security, or the public interest. So it is uncertain whether a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered against us by a court in the United States.

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The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities.

The PRC government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, property, rights;and other matters. We believe that our operations in China are in material compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local governments of the jurisdictions in which we operate may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations.

Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties or joint ventures.

Our results could be adversely affected by the trade tensions between the United States and China.

With the increasing interconnectedness of global economic and financial systems and our business related to China, trade tensions between the United States and China can have an immediate and material adverse impact on our business. Changes to trade policies, treaties and tariffs in the jurisdictions in which we operate, or the perception that these changes could occur, could adversely affect our international and cross-border operations, our financial condition and results of operations. For example, the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has advocated greater restrictions on trade generally and significant increases on tariffs on goods imported into the United States, particularly from China. Further, the U.S. or China could impose additional sanctions that could restrict us from doing business directly or indirectly in either country. Such actions could have material adverse impact on our profitability and operations.

The enforcement of the PRC labor contract law may materially increase our costs and decrease our net income.

China adopted a new Labor Contract Law, effective on January 1, 2008, issued its implementation rules and regulations, effective on September 18, 2008, and amended the Labor Contract Law, effective on July 1, 2013. The Labor Contract Law and related rules and regulations impose more stringent requirements on employers with regard to, among other things, minimum wages, severance payment and non-fixed-term employment contracts, time limits for probation periods, as well as the duration and the times that an employee can be placed on a fixed-term employment contract. Due to the limited period of effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law, its implementation rules and regulations and its amendment, and the lack of clarity with respect to its implementation and the potential penalties and fines, it is uncertain how it will impact our current employment policies and practices. In particular, compliance with the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules and regulations may increase our operating expenses. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules and regulations may also limit our ability to effect those changes in a manner that we believe to be cost-effective or desirable, and could result in a material decrease in our profitability.

Future inflation in China may inhibit our ability to conduct business in China.

In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion, significant stock market volatility and highly fluctuating rates of inflation. These factors have led to the adoption by the Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. In 2010 and 2011, for example, the Chinese economy experienced high inflation and to curb the accelerating inflation, the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”), China central bank, raised benchmark interest rates three times in 2011. High inflation may in the future cause the Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products and services and our company.

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Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our sales effectively.

At present, a substantial part of our sales will be settled in RMB, and any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use revenue generated in RMB to fund any future business activities outside China or to make dividend or other payments in U.S. dollars. Although the Chinese government introduced regulations in 1996 to allow greater convertibility of the RMB for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain, including primarily the restriction that FIEs may only buy, sell or remit foreign currencies after providing valid commercial documents, at those banks in China authorized to conduct foreign exchange business. In addition, foreign exchange transactions under the capital account remain subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities and companies are required to open and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. This could affect our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing for our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities. Recent volatility in the RMB foreign exchange rate as well as capital flight out of China may lead to further foreign exchange restrictions and policies or practices which adversely affect our operations and ability to convert RMB. We cannot be certain that the Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB.

Restrictions under PRC law on our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make dividends and other distributions could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could benefit our business, pay dividends to you, and otherwise fund and conduct our business.

At present, part of our sales are earned by our PRC operating entities. However, PRC regulations restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make dividends and other payments to their offshore parent companies. PRC legal restrictions permit payments of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries only out of their accumulated after-tax profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries are also required under PRC laws and regulations to allocate at least 10% of their annual after-tax profits determined in accordance with PRC GAAP to a statutory general reserve fund until the amounts in said fund reaches 50% of their registered capital. Allocations to these statutory reserve funds can only be used for specific purposes and are not transferable to us in the form of loans, advances, or cash dividends. Any limitations on the repatriationability of our PRC subsidiaries to transfer funds to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends and otherwise fund and conduct our business.

Failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders to personal liability, limit our ability to acquire PRC companies or to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to us or otherwise materially adversely affect us.

