BAIYU Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission file number: 001-36055

TD Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

+86 (0755) 88898711

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of November 12, 2021, 138,174,150 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, were issued and outstanding.

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TD HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

TD HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

TD HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

TD HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements 

TD HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Expressed in U.S. dollar)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

TD HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(UNAUDITED)

The Company conducts business through Shanghai Jianchi Supply chain Co.,Ltd, a subsidiary of the Company, which is engaged in the commodity trading business and providing supply chain management services to customers in the PRC. Supply chain management services consist of loan recommendation services and commodity product distribution services. The Company incorporated Hainan Jianchi Import and Export Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Shanghai Jianchi, and Hainan Baiyu Cross-border e-commerce Limited, a subsidiary of Tongdow HK, Hainan Baiyu Cross-border e-commerce Limited, a subsidiary of Tongdow HK, and Yangzhou Baiyu Cross-border e-commerce Limited, a subsidiary of Yangzhou Baiyu VC during the six months ended September 30, 2021.

HMC was renamed Shenzhen Baiyu Jucheng Data Techonology Co.,Ltd during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial information as of September 30, 2021 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 have been prepared, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures, which are normally included in annual condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP, have been omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 previously filed with the SEC on June 4, 2021.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2021 and its unaudited condensed consolidated results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, and its unaudited condensed consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, as applicable, have been made. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the fiscal year or any future periods.

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with the US GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of these condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions of future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management include, among others, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, collectability of receivables, including accounts receivable, loans receivable, and amount due from related parties, advances to suppliers, allowance for doubtful accounts and fair value of goodwill. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.

The Company accounts for its convertible notes at issuance by allocating the proceeds received among freestanding instruments according to ASC 470, Debt (“ASC 470,”) based upon their relative fair values.  The fair value of debt and common stock is determined based on the closing price of the common stock on the date of the transaction, and the fair value of warrants, if any, is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  Convertible notes are subsequently carried at amortized cost.  The fair value of the warrants is recorded as additional paid-in capital, with a corresponding debt discount from the face amount of the convertible note.  

Each convertible note is analyzed for the existence of a beneficial conversion feature, defined as the fair value of the common stock at the commitment date for the convertible note less the effective conversion price. Beneficial conversion features are recognized at their intrinsic value, and recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital, with a corresponding reduction in the carrying amount of the convertible note (as a debt discount from the face amount of the convertible note.)  The discounts on the convertible notes, consisting of amounts ascribed to warrants and beneficial conversion features, are amortized to interest expense, using the effective interest method, over the terms of the related convertible notes.  Beneficial conversion features that are contingent upon the occurrence of a future event are recorded when the contingency is resolved.

Each convertible note is also analyzed for the existence of embedded derivatives, which may require bifurcation from the convertible note and separate accounting treatment.

The Company also analyzes the features of its convertible notes which, when triggered, mandate a downward adjustment to the instrument’s strike price (or conversion price) if equity shares are issued at a lower price (or equity-linked financial instruments are issued at a lower strike price) than the instrument’s then-current strike price. The purpose of the feature is typically to protect the instrument’s counterparty from future issuances of equity shares at a more favorable price.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”) “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss model which requires the use of forward-looking information to calculate credit loss estimates. It also eliminates the concept of other-than-temporary impairment and requires credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. These changes will result in earlier recognition of credit losses. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASC 2019-10,”) which defers the effective date of ASU 2016-13 to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, for public entities which meet the definition of a smaller reporting company. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023. Management is currently evaluating the effect of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on the consolidated financial statements. The effect will largely depend on the composition and credit quality of our investment portfolio and the economic conditions at the time of adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. Step two of the goodwill impairment test measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with its carrying amount. As amended by ASU 2019-10, annual or interim goodwill impairment tests are performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. We do not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06 (“ASU 2020-06”) “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity.” ASU 2020-06 will simplify the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2020-06 are effective for public entities which meet the definition of a smaller reporting company are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company will adopt ASU 2020-06 effective January 1, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the effect of the adoption of ASU 2020-06 on the consolidated financial statements. The effect will largely depend on the composition and terms of the financial instruments at the time of adoption.

