GD Culture Group Ltd
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 18, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Mar 18, 2025
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
GD CULTURE GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 – Nature of Business and Organization
GD Culture Group Limited (“GDC” or the “Company”), formerly known as Code Chain New Continent Limited, TMSR Holding Company Limited and JM Global Holding Company, is a Nevada corporation and a holding company. The Company currently conducts its operations on virtual content production (the “Virtual Content Production”) through the Company and two subsidiaries, AI Catalysis corp. (“AI Catalysis”) and Shanghai Xianzhui Technology Co., Ltd. (“SH Xianzhui”). The Company focuses its business mainly on: 1) AI-driven digital human creation and customization, and 2) Live streaming and e-commerce. The Company has relentlessly been focusing on serving its customers and creating value for them through the continual innovation and optimization of its products and services. Currently, the Company’s subsidiaries, Citi Profit Investment Holding Limited (“Citi Profit BVI”), Highlights Culture Holding Co., Limited (“Highlight HK”), Shanghai Highlight Entertainment Co., Ltd. (“Highlight WFOE”) are holding companies with no material operations.
SH Xianzhui was incorporated by Highlight WFOE and two other shareholders on August 10, 2023. SH Xianzhui is principally engaged in the provision of social media marketing agency service. Highlight WFOE initially owned 60% of the total equity interest of SH Xianzhui. On October 27, 2023, the Company entered into an equity purchase agreement with Highlight WFOE and Beijing Hehe Property Management Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Hehe”), which was amended on November 10, 2023 (such equity purchase agreement, as amended, the “Agreement” for purpose of this section “Investment in JV”), pursuant to which the Highlight WFOE agreed to purchase 13.3333% of the equity interest in SH Xianzhui from Beijing Hehe and the Company agreed to issue 400,000 shares of common stock of the Company, valued at $2.7820 per share, the average closing bid price of the common stock of GDC as of the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the Agreement, to Beijing Hehe or its assigns. On January 11, 2024, the Company issued the 400,000 shares of its common stock, at the price of $2.5 per share, to Beijing Hehe and the transaction was completed. Up to the date of this consolidated financial statements were issued, the Company owns 73.3333% of the total equity interest of SH Xianzhui.
AI Catalysis is a Nevada corporation, incorporated on May 18, 2023. AI Catalysis is expected to bridge the realms of the internet, media, and artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies. Positioned at the crossroads of traditional and streaming media, AI Catalysis plans to elevate the experience of media with AI-based interactive and smart content, aiming to transform the whole media landscape. At present, AI Catalysis primarily focused on the application of AI digital human technology with the sectors of e-commerce and entertainment to improve the interaction experiences online. AI Catalysis strives to deliver stable interactive livestreaming products to AI Catalysis’ users. AI Catalysis foresees future expansion to a variety of business sectors with AI applications in different scenarios. AI Catalysis plans to enter into the livestreaming market with a focus on e-commerce and livestreaming interactive game.
Prior to June 26, 2023, the Company had a subsidiary TMSR Holdings Limited (“TMSR HK”), which owned 100% equity interest in Makesi IoT Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Makesi WFOE”). Makesi WFOE had a series of contractual arrangement with Shanghai Yuanma Food and Beverage Management Co., Ltd. (“Yuanma”) that established a variable interest entity (the “VIE”) structure. For accounting purposes, Makesi WFOE was the primary beneficiary of Yuanma. Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, GDC treated Yuanma as the consolidated affiliated entity and has consolidated Yuanma’s financial results in GDC’s financial statements prior to June 26, 2023. On June 26, 2023, GDC entered into a share purchase agreement with a buyer unaffiliated with the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company agreed to sell, and the buyer agreed to purchase all the issued and outstanding equity interest in TMSR HK. The sale of TMSR HK did not have any material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Prior to September 26, 2023, the Company also conducted business through Shanghai Highlight Media Co., Ltd. (“Highlight Media”). Highlight WFOE had a series of contractual arrangement with Highlight Media. For accounting purposes, Highlight WFOE was the primary beneficiary of Highlight Media. Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP (as defined below), GDC treated Highlight Media as the consolidated affiliated entity and has consolidated Highlight Media’s financial results in GDC’s financial statements prior to September 26, 2023. Highlight Media was an integrated marketing service agency, focusing on enterprise brand management, crisis public relations, intelligent public opinion monitoring, media PR, financial and economic we-media operation, digital face application, large-scale exhibition services and other businesses. On September 26, 2023, Highlight WFOE entered into a termination agreement with Highlight Media and the shareholders of Highlight Media to terminate the VIE Agreements and sold the interest in the VIE Agreements. As a result of such termination, the Company no longer treats Highlight Media as a consolidated affiliated entity or consolidates the financial results and balance sheet of Highlight Media in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the activities of GDC and each of the following entities:
| Name | Background | Ownership | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Profit BVI | ● | A British Virgin Island company Incorporated in April 2019 | 100% owned by the Company |
| TMSR HK | ● | A Hong Kong company | 100% owned by Citi Profit BVI |
| ● | Incorporated in April 2019 | ||
| ● | Disposed on June 26, 2023 | ||
| Highlight HK | ● | A Hong Kong company | 100% owned by Citi Profit BVI |
| ● | Incorporated in November 2022 | ||
| Makesi WFOE | ● | A PRC limited liability company and deemed a wholly foreign owned enterprise (WFOE) | 100% owned by TMSR HK |
| ● | Incorporated in December 2020 | ||
| ● | Disposed on June 26, 2023 | ||
| Highlight WFOE | ● | A PRC limited liability company and deemed a wholly foreign owned enterprise (WFOE) | 100% owned by Highlight HK |
| ● | Incorporated in January 2023 | ||
| Yuanma | ● | A PRC limited liability company | VIE of Makesi WFOE |
| ● | Acquired on June 21, 2022 | ||
| ● | Disposed on June 26, 2023 | ||
| Highlight Media | ● | A PRC limited liability company | VIE of Highlight WFOE |
| ● | Acquired on September 16, 2022 | ||
| ● | Disposed on September 26, 2023 | ||
| AI Catalysis | ● | A Nevada company | 100% owned by the Company |
| ● | Incorporated in May 2023 | ||
| SH Xianzhui | ● | A PRC limited liability company | 73.3333% owned by Highlight WFOE |
| ● | Incorporated in August 2023 |
Contractual Arrangements
Yuanma and Highlight Media were controlled through contractual agreements in lieu of direct equity ownership by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Such contractual arrangements consist of a series of five agreements, consulting services agreement, equity pledge agreement, call option agreement, voting rights proxy agreement, and operating agreement (collectively the “Contractual Arrangements”).
