Future FinTech Group (FTFT) Risk Analysis

916 Followers

Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.

Future FinTech Group disclosed 34 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Future FinTech Group reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2024

Risk Distribution

29% Finance & Corporate

29% Legal & Regulatory

12% Tech & Innovation

12% Ability to Sell

12% Macro & Political

6% Production

Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.

Risk Change Over Time

2022

S&P500 Average

Sector Average

Risks removed

Risks added

Risks changed

Future FinTech Group Risk Factors

New Risk (0)

Risk Changed (0)

Risk Removed (0)

No changes from previous report

The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.

The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.

Risk Highlights Q4, 2024

Main Risk Category

Finance & Corporate

With 10 Risks

Finance & Corporate

With 10 Risks

Number of Disclosed Risks

-8

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

-8

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

Recent Changes

1Risks added

9Risks removed

2Risks changed

Since Dec 2024

1Risks added

9Risks removed

2Risks changed

Since Dec 2024

Number of Risk Changed

-1

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 1

-1

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 1

See the risk highlights of Future FinTech Group in the last period.

Risk Word Cloud

The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 34

Finance & Corporate

Total Risks: 10/34 (29%)Below Sector Average

Share Price & Shareholder Rights5 | 14.7%

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1

In recent years, our Common Stock has been in danger of being delisted from the NASDAQ Stock Market ("NASDAQ").

Our common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC has requirements that a company must meet in order to remain listed on NASDAQ, for example, NASDAQ rules require us to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share of our common stock. We may be unable to meet NASDAQ listing requirements, including minimum bid price, minimum levels of stockholders' equity or market values of our common stock in which case, our common stock could be delisted. If our common stock were to be delisted, the liquidity of our common stock would be materially adversely affected and the market price of our common stock could decrease. On May 13, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") notifying the Company that, because the closing bid price for the Company's common stock listed on Nasdaq was below $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days, the Company no longer meets the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on Nasdaq under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2), which requires a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share (the "Minimum Bid Price Requirement"). The Company has a period of 180 calendar days from the date of notification, until November 11, 2024 (the "Compliance Period"), to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. On November 12, 2024, the Company received a written notification from the NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Qualifications Staff (the "Staff") indicating that the Company has been granted an additional 180 calendar day period or until May 12, 2025, to regain compliance with the $1.00 minimum closing bid price requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule. On April 1, 2025, the Company filed with the Florida Secretary of State's office Articles of Amendment (the "Amendment") to amend its Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended ("Articles of Incorporation"). As a result of the Amendment, the Company has authorized and approved a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of the Company's authorized shares of common stock from 60,000,000 shares to 6,000,000 shares, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock (the "2025 Reverse Stock Split"). The common stock will continue to be $0.001 par value. The Company's shares of common stock began to trade on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the post-Reverse Stock Split basis under the symbol "FTFT" on April 4, 2025.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Florida law could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company and may affect the trading price of our Common Stock.

As a Florida corporation, we are subject to certain provisions of the Florida Business Corporation Act that have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination. Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws also contain other provisions which could have anti-takeover effects. These provisions include, without limitation, the authority of our Board of Directors to issue additional shares of preferred stock and to fix the relative rights and preferences of the preferred stock without the need for any shareholder vote or approval, as discussed above, and advance notice procedures to be complied with by our shareholders in order to make shareholder proposals or nominate directors, such as: - authorize the issuance of "blank check" preferred stock that could be issued by the Board to thwart a takeover attempt; - require that directors only be removed from office upon a majority shareholder vote;- provide that vacancies on the board of directors, including newly created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office; - limit who may call special meetings of shareholders; and For more information regarding these and other provisions, see the exhibit titled "Description of Our Securities - Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Florida Law."

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3

Zeyao Xue has control over key decision making as a result of his control of a substantial amount of our voting stock.

Mr.Zeyao Xue, indirectly and directly beneficially owns 385,287 shares, or approximately 12.6%, of our outstanding common stock as of April 11, 2025. Mr. Zeyao Xue's beneficial ownership of 12.6% of Future FinTech's issued and outstanding common stock will likely give him the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to shareholders for approval, including but not limited to the election of directors and any merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. This concentrated control could delay, defer, or prevent a change of control, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets that other shareholders support, or conversely this concentrated control could result in the consummation of such a transaction that other shareholders do not support. This concentrated control could also discourage a potential investor from acquiring the common stock of the Company due to the limited voting power of such shares. As a shareholder, even a controlling shareholder, Mr. Zeyao Xue is entitled to vote his shares, and shares over which he has voting control, in his own interests, which may not always be in the interests of our shareholders generally.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4

We are authorized to issue blank check preferred stock, which may be issued without shareholder approval and which may adversely affect the rights of holders of our Common Stock.

We are authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Board is authorized under our articles of incorporation, as amended, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock by resolution and by filing a certificate of designations under Florida law, to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series of preferred stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof without any further vote or action by the shareholders. As of December 31, 2023, there were no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. Any shares of preferred stock that are issued are likely to have priority over our Common Stock with respect to dividend or liquidation rights. In the event of issuance, the preferred stock could be utilized under certain circumstances as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control, which could have the effect of discouraging bids to acquire us and thereby prevent shareholders from receiving the maximum value for their shares. We have no present intention to issue any shares of preferred stock in order to discourage or delay a change of control or for any other reason. However, there can be no assurance that preferred stock will not be issued at some time in the future.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5

Because our principal assets are located outside of the United States, it may be difficult for investors to use U.S. securities laws to enforce their rights against us, our officers and directors in the United States or to enforce judgments of United States courts against us or them in the PRC.