As of September 30, 2021, the Company has eight loan agreements compared with four loan agreements on December 31, 2020. The Company provided loans aggregating $99,030,244 for the purpose of making use of idle cash and maintaining long-term customer relationship and paid back $13,463,633 during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. These loans will mature in October 2021 through December 2021, and charges interest rate of 10.95% per annum on these customers.

Interest income of $1,840,962 and$1,828,080 was recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Interest income of $6,860,545 and $3,728,093 was recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an interest receivable of $ 1,850,147 and $1,290,864 as reflected under “other current assets” in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31,2020 there was no allowance recorded as the Company considers all of the loan receivable fully collectible.

The Company’s intangible assets consist of customer relationships, which are recorded in connection with acquisitions at their fair value, and software copyright which are purchased from the related party Yunfeihu. Intangible assets with estimable lives are amortized, generally on a straight-line basis, over their respective estimated useful lives of 6.2 years and 6.83 years respectively to their estimated residual values.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company amortized $2,905,932 and $Nil respectively.  No impairment loss was made against the intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

The estimated amortization expense for these intangible assets in the next five years and thereafter is as follows:

Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedge Accounting Treatment

On April 23 2021, Hainan Jianchi Import and Export Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of the Company, have entered into an contract with CITIC Futures Co., Ltd to deal futures business to hedging sales and purchase commodity products market price risks. The futures contracts are to trade non-ferrous metal products such as aluminium ingots, copper, silver, and gold. The contact is a derivative instrument for accounting purposes. The quantities of product in these agreements offset and are priced at prevailing market prices. The contract does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The company recognized other current asset on fair value $109,551, and the notional amount is about $0.5 million as of September 30, 2021. The realized gain $243,883 and unrealized loss $1,812 for the three and nine month ended September 30, 2021 were recognized in other income in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

On January 6, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Streeterville Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company, pursuant to which the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the original principal amount $1,670,000, convertible into shares of common stock, for proceeds of $1,500,000. The Company recorded a debt discount of $170,000, which is being amortized over 12 months. On July 7, 2021, The Company settled the convertible note of principal amount $200,000 and issued 260,254 shares of the Company’s common stock on July 8, 2021. On July 16, 2021, the Company settled convertible notes of principal amount $ 1,590,694 and amortized interests $ 92,499, and issued 1,980,227 shares of the Company’s common stock on July 19, 2021.

On March 4, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Streeterville Capital, LLC, pursuant to which the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the original principal amount of $3,320,000, convertible into shares of common stock, for proceeds of $3,000,000. The Company recorded a debt discount of $320,000, which is being amortized over 12 months. On September 8, 2021,The Company settled the convertible note of principal amount $300,000 , and issued 488,982 shares of the Company’s common stock on September 15, 2021.

The above two Notes have a maturity date of 12 months with an interest rate of 10% per annum. The Company retains the right to prepay the Note at any time prior to conversion with an amount in cash equal to 125% of the principal that the Company elects to prepay at any time three months after the issue date, subject to maximum monthly redemption amount of $187,500 or $375,000 respectively. On or before the close of business on the third trading day of redemption, the Company should deliver conversion shares via “DWAC” (DTC’s Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system). The Company will be required to pay the redemption amount in cash, or chooses to satisfy a redemption in registered stock or unregistered stock, such stock shall be issued at 80% of the average of the lowest “VWAP ” (the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock on the principal market for a particular Trading Day or set of Trading Days) during the fifteen trading days immediately preceding the redemption notice is delivered.

