TYDE Crptyde Inc

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves certain risks. Before deciding to invest in our common stock, you should consider carefully the following discussion of risks and uncertainties affecting us and our securities, together with other information in this prospectus. Our business, business prospects, financial condition or results of operations could be seriously harmed as a result of these risks. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Please also read carefully the section below entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Summary of our Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business Generally

Related to Our Web 3 Business

Risks Related to Our Bitcoin Mining Services Business

Risks Related to Our Packaging Business

Risks Related to Our Securities

Risks Related to the Separation

Risks Related to Our Business Generally

We are a recently formed entity with little track record and limited historical financial information available.

Cryptyde, Inc. was formed on September 21, 2021, in the State of Nevada and converted to a Delaware corporation on March 9, 2022. Our Packaging Business was formed in 1966, however the rest of our businesses were recently started. Because we are in the early stages of executing our business strategy, we cannot provide assurance that, or when, we will be profitable. We will need to make significant investments to develop and operate the Company and expect to incur significant expenses in connection with operating components, including costs for developing technology, talent fees, marketing, and salaries. We expect to incur significant capital, operational and marketing expenses for a few years in connection with our strategy and growth plan. Any failure to achieve or sustain profitability may have a material adverse impact on the value of the shares of our common stock.

We must retain our key management personnel.

We aim to recruit the most qualified candidates and strive for a diverse and well-balanced workforce. While we expect to reward and support employees through competitive pay, benefits, and perquisite programs that allow employees to thrive, due to our size we may not be able to provide compensation equal to our more established competitors and may not be able to attract qualified management personnel. If we are unable to retain the key management personnel at our Company, the underlying business could suffer.

We could be adversely affected by declines in discretionary consumer spending, consumer confidence and general and regional economic conditions.

Our success depends to a significant extent on discretionary consumer spending, which is heavily influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. We believe the markets that all of the Cryptyde Businesses depend on are heavily reliant on discretionary consumer spending. The current economic environment as a result of COVID-19, coupled with high volatility and uncertainty as to the future global economic landscape, may have an adverse effect on consumers’ discretionary income and consumer confidence. Future volatile, negative, or uncertain economic conditions and recessionary periods or periods of significant inflation may adversely impact consumer spending on our products and services, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such effects can be especially pronounced during periods of economic contraction or slow economic growth.

The Company will operate in highly competitive industries and our revenues, profits or market share could be harmed if we are unable to compete effectively.

Each of the Cryptyde Businesses will face competition from existing competitors. Our competitors in the Web3 business will depend on what Web3 products we develop or acquire. We expect competition for Freespace, our video game we are developing and expect to launch in 2022, to include Decentraland, Sandbox and Fluf World. With respect to our Bitcoin Mining Services Business, our competitors include Compass Mining, Miners Dep and Alliance. With respect to the Packaging Business, our competitors include Sutherland Packaging, Acme Corrugated Box Company, and Trenton Corrugated Products, Inc.

Competition in each of these areas may increase as a result of technological developments, changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, changes in market structure, and other factors. Increased competition may divert consumers from our products, which could reduce our revenue or increase our marketing costs. Our competitors may have substantially greater financial resources than we do, and they may be able to adapt more quickly to changes in consumer preferences or devote greater resources to promotion of their offerings and services or to development or acquisition of offerings and services that are perceived to be of a higher quality or value than our offerings and services. As a result, we may not be able to compete successfully against such competitors.

We may not be able to fund capital expenditures and investment in projects and offerings.

A principal competitive factor for a large portion of the Cryptyde Businesses is the originality and perceived quality of our products and offerings. We will need to make continued capital investments to adapt to constantly changing consumer preferences. Our ability to fund capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations and to raise capital from third parties. We cannot assure you that our operations will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to fund such costs, or that we will be able to obtain sufficient financing on adequate terms, or at all, which could cause us to delay or abandon certain projects or plans.

Continuing general market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic may affect our ability to raise capital.

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States and worldwide national securities markets have undergone unprecedented stress due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting reactions and outcomes of government, business, and the general population. These uncertainties have resulted in declines in many market sectors. As a result, until the pandemic has stabilized, the markets may not be available to the Company for purposes of raising required capital. Should we not be able to obtain financing when required, in the amounts necessary to execute on our plans in full, or on terms which are economically feasible we may be unable to sustain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan and may have to reduce the planned future growth and/or scope of our operations.

A deterioration in the domestic and international economic environment, whether by way of current inflationary conditions or potential recessionary conditions, could adversely affect our operating results, cash flow and financial condition.

Current inflationary conditions in the United States and other parts of the world have increased some of our costs, including our cost of materials and labor. While we thus far have been largely successful in mitigating the impact of current inflationary conditions, we may need to increase our own prices on goods and services sufficiently to offset cost increases, we may not be able to maintain acceptable operating margins and achieve profitability. Additionally, competitors operating in regions with less inflationary pressure may be able to compete more effectively which could further impact our ability to increases prices and/or result in lost sales. 