SAFE has promulgated several regulations, including the Notice Concerning Foreign Exchange Controls on Domestic Residents’ Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles (“Circular 75”), effective on November 1, 2005, and the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration Over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment by Domestic Residents Via Special Purpose Vehicles (“Circular 37”), effective on July 4, 2015, which replaced Circular 75. Under Circular 37, PRC residents must register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity for the purpose of holding domestic or offshore assets or interests, referred to as a “special purpose vehicle” in Circular 37. In addition, amendments to the registration must be made in the event of any material change, such as an increase or decrease in share capital contributed by the individual PRC resident shareholder, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. Failure to comply with the specified registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity. Further, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements may result in penalties under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange regulations.

We have asked our shareholders who are PRC residents as defined in Circular 37 and related rules to register with the relevant branch of SAFE, as currently required, in connection with their equity interests in us and our acquisitions of equity interests in our PRC subsidiaries. However, we cannot provide any assurances that they can obtain the above SAFE registrations required by Circular 37 and related rules. Moreover, because Circular 37 is newly issued, there is uncertainty over how Circular 37 and related rules will be interpreted and implemented and how or whether SAFE will apply it to us, and we cannot predict how it will affect our business operations or future strategies. For example, our present and prospective PRC subsidiaries’ ability to conduct foreign exchange activities, such as the remittance of dividends and foreign currency-denominated borrowings, may be subject to compliance with Circular 37 and related rules by our PRC resident beneficial holders. In addition, such PRC residents may not always be able to complete the necessary registration procedures required by Circular 37 and related rules. We have little control over either our present or prospective direct or indirect shareholders or the outcome of such registration procedures.

We may be unable to complete a business combination transaction efficiently or on favorable terms due to complicated merger and acquisition regulations which became effective on September 8, 2006.

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission, promulgated the Regulation on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended in June 2009. This regulation, among other things, governs the approval process by which a PRC company may participate in an acquisition of assets or equity interests. Depending on the structure of the transaction, the regulation will require the PRC parties to make a series of applications and supplemental applications to the government agencies. In some instances, the application process may require the presentation of economic data concerning a transaction, including appraisals of the target business and evaluations of the acquirer, which are designed to allow the government to assess the transaction. Government approvals will have expiration dates by which a transaction must be completed and reported to the government agencies. Compliance with the regulation is likely to be more time consuming and expensive than in the past and the government can now exert more control over the combination of two businesses. Accordingly, due to the regulation, our ability to engage in business combination transactions has become significantly more complicated, time consuming and expensive, and we may not be able to negotiate a transaction that is acceptable to our shareholders or sufficiently protect their interests in a transaction.

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The regulation allows PRC government agencies to assess the economic terms of a business combination transaction. Parties to a business combination transaction may have to submit to MOFCOM and other relevant government agencies an appraisal report, an evaluation report and the acquisition agreement, all of which form part of the application for approval, depending on the structure of the transaction. The regulation also prohibits a transaction at an acquisition price obviously lower than the appraised value of the PRC business or assets, and in certain transaction structures, may require that consideration be paid within defined periods, generally not in excess of a year. The regulation also limits our ability to negotiate various terms of the acquisition, including aspects of the initial consideration, contingent consideration, holdback provisions, indemnification provisions and provisions relating to the assumption and allocation of assets and liabilities. Transaction structures involving trusts, nominees and similar entities are prohibited. Therefore, such regulation may impede our ability to negotiate and complete a business combination transaction on financial terms that satisfy our investors and protect our shareholders’ economic interests.

Our existing contractual arrangements with Sinotop Beijing, SSF and their respective shareholders may be subject to national security review by MOFCOM, and the failure to receive the national security review could have a material adverse effect on our legacy YOD business and operating results.