During the period that these Notes are outstanding, the Company will reserve from its authorized and unissued shares of common stock more than 5,000,000 shares, free from preemptive rights, to provide for the issuance of the common stock upon the full conversion of the Notes. The earlier of (i) 45 days after filing of the PRE14C with SEC, or (ii) May 31,2021 under the assumption of no comments from PRE14C. In the event that the SEC has any comments to the Company’s PRE14C, the Company agrees to grant an additional 30 days to meet the requirement no later than June 30, 2021. On May 3, outstanding principal amount was increased to $1,790,694 and $3,556,240 or by 7% respectively due to standstill fee application from the borrower. A modification loss of $356,934 was recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations in relation to this non-substantial notes modification. 

Upon evaluation, the Company determined that the Agreements contained embedded beneficial conversion features which met the definition of Debt with Conversion and Other Options covered under the Accounting Standards Codification topic 470 (“ASC 470”). According to ASC 470, an embedded beneficial conversion feature present in a convertible instrument shall be recognized Separately at issuance by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company shall recognize embedded beneficial conversion features three months after commitment date of $459,250 and $913,000 respectively. The Company will not recognize embedded beneficial conversion features until July 2021 due to the effective of standstill agreement. Beneficial conversion features have been recognized into discount on convertible notes and additional paid-in capital and such discount will be amortized in twelve months until the notes will be settled. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company have recognize Amortization of beneficial conversion feature $459,250 and $ 159,775 to profit . 

Common stock issued in private placements

On January 7, 2021, the Company entered into certain securities purchase agreement with two investors, the Chairman and CEO of the Company, Ouyang Renmei and another shareholder pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell an aggregate of 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock, at a per share market price of $1.63. The transaction was consummated on January 12, 2021 by issuance of 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Company received proceeds of $24,450,000 in January 2021.

On August 26, 2021, the Company entered into certain securities purchase agreements with eight investors, the Chairman and CEO of the Company, Ouyang Renmei and other seven shareholders pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell an aggregate of 16,000,000 shares of Common Stock, at a per share market price of $1.00. The transaction was consummated on September 22, 2021 by issuance of 16,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Company received proceeds of $16,000,000 in September 2021.

On August 26, 2021, the Company entered into certain securities purchase agreement with three investors pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell an aggregate of 19,000,000 units, each unit consisting of one share of common stock and warrant to purchase one share, at a price of $1.15 per unit. on September 22, 2021, the Company issued 19,000,000 shares of Common Stock and received proceeds of $21,850,000 in September 2021 and October 2021.

Common stock issued pursuant to the conversion of convertible notes

The Company settled convertible notes of $200,000 on July 7, 2021, $1,683,193.1 on July 16, 2021, $300,000 on September 8, 2021, and issued 260,254, 1,980,227, 488,982 shares of the Company’s common stock on July 8, 2021, July 19, 2021, and September 15, 2021 respectively.

Common stock issued in registered direct offering

On January 20, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to certain investor an aggregate of 478,468 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering, for gross proceeds of approximately $1.07 million. The Company received proceeds of $834,845 in January 2021 after deducting the agent commission and other professional fee.

On February 8, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to certain investor an aggregate of 775,000 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering, for gross proceeds of approximately $1.62 million. The Company received proceeds of $1,358,144 in February 2021 after deducting the agent commission and other professional fee.

On July 16, 2021, the Company issued 140,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as compensation to a PR service provider for increasing the Company’s visibility in the financial news community. The company recognized 141,400 Share-based payment for service to profit on the basis of the company’ close price on the Nasdaq Capital Market on July 16, 2021.

Common stocks issued for exercise of warrants by holders of warrants

On March 10, 2021, the Company entered into certain waiver and warrant exercise agreements with some institutional investors, which modified (a) 100,000 warrants with an exercise price of $1.32 originally issued on April 15, 2019 in a common stock private placement and (b) 1,530,000 warrants with an exercise price of $2.20 originally issued on March 23, 2019 in a common stock private placement. The modification of these warrant agreements lowered the exercise prices to $0.95 per warrant and $1.17 per warrant, respectively, and allowed the holders to exercise the warrants on a cashless basis. In March 2021, the holders exercised 1,630,000 warrants on a cashless basis, resulting in the issuance of 808,891 shares of common stock. The Company recorded the modification and the cashless exercise of the warrants as a reduction of retained earnings, similar to a dividend, and an increase in additional paid-in capital, using a fair value of $1,439,826, estimated according to “free distribution” accounting practice.