Recessionary economic conditions could lower discretionary spending of our consumers, which could result in a loss of sales. Recessionary economic conditions may cause difficulty in collecting accounts receivable and reduce the availability of credit and spending power for our customers, both of which may negatively impact our business.

Geopolitical risks, such as those associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, could result in a decline in the outlook for the U.S. and global economies.

The uncertain nature, magnitude, and duration of hostilities stemming from Russia’s recent military invasion of Ukraine, including the potential effects of sanctions and retaliatory cyber-attacks on the world economy and markets, have contributed to increased market volatility and uncertainty, and such geopolitical risks could have an adverse impact on macroeconomic factors which affect our businesses, as well as our access to capital.

Cyber security risks and the failure to maintain the integrity of internal, partner, and consumer data could result in damages to our reputation, the disruption of operations and/or subject us to costs, fines or lawsuits.

We have and will continue to collect and retain large volumes of internal, partner and consumer data, including credit card numbers and other personally identifiable information, for business purposes, including for transactional or target marketing and promotional purposes, and our various information technology systems enter, process, summarize and report such data. We also maintain personally identifiable information about our employees. Additionally, our Web 3 Business is predominately digital in nature and relies heavily on our ability to maintain the integrity of our computer systems. The integrity and protection of our customer, employee, and company data is critical to our business and our customers and employees are likely to have a high expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. The regulatory environment, as well as the requirements imposed on us by the credit card industry, governing information, security and privacy laws is increasingly demanding and continues to evolve. Maintaining compliance with applicable security and privacy regulations may increase our operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market our products and services.

We also rely on accounting, financial and operational management information technology systems to conduct our operations. If these information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown and our business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We may face various security threats, including cyber security attacks on our data (including our vendors’ and customers’ data) and/or information technology infrastructure. Although we utilize various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate these threats, there can be no assurance that these procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent penetrations or disruptions to our systems. Furthermore, a penetrated or compromised data system or the intentional, inadvertent or negligent release or disclosure of data could result in theft, loss, fraudulent or unlawful use of customer, employee, or company data which could harm our reputation or result in remedial and other costs, fines or lawsuits and require significant management attention and resources to be spent. In addition, our insurance coverage and indemnification arrangements that we enter into, if any, may not be adequate to cover all the costs related to cyber security attacks or disruptions resulting from such events.

Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all possible losses that we could suffer and our insurance costs may increase.

We seek to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates. There can be no assurance that our insurance will be sufficient to cover the full extent of all losses or liabilities for which we are insured, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain insurance policies on favorable terms, or at all.

COVID-19 or another pandemic may negatively impact our ability to operate the Cryptyde Businesses which could decrease or eliminate the value of our common stock.

COVID-19 has resulted in significant uncertainty in many areas of our businesses. We do not know how long these conditions will last. This uncertainty may negatively impact our operations. We may experience labor shortages, particularly in our Packaging Business, if our employees are unable or unwilling to come to work. If our suppliers cannot deliver the supplies we need to operate our business or if we are unable to ship our products due to trucking or rail shipping disruptions, we may be forced to suspend operations or reduce production. If we are unable to operate the Packaging Business at or near its historical rate, it may result in unfavorable operating results. Any shut down of operations or reduction in production, especially for an extended period of time, could reduce the value of our common stock.

Our management has limited experience in operating a public company.

Our executive officers have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Our management team may not successfully or effectively manage its transition to a public company that will be subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under federal securities laws. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities, which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of our business. We may not have adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal controls over financial reporting required of public companies in the U.S. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for us to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company in the U.S. may require costs greater than expected. It is possible that we will be required to expand our employee base and hire additional employees to support our operations as a public company, which will increase our operating costs in future periods.

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and distract management.

We incur significant costs associated with our public company reporting requirements and costs associated with applicable corporate governance requirements. These applicable rules and regulations are expected to significantly increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time consuming and costly than those for privately owned companies that are not registrants with the SEC. Compliance with these rules and regulations may divert management’s attention from other business concerns.

Our business plan may require additional liquidity and capital resources that might not be available on terms that are favorable to us, or at all.

We currently obtain a portion of the capital required for the development and operations of the Company from various forms of public and private financing. We may require additional capital and/or cash flow from future operations to fund the Company, our debt service obligations and our ongoing business. There is no assurance that we will be able to raise sufficient additional capital or generate sufficient future cash flow from our future operations to fund our ongoing business. If the amount of capital we are able to raise, together with any income from future operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital needs, including funding our current debt obligations, we may be required to abandon or alter our plans for the Company. The Company may also have to raise additional capital through the equity market, which could result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.

Our ability to obtain necessary financing may be impaired by factors such as the health of and access to capital markets, our limited track record and the limited historical financial information available, or the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Any additional capital raised through the sale of additional shares of our capital stock, convertible debt or other equity may dilute the ownership percentage of our stockholders.

Risks Related to Our Web3 Business

If we do not innovate and provide Web3 based products and services that are attractive to our users, our business could be harmed.