Material terms of each of the VIE agreements with Yuanma are described below. The Company disposed TMSR HK, Makesi WFOE and Yuanma on June 26, 2023.
VIE agreements with Yuanma
Technical Consultation and Services Agreement.
Pursuant to the technical consultation and services agreement between Makesi WFOE and Yuanma dated June 21, 2022, Makesi WFOE has the exclusive right to provide consultation services to Yuanma relating to Yuanma’s business, including but not limited to business consultation services, human resources development, and business development. Makesi WFOE exclusively owns any intellectual property rights arising from the performance of this agreement. Makesi WFOE has the right to determine the service fees based on Yuanma’s actual operation on a Annual basis. This agreement will be effective for 20 years and can be extended by Makesi WFOE unilaterally by prior written notice to the other parties. Makesi WFOE may terminate this agreement at any time by giving a 30 days’ prior written notice to Yuanma. If any party breaches the agreement and fails to cure within 30 days from the written notice from the non-breach party, the non-breach party may (i) terminate the agreement and request the breaching party to compensate the non-breaching party’s loss or (ii) request special performance by the breaching party and the breaching party to compensate the non-breaching party’s loss.
Equity Pledge Agreement.
Under the equity pledge agreement among Makesi WFOE, Yuanma and Yuanma Shareholders dated June 21, 2022, Yuanma Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Yuanma to Makesi WFOE to guarantee Yuanma’s performance of relevant obligations and indebtedness under the technical consultation and services agreement. In addition, Yuanma Shareholders will complete the registration of the equity pledge under the agreement with the competent local authority. If Yuanma breaches its obligation under the technical consultation and services agreement, Makesi WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to sell the pledged equity interests. This pledge will remain effective until all the guaranteed obligations are performed or the Yuanma Shareholders cease to be shareholders of Yuanma.
Equity Option Agreement.
Under the equity option agreement among Makesi WFOE, Yuanma and Yuanma Shareholders dated June 21, 2022, each of Yuanma Shareholders irrevocably granted to Makesi WFOE or its designee an option to purchase at any time, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or a portion of his equity interests in Yuanma. Also, Makesi WFOE or its designee has the right to acquire any and all of its assets of Yuanma. Without Makesi WFOE’s prior written consent, Yuanma’s shareholders cannot transfer their equity interests in Yuanma and Yuanma cannot transfer its assets. The acquisition price for the shares or assets will be the minimum amount of consideration permitted under the PRC law at the time of the exercise of the option. This pledge will remain effective until all options have been exercised.
Voting Rights Proxy and Financial Support Agreement.
Under the voting rights proxy and financial support agreement among Makesi WFOE, Yuanma and Yuanma Shareholders dated June 21, 2022, each Yuanma Shareholder irrevocably appointed Makesi WFOE as its attorney-in-fact to exercise on such shareholder’s behalf any and all rights that such shareholder has in respect of his equity interests in Yuanma, including but not limited to the power to vote on its behalf on all matters of Yuanma requiring shareholder approval in accordance with the articles of association of Yuanma. The proxy agreement is for a term of 20 years and can be extended by Makesi WFOE unilaterally by prior written notice to the other parties.
On June 26, 2023, the Company sold all the issued and outstanding equity interest in TMSR HK.
VIE agreements with Highlight Media
Material terms of each of the VIE agreements with Highlight Media are described below. The VIE agreements with Highlight Media were terminated and the Company disposed Highlight Media as of September 26, 2023.
Technical Consultation and Services Agreement.
Pursuant to the technical consultation and services agreement between Highlight Media and Makesi WFOE dated September 16, 2022, Makesi WFOE has the exclusive right to provide consultation services to Highlight Media relating to Highlight Media’s business, including but not limited to business consultation services, human resources development, and business development. Makesi WFOE exclusively owns any intellectual property rights arising from the performance of this agreement. Makesi WFOE has the right to determine the service fees based on Highlight Media’s actual operation on a Annual basis. This agreement will be effective as long as Highlight Media exists. Makesi WFOE may terminate this agreement at any time by giving a 30 days’ prior written notice to Highlight Media.
Equity Pledge Agreement.
Under the equity pledge agreement among Makesi WFOE, Highlight Media and the shareholders of Highlight Media dated September 16, 2022, the shareholders of Highlight Media pledged all of their equity interests in Highlight Media to Makesi WFOE to guarantee Highlight Media’s performance of relevant obligations and indebtedness under the technical consultation and services agreement. In addition, the shareholders of Highlight Media will complete the registration of the equity pledge under the agreement with the competent local authority. If Highlight Media breaches its obligation under the technical consultation and services agreement, Makesi WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to sell the pledged equity interests. This pledge will remain effective until all the guaranteed obligations are performed or the shareholders of Highlight Media cease to be shareholders of Highlight Media.
Equity Option Agreement.
Under the equity option agreement among Makesi WFOE, Highlight Media and the shareholders of Highlight Media dated September 16, 2022, each of the shareholders of Highlight Media irrevocably granted to Makesi WFOE or its designee an option to purchase at any time, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or a portion of his equity interests in Highlight Media. Also, Makesi WFOE or its designee has the right to acquire any and all of its assets of Highlight Media. Without Makesi WFOE’s prior written consent, Highlight Media’s shareholders cannot transfer their equity interests in Highlight Media and Highlight Media cannot transfer its assets. The acquisition price for the shares or assets will be the minimum amount of consideration permitted under the PRC law at the time of the exercise of the option. This pledge will remain effective until all options have been exercised.
Voting Rights Proxy and Financial Support Agreement.