On March 10, 2021, the Company entered into certain waiver and warrant exercise agreements with some institutional investors, which modified (a) 100,000 warrants with an exercise price of $1.32 originally issued on April 15, 2019 in a common stock private placement and (b) 1,530,000 warrants with an exercise price of $2.20 originally issued on March 23, 2019 in a common stock private placement. The modification of these warrant agreements lowered the exercise prices to $0.95 per warrant and $1.17 per warrant, respectively, and allowed the holders to exercise the warrants on a cashless basis. In March 2021, the holders exercised 1,630,000 warrants on a cashless basis, resulting in the issuance of 808,891 shares of common stock. The Company recorded the modification and the cashless exercise of the warrants as a reduction of retained earnings, similar to a dividend, and an increase in additional paid-in capital, using a fair value of $1,439,826, estimated according to “free distribution” accounting practice.

On March 4, 2021, the Company issued 750,000 fully-vested warrants with an exercise price of $0.01, with a five-year life, to an agent who was engaged to complete the warrant waiver and exercise agreements. The Company applied Black-Scholes model and determined the fair value of the warrants to be $1.7 million. Significant estimates and assumptions used included stock price on March 4, 2021 of $2.27 per share, risk-free interest rate of one year of 0.08%, life of 5 years, and volatility of 71.57%.

On April 27, 2021, the Company entered warrant exercise agreements and received proceeds of $7,500 and issued 750,000 common stock.

Warrants

A summary of warrants activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was as follows:

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had 19,273,370 shares of warrants, among which 273,370 shares of warrants were issued to two individuals in private placements, and 19,000,000 shares of warrants were issued in three private placements closed on September 22, 2021.

In connection with 19,000,000 shares of warrants, the Company issued warrants to investors to purchase a total of 19,000,000 ordinary shares with a warrant term of five (5) years. The warrants have an exercise price of $1.15 per share. 

The Warrants ended on September 30 2021 are subject to anti-dilution provisions to reflect stock dividends and splits or other similar transactions, but not as a result of future securities offerings at lower prices. The warrants did not meet the definition of liabilities or derivatives, and as such they are classified as equity.

On September 22, 2021, the Company estimated fair value of the 19,000,000 warrants at $5,795,099 using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which took into consideration the underlying price of ordinary shares, a risk-free interest rate, expected term and expected volatility. As a result, the valuation of the warrant was categorized as Level 3 in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”. 

The key assumptions used in estimates are as follows:

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net profit or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalents shares outstanding during the period. Common equivalents shares consist of shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible notes using the if-converted method.

The number of warrants is excluded from the computation as the anti-dilutive effect.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 respectively:

Effective January 1, 2008, the New Taxation Law of PRC stipulates that domestic enterprises and foreign invested enterprises (the “FIEs”) are subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%. Under the PRC tax law, companies are required to make quarterly estimate payments based on 25% tax rate; companies that received preferential tax rates are also required to use a 25% tax rate for their installment tax payments. The overpayment, however, will not be refunded and can only be used to offset future tax liabilities.

The Company evaluates the level of authority for each uncertain tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits, and measures the unrecognized benefits associated with the tax positions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits. Due to uncertainties surrounding future utilization, the Company estimates there will not be sufficient future income to realize the deferred tax assets for certain subsidiaries and a VIE. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had deferred tax assets of $ 4,134,319 and $4,452,837, respectively. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2021.

The Company does not anticipate any significant increase to its liability for unrecognized tax benefit within the next 12 months. The Company will classify interest and penalties related to income tax matters, if any, in income tax expense.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company had current income tax expenses of $ 1,461,884 and $1,573,531, respectively, and deferred income tax benefit of $ 617,582 in the connection of intangible assets generated from Baiyu acquisition, and $nil, respectively.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized and recorded as necessary in the provision for income taxes. The Company is subject to income taxes in the PRC. According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or the withholding agent. The statute of limitations is extended to five years under special circumstances, where the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB 100,000. In the case of transfer pricing issues, the statute of limitation is ten years. There is no statute of limitation in the case of tax evasion. There were no uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and the Company does not believe that its unrecognized tax benefits will change over the next twelve months.