Our success depends on our continued innovation to provide products and services that are attractive to potential users and customers. As a result, we must invest significant resources in research and development to first create then improve the attractiveness and comprehensiveness of our products and services and effectively incorporate new Web3 technologies into them. If we are unable to provide products and services that users and customers want to use, then users may become dissatisfied and use competitors’ products and services. If we are unable to continue offering innovative products and services, we may be unable to attract users, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The success of our Web3 Business is substantially dependent upon the continued success of the entertainment professionals we partner with and our ability to continue to secure favorable contracts with and maintain a good working relationship with these individuals.

Our Web3 business includes partnerships with entertainment professionals to help them use Web3 technology to distribute, manage, and receive payment for their art, music, or other content. Our ability to secure partnerships, and maintain a good working relationship, with artists, celebrities, athletes, and other public figures - through agreements, alliances, opportunities and otherwise – is of critical importance to our long-term success.

A particular crypto asset’s status as a “security” in any relevant jurisdiction is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and if we are unable to properly characterize a crypto asset we develop in our Web3 Business as not a security, we may be subject to regulatory scrutiny, inquiries, investigations, fines, and other penalties, which may adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

The SEC and its staff have taken the position that certain crypto assets fall within the definition of a “security” under the U.S. federal securities laws. The legal test for determining whether any given crypto asset is a security is a highly complex, fact-driven analysis that evolves over time, and the outcome is difficult to predict. The SEC generally does not provide advance guidance or confirmation on the status of any particular crypto asset as a security. Furthermore, the SEC’s views in this area have evolved over time and it is difficult to predict the direction or timing of any continuing evolution. It is also possible that a change in the governing administration or the appointment of new SEC commissioners could substantially impact the views of the SEC and its staff. For example, Chair Gary Gensler recently remarked on the need for further regulatory oversight on crypto assets, crypto trading, and lending platforms by the SEC. Public statements by senior officials at the SEC indicate that the SEC does not intend to take the position that Bitcoin or Ethereum are securities (in their current form). Bitcoin and Ethereum are the only crypto assets as to which senior officials at the SEC have publicly expressed such a view. Moreover, such statements are not official policy statements by the SEC and reflect only the speakers’ views, which are not binding on the SEC or any other agency or court and cannot be generalized to any other crypto asset. With respect to all other crypto assets, there is currently no certainty under the applicable legal test that such assets are not securities, notwithstanding the conclusions we may draw based on our assessment regarding the likelihood that a particular crypto asset could be deemed a “security” under applicable laws. Similarly, though the SEC’s Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology published a framework for analyzing whether any given crypto asset is a security in April 2019, this framework is also not a rule, regulation, or statement of the SEC and is not binding on the SEC.

Several foreign jurisdictions have taken a broad-based approach to classifying crypto assets as “securities,” while other foreign jurisdictions, such as Switzerland, Malta, and Singapore, have adopted a narrower approach. As a result, certain crypto assets may be deemed to be a “security” under the laws of some jurisdictions but not others. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the future, adopt additional laws, regulations, or directives that affect the characterization of crypto assets as “securities.”

The classification of a crypto asset as a security under applicable law has wide-ranging implications for the regulatory obligations that flow from the offer, sale, trading, and clearing of such assets. For example, a crypto asset that is a security in the United States may generally only be offered or sold in the United States pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC or in an offering that qualifies for an exemption from registration. Persons that effect transactions in crypto assets that are securities in the United States may be subject to registration with the SEC as a “broker” or “dealer.” Platforms that bring together purchasers and sellers to trade crypto assets that are securities in the United States are generally subject to registration as national securities exchanges, or must qualify for an exemption, such as by being operated by a registered broker-dealer as an ATS in compliance with rules for ATSs. Persons facilitating clearing and settlement of securities may be subject to registration with the SEC as a clearing agency. Foreign jurisdictions may have similar licensing, registration, and qualification requirements.

We analyze each crypto asset we develop under our Web3 Business to determine its likeliness to be deemed to be a “security” under applicable laws. Regardless of our conclusions, we could be subject to legal or regulatory action in the event the SEC, a foreign regulatory authority, or a court were to determine that a crypto asset we developed under our Web3 Business is a security under applicable laws. Because our Web3 platforms will not be registered or licensed with the SEC or foreign authorities as a broker-dealer, national securities exchange, or ATS (or foreign equivalents), and we do not seek to register or rely on an exemption from such registration or license to facilitate the offer and sale of crypto assets on our Web3 platforms, we will only develop and distributed digital assets for which we determine there are reasonably strong arguments to conclude that the crypto asset is not a security. We recognize that the application of securities laws to the specific facts and circumstances of crypto assets may be complex and subject to change, and that a listing determination does not guarantee any conclusion under the U.S. federal securities laws.