Under the voting rights proxy and financial support agreement among Makesi WFOE, Highlight Media and the shareholders of Highlight Media dated September 16, 2022, each Highlight Media Shareholder irrevocably appointed Makesi WFOE as its attorney-in-fact to exercise on such shareholder’s behalf any and all rights that such shareholder has in respect of his equity interests in Highlight Media, including but not limited to the power to vote on its behalf on all matters of Highlight Media requiring shareholder approval in accordance with the articles of association of Highlight Media. The proxy agreement is for a term of 20 years and can be extended by Makesi WFOE unilaterally by prior written notice to the other parties.
On February 27, 2023, Highlight WFOE entered into a series of assignment agreements with Makesi WFOE, Highlight Media and Highlight Shareholders, pursuant to which Makesi WFOE assign all its rights and obligations under the VIE agreements to Highlight WFOE. The VIE agreements and the assignment agreements grant Highlight WFOE with the power, rights and obligations equivalent in all material respects to those it would possess as the sole equity holder of Highlight Media, including absolute rights to control the management, operations, assets, property and revenue of Highlight Media. The assignment does not have any impact on Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On September 26, 2023, Highlight WFOE terminated the VIE agreements with Highlight Media and the shareholders of Highlight Media.
As of the date of this report, the Company primary operations are focused on the live streaming market with focus on e-commerce in the United States through its subsidiaries AI Catalysis and SH Xianzhui. All Highlight Media enterprise brand management service have been disposed.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $22,538 in its operating bank accounts and working capital deficit of approximately $1.4 million. From September 2024 to December 2024, Mr. Xiaojian Wang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (“CEO”), lent $349,485 to the Company through five loan agreements, for working capital purposes. Pursuant to the loan agreements, these loans are non-interest bearing and will be due on September 18, 2025, September 20, 2025, October 4, 2025, October 23, 2025 and December 16, 2025, respectively. On January 31, 2025, the CEO lent $50,000 to the Company through a loan agreement, for working capital purposes. Pursuant to the loan agreement, this loan is non-interest bearing and will be due on January 31, 2026. On March 10, 2025, the Company repaid $100,000 to the CEO, reducing the outstanding loan balance to $249,485. Up to the date of the consolidated financial statements were issued, the outstanding loan from the CEO remained at $249,485.
On January 23, 2025, Green Oasis Limited, a shareholder holding less than 5% ownership shares in the Company, provided a $100,000 loan to the Company, for working capital purposes. According to the loan agreement, the loan is non-interest-bearing and is due for repayment on April 23, 2025.
On March 4, 2025, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “March 2025 Securities Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors for the sale of 1,115,600 shares of common stock at $0.896379 per share (the “March 2025 Offering”), generating net proceeds in the amount of $910,000, after deducting underwriter’s fees of $70,000, equal to seven percent (7%) of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the March 2025 Offering and reimbursement of $20,000 for the underwriter’s legal counsel and due diligence analysis expense. The Company planed to use the proceeds from the offering for working capital purposes.
In March 2025, the CEO executed a Letter of Support in which he agreed to provide continuing financial support to the Company for a period of at least 12 months from the issuance date of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The Company also intends to raise additional debt or equity capital to fund future operations. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain sufficient additional funds when needed or that such funds, if available, will be obtainable on terms satisfactory to the Company. These circumstances give rise to substantial doubt that the Company will continue as a going concern and these consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of GDC and its wholly owned subsidiaries and VIEs. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the useful lives of intangible assets and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, collectability of receivables, fair value of convertible notes, discount rate used to measure present value of lease liabilities and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The PRC subsidiaries of the Company conduct their businesses in the local currency, Renminbi (RMB), as its functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the unified exchange rate as quoted set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board at the end of the period. The statements of operations accounts are translated at the average translation rates and the equity accounts are translated at historical rates. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.
Translation adjustments included in accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $213,571 and $73,279 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The consolidated balance sheets amounts, with the exception of shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were translated at 7.30 RMB and 7.10 RMB to $1.00, respectively. The shareholders’ equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to consolidated statements of operations accounts for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were 7.20 RMB and 7.08 RMB to $1.00, respectively. The consolidated statements of cash flows are also translated at average translation rates for the periods, therefore, amounts reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the consolidated balance sheets.
The PRC government imposes significant exchange restrictions on fund transfers out of the PRC that are not related to business operations. These restrictions have not had a material impact on the Company because it has not engaged in any significant transactions that are subject to the restrictions.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and demand deposits placed with commercial banks or other financial institutions and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and with original maturities from the date of purchase of three months or less. All cash and cash equivalents are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use.
Loan Receivable
Loan receivable is the amounts lent to a third party with the interest rate of 5% per annual. Since the loan will be due within one year, the Company classified the loan as current assets under the loan receivable account on the consolidated balance sheet.
Loan receivable is assessed for credit loss in accordance withASC 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The Company evaluates expected credit losses based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. If it is determined that all or a portion of the loan receivable is uncollectible, the Company records an allowance for credit losses through a provision in the consolidated statements of operations.
Interest income on loan receivable is recognized using the effective interest method and recorded as interest income on the consolidated statements of operations. However, if the loan is placed on nonaccrual status due to doubt about collectability, the Company ceases recognizing interest income and reverses any previously accrued but unpaid interest against interest income. Interest receipts on nonaccrual loans are recorded as a reduction of principal unless collectability of the full principal balance is reasonably assured.
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
Prepaid and other current assets are advances paid to outside vendors for services purchases. The Company has legally binding contracts with its vendors, which require any outstanding prepayments to be returned to the Company when the contract ends.
Convertible Notes Receivable
The Company evaluated the terms of the DigiTrax Convertible Notes and the Liquid Convertible Notes (as defined in Note 11) according to ASC 320 “Investments — Debt Securities” and concluded that the convertible notes should be classified as an available-for-sale (“AFS”) security and measured at fair value. To evaluate the fair value of the available-for-sale security, the Company used the discounted cash flow method. The fair value changes of the convertible notes receivable were recorded as other comprehensive income.
The Company accounted for credit losses on AFS debt securities in accordance withASC 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses. Under ASC 326-30, the Company evaluates AFS debt securities at each reporting date to determine whether a decline in fair value below amortized cost is attributable to credit-related factors or non-credit factors. If a credit-related impairment is identified, the Company records an allowance for credit losses through earnings, limited to the difference between amortized cost and fair value. Non-credit related declines remain in accumulated other comprehensive income. If credit quality improves, previously recognized credit losses are reversed through earnings, up to the amount of prior allowance. The Company assesses credit risk based on issuer financial health, market conditions, and macroeconomic factors.