All of our present officers and directors reside outside of the United States, other than Mingjie Zhao. In addition, all of our subsidiaries and assets are located outside of the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws against us in the courts of either the United States or the Hong Kong/PRC and, even if civil judgments are obtained in courts of the United States, to enforce such judgments in the PRC or Hong Kong courts. Further, it is unclear if extradition treaties now in effect between the United States, Hong Kong and the PRC would permit effective enforcement against us or our officers and directors of criminal penalties under the U.S. Federal securities laws or otherwise. It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with its counterparts of another country or region to monitor and oversee cross-border securities activities, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or "Article 177," which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Article 177 further provides that Chinese entities and individuals are not allowed to provide documents or materials related to securities business activities to foreign agencies without prior consent from the securities regulatory authority of the PRC State Council and the competent departments of the PRC State Council. While detailed interpretation of or implementing rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests.

Accounting & Financial Operations2 | 5.9%

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1

There are inherent uncertainties involved in estimates, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. Any changes in estimates, judgments and assumptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP") involves making estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets (including intangible assets), liabilities and related reserves, revenue, expenses and income. Estimates, judgments and assumptions are inherently subject to change in the future, and any such changes could result in corresponding changes to the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and income. Any such changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2

As a public company, we are obligated to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting. Our internal controls may be determined not to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, decrease the value of our Common Stock.

The PRC has not adopted management and financial reporting concepts and practices similar to those in the United States. We have had difficulty in hiring and retaining a sufficient number of qualified financial and accounting employees who are familiar with US GAAP and reporting requirements to work in the PRC. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing and maintaining accounting and financial controls, collecting financial data, budgeting, managing our funds and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet investors' expectations in the United States. Rules adopted by the SEC, or the Commission, pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 require annual assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting. The standards that must be met for management to assess the internal controls over financial reporting as effective are relatively new and complex, and they require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards. This assessment will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as we have done previously and this year, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective. We have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. If we continue to be unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could harm our business and cause the price of our stock to decline.

Debt & Financing2 | 5.9%

Debt & Financing - Risk 1

We may need additional capital to fund our future operations and, if it is not available when needed, we may need to reduce our planned development and marketing efforts, which may reduce our sales revenue.

We believe that our existing working capital and cash available from operations will enable us to meet our working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, if cash from future operations is insufficient, or if cash is used for acquisitions or other currently unanticipated uses, we may need additional capital. The development and marketing of new products and services and the expansion of our business and associated support personnel require a significant commitment of resources. In addition, if the markets for our products and services develop more slowly than anticipated, or if we fail to establish significant market share and achieve sufficient net revenues, we may continue to consume significant amounts of capital. As a result, we could be required to raise additional capital. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities or other methods, the issuance of such securities could result in dilution of the shares held by existing shareholders. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of debt securities, such securities may provide the holders certain rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of common shareholders, and the terms of such debt could impose restrictions on our operations. We cannot guarantee that additional capital, if required, will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain sufficient amounts of additional capital, we may be required to reduce the scope of our planned business development and marketing efforts, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Debt & Financing - Risk 2

The fluctuation of the RMB may harm shareholder investments.

The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in the PRC's political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of the RMB may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenue and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from an offering of our securities into RMB for our operations in China, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would diminish the value of the proceeds of the offering and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars for business purposes and the U.S. dollar appreciates against the RMB, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB we convert would be reduced. In addition, the depreciation of significant U.S. dollar denominated assets could result in a charge to our income statement and a reduction in the value of these assets.

Corporate Activity and Growth1 | 2.9%

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1

We may engage in future acquisitions involving significant expenditures of cash, the incurrence of debt or the issuance of stock, all of which could have a materially adverse effect on our operating results.

As part of our business strategy, we review acquisition and strategic investment prospects that we believe would complement our current product and service offerings, augment our market coverage, enhance our technological capabilities or otherwise offer growth opportunities. From time to time, we review investments in new business and we expect to make investments in, and to acquire, business, products or technologies in the future. We have completed acquisitions of a money transfer company in UK and brokerage and investment banking firm in Hong Kong in 2023. In the event of any future acquisitions, we may expend significant costs and cash, incur substantial debt and/or issue equity securities and dilute the percentage ownership of current shareholders, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and the price of our stock. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully integrate any business, products, technologies or personnel that we may acquire in the future, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. For example, we had to sell NTAM as it was unable to generate net profit due to high labor cost and slow down of capital market in Hong Kong.

Legal & Regulatory

Total Risks: 10/34 (29%)Above Sector Average

Regulation8 | 23.5%

Regulation - Risk 1

The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCA Act, and the related regulations are evolving quickly. Further implementations and interpretations of or amendments to the HFCA Act or the related regulations, or a PCOAB's determination of its lack of sufficient access to inspect our auditor, might pose regulatory risks to and impose restrictions on us because of our operations in mainland China and Hong Kong. A potential consequence is that our shares of common stock may be delisted by the exchange. The delisting of our common stock, or the threat of our common stock being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct full inspections of our auditor deprives our investors of the benefits of such inspections.