There can be no assurances that we will properly characterize any given crypto asset we develop under our Web3 Business as a security or non-security for purposes of determining whether we will distribute it on a Web3 platform. If the SEC, foreign regulatory authority, or a court were to determine that a crypto asset offered, sold, or traded on one of our future Web3 platform is a security, we would not be able to offer the Web3 product associated with the crypto asset until we are able to do so in a compliant manner. A determination by the SEC, a foreign regulatory authority, or a court that an asset that we support in the future for trading on our platform constitutes a security may also result in us determining that it is advisable to remove assets from our platform that have similar characteristics to the asset that was determined to be a security. In addition, we could be subject to judicial or administrative sanctions for failing to offer or sell the crypto asset in compliance with the registration requirements, or for acting as a broker, dealer, or national securities exchange without appropriate registration. Such an action could result in injunctions, cease and desist orders, as well as civil monetary penalties, fines, and disgorgement, criminal liability, and reputational harm.

Our Web3 Business intends to rely on the Ethereum blockchain, which we have no control over.

Our Web3 Business intends to operate on the Ethereum blockchain. Like other blockchains, Ethereum blockchain relies on a network of computers to run certain software programs to solve complex transactions in competition with other mining operations and to process transactions. We have no control over these networks, which subjects us to certain risks. For example, to the extent that any miners cease to record transactions in solved blocks, such transactions will not be recorded on the Ethereum blockchain. Currently, there are no known incentives for miners to elect to exclude the recording of transactions in solved blocks; however, to the extent that any such incentives arise (e.g., a collective movement among miners or one or more mining pools forcing Ethereum users to pay transaction fees as a substitute for or in addition to the award of new Ethereum upon the solving of a block), actions of miners solving a significant number of blocks could delay the recording and confirmation of transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. Such delay could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Incidents or adverse publicity concerning the Company or our public-figure partners could harm our reputation as well as negatively impact our revenues and profitability.

Our reputation is an important factor in the success of our Web3 Business. Our ability to attract and retain both partners and customers depends, in part, upon the external perceptions of our Company, the brands and individuals we are associated with, and our corporate and management integrity. If market recognition or the perception of the Company diminishes, there may be a material adverse effect on our revenues, profits, and cash flow. In addition, changing public perception of the brand and public figures we partner with could negatively impact our business and results of operations.

Changes in consumer tastes and preferences for Web3 products could reduce demand for our offerings and products and adversely affect the profitability of our Web3 Business.

The success of our Web3 Business depends on our ability to consistently provide, maintain and innovate Web3 products that meet changing consumer preferences. Our success depends in part on the continued and increasing popularity of Web3 products and on our ability to successfully predict and adapt to tastes and preferences of this consumer group. If our Web3 products do not achieve sufficient consumer acceptance or if consumer preferences change or consumers are drawn to other products, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Blockchain technology may expose us to specially designated nationals or blocked persons or cause it to violate provisions of law.

We are subject to the rules enforced by OFAC, including regarding sanctions and requirements not to conduct business with persons named on its specially designated nationals list. However, because of the pseudonymous nature of blockchain transactions, we may inadvertently and without our knowledge engage in transactions with persons named on OFAC’s specially designated nationals list, which may expose us to regulatory sanctions and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Current and future legislation and rulemaking regarding digital assets may result in extraordinary, non-recurring expenses and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current and future legislation and rulemaking by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and SEC or other regulators, including interpretations released by a regulatory authority, may impact the manner in which digital assets are treated. For example, digital assets derivatives are not excluded from the definition of “commodity future” by the CFTC. Furthermore, according to the CFTC, digital assets fall within the definition of a commodity under the Commodities Exchange Act (the “CEA”) and as a result, we may be required to register and comply with additional regulations under the CEA, including additional periodic reporting and disclosure standards and requirements. We may also be required to register as a commodity pool operator and to register as a commodity pool with the CFTC through the National Futures Association. If we are required to register with the CFTC or another governmental or self-regulatory authority, we may seek to cease certain of our operations to avoid the registration requirement. Modifying our business to avoid a registration requirement with the CFTC or another governmental or self-regulatory authority may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Bitcoin Mining Services Business

The business of the end users of our Bitcoin mining equipment is capital intensive and declines in discretionary income could limit the market for our Bitcoin mining equipment, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our Bitcoin Mining equipment is intended to lower the costs of constructing, developing, operating and maintaining digital asset mining and hosting facilities. However, users of our Bitcoin mining equipment may still face substantial costs associated with electricity usage, equipment replacement and upgrading, and other factors. A decline in discretionary income could prevent our intended end users from engaging in Bitcoin mining, and in turn from purchasing our Bitcoin mining equipment.

If future prices of Bitcoin are not sufficiently high, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected, which may have a negative impact on the trading price of our securities.

Our Bitcoin mining equipment allows users to engage in Bitcoin mining. If future prices of Bitcoin are not sufficiently high to cause our target customers to engage in Bitcoin mining and in turn purchase our products and services, our sales of Bitcoin mining equipment may be affected and our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Our business is heavily impacted by social, political, economic and other events and circumstances in the United States and abroad. Shifting positions on digital asset mining activity could reduce our revenue and profitability.