In August 2011, MOFCOM promulgated the Rules of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “Security Review Rules”) to implement the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Establishing the Security Review System for Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors promulgated on February 3, 2011 (“Circular 6”). The Security Review Rules became effective on September 1, 2011. Under the Security Review Rules, a national security review is required for certain mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors raising concerns regarding national defense and security. Foreign investors are prohibited from circumventing the national security review requirements by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. The application and interpretation of the Security Review Rules remain unclear. Based on our understanding of the Security Review Rules, we do not need to submit our existing contractual arrangements with Sinotop Beijing, SSF and their respective shareholders to the MOFCOM for national security review because, among other reasons, (i) we gained de facto control over Sinotop Beijing in 2010 prior to the effectiveness of Circular 6 and the Security Review Rules; and (ii) there are currently no explicit provisions or official interpretations indicating that our current businesses fall within the scope of national security review. Although we have no plan to submit our existing contractual arrangements with Sinotop Beijing and its shareholders to MOFCOM for national security review, the relevant PRC government agencies, such as MOFCOM, may reach a different conclusion. If MOFCOM or another PRC regulatory agency subsequently determines that we need to submit our existing contractual arrangements with Sinotop Beijing, SSF and their respective shareholders for national security review by interpretation, clarification or amendment of the Security Review Rules or by any new rules, regulations or directives promulgated, we may face sanctions by MOFCOM or another PRC regulatory agency. These sanctions may include revoking the business or operating licenses of our PRC entities, discontinuing or restricting our operations in China, confiscating our income or the income of Sinotop Beijing and SSF, and taking other regulatory or enforcement actions, such as levying fines, that could be harmful to our business. Any of these sanctions could cause significant disruption to our legacy YOD business operations.

The Security Review Rules may make it more difficult for us to make future acquisitions or dispositions of our business operations or assets in China.

The Security Review Rules, effective as of September 1, 2011, provide that when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition of a domestic enterprise by foreign investors is subject to the national security review by MOFCOM, the principle of substance-over-form should be applied. Foreign investors are prohibited from circumventing the national security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. If the business of any target company that we plan to acquire falls within the scope of national security review, we may not be able to successfully acquire such company by equity or asset acquisition, capital increase or even through any contractual arrangement.

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in dividends payable to our foreign investor and gains on sale of our common stock by our foreign investors may become subject to PRC taxation.

On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China passed a new Enterprise Income Tax law (the “EIT Law”), and on November 28, 2007, the State Council of China passed its implementing rules, which took effect on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.

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On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Concerning Relevant Issues Regarding Cognizance of Chinese Investment Controlled Enterprises Incorporated Offshore as Resident Enterprises pursuant to Criteria of de facto Management Bodies (the “Notice”), further interpreting the application of the EIT Law and its implementation non-Chinese enterprise or group controlled offshore entities. Pursuant to the Notice, an enterprise incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction and controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group will be classified as a “non-domestically incorporated resident enterprise” if (i) its senior management in charge of daily operations reside or perform their duties mainly in China; (ii) its financial or personnel decisions are made or approved by bodies or persons in China; (iii) its substantial assets and properties, accounting books, corporate chops, board and shareholder minutes are kept in China; and (iv) at least half of its directors with voting rights or senior management often reside in China. A resident enterprise would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on its worldwide income and must pay a withholding tax at a rate of 10% when paying dividends to its non-PRC shareholders that do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or which have such establishment or place of business but the dividends are not effectively connected with such establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC. Similarly, any gains realized on the transfer of our shares by such investors is also subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 10%, subject to any reduction or exemption set forth in relevant tax treaties, if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. However, it remains unclear as to whether the Notice is applicable to an offshore enterprise incorporated by a Chinese natural person. Detailed measures on the imposition of tax from non-domestically incorporated resident enterprises are not readily available. Therefore, it is unclear how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.

We may be deemed to be a resident enterprise by Chinese tax authorities. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as interest on financing proceeds and non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Second, although under the EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income,” we cannot guarantee that such dividends will not be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities, which enforce the withholding tax, have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC shareholders from transferring our shares.

If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both the United States and China, and our PRC tax may not be creditable against our U.S. tax.

Heightened scrutiny of acquisition transactions by PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on our business operations or the value of your investment in us.