The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCA Act, was enacted on December 18, 2020. In accordance with the HFCA Act, trading in securities of any registrant on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States may be prohibited if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate the registrant's auditor for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, and, as a result, an exchange may determine to delist the securities of such registrant. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which, would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer's securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period before our securities may be prohibited from trading or delisted if our auditor is unable to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement. On December 29, 2022, a legislation entitled "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023" (the "Consolidated Appropriations Act"), was signed into law by President Biden. The Consolidated Appropriations Act contained, among other things, an identical provision to Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which reduces the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCA Act from three years to two. On November 5, 2021, the SEC adopted the PCAOB rule to implement HFCA Act, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to determine whether it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction. On December 2, 2021, SEC adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate (the "Commission-Identified Issuers"). A Commission-Identified Issuer will be required to comply with the submission and disclosure requirements in the annual report for each year in which it was identified. If a registrant is identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer based on its annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the registrant will be required to comply with the submission or disclosure requirements in its annual report filing covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued its determinations (the "Determination") that they are unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong. The Determination includes lists of public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely. On August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol with the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in China and Hong Kong. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB Board determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB's access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination. The enactment of the HFCA Act and related regulations and any additional actions, proceedings, or new rules resulting from these efforts to increase U.S. regulatory access to audit information could cause investors uncertainty for affected issuers and the market price of our ordinary shares could be adversely affected, and we could be delisted if our auditor is unable to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement. The lack of access to PCAOB inspections prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of the auditors based in China and Hong Kong. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China and Hong Kong makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of these accounting firm's audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections. Our auditor, Fortune CPA Inc., an independent registered public accounting firm that is headquartered in California, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor is currently subject to PCAOB inspections and is not included in the PCAOB Determinations. Although we believe that the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and the related regulations do not currently affect us, we cannot assure you that there will not be any further implementations and interpretations of or amendments to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act or the related regulations, which might pose regulatory risks to and impose restrictions on us because of our operations in China and Hong Kong. A potential consequence is that our shares may be delisted by the exchange on which they are listed. If our securities are unable to be listed on another securities exchange, such a delisting would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our securities when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with a potential delisting would have a negative impact on the market price of our shares.

Regulation - Risk 2

Uncertainties and quick change in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations with little advance notice could result in a material and negative impact our business operations, decrease the value of our shares of common stock and limit the legal protections available to us.

The PRC legal system is based on written statutes, and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties. The enforcement of laws and that rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice and the risk that the Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China- based issuers, could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our shares of common stock. On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued an announcement to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since this announcement is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on companies like us and our shares of common stock. On February 15, 2022, Cybersecurity Review Measures published by Cyberspace Administration of China, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, People's Bank of China, State Administration of Radio and Television, China Securities Regulatory Commission, State Secrecy Administration and State Cryptography Administration became effective, which provides that, Critical Information Infrastructure Operators ("CIIOs") that purchase internet products and services and Online Platform Operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security shall be subject to the cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office. As confirmed by our PRC counsel Fengdong Law Firm, we are currently not subject to cybersecurity review with the Cyberspace Administration of China ("CAC") under these new measures, because E-Commerce Tianjin is not a cyberspace operator with personal information of more than 1 million users or has activities that affect or may affect national security. Nevertheless, the aforementioned draft measures and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future. We cannot rule out the possibility that the PRC government will institute a licensing regime or pre-approval requirement covering our industry at some point in the future. If such a licensing regime or approval requirement were introduced, we cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain any newly required license in a timely manner, or at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations. From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, however, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy in the PRC legal system than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainties over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

Regulation - Risk 3

The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business as well as more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations, and significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and, and cause the value of our shares of common stock to significantly decline or be worthless.

The Chinese 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, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions 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. As such, our business is subject to various government and regulatory interferences. We could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. The Company may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry, which could result in a material change in our operation and the value of our shares of common stock. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released New Overseas Listing Rules with five interpretive guidelines, which took effect on March 31, 2023. The New Overseas Listing Rules require Chinese domestic enterprises to complete filings with CSRC and report related information under certain circumstances, such as: a) an issuer making an application for initial public offering and listing in an overseas market; b) an issuer making an overseas securities offering after having been listed on an overseas market; c) a domestic company seeking an overseas direct or indirect listing of its assets through single or multiple acquisition(s), share swap, transfer of shares or other means. According to the Notice on Arrangements for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises, published by the CSRC on February 17, 2023, a company that (i) has already completed overseas listing or (ii) has already obtained the approval for the offering or listing from overseas securities regulators or exchanges but has not completed such offering or listing before effective date of the new rules and also completes the offering or listing before September 30, 2023 are considered as an existing listed company and is not required to make any filing until it conducts a new offering in the future. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of any of the material events specified below after an issuer has completed its offering and listed its securities on an overseas stock exchange, the issuer shall submit a report thereof to the CSRC within 3 business days after the occurrence and public disclosure of the event: (i) change of control; (ii) investigations or sanctions imposed by overseas securities regulatory agencies or other competent authorities; (iii) change of listing status or transfer of listing segment; or (iv) voluntary or mandatory delisting. The New Overseas Listing Rules stipulate the legal consequences to the companies for breaches, including failure to fulfill filing obligations or filing documents having false statement or misleading information or material omissions, which may result in a fine ranging from RMB1 million to RMB10 million, and in cases of severe violations, the relevant responsible persons may also be barred from entering the securities market. The Company is still processing the filings with CSRC for its offerings since the effective of New Overseas Listing Rules and has not complied the filing requirements yet which would subject the Company to fines and other penalties for violation of New Overseas Listing Rules. On February 24, 2023, the CSRC revised the Provisions on Strengthening the Management of Confidentiality and Archives Related to the Overseas Issuance of Securities and Overseas Listing by Domestic Companies which were issued in 2009 (the "Archives Rules"). The revised Archives Rules took effect on March 31, 2023. The revised Archives Rules expands their application to cover indirect overseas offering and listing, stipulating that a domestic company which plans to publicly disclose any documents and materials containing state secrets or working secrets of government agencies, shall first obtain approval from competent authorities according to law, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level. Furthermore, given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas, although we are currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC central or local government and has not received any denial to list on the U.S. exchange, it is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of our shares to significantly decline or be worthless.