Our business is heavily impacted by social, political, economic, and other events and circumstances in the United States and abroad. These events and circumstances are largely outside of our influence and control. For example, we believe that historically China was a location of significant digital asset mining at low electric power rates. Recently, China and other foreign governments have taken action to prohibit or significantly restrict digital asset mining. Should China or other countries that currently restrict digital asset mining eliminate such restrictions or actually seek to enhance such mining activity, the demand for our Bitcoin mining equipment may be lowered, which would likely reduce the revenue and profitability of our Bitcoin Mining Services Business.

We are subject to risks associated with our customers’ need for significant electric power and the limited availability of power resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our customers using our Bitcoin mining equipment require a significant amount of electric power. Energy costs and availability are vulnerable to seasonality, with increased costs primarily in the summer months and risks of outages and power grid damage as a result of inclement weather, animal incursion, sabotage, and other events out of our control. Although we aim to offer energy efficient Bitcoin mining equipment, there can be no assurance that there will be sufficient energy availability to meet the needs of our Bitcoin mining equipment customers.

Governments and government regulators, at the federal, state, and local levels, may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to users of our Bitcoin mining equipment, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Governments or government regulators, at the federal, state, and local levels, may potentially restrict electricity suppliers from providing electricity to Bitcoin mining hosting facilities, including facilities used by our Bitcoin mining equipment target customers and facilities offered as part of our co-location services. For example, on May 14, 2018, the Chelan County Public Utility District in Washington approved a three-month extension of a moratorium on the approval of electric service for new digital asset transaction operators in Chelan County. In March 2018, the City of Plattsburgh, New York, placed an 18-month moratorium on transaction processing to preserve natural resources, the health of its residents and the “character and direction” of the city after residents complained about significantly higher electricity bills. In the event government regulators issue moratoriums or impose bans or restrictions involving transaction processing in jurisdictions in which our target Bitcoin mining equipment customers operate, the sales of our Bitcoin mining equipment may be negatively impacted and could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Packaging Business

An increase in the cost or a reduction in the availability of wood fiber, other raw materials, energy and transportation may have an adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.

Wood fiber, including old corrugated containers (“OCC”) is the principal raw material in many parts of the paper and packaging industry, including the corrugated cardboard on which our Packaging Business relies. Wood fiber is a commodity, and prices historically have been cyclical and have varied on a regional basis. Environmental litigation and regulatory developments have caused, and may cause in the future, significant reductions in the amount of timber available for commercial harvest in the United States. In addition, future domestic or foreign legislation and litigation concerning the use of timberlands, the protection of endangered species, the promotion of forest health and the response to and prevention of catastrophic wildfires could also affect timber supplies. Availability of harvested timber may further be limited by fire, insect infestation, disease, ice storms, windstorms, flooding and other causes, thereby reducing supply and increasing prices. Demand for OCC, especially from China, could result in shortages or spikes in the cost of OCC.

Industry supply of commodity paper and wood products is also subject to fluctuation, as changing industry conditions can influence producers to idle or permanently close individual machines or entire mills. Oversupply in these markets can also result from producers introducing new capacity in response to favorable short-term pricing trends. Industry supply of commodity papers and wood products is also influenced by overseas production capacity, which has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. Wood fiber pricing is subject to regional market influences, and the cost of wood fiber may increase in particular regions due to market shifts in those regions. In addition, the ability to obtain wood fiber from foreign countries may be impacted by economic, legal and political conditions in those countries as well as transportation difficulties.

Energy is a significant input cost for the paper and packaging industry. Increases in energy prices can be expected to adversely impact businesses.

Because we rely on a supply of corrugated sheets of cardboard to produce packaging, these uncertainties in the supply and cost of raw materials used to produce paper product could affect the availability of the corrugated sheets of cardboard we rely on. Increases in costs may need to be passed on to our customers, and ultimately may negatively affect our business.

Disruptions in transportation could adversely affect our supply of raw materials and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, profitability, and liquidity.

Since we receive our supply of raw material from suppliers that use third-party shippers that rely on truck, rail, and other forms of transportation, the reduced availability of those modes of transportation could limit our ability to promptly produce products for our customers, which could have an adverse effect on our operations, financial condition, and liquidity. In addition, the increased cost of transportation of raw material from our suppliers may reduce our profitability if we are not able to recover those costs through price increases for our products.

Paper and packaging companies face strong competition.

We face competition from numerous competitors, domestic as well as foreign. Some of our competitors are larger, more vertically integrated companies that have greater financial and other resources, greater manufacturing economies of scale, greater energy self-sufficiency, and/or lower operating costs.

Certain paper and wood products are vulnerable to long-term declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials.

Companies in the paper and packaging industry are subject to possible declines in demand for their products as the use of alternative materials and technologies grows and the prices of such alternatives become more competitive. Any substantial shift in demand from wood and paper products to competing technologies or materials could result in a material decrease in sales of our products and could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, and financial position. We cannot ensure that any efforts we might undertake to adapt our product offerings to such changes would be successful or sufficient.