Pursuant to the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises (“SAT Circular 698”), effective on January 1, 2008, and the Announcement on Several Issues Related to Enterprise Income Tax for Indirect Asset Transfer by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises (“SAT Announcement 7”), effective on February 3, 2015, issued by the SAT, if a non-resident enterprise transfers the equity interests of or similar rights or interests in overseas companies which directly or indirectly own PRC taxable assets through an arrangement without a reasonable commercial purpose resulting in the avoidance of PRC corporate income taxes, such a transaction may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets subject to PRC corporate income tax. SAT Announcement 7 specifies certain factors that should be considered in determining whether an indirect transfer has a reasonable commercial purpose. However, as SAT Announcement 7 is newly issued, there is uncertainty as to its application and the interpretation of the term “reasonable commercial purpose.” In addition, under SAT Announcement 7, the entity which has the obligation to pay the consideration for the transfer to the transferring shareholders has the obligation to withhold any PRC corporate income tax that is due. If the transferring shareholders do not pay corporate income tax that is due for a transfer and the entity which has the obligation to pay the consideration does not withhold the tax due, the PRC tax authorities may impose a penalty on the entity that so fails to withhold, which may be relieved or exempted from the withholding obligation and any resulting penalty under certain circumstances if it reports such transfer to the PRC tax authorities.

As SAT Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7 are relatively new and there is uncertainty over their application, we and our non-PRC resident investors may be subject to being taxed under Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7 and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7 or to establish that we or our non-PRC resident investors should not be taxed under Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to fines and legal sanctions if we or our employees who are PRC citizens fail to comply with PRC regulations relating to employee share options.

Under the Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control issued by the PBOC and the related Implementation Rules issued by the SAFE, all foreign exchange transactions involving an employee share incentive plan, share option plan or similar plan participated in by PRC citizens may be conducted only with the approval of the SAFE. Under the Notice of Issues Related to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company (“Offshore Share Incentives Rule”), issued by the SAFE on February 15, 2012, PRC citizens who are granted share options, restricted share units or restricted shares by an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with the SAFE or its authorized branch and comply with a series of other requirements. The Offshore Share Incentives Rule also provides procedures for registration of incentive plans, the opening and use of special accounts for the purpose of participation in incentive plans, and the remittance of funds for exercising options and gains realized from such exercises and sales of such options or the underlying shares, both outside and inside the PRC. We, and any of our PRC employees or members of our Board who have been granted share options, restricted share units or restricted shares, are subject to the Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control, the related Implementation Rules, and the Offshore Share Incentives Rule. If we, or any of our PRC employees or members of our Board who receive or hold options, restricted share units or restricted shares in us or any of our subsidiaries, fail to comply with these registration and other procedural requirements, we may be subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

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We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption laws, and any determination that we violated these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (“FCPA”) and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We have operations and agreements with third parties, and make most of our sales in China. The PRC also strictly prohibits bribery of government officials. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by the employees, consultants, sales agents, or distributors of our Company, which may not always be subject to our control. It is our policy to implement safeguards to discourage these practices by our employees. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants, sales agents, or distributors of our company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the U.S. government may seek to hold our Company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.

Our operations in foreign countries are subject to risks that could adversely impact our financial results, such as economic or political volatility, foreign legal and regulatory requirements, international trade factors (export controls, trade sanctions, duties, tariff barriers and other restrictions), protection of our proprietary technology in certain countries, potentially burdensome taxes, crime, employee turnover, staffing, managing personnel in diverse culture, labor instability, transportation delays, and foreign currency exchange restrictions;

limited technology infrastructure;
shorter payablefluctuations.

If we become directly subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and longer receivable cyclesnegative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, stock price and reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our stock, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.

Over the past several years, U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, particularly companies like ours which have completed so-called reverse merger transactions, have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity is in connection with financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what affect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on our company, our business and our stock price. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or not, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our company. This situation will be costly and time consuming and distract our management from growing our company.

The disclosures in our reports and other filings with the SEC and our other public announcements are not subject to the scrutiny of any regulatory bodies in the PRC. Accordingly, our public disclosure should be reviewed in light of the fact that no governmental agency that is located in China, where part of our operations and business are located, has conducted any due diligence on our operations or reviewed or cleared any of our disclosure.

We are regulated by the SEC and our reports and other filings with the SEC are subject to SEC review in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and the resultant negative impactExchange Act. Unlike public reporting companies whose operations are located primarily in the United States, however, substantially all of our operations are located in China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Since substantially all of our operations and business takes place outside of United States, it may be more difficult for the staff of the SEC to overcome the geographic and cultural obstacles that are present when reviewing our disclosure. These same obstacles are not present for similar companies whose operations or business take place entirely or primarily in the United States. Furthermore, our SEC reports and other disclosure and public announcements are not subject to the review or scrutiny of any PRC regulatory authority. For example, the disclosure in our SEC reports and other filings are not subject to the review of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), a PRC regulator that is tasked with oversight of the capital markets in China. Accordingly, you should review our SEC reports, filings and our other public announcements with the understanding that no local regulator has done any due diligence on our company and with the understanding that none of our SEC reports, other filings or any of our other public announcements has been reviewed or otherwise been scrutinized by any local regulator.