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the balances with related parties were as follows:

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company generated revenues from below related party customers:

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company purchased commodity products from below related party vendors:

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company purchased copyright software of $5,107,410 from “Yunfeihu”.

On August 28, 2020 when the Company closed disposition of HC High Summit Limited, the Company’s used luxurious car leasing business met all the conditions required in order to be classified as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the operating results of used luxurious car leasing business are reported as a loss from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. In addition, the assets and liabilities related to our used luxurious car leasing business are reclassified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2020.

The summarized operating results of the discontinued operation included in the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations consist of the following:

The Company leases offices which are classified as operating leases in accordance with Topic 842. Under Topic 842, lessees are required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) on the commencement date: (i) lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (ii) right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Leases with initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had one lease arrangement with an unrelated third party with a monthly rental fee of approximately $7,710. The lease term was within 12 months, which will be due in August 2022. As of the date of this report, the Company cannot reasonably assess whether it will renew the lease term.

Lease expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $38,468 and $79,098, respectively. Lease expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $85,476 and $234,744, respectively.

On February 3, 2015, a purported shareholder Kiran Kodali filed a putative shareholder derivative complaint against the Company, alleging that the Company and its former officers and directors violated their fiduciary duties, grossly mismanaged the Company and were unjustly enriched based upon the transfer that was the subject of the Internal Review and other grounds substantially similar to those asserted in the class action complaints.

On July 16, 2019, the Company received a copy of the final order and judgment that the Court entered on July 11, 2019, approving the settlement set forth in the Stipulation. The Stipulation provides for dismissal of the Derivative Action as to the Company and the Individual Defendants, and the Company agrees to adopt or maintain certain corporate governance reforms for at least three years. The Stipulation also provides for attorneys’ fees and expenses to be paid by the Individual Defendants’ insurance carriers to plaintiffs’ counsel. 

On December 21, 2017, the Company delivered notice (“Notice”) to Sorghum notifying Sorghum that certain recent actions of Sorghum constituted breaches of Sorghum’s covenants under the Exchange Agreement. Specifically, we believe that Sorghum is in breach of Section 6.9 (a and Section 6.11 (b of the Exchange Agreement which required Sorghum to use commercially reasonable efforts and to cooperate fully with the other parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement and to make its directors, officers and employees available in connection with responding in a timely manner to SEC comments. According to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the Company is entitled to terminate the Exchange Agreement if the breach is not cured within twenty (20 days after the Notice is provided to Sorghum.

On January 25, 2018, the Company filed an arbitration demand (“Arbitration Demand” with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) against Sorghum in connection with Sorghum’s breach of the Exchange Agreement.

On July 30, 2018, Arbitrator entered a reasoned award, accepting the Company’s proposal for resolution, awarding the Company damages of $1,436,522 against Sorghum and denying Sorghum’s Counterclaim against the Company in its entirety with prejudice. Sorghum has sought to vacate the arbitration award by filing a petition to vacate the arbitration award in the Supreme Court for the State of New York, New York County. The Court heard the Company and Sorghum’s arguments on May 1, 2019, and entered an order vacating the arbitration award. The Company vigorously opposed and moved to confirm the arbitration award on May 6, 2019. On June 5, 2019, the Company filed a notice of appeal with the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division First Department. The appeal was scheduled to be mediated on November 20, 2019. On November 15, 2019, the Company withdrew its appeal filed June 5, 2019, upon the stipulation of the parties and accordingly, the arbitration award is deemed to be vacated.