Because we service customers in a variety of industries, we may be particularly impacted by general economic downturns.

Our Packaging Business provides packaging for third-party customers in a variety of industries, including pharmaceutical and e-commerce companies. Certain of our Packaging Business customers provide goods that are discretionary items for consumers. Therefore, their business, and in turn our Packaging Business, depends on the strength of the retail, commercial, and industrial sectors of the economy in various parts of the world, and trends therein. During a downturn in the economy, consumer purchases of discretionary items are affected, which could materially lower our customers’ demand for our packaging products, and negatively affect our profitability and financial condition.

We incur significant expenses to maintain our manufacturing equipment and any interruption in the operations of our facilities may harm our operating performance.

We regularly incur significant expenses to maintain our manufacturing equipment and facilities. The machines and equipment that we use to produce our products are complex, interdependent, and have many parts. We must perform routine maintenance on our equipment and will have to periodically replace a variety of parts.

Disruptions to our Packaging Business could occur due to any number of circumstances, including prolonged power outages, mechanical or process failures, shortages of raw materials, natural catastrophes, disruptions in the availability of transportation, labor disputes, terrorism, changes in or non-compliance with environmental or safety laws, and the lack of availability of services from any of our facilities’ key suppliers. Any facility shutdowns may be followed by prolonged startup periods, regardless of the reason for the shutdown. Any prolonged disruption in operations at any of our facilities could cause significant lost production, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We rely on a limited number of third-party suppliers for certain raw materials required for the production of our products.

Our dependence on a limited number of third-party suppliers, and the challenges we may face in obtaining adequate supplies of raw materials, involve several risks, including limited control over pricing, availability, quality and delivery schedules. We cannot be certain that our current suppliers will continue to provide us with the quantities of these raw materials that we require or will continue to satisfy our anticipated specifications and quality requirements. Any supply interruption in limited raw materials could materially harm our ability to manufacture our products until a new source of supply, if any, could be identified and qualified. Although we believe there are other suppliers of these raw materials, we may be unable to find a sufficient alternative supply channel in a reasonable time or on commercially reasonable terms. Any performance failure on the part of our suppliers could interrupt production of our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.

Risks Related to Our Securities

We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock. Consequently, our stockholders’ ability to achieve a return on their investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any future dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, financial condition, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, business opportunities, anticipated cash needs, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

As a result of being a public company, we are obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting in order to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). We may not complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner, or these internal controls may not be determined to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the value of our common stock.

As a result of being a public company we are subject to SEC reporting and other regulatory requirements. We will incur expenses and diversion of our management’s time in its efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding internal controls over financial reporting. Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm when required, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retrospective changes to our consolidated financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. If we are unable to assert that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would cause the price of our common stock to decline, and we may be subject to investigation or sanctions by the SEC.

One of our companies, Ferguson Containers, has material weaknesses in its controls over financial reporting, which could negatively impact investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

For Ferguson Containers’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively, Ferguson Containers had the following material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting:

The material weaknesses of Ferguson Containers’s internal control over financial reporting could negatively impact investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

An active, liquid trading market for our common stock may not develop, which may limit your ability to sell your shares.

Although our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq under the trading symbol “TYDE,” an active trading market for our common stock may never develop or be sustained. A public trading market having the desirable characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends upon the existence of willing buyers and sellers at any given time, such existence being dependent upon the individual decisions of buyers and sellers over which neither we nor any market maker has control. The failure of an active and liquid trading market to develop and continue would likely have a material adverse effect on the value of our common stock, and you may not be able to sell your shares of our common stock.  

We may issue shares of preferred stock in the future, which could make it difficult for another company to acquire us or could otherwise adversely affect holders of our common stock, which could depress the price of our common stock.

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes us to issue one or more series of preferred stock. Our board of directors has the authority to determine the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares of preferred stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Our preferred stock could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to the rights of our common stock. The potential issuance of preferred stock may delay or prevent a change in control of us, discouraging bids for our common stock at a premium to the market price, and materially adversely affect the market price and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

The trading price of our securities will likely be, and continue to be, volatile and you could lose all or part of your investment.

The trading price of our securities could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to our general business condition, the release of our financial reports and general economic conditions and forecasts. Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our securities irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general, and Nasdaq, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of our securities, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to us could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our stockholders’ investment in our securities, and our securities may trade at prices significantly below the price they paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of our securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.

Anti-takeover provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.

Cryptyde’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Delaware law contain, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with Cryptyde’s board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions are expected to include, among others:

In addition Cryptyde is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Section 203 provides that, subject to limited exceptions, persons that (without prior board approval) acquire, or are affiliated with a person that acquires, more than 15 percent of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation shall not engage in any business combination with that corporation, including by merger, consolidation or acquisitions of additional shares, for a three-year period following the date on which that person or its affiliate becomes the holder of more than 15 percent of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock.