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RISKS RELATED TO OUR STOCK

The market price of our common stock is volatile, leading to the possibility of its value being depressed at a time when you may want to sell your holdings.

The market price of our common stock is volatile, and this volatility may continue. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control or are not discernible or determinable by the Company, may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our common stock may be highly volatile for specific business reasons. Factors such as variations in our revenues, earnings and cash flow;flow, announcements of new investments, cooperation arrangements or acquisitions, and fluctuations in market prices for our products could cause the market price for our shares to change substantially.

Securities class action litigation is often instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs to us and divert our management’s attention and resources.

Moreover, the trading market for our common stock will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our common stock, the market price for our common stock would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price for our common stock or trading volume to decline.

The market price of our common stock could be also subject to volatility if the value of our business and common stock is viewed as being linked to the price and value of digital assets. A decrease in the price of a single digital asset may cause volatility in the entire digital asset and security token industry. For example, a security breach that affects purchaser or user confidence in Bitcoin or Ether may affect the industry as a whole. If investors view our business and the value of our common stock as dependent upon or linked to the value or growth of digital assets, whether or not tokenized on our blockchain platforms, the price of such digital assets may influence significantly the market price of shares of our common stock.

Furthermore, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations for reasons unrelated to operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock and other interests in our company at a time when you want to sell your interest in us.

Although publicly traded, the trading market in our common stock has been substantially less liquid than the average trading market for a stock quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market and this low trading volume may adversely affect the price of our common stock.

Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The trading volume of our common stock has been comparatively low compared to other companies listed on Nasdaq. Limited trading volume will subject our shares of common stock to greater price volatility and may make it difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a price that is attractive to you.

Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws or Nevada law might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of us or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of the common stock.

Our articles of incorporation authorize our Board to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by the Board without further action by the shareholders. These terms may include preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion rights, redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. The issuance of any preferred stock could diminish the rights of holders of our common stock, and therefore could reduce the value of such common stock. In addition, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with, or sell assets to, a third party. The ability of our Board to issue preferred stock could make it more difficult, delay, discourage, prevent or make it costlier to acquire or effect a change-in-control, which in turn could prevent our shareholders from recognizing a gain in the event that a favorable offer is extended and could materially and negatively affect the market price of our common stock.

In addition, Section 78.438 of the Nevada Revised Statutes prohibits a publicly-held Nevada corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder (generally defined as a person which together with its affiliates owns, or within the last three years has owned, 10% of our voting stock, for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder) unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. The existence of the foregoing provisions and other potential anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our Company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for your common stock in an acquisition.

Certain of our shareholders hold a significant percentage of our outstanding voting securities.

As of August 10, 2018, Wecast Media Investment Management Limited, Seven Stars Global Cloud Group Limited, Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited and affiliates (controlled by our Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wu) are the beneficial owners of approximately 42.0% of our outstanding voting securities (through their ownership of 100% our Series A Preferred Stock, which entitle the holder to cast ten votes for every share of common stock that is issuable upon conversion of a share of Series A Preferred Stock (each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.1333333 shares of common stock), or a total of 9,333,330 votes), Mr. Shane McMahon, our Vice Chairman, is the beneficial owner of approximately 7.6% of our outstanding voting securities, and our former director Mr. Xuesong Song and C Media Limited (of which Mr. Song is the Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer) are the beneficial owners of approximately 7.3% of our outstanding voting securities (as calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1) of the Exchange Act). As a result, each possesses significant influence over the election of our directors and the authorization of any proposed significant corporate transactions. Their respective ownership and control may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a future change in control, impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer.