On August 2, 2018, the Company became party to an action filed by Shanghai Nonobank Financial Information Service Co. Ltd. (“Plaintiff”) in the Supreme Court for the State of New York, New York County (“NY Supreme Court” (Index No. 653834/2018 (the “Action”). Plaintiff’s complaint seeks to recover approximately $3.5 million of Plaintiff’s funds that were allegedly required to be held in escrow in New York pursuant to an agreement by and between Plaintiff, Yang Jie and Yi Lin (the “Complaint”). Plaintiff has alleged that the funds were required to be held in escrow in a New York attorney trust account pending the alleged consummation of a merger between Plaintiff’s parent company and the Company. Plaintiff alleged two causes of action against the Company for fraud/fraudulent inducement and conversion. On August 30, 2018, the Company filed a motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s causes of action against the Company. The Court has scheduled oral arguments on the Company’s motion to dismiss for May 1, 2019.

On July 15, 2019, the Company received a copy of the decision and order the Court entered on July 12, 2019, granting the Company’s motion to dismiss the Complaint in its entirety as against the Company without prejudice, with costs and disbursements to the Company as taxed by the Clerk of the Court, and the Clerk is directed to enter judgment accordingly in favor of the Company. 

On April 6, 2020, the Company filed a law suit against Harrison Fund, LLC (“Harrison Fund”) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the “District Court”) (Case No. 3:20-cv-2307). The Company had invested $1,000,000 in Harrison Fund around May 2019. However, Harrison Fund had been reluctant to disclose related investment information to the Company and it was discovered that certain information presented on Harrison Fund’s brochure appeared to be problematic. The Company demanded a return of its investment from Harrison Fund. When the Company failed to obtain a response from Harrison Fund, it filed the complaint against Harrison Fund seeking to recover the $1,000,000 investment.

Due to the uncertainty arising from this pending legal proceeding, a full impairment has been applied against the Company’s investment in financial products.

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to credit risk consist principally of trade receivables and advances to suppliers. The Company believes the concentration of credit risk in its trade receivables and advances to suppliers is substantially mitigated by its ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. All of the Company’s cash is maintained with banks within the People’s Republic of China of which no deposits are covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and key suppliers to help further reduce credit risk.

The Company is also exposed to liquidity risk which is risk that it is unable to provide sufficient capital resources and liquidity to meet its commitments and business needs. Liquidity risk is controlled by the application of financial position analysis and monitoring procedures. When necessary, the Company will turn to other financial institutions and the owners to obtain short-term funding to meet the liquidity shortage.

The Company’s financial information is presented in U.S. dollars (“USD”). The functional currency of the Company is the Chinese Yuan, Renminbi (“RMB”), the currency of the PRC. Any transactions which are denominated in currencies other than RMB are translated into RMB at the exchange rate quoted by the People’s Bank of China prevailing at the dates of the transactions, and exchange gains and losses are included in the statements of operations as foreign currency transaction gain or loss. The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”. The financial information is first prepared in RMB and then is translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates for revenue and expenses. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholder’s equity. Cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies using the average translation rate. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheets. The value of RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. Where there is a significant change in value of RMB, the gains and losses resulting from translation of financial statements of a foreign subsidiary will be significant affected.

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into prevailing functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. The resulting exchange differences are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

The Company’s operations are conducted in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environment in the PRC, and by the general state of the PRC economy. In light of the uncertain and rapidly evolving situation relating to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we have taken temporary precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk of the virus to our employees, our customers, and the communities in which we participate, which could negatively impact our business. To this end, we are evaluating alternative working arrangements, including requiring all employees to work remotely, and we have suspended all non-essential travel for our employees and limiting in-person work-related meetings.

In addition, with the extended Chinese business shutdowns that resulted from the outbreak of COVID-19, we may experience delays or the inability to service our customers on a timely basis in our commodities trading business. The disruptions to our supply chain and business operations, or to our suppliers’ or customers’ supply chains and business operations, could include disruptions from the closure of our luxury car rental facilities, interruptions in the supply of commodities, personnel absences, and restrictions on the luxury car rental services or delivery and storage of commodities, any of which could have adverse ripple effects on our luxurious car leasing business and our commodities trading business. If we need to close any of our facilities or a critical number of our employees become too ill to work, our ability to provide our products and services to our customers could be materially adversely affected in a rapid manner. Similarly, if our customers experience adverse business consequences due to COVID-19, or any other pandemic, demand for our products and services could also be materially adversely affected in a rapid manner. Global health concerns, such as COVID-19, could also result in social, economic, and labor instability in the localities in which we or our suppliers and customers operate within China.