Cryptyde believes these provisions will protect its stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with Cryptyde’s board of directors and by providing Cryptyde’s board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make Cryptyde immune from takeovers. However, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that Cryptyde’s board of directors determines is not in the best interests of Cryptyde and its stockholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.

In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of Cryptyde’s stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code. For a discussion of Section 355(e), see the section entitled “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution”.

These anti-takeover provisions may also limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock. For a discussion of the anti-takeover provisions, See “Description of Capital Stock – Anti-Takeover Provisions.”

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or employees.

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the (i) Court of Chancery (the “Chancery Court”) of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for: (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of Cryptyde, (B) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of Cryptyde to Cryptyde or Cryptyde’s stockholders, (C) any action asserting a claim against the Cryptyde or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of the Cryptyde arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL, Cryptyde’s Certificate of Incorporation or Cryptyde’s Bylaws, or (D) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director, officer, stockholder, employee or agent of Cryptyde governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Chancery Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, including in the event claims are brought under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the sole and exclusive forum for such action or proceeding shall be another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware.

The choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, and other employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in the proposed charter to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our securities will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If only a limited number of securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our Company, the trading price for our securities would likely be negatively impacted. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock or publishes unfavorable research about our business, our stock price may decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our Company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our securities could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.

We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and we are taking advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies or smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and are taking advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a registration statement under the Securities Act declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company, which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period, difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the closing of the Company’s initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common equity that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues did not equal or exceed $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $700 million as of the prior December 31.

Because we subject the above listed reduced reporting requirements, investors may not be able to compare us to other companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

Your percentage ownership in our company may be diluted in the future.

In the future, your percentage ownership in our company may be diluted because of equity issuances for warrant exercises, acquisitions, strategic investments, capital market transactions, or otherwise, including equity compensation awards that we grant to our directors, officers and employees. Our Compensation Committee can be expected to grant additional equity compensation awards to our employees after the Separation. These awards would have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. From time to time, we may issue additional equity compensation awards to our employees under our employee benefits plans.

In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors to create and issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more series of preferred stock having such powers, preferences, and rights, if any, and such qualifications, limitations, and restrictions, if any, as established by our board of directors. The terms of one or more series of preferred stock that is so created and issued by our board of directors may dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock. For example, our board of directors could create and issue one or more series of preferred stock having the right to elect one or more of our directors (in all events or on the happening of specified events) and/or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or dividend, distribution, or liquidation rights of a series of preferred stock created and issued by our board of directors could affect the residual value of the common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—Preferred Stock.”

Our common stock will be subordinate to all of our future indebtedness and any series of preferred stock, and effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and preferred equity claims against our subsidiaries.

Shares of our common stock will rank junior to all of our future indebtedness and other liabilities. Additionally, holders of our common stock may become subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of holders of any series of preferred stock that our board of directors may designate and issue without any action on the part of the holders of our common stock. Furthermore, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon any of our subsidiaries’ liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors.

Investors are subject to litigation risk and their respective investments in the shares of our common stock may be lost as a result of our legal liabilities or the legal liabilities of our affiliates.

We or our affiliates may from time to time be subject to claims by third parties and may be plaintiffs or defendants in civil proceedings. There can be no assurance that claims will not be brought in the future if we cannot generate the revenue that we forecast or raise sufficient capital to pay our liabilities. The expense of prosecuting claims, for which there is no guarantee of success, and/or the expense of defending against claims by third parties and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments, would generally be borne by the Company and could result in the reduction or complete loss of all of the assets of the Company, and investors in our common stock could lose all or a part of their investment.

Risks Related to the Separation

We may not realize the anticipated benefits from the Separation, and the Separation could harm our business.

We may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the Separation and such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all. The Separation was designed to enhance strategic and management focus, provide a distinct corporate identity, and allow us to efficiently allocate resources and deploy capital. We may not achieve these and other anticipated benefits for a variety of reasons, including the following:

If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the Separation, or if such benefits are delayed, our business could be harmed.

We have little history operating as an independent company, and our historical financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as an independent, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

Our historical financial information included in this prospectus has been derived from Vinco’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records and is not necessarily indicative of our future operating results, financial condition, or cash flows, nor do they reflect what our operating results, financial condition, or cash flows would have been as an independent public company during the periods presented. In particular, the historical financial information included in this prospectus is not necessarily indicative of our future operating results, financial condition, or cash flows primarily because of the following factors:

We based the pro forma adjustments included in this prospectus on available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable and factually supportable. Actual results, however, may vary. In addition, our unaudited pro forma financial information included in this prospectus may not give effect to various ongoing additional costs that we may incur in connection with being an independent public company. Accordingly, our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements do not reflect what our operating results, financial condition, or cash flows would have been as an independent public company and are not necessarily indicative of our future financial condition or future operating results.

See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements” and the notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Potential indemnification liabilities to Vinco pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

The Separation and Distribution agreement, among other things, provides for indemnification obligations designed to make Cryptyde financially responsible for certain liabilities that may exist relating to its business activities. If Cryptyde is required to indemnify Vinco under the circumstances set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Cryptyde may be subject to substantial liabilities.