Regulation - Risk 4

There are uncertainties under the PRC Securities Law relating to the procedures and requisite timing for the U.S. securities regulatory agencies to conduct investigations and collect evidence within the territory of the PRC.

On December 28, 2019, the amended Securities Law of the PRC (the "PRC Securities Law") was promulgated, which became effective on March 1, 2020. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law ("Article 177"), the securities regulatory authority of the State Council may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with securities regulatory authorities of another country or region for the implementation of cross-border supervision and administration. Article 177 further provides that overseas securities regulatory authorities shall not engage in activities pertaining to investigations or evidence collection directly conducted within the territories of the PRC, and that no Chinese entities or individuals shall provide documents and information in connection with securities business activities to any organizations and/or persons aboard without the prior consent of the securities regulatory authority of the State Council and the competent departments of the State Council. As advised by our PRC counsel Fengdong Law Firm, Article 177 is only applicable where the activities of overseas authorities constitute a direct investigation or evidence collection by such authorities within the territory of the PRC. A substantial of our business operation is conducted in the PRC. In the event that the U.S. securities regulatory agencies carry out an investigation on us such as an enforcement action by the Department of Justice, the SEC or other authorities, such agencies' activities will constitute conducting an investigation or collecting evidence directly within the territory of the PRC and accordingly fall within the scope of Article 177. In that case, the U.S. securities regulatory agencies may have to consider establishing cross-border cooperation with the securities regulatory authority of the PRC by way of judicial assistance, diplomatic channels or establishing a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authority of the PRC. However, there is no assurance that the U.S. securities regulatory agencies will succeed in establishing such cross-border cooperation in this particular case and/or establish such cooperation in a timely manner. Furthermore, as Article 177 is still a recently promulgated provision and, as the date of this report, there have not been implementing rules or regulations regarding the application of Article 177, it remains unclear as to how it will be interpreted, implemented or applied by the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission or other relevant government authorities. As such, there are uncertainties as to the procedures and requisite timing for the U.S. securities regulatory agencies to conduct investigations and collect evidence within the territory of the PRC. If the U.S. securities regulatory agencies are unable to conduct such investigations, there exists a risk that they may determine to suspend or de-register our registration with the SEC and may also delist our securities from Nasdaq or other applicable trading market within the U.S.

Regulation - Risk 5

PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law.

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange or SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident's Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name, and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. SAFE Circular 37 is issued to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75. SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment in February 2015, which took effect on June 1, 2015. This notice has amended SAFE Circular 37 requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration as required, our PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing its profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries. The failure or inability of the relevant shareholders to comply with the registration procedures set forth in these regulations may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, such as restrictions on our cross-border investment activities, on the ability of our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China to distribute dividends and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us. Moreover, failure to comply with the various foreign exchange registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for circumventing applicable foreign exchange restrictions. As a result, our business operations and our ability to distribute profits to you could be materially and adversely affected.

Regulation - Risk 6

Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company, replacing earlier rules promulgated in March 2007. Pursuant to these rules, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be the PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas entrusted institution must be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. We and our executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who have resided in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year will be subject to these regulations. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiary and limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers and employees under PRC law.

Regulation - Risk 7

We could be restricted from paying dividends to shareholders due to PRC laws and other contractual requirements. To the extent cash and/or assets in the business are in the PRC and/or Hong Kong or our PRC and/or Hong Kong entities, such funds and/or assets may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC and/or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on the ability of us or our subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash and/or assets.

We are a holding company incorporated in the State of Florida and do not have any assets or conduct any business operations other than our investments in our subsidiaries and affiliates. As a result of our holding company structure, we rely entirely on dividend payments from our subsidiaries. PRC accounting standards and regulations currently permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits, a portion of which is required to be set aside for certain reserve funds. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in China incur debt on its own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments. Although we do not intend to pay dividends in the future, our inability to receive all of the profit from our China subsidiaries' operations may provide an additional obstacle to our ability to pay dividends if we so decide in the future. To the extent cash and/or assets in the business are in the PRC and/or Hong Kong or our PRC and/or Hong Kong entities, such funds and/or assets may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC and/or Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on the ability of us or our subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash and/or assets.

Regulation - Risk 8

The filing with the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC") is required in connection with any offering under New Overseas Listing Rules, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to timely make such filing, in which case we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to timely file with the CSRC for this offering.