While the potential economic impact brought by and the duration of COVID-19 may be difficult to assess or predict, a widespread pandemic could result in significant disruption of global financial markets, reducing our ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could materially affect our business and the value of our common stock. While it is too early to tell whether COVID-19 will have a material effect on our business over time, we continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds. The extent to which COVID-19 affects our results will depend on many factors and future developments, including new information about COVID-19 and any new government regulations which may emerge to contain the virus, among others.

The Company sells precious products to customers through our industrial relationship. Sales contracts are entered into with each individual customer. The Company is the principal under the precious metal direct sales model as the Company controls the products with the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all the remaining benefits from the precious metal products before they are sold to its customers. The Company has a single performance obligation to sell metal products to the buyers. Revenue for precious metal trading under direct sales model is recognized at a point in time when the single performance obligation is satisfied when the products are delivered to the customer. We are under the risk of economic environment in general and specific to the precious metal industry and to China as well as changes to the existing governmental regulations.

Commodity trading in China is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which may cause our revenues to fluctuate from quarter to quarter. We generally experience less user traffic and purchase orders during national holidays in China, particularly during the Chinese New Year holiday season in the first quarter of each year. Consequently, the first quarter of each calendar year generally contributes the smallest portion of our annual revenues. Furthermore, as we are substantially dependent on sales of precious metal, our quarterly revenues and results of operations are likely to be affected by price fluctuation under macroeconomic circumstance these years.

As our revenues have grown rapidly in recent years, these factors are difficult to discern based on our historical results, which, therefore, should not be relied on to predict our future performance. Our financial condition and results of operations for future periods may continue to fluctuate. As a result, the trading price of our stock may fluctuate from time to time due to seasonality.

On October 4, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Atlas Sciences, LLC, a Utah limited liability company, pursuant to which the Company issued the Investor an unsecured promissory note on October 4, 2021 in the original principal amount of $2,220,000, convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, for $2,000,000 in gross proceeds.

The Note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum compounding daily. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note will become due and payable twelve months after the purchase price of the Note is delivered by Purchaser to the Company. The Note includes an original issue discount of $200,000 along with $20,000 for Investor’s fees, costs and other transaction expenses incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Note.

The Company settled convertible notes of $250,000 on October 15, 2021, $400,000 on October 26, 2021, $100,000 on October 29, 2021, $350,000 on November 1, 2021 and $400,000 on November 9, 2021, and issued 525,652, 875,350, 218,838, 765,931, and 875,350 shares of the Company’s common stock on October 18, 2021, October 28, 2021, November 2, 2021, November 3, 2021, and November 9, 2021, respectively.

On November 5, 2021, the Company entered into a certain securities purchase agreement with Mr. Shuxiang Zhang and Huiwen Hu, affiliates of the Company, and certain other non-affiliate purchasers whom are non-U.S. Persons, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell an aggregate of 65,000,000 shares of its common stock, at a per share purchase price of $0.70. The gross proceeds to the Company from the Common Stock Offering will be $45.5 million. Since Ms. Hu and Mr. Zhang are affiliates of the Company, the Common Stock Offering has been approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company as well as the Board of Directors of the Company.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had one business line which is commodities trading business.

Commodities trading business

The commodity trading business primarily involves purchasing non-ferrous metal product, such as aluminium ingots, copper, silver, and gold, from metal and mineral suppliers and then selling to customers. In connection with the Company’s commodity sales, in order to help customers to obtain sufficient funds to purchase various metal products and also help metal and mineral suppliers to sell their metal products, the Company launched its supply chain management service in December 2019. The Company primarily generates revenues from bulk non-ferrous commodity products, and from providing related supply chain management services in the PRC.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded revenue of $141,679,791 from commodities trading business and $2,515,919 from commodity distributions services and other related services, respectively.