Cryptyde may be subject to certain contingent liabilities of Vinco following the Separation.

After the Separation, there is now the possibility that certain liabilities of Vinco could become Cryptyde’s obligations. For example, under the Code and the related rules and regulations, each corporation that was a member of the Vinco United States consolidated group during a taxable period or portion of a taxable period ending on or before the effective time of the Distribution is jointly and severally liable for the United States federal income tax liability of the entire Vinco United States consolidated group for that taxable period. Consequently, if Vinco is unable to pay the consolidated United States federal income tax liability for a prior period, Cryptyde could be required to pay the entire amount of such tax which could be substantial and in excess of the amount allocated to it under the Tax Matters Agreement between it and Vinco Other provisions of federal law establish similar liability for other matters, including laws governing tax-qualified pension plans as well as other contingent liabilities.

In connection with the Separation, Vinco will indemnify Cryptyde for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that the indemnity will be sufficient to insure Cryptyde against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Vinco’s ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.

Vinco agreed to indemnify Cryptyde for certain pre-spin-off liabilities. However, third parties could also seek to hold Cryptyde responsible for liabilities that Vinco has agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that the indemnity from Vinco will be sufficient to protect Cryptyde against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Vinco will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. In addition, Vinco’s insurers may attempt to deny coverage to Cryptyde for liabilities associated with certain occurrences of indemnified liabilities prior to the Separation.

Following the Separation, now that we only have limited access to the insurance policies maintained by Vinco for events occurring prior to the Separation, Vinco’s insurers may deny or attempt to deny coverage to us under such policies, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain insurance coverage following the Separation on terms that justify its purchase, and any such insurance may not be adequate to offset costs associated with certain events.

In connection with the Separation, we entered into agreements with Vinco to address various matters associated with the Separation, including insurance coverage. The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that following the Separation, we no longer have insurance coverage under Vinco insurance policies in connection with events occurring before, as of, or after the Separation, other than coverage for (i) events occurring prior to the Separation and covered by occurrence-based policies of Vinco as in effect as of the Separation and (ii) events or acts occurring prior to the Separation and covered by claims-made policies of Vinco for which a claim was received prior to the Separation. However, now that the Separation has concluded, Vinco’s insurers may deny or attempt to deny coverage to us for losses associated with occurrences or claims made prior to the Separation. Accordingly, we may be required to temporarily or permanently bear the costs of such lost coverage. In addition, we now have to maintain our own insurance policies following the Separation. Although we have had insurance policies in place since the date of the Separation that cover certain, but not all, hazards that could arise from our operations, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to maintain such coverage, that the cost of such coverage will be similar to that incurred by Vinco, or that such coverage will be adequate to protect us from costs incurred with certain events. The occurrence of an event that is not insured or not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. See “The Separation—Agreements with Vinco.”

Following the Separation, some of our directors and officers may now have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their equity ownership in Vinco.

Because of their former positions with Vinco, following the Separation, some of our directors and executive officers may own shares of Vinco common stock, and the individual holdings may be significant for some of these individuals compared to their total assets. This ownership may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for Vinco or us. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between Vinco and us regarding the terms of the agreements governing the Separation and the relationship thereafter between the companies.

We potentially could have received better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms we received in our agreements with Vinco.

The agreements we entered into with Vinco in connection with the Separation were negotiated while we were still part of Vinco’s business. See “The Separation—Agreements with Vinco.” The terms of the agreements negotiated in the context of the Separation relate to, among other things, the allocation of assets, intellectual property, liabilities, rights, and other obligations between Vinco and us as well as services to be provided to us by Vinco on an interim basis. Arm’s-length negotiations between Vinco and an unaffiliated third-party in another form of transaction, such as a buyer in a sale of a business transaction, may have resulted in more favorable terms to the unaffiliated third-party.

We are subject to significant restrictions on our actions following the Separation in order to avoid triggering significant tax-related liabilities.

The Tax Matters Agreement generally prohibits us from taking certain actions that could cause the Transfer and the Distribution to fail to qualify as tax-free transactions, including the following:

Due to these restrictions and indemnification obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement, we may be limited in our ability to pursue strategic transactions, equity or convertible debt financings, or other transactions that may otherwise be in our best interests. In addition, our potential indemnity obligation to Vinco might discourage, delay, or prevent a change of control that our stockholders may consider favorable.

Our accounting and other management systems and resources may not be robust enough to meet the financial reporting and other requirements to which we will be subject following the Separation.

Prior to the Separation, our financial results were included within the consolidated results of Vinco, and we were not directly subject to reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. These and other obligations will place significant demands on our management, administrative, and operational resources, including accounting and information technology resources. To comply with these requirements, we anticipate that we will need to duplicate information technology infrastructure; implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems, and procedures; and hire additional accounting, finance, tax, treasury, and information technology staff. If we are unable to do this in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to independent public companies could be impaired and our business could be harmed.