If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell an AFS debt security before recovery of its amortized cost, or if the security is deemed uncollectible, the Company writes off the full carrying amount of the security. In such cases, any previously recorded allowance for credit losses is removed, and the full impairment is recognized as a loss in earnings.
Equipment
Equipment was stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method after consideration of the estimated useful lives of the assets and estimated residual value. The estimated useful lives and residual value are as follows:
| Useful Life | Estimated Residual Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Office equipment and furnishing | 5 years | 5% |
The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Expenditure for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred, while additions, renewals and betterments, which are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets represent software copyright that are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Research and development costs associated with internally developed patents are expensed when incurred. Amortization expense is recognized on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The software copyrights have finite useful lives and are amortized using a straight-line method that reflects the estimated pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are to be consumed. The Company amortizes the cost of software copyrights, over their useful life using the straight-line method. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of amortization to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances revised estimates of useful lives. The estimated useful life is as follows:
| Useful Life | |
| Software copyrights | 5 years |
|---|
Lease
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Leases that transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks incidental to the ownership of assets are accounted for as finance leases as if there was an acquisition of an asset and incurrence of an obligation at the inception of the lease. All other leases are accounted for as operating leases. The Company has no significant finance leases.
The Company recognizes lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet for leases. Operating lease right- of-use assets (the “ROU”) are disclosed as non-current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Current maturities of operating lease liabilities are classified as operating lease liabilities - current, and operating lease liabilities that will be due in more than one year are disclosed as non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are initially recognized based on the present value of future lease payments at lease commencement. The operating lease right-of-use asset also includes any lease payments made prior to lease commencement and the initial direct costs incurred by the lessee and is recorded net of any lease incentives received. As the interest rates implicit in most of the leases are not readily determinable, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rates based on the information available at lease commencement to determine the present value of the future lease payments. Operating lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Most leases have initial terms ranging from 1.1 to 5.4 years. The Company’s lease agreements did not include non-lease components. Lease expense for fixed lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any significant residual value guarantees or restricted covenants.
The Company evaluates the carrying value of ROU assets if there are indicators of impairment and reviews the recoverability of the related asset group.
The Company reassesses of a contract is or contains a leasing arrangement and re-measures ROU assets and liabilities upon modification of the contract. The Company will derecognize ROU assets and liabilities, with difference recognized in the income statement on the contract termination.
Impairment for Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets, including equipment, intangible assets with finite lives and ROU assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances (such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets) indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable individually or as a group at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of the other assets and liabilities. The Company assesses the recoverability of the assets (or group of assets) based on the undiscounted future cash flows the assets (or group of assets) are expected to generate and recognize an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (or group of assets) plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset (or group of assets), if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset (or group of assets). If an impairment is identified, the Company would reduce the carrying amount of the asset (or group of assets) to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flows approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values. The carrying amount of the asset (or the long-lived assets in the asset group on a pro rata basis using the relative carrying amounts) is reduced to the extent not lower than the fair value of the asset. The adjusted carrying amounts after an impairment charge represent the new cost basis and is depreciated over their remaining useful lives.
Fair Value Measurement
The accounting standard regarding fair value of financial instruments and related fair value measurements defines financial instruments and requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. The Company considers the carrying amount of cash, accounts receivable, loan receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, other payables and accrued liabilities to approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature.
The accounting standards define fair value, establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhance disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The three levels are defined as follow:
| ● | Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. |
| ● | Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments. |
| ● | Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value. |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the carrying values of cash, other receivables and other payables approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of the instruments. Fair value of convertible notes receivable has been discussed in Note 19.
Selling and Marketing Expenses
Selling and marketing expenses mainly consist of marketing related expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses mainly consist of (i) staff cost, rental and depreciation related to general and administrative personnel, (ii) professional expenses.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses mainly consist of outsourced research and development expenses. Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The charge for taxation is based on the results for the fiscal year as adjusted for items, which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.
An uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded $93,446 penalty and $2,053 interest for failed filing the tax return timely. The Company did not incur such penalties and interest for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Interest
Interest income is mainly generated from bank deposits and other interest earning financial assets and is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method.
Net Loss per Common Stock
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average common stocks outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stocks were exercised and converted into common stocks.
In May 2023 and November 2023 in connection with the placement agency agreements (see Note 15), the Company issued and sold pre-funded warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 844,351 and 1,876,103 shares of common stock, at the exercise price of $8.35 and $3.019 per share, of which $8.349 and $3.018 was pre-funded and paid to the Company upon issuance of the pre-funded warrants, respectively. The remaining exercise price of the pre-funded warrants is $0.001 per share. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable by the holders at any time and do not expire.
On November 1, 2023, in connection with the Warrant Exchange Agreements (see Note 15), the holders of May 2023 Unregistered Warrants (as defined in Note 15) surrendered the May 2023 Unregistered Warrants, and the Company cancelled the May 2023 Unregistered Warrants and issued to these holders pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 577,260 shares of the Company’s common stock with no consideration.
For the year ended December 31, 2024,1,489,763 pre-funded warrants representing 1,489,385 shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised for $654. As of December 31, 2024, no pre-funded warrants were outstanding.
For the year ended December 31, 2023,1,807,951 pre-funded warrants representing 1,807,951 shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised for no consideration. The remaining pre-funded warrants are immediately exercisable after issuance and do not expire. As the remaining shares underlying the pre-funded warrants are issuable for nominal consideration of $0.001 per share,1,489,763 in common stocks underlying the unexercised pre-funded warrants were considered outstanding for purposes of the calculation of loss per share as of December 31, 2023.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023,2,312,006 and 8,134,043 of outstanding warrants (excluding the Pre-funded Warrants and Exchange Warrants) which are equivalent to convertible of 2,110,618 and 3,904,879 common stocks, respectively, were excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation due to their antidilutive effect.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss is defined as the changes in equity of the Company during a year from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Accumulated other comprehensive income of the Company includes the foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or loss on available-for-sale investments.