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released the New Overseas Listing Rules, which took effect on March 31, 2023. The New Overseas Listing Rules require Chinese domestic enterprises to complete filings with relevant CSRC and report related information under certain circumstances, such as: a) an issuer making an application for initial public offering and listing in an overseas market; b) an issuer making an overseas securities offering after having been listed on an overseas market; c) a domestic company seeking an overseas direct or indirect listing of its assets through single or multiple acquisition(s), share swap, transfer of shares or other means. According to the Notice on Arrangements for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises, published by the CSRC on February 17, 2023, a company that (i) has already completed overseas listing or (ii) has already obtained the approval for the offering or listing from overseas securities regulators or exchanges but has not completed such offering or listing before effective date of the new rules and also completes the offering or listing before September 30, 2023 are considered as an existing listed company and is not required to make any filing until it conducts a new offering in the future. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of any of the material events specified below after an issuer has completed its offering and listed its securities on an overseas stock exchange, the issuer shall submit a report thereof to the CSRC within 3 business days after the occurrence and public disclosure of the event: (i) change of control; (ii) investigations or sanctions imposed by overseas securities regulatory agencies or other competent authorities; (iii) change of listing status or transfer of listing segment; or (iv) voluntary or mandatory delisting. The New Overseas Listing Rules stipulate the legal consequences to the companies for breaches, including failure to fulfill filing obligations or filing documents having false statement or misleading information or material omissions, which may result in a fine ranging from RMB1 million to RMB10 million, and in cases of severe violations, the relevant responsible persons may also be barred from entering the securities market. Our PRC counsel has advised us based on their understanding of the current PRC laws, rules and regulations relating to the CSRC's filing requirements, we are required to carry out filing procedures as required if we conduct any overseas offerings or offerings within other circumstances under rules with the CSRC. The Company is still processing the filings with CSRC for its offerings since the effective of New Overseas Listing Rules and has not complied the filing requirements yet which would subject the Company to fines and other penalties for violation of New Overseas Listing Rules. Given the current PRC regulatory environment, it is uncertain when and whether we and our PRC subsidiaries will be required to obtain other permissions or approvals from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even if and when such permissions or approvals are obtained, whether they will be denied or rescinded. If we or any of our PRC subsidiaries do not receive or maintain such permissions or approvals, inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, or applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we or our subsidiaries are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, it could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 2.9%

Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1

Added

We are involved, and may become involved in the future, in disputes and legal or regulatory proceedings that, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

In January 2021, FT Global Capital, Inc. ("FT Global"), a former placement agent of Future FinTech Group Inc. (the "Company" or "Defendant") filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia in January 2021, relating to alleged breaches of an exclusive placement agent agreement between FT Global and the Company in July 2020. The Company timely removed the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (the "Court") on February 9, 2021 based on diversity of jurisdiction. On April 11, 2024, the Court entered a judgment awarding FT Global $8,875,265.31 and on April 16, 2024, the Court issued an amended judgment, awarding FT Global $10,598,379.93, which includes $7,895,265.31 in damages, $1,723,114.62 in prejudgment interest, and $980,000.00 in attorney's fees. On May 9, 2024, the Company filed a post-trial motion to set aside the jury verdict and for a new trial and the Court denied the motion on March 3, 2025. The Company filed notice of appeal to appeal the judgement to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on April 2, 2025. FT Global has registered the Court's judgment in the United States District Court for Southern District of New York ("NY Court"), where FT Global has brought a motion requiring the Company to turn over its stock in its subsidiary companies. The Company has filed an opposition to the motion, arguing that according to the New York statute the NY Court should first determine that the value of the stock in the subsidiary is insufficient to satisfy the judgment as the Company believe the request for turnover is premature before a valuation hearing. On August 28, 2024, NY Court granted FT Global's motion for turnover of Defendant's shares in Defendant's wholly-owned subsidiaries as Defendant 1) failed to satisfy the $10.8 million judgment rendered in the Northern District of Georgia and registered in the Southern District of New York, and 2) is in possession of money and property in which it has an interest. The NY Court ordered Defendant shall turn over the shares, membership, or limited partnership interests in all of its subsidiaries, and the corporate seals of its China and Hong Kong-based subsidiaries, to the U.S. Marshal for auction or sale until the judgment is satisfied. Pursuant to the order issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on August 28, 2024, the United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York ("U.S. Marshal") sold the securities of the subsidiaries of the Company other than those in Hong Kong and China in auction of: (i) all of the membership interests in Future Fintech Digital Capital Management LLC; (ii) all of the outstanding shares of FTFT UK Limited; (iii) the corporate seal of DigiPay FinTech Limited; (iv) the corporate seal of GlobalKey SharedMall Limited; (iv) all of the outstanding shares of Future Fintech Labs Inc.; and (v) all of the outstanding shares of Future Fintech Digital Number One GP, LLC (USA) to Alec Orudjiev, the general counsel of FT Global for $25,000 on December 18, 2024. On December 6, 2024, the Company agreed to sell all issued and outstanding shares of FTFT SuperComputing Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("FTFT SuperComputing") to DDMM Capital LLC (the "Buyer") for a purchase price that equals to: (i) the assumption of the obligations of FTFT SuperComputing totaling $973,072.24 and (ii)$1,000,000, which was paid to an account at Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP to satisfy, in part, the right of payment held by FT Global Capital, Inc. arising from the judgment entered in favor of FT Global and against the Company registered in the Southern District of New York and all matters pertaining to such litigation. The Company has appealed the turnover order of the NY Court for the auction of securities of the subsidiaries of the Company in Hong Kong and China to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and is waiting for the final decision of the Court of Appeals. On February 6, 2025, FT Global filed a motion ("Motion") in the NY Court, amended on February 12, 2025, seeking a turnover order for 39,825,939 unissued shares of the Company's common stock for sale to satisfy the judgement. The amended motion directs the requested relief not only at the Company but also at Transhare Corporation, the Company's Florida-based transfer agent. The Company believes the Motion lacks merit, as the issuance of unissued shares in this manner would violate corporate governance principles, Florida corporate law, and federal securities regulations. The Company has opposed the Motion, which is now fully briefed and awaits decision by the NY Court. The litigation against FT Global has been long and costly which has materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If the NY Court grants the Motion, we will have to turn over for all the unissued shares of common stock of the Company and the existing shareholders will be significantly diluted and the value of our securities will significantly decline or become worthless. From time to time, we may be a defendant in lawsuits and regulatory actions relating to our business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings. An unfavorable outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any significant litigation, regardless of its merits, could divert management's attention from our operations and may result in substantial legal costs. The Company has also been named in a putative securities class action case and a derivatives case described in Item 3 Legal Proceedings below. While the Company believes it has adequate defenses, the defense of those cases could become costly and could significantly divert management attention from its business.

Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 2.9%

Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a PRC "resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Such classification would likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the "EIT Law," that became effective in January 2008, an enterprise established outside the PRC with "de facto management bodies" within the PRC is considered a "resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. Under the implementation rules to the EIT Law, a "de facto management body" is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finances, and properties of an enterprise. In addition, a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, issued in April 2009 by the State Administration of Taxation, or the "SAT," specifies that certain offshore incorporated enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups will be classified as PRC resident enterprises if the following are located or resident in the PRC: senior management personnel and departments that are responsible for daily production, operation and management; financial and personnel decision making bodies; key properties, accounting books, company seal, and minutes of board meetings and shareholders' meetings; and half or more of the senior management or directors having voting rights. Further to SAT Circular 82, the SAT issued a bulletin, known as SAT Bulletin 45, which took effect in September 2011, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82 and clarify the reporting and filing obligations of such "Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated resident enterprises." SAT Bulletin 45 provides procedures and administrative details for the determination of resident status and administration on post-determination matters. Although both SAT Circular 82 and SAT Bulletin 45 only apply to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreign individuals, the determining criteria set forth in SAT Circular 82 and SAT Bulletin 45 may reflect the SAT's general position on how the "de facto management body" test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises, PRC enterprise groups, or by PRC or foreign individuals. If the PRC tax authorities determine that the actual management organ of Future FinTech Group Inc. is within the territory of China, it may be deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we will be subject to the uniform 25% enterprise income tax on our world-wide income, which could materially reduce our net income. In addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Finally, dividends payable by us to our investors and gains on the sale of our shares may become subject to PRC withholding tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in our shares. Although up to the date of this report, Future FinTech Group Inc. has not been notified or informed by the PRC tax authorities that it has been deemed to be a resident enterprise for the purpose of the EIT Law, we cannot assure you that it will not be deemed to be a resident enterprise in the future.

Tech & Innovation

Total Risks: 4/34 (12%)Below Sector Average

Trade Secrets2 | 5.9%

Trade Secrets - Risk 1

Intellectual property infringement claims may adversely impact our results of operations.

As we develop and introduce new products and services, we may be increasingly subject to claims of infringement of another party's intellectual property. If a claim for infringement is brought against us, such claim may require us to modify our products or services, cease selling certain products or engage in litigation to determine the validity and scope of such claims. Any of these events may harm our business and results of operations.

Trade Secrets - Risk 2

We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to protect our proprietary technologies. The process of seeking intellectual property protection can be lengthy and expensive and we cannot guarantee that our existing or future intellectual property rights will be fully protected or bring us the commercial advantages. We also cannot guarantee that our current or potential competitors do not have, and will not obtain, intellectual property rights that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to use our technology or sell our products and services in the PRC or other countries. The implementation and enforcement of PRC intellectual property laws historically have not been vigorous or consistent. Accordingly, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in the PRC are not as effective as those in the United States and other countries. We may need to resort to litigation to enforce or defend our rights or to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of our proprietary rights or those of others. Such litigation will require significant expenditures of cash and management efforts and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. An adverse determination in any such litigation will impair our intellectual property rights and may harm our business, competitive position, business prospects and reputation.

Cyber Security1 | 2.9%

Cyber Security - Risk 1

We are subject to cyber security risks and may incur increasing costs in an effort to minimize those risks and to respond to cyber incidents.

Our supply chain financing, assets management and financial services are dependent on the secure operation of our website and systems as well as the operation of the internet generally. Our business involves the storage of customers' proprietary information, and security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, litigation, and potential liability. A number of large internet companies have suffered security breaches, some of which have involved intentional ransomware attacks. From time to time, we and many other internet businesses also may be subject to a denial of service attacks wherein attackers attempt to block customers' access to our website with ransomware. If we are unable to avert a denial of service attack for any significant period, we could sustain substantial loss from payment of ransom fee, lost sales and customer dissatisfaction. We may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent rapidly evolving types of cyberattacks. Cyberattacks may target us, our customers, our suppliers, banks, payment processors, e-commerce in general or the communication infrastructure on which we depend. If an actual or perceived attack or breach of our security occurs, customer and/or supplier perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed and we could lose customers, vendors or both. Actual or anticipated attacks and risks may cause us to incur increasing costs, including costs to deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees, and engage third party experts and consultants. A person who is able to circumvent our security measures might be able to misappropriate our or our customers' proprietary information, cause interruption in our operations, damage our computers or those of our customers, or otherwise damage our reputation and business. Any compromise of our security could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and a loss of confidence in our security measures, which could harm our business.

Technology1 | 2.9%

Technology - Risk 1

Changed

Our business depends on internet, our websites, network infrastructure and processing systems.

Our supply chain financing, and assets management and financial services depend upon the widespread use of the internet. Factors which could reduce the widespread use of the internet include, without limitation, actual or perceived lack of security of information or privacy protection, cyberattacks or other disruptions or damage to the internet or to users' computers, whatever the cause, could reduce customer satisfaction with our platforms and services and harm our business. Any system interruption that results in the unavailability of our websites, apps or reduced performance of our transaction and information systems could reduce our ability to conduct our business. We use internally and externally developed systems for our websites and our transaction and information processing systems. We expect to experience system interruptions due to software failure. Capacity constraints can cause system disruptions, slower response times, delayed page presentation, degradation in levels of customer service and other problems. We may also experience difficulties with our infrastructure upgrades. Any future difficulties with our transaction and information processing systems or difficulties upgrading, expanding or integrating aspects of our systems may cause system disruptions, slower response times, and degradation in levels of customer service, additional expense, impaired quality and speed of our services or other problems. If the location where all of our computer and communications hardware is located is compromised, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. If we suffer an interruption or degradation of services at the location for any reason, our business could be harmed. Our success, and in particular, our ability to successfully receive and fulfil customers' requests and provide high-quality customer service, largely depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications systems. These limitations could have an adverse effect on our business. Our disaster recovery plan may be inadequate, and we do not carry business interruption insurance to compensate us for the losses that could occur. Despite our implementation of network security measures, our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions, the occurrence of any of which could lead to interruptions, delays, loss of critical data or the inability to accept and fulfil customer requests. The occurrence of any of the foregoing risks could harm our business.