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laws

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

For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and regulations regarding consumerexpansion of our business, and data protection, privacy, network security, encryption, payments,we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock or Series A preferred stock. Accordingly, investors must be prepared to rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation to earn an investment return, which may never occur. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our Board deems relevant. In addition, our ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on our ability to declare dividends and profits in our PRC subsidiaries. PRC rules greatly restrict and limit the ability of our subsidiaries to declare dividends to us which, in addition to restricting our cash flow, limits our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China— Restrictions under PRC law on our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make dividends and other distributions could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could benefit our business, pay dividends to you, and otherwise fund and conduct our business.”

Even if we are able to pay dividends on our common stock or Series A preferred stock, our Board may choose not to declare dividends on our capital stock. In addition, financing agreements that we may enter into in the future may limit our ability to pay cash dividends. Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.

The value of our common stock will be indirectly affected by the foreign exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and RMB and between those currencies and other currencies in which our sales may be denominated. Appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend we issue that will be exchanged into U.S. dollars, as well as earnings from, and the value of, any U.S. dollar-denominated investments we make in the future.

Since July 2005, the RMB has no longer been pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future PRC authorities may lift restrictions on pricing or discounts;

geopolitical events, including warfluctuations in the RMB exchange rate and terrorism.lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market.

 

Very limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions. While we may enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these transactions may be limited, and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our foreign currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into foreign currencies.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017,2018, other than those that were previously reported in our Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

There were no defaults upon senior securities during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017.2018.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

On May 10, 2012, at the request of Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. (the “Company’), Mr. Shane McMahon made a loan to the Company in the amount of $3,000,000. In consideration for the loan, the Company issued a convertible note to Mr. McMahon in the principal amount of $3,000,000, as amended on May 18, 2012, October 19, 2012, May 10, 2013, January 31, 2014, December 30, 2014 and December 31, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “McMahon Note”).Not applicable.

 

Effective on November 9, 2017, the Company and Mr. McMahon entered into Amendment No. 7 to the McMahon Note pursuant to which the McMahon Note will be, at Mr. McMahon’s option, payable on demand or convertible on demand into Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50, until December 31, 2019.

The foregoing description of Amendment No. 7 to the McMahon Note is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual Amendment No. 7 to the McMahon Note, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

The following documents are filed, or incorporated by reference, as applicable, as part of this report on Form 10-Q:

Exhibit  
No. Description
10.110.1† Form of Stockholder ProxyPurchase and Lock-UpSale Agreement, dated July 11, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Bruno Wu and certain stockholders.*the State of Connecticut.
10.2 LicenseAssistance Agreement, dated October 17, 2017, by and between Wecast Services Group Limited and Guangxi Dragon Coin Network Technology Co., Ltd*
10.3Securities Purchase Agreement, dated October 23, 2017,July 11, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., and Hong Kong Guo Yuan Capital Holdings Limited.*the State of Connecticut.

10.3Share Purchase & Option Agreement, dated July 24, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. and Star Thrive Group Limited
10.4 Amendement No. 7 toAgreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 18, 2018, by and among Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Grapevine Logic, Inc., GLI Acquisition Corp., and Mr. Grant Deken, as the representative of the holders of capital stock of Grapevine Logic, Inc.
10.5Stock Option Agreement, effective August 31, 2018, by and among Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc and Formalhut Limited
10.6Employment Agreement, dated September 24, 2018, by and between the Company and Mr. Brett McGonegal
10.7Amended and Restated Convertible Promissory Note in $3,000,000 principal amount issued to Shane McMahon,Purchase Agreement, dated November 9, 2017.*June 28, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. and Advantech Capital Investment II Limited
10.8Convertible Bond Agreement, dated June 28, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. and Advantech Capital Investment II Limited
10.9†Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, dated August 28, 2018
10.10*†Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 by and between the Company and Mr. Federico Tovar
31.1 Certifications of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2Certifications of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.3   Certifications of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
32.2Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.3 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*Filed herewith
**Furnished herewithIncorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 7, 2018.

†Denotes management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance withPursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on November 13, 2017.

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.14, 2018.

  

By:/s/ Simon WangIdeanomics, Inc. 
  
By:/s/ Federico Tovar
Name: Simon WangFederico Tovar 
Title: Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer and an Authorized Officer) 

 

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