Recently Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820):Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions”, which clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. This guidance also requires certain disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. The new guidance is required to be applied prospectively with any adjustments from the adoption of the amendments recognized in earnings and disclosed on the date of adoption. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after 15 December 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has evaluated and concluded that there’s no impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted ASU 2022-03 since January 1, 2024.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280):Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The purpose of the amendment is to enable investors to better understand an entity’s overall performance and assess potential future cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 since the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09,Income Taxes (Topic 740):Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires disclosure of incremental income tax information within the rate reconciliation and expanded disclosures of income taxes paid, among other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s management does not believe the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have a material impact on its financial statements and disclosures.
The Company does not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and consolidated statements of cash flows.
Note 3 – Variable Interest Entity
Yuanma
On June 21, 2022, Makesi WFOE entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Yuanma and its shareholders. The significant terms of these contractual arrangements are summarized in “Note 1 - Nature of business and organization” above. As a result, the Company classified Yuanma as VIE.
On June 26, 2023, GDC entered into a share purchase agreement with a buyer unaffiliated with the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company agreed to sell and the buyer agreed to purchase all the issued and outstanding equity interest in TMSR HK, which hold 100% of the equity interests in Makesi WFOE. The purchase price for the transaction contemplated by the Agreement was $100,000. The sale of TMSR HK included the sale of Makesi WFOE and Yuanma, which has any material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Highlight Media
On September 16, 2022, Makesi WFOE entered into contractual arrangements with Highlight Media and its shareholders. The significant terms of these contractual arrangements are summarized in “Note 1 - Nature of business and organization” above. As a result, the Company classifies Highlight Media as VIE.
On February 27, 2023, Highlight WFOE entered into a series of assignment agreements with Makesi WFOE, Highlight Media and Highlight Shareholders, pursuant to which Makesi WFOE assign all its rights and obligations under the VIE agreements to Highlight WFOE. The VIE agreements and the assignment agreements granted Highlight WFOE with the power, rights and obligations equivalent in all material respects to those it would possess as the sole equity holder of Highlight Media, including absolute rights to control the management, operations, assets, property and revenue of Highlight Media. The assignment did not have any impact on Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On September 26, 2023, Highlight WFOE entered into a termination agreement with Highlight Media and the shareholders of Highlight Media to terminate the VIE Agreements and sell the interest in the VIE Agreements for a purchase price of $100,000. As a result of such termination, the Company no longer treats Highlight Media as a consolidated affiliated entity or consolidates the financial results and balance sheet of Highlight Media in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
A VIE is an entity that has either a total equity investment that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, such as through voting rights, right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity or obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity. The variable interest holder, if any, that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE. Highlight WFOE is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and be the primary beneficiary of Highlight Media and Makesi WFOE is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and be the primary beneficiary of Yuanma because Highlight WFOE and Makesi WFOE have both of the following characteristics:
| (1) | The power to direct activities at Highlight Media and Yuanma that most significantly impact such entity’s economic performance, and |
| (2) | The obligation to absorb losses of, and the right to receive benefits from Highlight Media and Yuanma that could potentially be significant to such entity. |
Accordingly, the accounts of Highlight Media and Yuanma are consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements pursuant to ASC 810-10,Consolidation. In addition, Yuanma’s results of operations were included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements prior to June 26, 2023 and Highlight Media’s results of operations were included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements prior to September 26, 2023.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company did not have any VIE operations. The operations results from VIE operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been reflected in discontinued operations as disclosed in Note 18.
Note 4 – Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash at banks represents cash balances maintained at commercial banks. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any cash equivalents. The Company maintains bank accounts in the United States and institutions in PRC.
| December 31, | December 31, | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Cash at Banks | $22,538 | $5,175,518 |
Note 5 – Prepaid and Other Current Assets
Prepaid and other current assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| December 31, · December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||
| Prepayments of digital human services | $ | - | $797,500 |
| Prepayments of live streaming services | - | 487,587 | |
| Other prepayments | - | 5,803 | |
| Total prepaid and other current assets | $ | - | $1,290,890 |
Note 6 – Loan Receivable
On January 13, 2024, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Lotus City Limited (“Lotus”), pursuant to which, the Company agreed to lend $1,900,000 to Lotus, with the interest rate of 5% per annum accrued daily. The Loan together with accrued and unpaid interest and all other charges, costs and expenses, is due and payable on or before January 16, 2025. On January 16, 2024, the Company transferred $1,900,000 to Lotus. Since the loan will be due within one year, the Company classified the loan as current assets under the loan receivable account on the consolidated balance sheet.
On April 3, 2024 and June 4, 2024, Lotus repaid $1,000,000 and $250,000, respectively to the Company, leaving $650,000 in principal outstanding.
As of January 16, 2025, the Company had not received repayment of the $650,000 loan that was due. Based on the assessment of its financial condition as of December 31, 2024, the Company determined that the loan was uncollectible and showed indications of impairment. In accordance withASC 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, the Company evaluated the expected credit losses by considering historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Given the significant doubt about collectability, the Company recorded a full impairment allowance for the loan. Additionally, the Company reversed the $47,043 interest income that had been accrued for the year ended December 31, 2024, as the loan was deemed uncollectible.
Note 7 – Equipment, net
Equipment, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Office equipment and furniture | $14,190 | $14,190 |
| Less: accumulated depreciation | (6,409) | (1,679) |
| Total | $7,781 | $12,511 |
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 amounted to $4,730 and $1,679, respectively.
Note 8 – Intangible Assets, net
Intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Software copyrights | $4,890,092 | $3,653,104 |
| Subtotal | 4,890,092 | 3,653,104 |
| Less: accumulated amortization | (1,036,518) | (345,155) |
| Accumulated impairment | (2,751,174) | - |
| Total | $1,102,400 | $3,307,949 |
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $692,755 and $345,155, respectively.