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded revenue of $52,730,312 from commodities trading business and $2,043,494 from commodity distributions services and other related services, respectively.

The Company sources bulk commodity products from non-ferrous metal and mines or its designated distributors and then sells to manufactures who need these metals in large quantity. The Company works with suppliers in the sourcing of commodities. Major suppliers include various metal and mineral suppliers such as Kunsteel Group, Baosteel Group, Aluminum Corporate of China Limited, Yunnan Benyuan, Yunnan Tin, and Shanghai Copper. Potential customers include large infrastructure companies such as China National Electricity, Datang Power, China Aluminum Foshan International Trade, Tooke Investment (China), CSSC International Trade Co., Ltd., Shenye Group, and Keliyuan.

Competition

The Company mainly competes against other large domestic commodity metal product trading service providers such as Xiamen International Trade and Yijian Shares. Currently, the principal competitive factors in the non-ferrous metals commodities trading business are price, product availability, quantity, service, and financing terms for purchases and sales of commodities.

Applicable Government Regulations

The Company has obtained all material approvals, permits, licenses and certificates required for our metal product trading operations, including registrations from the local business and administrative department authorizing the purchase of raw materials.

Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operation

The commodities trading industry is also experiencing decreasing demand as a result of China’s overall economic slowdown. We expect competition in commodities trading business to persist and intensify.

We have a limited operating history having just started our commodities trading business in late November 2019. We believe our future success depends on our ability to significantly increase sales as well as maintain profitability from our operations. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and future prospects. You should consider our future prospects in light of the risks and challenges encountered by a company with a limited operating history in an emerging and rapidly evolving industry. These risks and challenges include, among other things,

Our business requires a significant amount of capital in large part due to needing to purchase bulk volume of commodities, and expand our business in existing markets and to additional markets where we currently do not have operations.

Recent Developments

The Company previously entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with White Lion Capital, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (the “Investor”), which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, the Investor is committed to purchase up to 15,700,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an aggregate of forty million dollars ($40,000,000) from time to time during a certain commitment period as defined in the Purchase Agreement.

On September 13, 2021, the Company entered into a Settlement and Mutual Release Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with the Investor. Pursuant to which, among other terms, the Company and the Investor agreed on lowering the floor price of the purchase notice to $1.00 and extending the commitment period to December 31, 2022.

On October 4, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Atlas Sciences, LLC, a Utah limited liability company, pursuant to which the Company issued the Investor an unsecured promissory note on October 4, 2021 in the original principal amount of $2,220,000, convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, for $2,000,000 in gross proceeds.

The Note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum compounding daily. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note will become due and payable twelve months after the purchase price of the Note is delivered by Purchaser to the Company. The Note includes an original issue discount of $200,000 along with $20,000 for Investor’s fees, costs and other transaction expenses incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Note.

The Company settled convertible notes of $250,000 on October 15, 2021, $400,000 on October 26, 2021, $100,000 on October 29, 2021, $350,000 on November 1, 2021 and $400,000 on November 9, 2021, and issued 525,652, 875,350, 218,838, 765,931, and 875,350 shares of the Company’s common stock on October 18, 2021, October 28, 2021, November 2, 2021, November 3, 2021, and November 9, 2021, respectively.

On November 5, 2021, the Company entered into a certain securities purchase agreement with Mr. Shuxiang Zhang and Huiwen Hu, affiliates of the Company, and certain other non-affiliate purchasers whom are non-U.S. Persons, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell an aggregate of 65,000,000 shares of its common stock, at a per share purchase price of $0.70. The gross proceeds to the Company from the Common Stock Offering will be $45.5 million. Since Ms. Hu and Mr. Zhang are affiliates of the Company, the Common Stock Offering has been approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company as well as the Board of Directors of the Company.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 as Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2020