Ability to Sell

Total Risks: 4/34 (12%)Below Sector Average

Competition2 | 5.9%

Competition - Risk 1

Changed

The brokerage and investment banking service industry are intensely competitive in Hong Kong. If we are unable to compete effectively, we may lose business and our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

The financial services industry, including the brokerage and investment banking services industry in Hong Kong, is intensely competitive, highly fragmented, and subject to rapid change, and we expect it to remain so. We compete mostly in Hong Kong, and on the basis of a number of factors, including the ability to adapt to evolving financial needs of a broad spectrum of clients, our ability to identify market demands and business opportunities to win client mandates, the quality of our advice, our employees and deal execution, the range and price of our products and services, our innovation, our reputation, and the strength of our relationships. We expect to continue to invest capital and resources in our businesses in order to grow and develop them to a size where they are able to compete effectively in their markets, have economies of scale, and are themselves able to produce or consolidate significant revenues and profit. We cannot assure you that the planned and anticipated growth of our brokerage and investment banking business will be achieved or in what timescale. There may be difficulties securing financing for investment for growth and in recruiting and retaining the skilled human resources required to compete effectively. If we fail to compete effectively against our competitors, our business, financial conditions, results of operations, and prospects will be materially and adversely affected. As a provider of brokerage and investment banking business services for Hong Kong and Chinese investors on a global basis, our business generally requires us to react promptly to the evolving demand of our clients and be able to provide innovative financial solutions tailored to their needs. We may not be able to compete effectively with our competitors at all times and always be able to provide appropriate financial solutions that promptly and accurately address our clients' needs. If this were to happen, our ability to attract new or retain existing clients will suffer, which would materially and adversely affect our revenues and earnings. We primarily compete with other providers of financial services to Asian investors. We may face pricing pressure as some of our competitors may seek to obtain higher market share by reducing fees and commissions. Some of our competitors include large global financial institutions or state-owned PRC financial institutions operating or headquartered in Hong Kong, many of which have longer operating histories, far broader financial and other resources, and significantly greater name recognition than us and have the ability to offer a wider range of products, which may enhance their competitive position. They also regularly support services we do not provide, such as commercial lending, margin lending and other financial services and products, which puts us at a competitive disadvantage and could result in pricing pressures or lost opportunities, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, we may be at a competitive disadvantage with regard to some of our competitors that have larger customer bases and greater human resources.

Competition - Risk 2

The supply chain financing service industry is increasingly competitive in China. If we fail to compete effectively, we may lose our customers and partners, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The supply chain financing service industry in the PRC is increasingly competitive, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to compete effectively and implement our business strategies. We face intense competition primarily from third-party supply chain financing service providers. Some of these competitors may have established strong brand recognition, robust technological capabilities and significant financial resources or offer comparable technology solutions or own similar business scale to us. Intensifying competition may result in certain developments in this industry, such as downward competitive pressure on price, expansion by existing competitors, adoption by our competitors of innovative technology solutions or comparatively effective branding efforts, any of which may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Increased investments made and lower prices or innovative services offered by our competitors may require us to divert significant managerial, financial and human resources in order to remain competitive, and ultimately may place a greater pressure on us to maintain our market share and negatively impact the revenues growth and profitability of our business. Furthermore, our business is subject to rapid changes in the industries we operate in, such as the introduction of new business models, and the entry of new and well-funded competitors or industry disruptors. We may face even more intensified competition as a result of certain alliances, acquisitions or consolidations within the industries where we operate that result in emergence of stronger competitors. Existing and new competitors may leverage their established platforms or market positions, or introduce innovative business models, to launch products or services that may attract a large customer base and achieve rapid growth, which may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. If we are not able to compete effectively, the number of our customers and partners may decrease and our market share and profitability may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as our reputation and brand.

Sales & Marketing1 | 2.9%

Sales & Marketing - Risk 1

Our supply chain finance business faces risks in receivables, timely supplies, credit evaluation and commodity price fluctuations all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our supply chain finance business faces various risk in its operation, including (i) risk of failure to collect our receivables in time after the delivery of commodities; (ii) risk of unable to supply/deliver the commodity according to the contract requirements such as issues of quality and/or quantity of goods. If we fail to control such risk and strictly implement our new supplier and client evaluation standards as well as the background investigation for our risk control, we might not receive payment for the goods delivered or lose control of the title of the goods or breach contracts to supply goods according to their terms, which will materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, if the market for commodities fluctuates sharply, our downstream customers might default on their purchase obligation and cause losses to us, especially when the market of infrastructure in China slows down.

Brand / Reputation1 | 2.9%

Brand / Reputation - Risk 1

If we become subject to additional scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed China-based companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, any offering and our reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our shares, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.

Recently, U.S. public companies that have substantially operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in some cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S.-listed China-based companies has decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies have been subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and have conducted internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on us and our business. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our company. This situation may be a major distraction to our management. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, our business operations will be severely hindered and your investment in our shares could be rendered worthless.