Due to limited potential economic benefits for varying reasons for the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized impairment losses of $2,755,659 for the year ended December 31, 2024, to the software copyrights. There wasno impairment losses recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Future amortization of intangible assets are as follows:
| Amortization | |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | 249,600 |
| FY2026 | 249,600 |
| FY2027 | 249,600 |
| FY2028 | 249,600 |
| FY2029 | 104,000 |
| Total future amortization of intangible assets | $1,102,400 |
Note 9 – Other Payables and Accrued Liabilities
Other payables and accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| December 31, · December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||
| Professional service fee | $375,085 | $ | - |
| Payroll | 26,558 | 3,944 | |
| Rental | - | 15,981 | |
| Travel and entertainment expenses | - | 3,413 | |
| Others | 178 | - | |
| Total | $401,821 | $23,338 | |
Note 10 – Related Party Balances and Transactions
Other payables – related parties:
| Name of related party · Relationship · Nature · December 31, 2024 · December 31, 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaojian Wang | Chief Executive Officer | Accrued compensations | $50,000 | $ | - |
| Xiaojian Wang | Chief Executive Officer | Interest-free loans to the Company* | 349,485 | - | |
| Xiaojian Wang | Chief Executive Officer | Invoices paid on behalf of the Company | 50,000 | - | |
| Zihao Zhao | Chief Finance Officer | Accrued compensations | 50,833 | 20,833 | |
| Zihao Zhao | Chief Finance Officer | Reimbursement | 1,948 | - | |
| Total | $502,266 | $20,833 | |||
| * | The terms of these loans are disclosed in Note 1- Liquidity. |
|---|
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the balance of other payables - related parties were $502,266 and $20,833, respectively, mainly consisted of accrued compensations of the Company’s officers and interest- free loans received from the Company’s officers.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded compensation expenses to its officers amounted to $80,000 and $120,833, respectively, for their services provided to the Company.
Note 11 – Convertible Notes Receivable
The Company’s convertible notes receivable consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Convertible Notes Receivable | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | $ | - |
| Convertible note receivable | 2,500,000 | |
| Fair value changes of convertible notes | 102,027 | |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 2,602,027 | |
| Reversal of fair value changes of convertible notes | (102,027) | |
| Expected credit losses on convertible note receivable | (2,500,000) | |
| As of December 31, 2024 | $ | - |
On June 1, 2023 and August 17, 2023, the Company purchased two convertible notes issued by DigiTrax Entertainment Inc. (the “DigiTrax”) for an aggregated of $1,000,000 (the “DigiTrax Convertible Notes”). Each DigiTrax Convertible Note will be due on one year after the original issuance (the “DigiTrax Convertible Note Maturity Date”). The Company has the right to receive interest on the aggregate unconverted and then outstanding principal amount of these notes at the rate of 10% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable on conversion, repayment, redemption, maturity or default. At any time (after six months) after the issuance until the notes are no longer outstanding, the notes shall be convertible, in whole or part, into shares of common stock of DigiTrax at a price of $1.4 per share. In the event DigiTrax consummates a public offering of any capital stock and is able to receive gross proceeds of at least $10,000,000 (“Qualified Offering”) prior to the DigiTrax Convertible Note Maturity Date and there’s no event of default, all then outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest under the DigiTrax Convertible Notes should convert into the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of DigiTrax common stock based on the lesser of (i) $1.4 per share, or (ii) seventy percent (70%) of the price per share of DigiTrax common stock that is subject to the Qualified Offering.
On June 2, 2023 and August 17, 2023, the Company purchased two convertible notes issued by Liquid Marketplace Corp. (the “Liquid”) for an aggregated of $1,500,000 (the “Liquid Convertible Notes”). Each Liquid Convertible Note will be due on one year after the original issuance (the “Liquid Convertible Note Maturity Date”). The Company has the right to receive interest on the aggregate unconverted and then outstanding principal amount of these notes at the rate of 8% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable on conversion, repayment, redemption, maturity or default. At any time after the issuance until the notes are no longer outstanding, the notes shall be convertible, in whole or part, into shares of common stock of Liquid at a price of $0.25 per share. In the event Liquid consummates a public offering of any capital stock and is able to receive gross proceeds of at least $10,000,000 (“Qualified Offering”) prior to the Liquid Convertible Note Maturity Date and there’s no event of default, all then outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest under the Liquid Convertible Notes should convert into the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Liquid common stock based on the lesser of (i) $0.25 per share, or (ii) seventy percent (70%) of the price per share of Liquid common stock that is subject to the Qualified Offering.
The Company evaluated the terms of the DigiTrax Convertible Notes and the Liquid Convertible Notes according to ASC 320 and concluded that these notes should be classified as an available-for-sale security and measured at fair value.
As of December 31, 2024, the DigiTrax Convertible Notes were due and extended to May 31, 2025 and August 17, 2025, respectively, with the same terms and conditions as set forth in the original notes, as agreed by the Company and DigiTrax. The Company evaluated the recoverability of the aggregated $1,000,000 DigiTrax Convertible Notes according to ASC 326 and concluded that, the DigiTrax Convertible Notes is more likely than not that it will be uncollectible. Additionally, DigiTrax is not a public company, and its stock has little to no value. The Company recorded $1,000,000 impairment loss on the DigiTrax Convertible Notes in the accompanying statement of operations, for the year ended December 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company reversed $48,219 unrealized gains on the fair value changes of the DigiTrax Convertible Notes, that was previously recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023, from the other comprehensive income. Up to the date of the consolidated financial statements were issued, there’s no evidence indicating that the fair value of DigiTrax Convertible Notes increased.
As of December 31, 2024, the Liquid Convertible Notes were due, but the Company failed to collect funds from Liquid. The Company evaluated the recoverability of the aggregated $1,500,000 Liquid Convertible Notes according to ASC 326 and concluded that, it’s more likely than not that the Liquid Convertible Notes will be uncollectible. Additionally, Liquid is not a public company, and its stock has little to no value. The Company recorded $1,500,000 impairment loss on the Liquid Convertible Notes in the accompanying statement of operations, for the year ended December 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company reversed $53,808 unrealized gains on the fair value changes of the he Liquid Convertible Notes, that was previously recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023, from the other comprehensive income. Up to the date of the consolidated financial statements were issued, there’s no evidence indicating that the fair value of Liquid Convertible Notes increased.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company reversed unrealized gains on the fair value changes of these notes amounted to $102,027 in other comprehensive income in relation to above convertible notes in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded unrealized gains on the fair value changes of these notes amounted to $102,027 in other comprehensive income in relation to above convertible notes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the balance of the convertible notes was $nil and $2,602,027, respectively.