Macro & Political

Total Risks: 4/34 (12%)Above Sector Average

Economy & Political Environment2 | 5.9%

Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1

Changes in China's economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

A substantial of the Company's operations are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic, and legal environments in the PRC, in addition to the general state of the PRC economy. The Company's results may be adversely affected by changes in the political and social conditions in the PRC, and by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, cybersecurity, anti-monopoly, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things, and such change of rules and policies can happen quickly with little advance notice. A substantial of the Company's sales, purchases and expense transactions are in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People's Bank of China, the central bank of China. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to affect the remittance. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although 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 improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China's economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over blockchain related financial technology, capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including more regulations on U.S. listed Chinese companies and control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China, and since COVID-19, China's economic growth has slowed down. The prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our products and services and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Furthermore, we and our China based operating entities, as well as our investors, face uncertainty about future actions by the Chinese government that could significantly affect our financial performance and operations. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to adapt to any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our business operations.

Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2

Economic conditions have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our customers' spending on our products and services.

The worldwide economy remains volatile and may have entered in global recession. The adverse effect of a sustained international economic downturn, including sustained periods of decreased spending, high unemployment levels, declining consumer or business confidence and continued volatility and disruption in the credit and capital markets in China, would likely result in reduced demand for our products and services. To the extent an economic downturn develops, we could experience a reduction in sales volume. If we are unable to reduce our operating costs and expenses proportionately, many of which are fixed, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

Natural and Human Disruptions1 | 2.9%

Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1

An occurrence of an uncontrollable event such as the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect our operations and financial results.

In recent years, there have been outbreaks of epidemics in various countries. At the end of 2019, there was an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19), which has been spread rapidly to many parts of the world, including China, Hong Kong, UK and the U.S. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in, among other things, quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of office buildings and facilities in China, Hong Kong, UK and in the U.S. A large part of our revenues are generated in China and Hong Kong. Consequently, our results of operations was adversely affected during the outbreak, especially between 2020 and 2022. There have been outbreaks of Omicron variant in various cities in China in 2022 which resulted quarantines, travel restrictions, and temporary closure of office buildings and facilities in these cities. In December 2022, the Chinese government eased its strict zero COVID-19 policy which resulted in a surge of new COVID-19 cases during December 2022 and January 2023, which has disrupted our business operations in China. A widespread pandemic could result in significant disruption of global financial markets, reducing our ability to access capital, which could negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction resulting pandemic could materially negatively affect our business and the value of our common stock. In general, our business could be adversely affected by the epidemics, including, but not limited to, COVID-19, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the influenza A virus, the Ebola virus, or other outbreaks. In response to an epidemic or other outbreaks, governments and other organizations may adopt regulations and policies that could lead to severe disruption to our daily operations, including temporary closure of our offices and other facilities. These severe conditions may cause us and/or our partners to make internal adjustments, including but not limited to, temporarily closing down business, limiting business hours, and setting restrictions on travel and/or visits with clients and partners for a prolonged period of time. Various impacts arising from severe conditions may cause business disruption, resulting in material, adverse effects to our financial condition and results of operations.

Capital Markets1 | 2.9%

Capital Markets - Risk 1

Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of shareholder investments.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of the PRC. RMB is currently not a freely convertible currency. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to satisfy foreign currency obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from the transaction, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval by complying with certain procedural requirements. Approval from appropriate governmental authorities, however, is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of the PRC to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies. In addition, the PRC government could restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay certain of our expenses as they come due.

Production

Total Risks: 2/34 (6%)Below Sector Average

Supply Chain1 | 2.9%

Supply Chain - Risk 1

The supply chain financing service industry is an emerging and rapidly evolving industry in China and we might not achieve the development as we expected.

The supply chain financing service industry in China is highly dynamic and rapidly evolving. Operating in this industry demands applying cutting-edge technologies to digitalize supply chain financing workflows and optimize payment cycles, which is an emerging and relatively new business model in China. In addition, we are facing uncertainties relating to the intensifying competition, inflation, general economy conditions and evolving regulatory environment in China's supply chain financing service industry. There have been limited proven methods to project available technology, regulatory and industry standards on which we can rely, and the slowdown of domestic industries of infrastructure, the delay, unexpected or adverse developments in this sector may adversely and materially affect our operational and financial performances. As market develops, regulatory environment and our business continue to develop, we may need to adjust our business model and continue to upgrade our products and service offerings, and if we fail to respond to and adapt to these developments promptly, or at all, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

Costs1 | 2.9%

Costs - Risk 1

If our costs and demands upon management increase disproportionately to the growth of our business and revenue as a result of complying with the laws and regulations affecting public companies, our operating results could be harmed.

As a public company, we do and will continue to incur significant legal, accounting, investor relations and other expenses, including costs associated with public company reporting requirements. We also have incurred and will incur costs associated with current corporate governance requirements, including requirements under Section 404 and other provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley, as well as rules implemented by the SEC and the stock exchange on which our common stock is traded. The expenses incurred by public companies for reporting and corporate governance purposes have increased dramatically over the past several years. These rules and regulations have increased our legal and financial compliance costs substantially and make some activities more time consuming and costly. If our costs and demands upon management increase disproportionately to the growth of our business and revenue, our operating results could be harmed.

See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.

FAQ

What are “Risk Factors”?

Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.

They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.

It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.

How do companies disclose their risk factors?

Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.

Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.

Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.

According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.

How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?

Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.

You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.

Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.

A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.

What are all the risk factor categories?

TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.

1. Financial & Corporate

Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.

2. Legal & Regulatory

Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.

3. Production

Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.

4. Technology & Innovation

Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.

5. Ability to Sell

Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.

6. Macro & Political

Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.