Note 12 – Leases
Leases are classified as operating leases or finance leases in accordance with ASC 842Leases. The Company’s operating leases mainly related to the rights to use building and office facilities. For leases with terms greater than 12 months, the Company records the related asset and liability at the present value of lease payments over the term. Certain leases include rental escalation clauses, renewal options and/or termination options, which are factored into the Company’s determination of lease payments when appropriate.
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted average remaining lease term: | ||
| Operating lease | 3.63 years | 4.81 years |
| Weighted average discount rate: | ||
| Operating lease | 7.53% | 7.56% |
The balances for the operating leases where the Company is the lessee are presented as follows within the consolidated balance sheets:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | ||
| Operating lease | $1,342,333 | $1,561,058 |
| Lease liabilities | ||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 427,984 | 358,998 |
| Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities | 1,104,552 | 1,317,678 |
| $1,532,536 | $1,676,676 | |
Future lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2024 were as follows:
| Operating Leases | |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | 521,795 |
| FY2026 | 393,261 |
| FY2027 | 401,127 |
| FY2028 | 409,149 |
| FY2029 | 34,605 |
| Total lease payments | $1,759,937 |
| Less: imputed interest | 227,401 |
| Present value of lease liabilities (1) | $1,532,536 |
| (1) | As of December 31, 2024, present value of future operating lease payments consisted of current portion of operating lease liabilities and non-current portion of operating lease liabilities, amounting to $427,984 and $1,104,552, respectively. |
Lease expense for all the Company’s operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $512,937 and $109,087, respectively. Lease payments for all the Company’s operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $404,440 and $68,123, respectively.
Note 13 – Taxes
Income Tax
United States
GDC and AIC are corporations organized in the state of Nevada and operate primarily in the state of New York. As a result, they are subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax as well as state and local income taxes in New York.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the applicable statutory tax rates were as follows:
| ● | Federal corporate income tax rate: 21%; |
| ● | New York State corporate income tax rate: 6.5%; |
| ● | New York City business corporation tax rate: 8.85%; |
| ● | Metropolitan Transportation Business Tax Surcharge (MTA Tax): 30% of the New York State corporate franchise tax liability; |
The Company’s effective tax rate may differ from the statutory rates due to various factors, including non-deductible expenses, tax credits, valuation allowances, and the impact of state and local taxes. Additionally, the Company evaluates uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, recognizing tax benefits only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination.
British Virgin Islands
Citi Profit BVI is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and are not subject to tax on income or capital gains under current British Virgin Islands law. In addition, upon payments of dividends by these entities to their shareholders, no British Virgin Islands withholding tax will be imposed.
Hong Kong
TMSR HK and Highlight HK are incorporated in Hong Kong and are subject to Hong Kong Profits Tax on the taxable income as reported in its statutory financial statements adjusted in accordance with relevant Hong Kong tax laws. TMSR and Highlight HK are subject to Hong Kong profit tax at a rate of 8.25% for assessable profits on the first HK$2 million and 16.5% for any assessable profits in excess of HK$2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company did not make any provisions for Hong Kong profit tax as there were no assessable profits derived from or earned in Hong Kong since inception. Under Hong Kong tax law, TMSR HK is exempted from income tax on its foreign-derived income and there are no withholding taxes in Hong Kong on remittance of dividends.
PRC
Makesi WFOE, Highlight WFOE, Highlight Media, Yuanma and SH Xianzhui are governed by the income tax laws of the PRC and the income tax provision in respect to operations in the PRC is calculated at the applicable tax rates on the taxable income for the periods based on existing legislation, interpretations and practices in respect thereof. Under the Enterprise Income Tax Laws of the PRC (the “EIT Laws”), Chinese enterprises are subject to income tax at a rate of 5% after appropriate tax adjustments.
The current and deferred components of income tax expenses from continuing operations appearing in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||
| Current tax expenses | |||
| Federal | $(90,000) | $ | - |
| State | (51,810) | - | |
| Total current tax expenses | $(141,810) | $ | - |
| Deferred tax benefits (expenses) | |||
| Federal | $173,911 | $(327,822) | |
| State | - | - | |
| Total deferred tax benefits (expenses) | $173,911 | $(327,822) | |
| Total benefits (provision) for income taxes | $32,101 | $(327,822) | |
The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state income tax in certain jurisdictions. The tax years 2022 to 2024 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The following is a reconciliation of income tax expenses at the effective rate to income tax at the calculated statutory rates:
| December 31, 2024 · December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory tax rate | |||
| Federal | 21.00% | 21.00% | |
| State (net of federal benefit) | 12.56% | 8.28% | |
| Foreign tax | (1.21)% | (6.14)% | |
| Provision of credit loss | (7.72)% | - | % |
| Impairment loss on intangible assets | (5.97)% | - | % |
| Change in valuation allowance | (19.05)% | (23.56)% | |
| Others | 0.16% | 3.18% | |
| Effective tax rate | (0.23)% | 2.76% | |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, income tax payable to US tax authorities was $141,810 and $nil, respectively. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, no income tax was payable to Chinese tax authorities.
The principal components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
| December 31, · December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||
| Deferred tax assets | |||
| Net operating losses carried forward | $6,105,138 | $6,295,697 | |
| Provision of credit loss on note receivable and loan receivable | 1,092,011 | - | |
| Impairment loss of intangible assets | 845,008 | - | |
| Lease liability | 605,169 | 352,102 | |
| Total deferred tax assets | $8,647,326 | $6,647,799 | |
| Less: Valuation allowance | (8,020,571) | (6,647,799) | |
| Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | $626,755 | $ | - |
| Deferred tax liabilities | |||
| Right - Of - Use assets | $(465,347) | $(327,822) | |
| Amortization of intangible assets | (315,319) | - | |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | $(780,666) | $(327,822) | |
| Total deferred tax liabilities, net | $(153,911) | $(327,822) | |
As of December 31, 2024, the Group had tax losses carry forwards of approximately $5.3 million from the entity in the PRC. The tax loss in the PRC can be carried forward for five years to offset future taxable profit and which will expire between 2028 and 2029 if not utilized. As of December 31, 2024, the Group had tax losses carry forwards of approximately $16.8 million from the entities in the U.S. The tax loss in the U.S. can be carried forward indefinitely.
Management believes that the realization of the benefits from these losses appears uncertain due to the Company’s operating history and continued losses in the United States. Accordingly, the Company has provided a 100% valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset to reduce the asset to zero. Management reviews this valuation allowance periodically and makes changes accordingly.
Note 14 – Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits and loan receivable.
Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had $nil and $4,458,402 in excess of the FDIC insured limit, respectively. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, $3,267 and $211,222 were deposited with a financial institution located in the PRC, respectively. While management believes that these financial institutions are of high credit quality, it also continually monitors their credit worthiness.
As of December 31, 2024, the loan receivable was written off due to it was more likely than not uncollectible, and the company recognized credit loss on the consolidated statements of operations.
Note 15 – Equity
Statutory Reserves and Restricted Net Assets
In accordance with the PRC Regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment, an enterprise established in the PRC with foreign investment is required to make appropriations to certain statutory reserves, namely a general reserve fund, an enterprise expansion fund, a staff welfare fund and a bonus fund, all of which are appropriated from net profit as reported in its PRC statutory accounts. A foreign invested enterprise is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profits to a general reserve fund until such fund has reached 50% of its respective registered capital. Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus funds are at the discretion of the board of directors for the foreign invested enterprises. For other subsidiaries incorporated in the PRC, the general reserve fund was appropriated based on 10% of net profits as reported in each subsidiary’s PRC statutory accounts. General reserve and statutory surplus funds are restricted to set-off against losses, expansion of production and operation and increasing registered capital of the respective company. Staff welfare and bonus fund and statutory public welfare funds are restricted to capital expenditures for the collective welfare of employees. The reserves are not allowed to be transferred to the Company in terms of cash dividends, loans or advances, nor are they allowed for distribution except under liquidation. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there are no balance of the PRC statutory reserve funds.
In addition, under PRC laws and regulations, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer their net assets to the Company in the form of dividend payments, loans or advances. Amounts of restricted net assets include paid up capital and statutory reserve funds of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any restricted net assets.
Furthermore, cash transfers from the Company’s PRC subsidiaries to the Company’s subsidiaries outside of the PRC are subject to the PRC government control of currency conversion. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to the Company, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations.
Common Stock
On May 1, 2023, the Company entered into a placement agency agreement (the “May 2023 Placement Agency Agreement”), with Univest Securities, LLC (the “Placement Agent” or “Univest”), pursuant to which, the Placement Agent agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to sell the Company’s common stock in a registered direct offering (the “May 2023 RD Offering”), and a concurrent private placement (the “May 2023 PIPE Offering”, together with the RD Offering, collectively the “May 2023 Offering”). The Placement Agent has no obligation to buy any of the securities from the Company or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities.
On May 4, 2023, the Company sold an aggregate of 310,168 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 844,351 shares of common stock are sold to certain purchasers (the “May 2023 Offering Purchasers”), pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated May 1, 2023, as amended on May 16, 2023 (the “May 2023 Securities Purchase Agreement”). The purchase price of each share of common stock is $8.35. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant is $8.349, which equals the price per share of common stock being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.001. The pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 844,351 shares of common stock were exercised in full in May 2023.
In connection with the May 2023 Offering, the Company paid Univest a total cash fee equal to 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds received in the offering. The net proceeds from the May 2023 Offering, after deducting Placement Agent discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, are approximately $8.5 million (assuming the warrants are not exercised). The Company used the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.
On June 22, 2023, the Company entered into a software purchase agreement with Northeast Management LLC, a seller unaffiliated with the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company agreed to purchase, and the seller agreed to sell all of seller’s right, title, and interest in and to the certain software. The purchase price of the software shall be $750,000, payable in the form of issuance of 187,500 shares of common stock of the Company, valued at $4.00 per share. The Company plans to use the software to develop video games. On June 26, 2023, the Company issued the shares to the seller’s designees and the transaction was completed.
On November 1, 2023, the Company entered into a placement agency agreement (the “November 2023 Placement Agency Agreement”), with Univest, pursuant to which, Univest agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to sell the Company’s common stock in a registered direct offering and a concurrent private placement (the “November 2023 Offering”). Univest has no obligation to buy any of the securities from the Company or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities.
Pursuant to the November 2023 Offering, (i) an aggregate of 1,436,253 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,876,103 shares of common stock (the “November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants”, and the common stock underlying such warrants, the “November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrant Shares”), and (iii) registered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 3,312,356 shares of common stock (the “November 2023 Registered Warrants”, and the common stock underlying such warrants, the “November 2023 Registered Warrant Shares”) are sold to certain purchasers (the “November 2023 Offering Purchasers”), pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated October (the “October 2023 Securities Purchase Agreement”). The purchase price of each common stock is $3.019. The purchase price of each November 2023 Pre-funded Warrant is $3.018, which equals the price per common stock being sold in the November 2023 Offering, minus $0.001. The November 2023 Pre-funded Warrants will be exercisable immediately after issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. The November 2023 Registered Warrants will be exercisable immediately and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.
The total proceeds from the November 2023 Offering was approximately $10.0 million. Offering costs of approximately $1.0 million, consisting of approximately $0.7 million underwriting commissions and $0.3 million other professional fees, were charged into additional paid-in capital. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.
In November and December 2023, holders of 963,600 of the November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants exercised their option to purchase 963,600 shares of the Company’s common stock. On February 15, 2024, March 19, 2024, March 21, 2024, and October 15, 2024, holders of 912,503 of the November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants exercised their option to purchase 912,378 shares of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2024, all November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants were exercised. On March 26, 2024, October 16, 2024 and October 17, 2024, holders of 1,695,885 November 2023 Registered Warrants exercised their options to purchase 1,361,460 shares of the Company’s common stock, leaving 1,616,471 shares of November 2023 Registered Warrants are still outstanding as of December 31, 2024. From July 2024 to September 2024, holders of 577,260 Exchange Warrants (as defined below) exercised their options in full through cashless exercise, to purchase 577,007 shares of the Company’s common stock. No Exchange Warrants was outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
On January 11, 2024, the Company issued the 400,000 shares of its common stock to Beijing Hehe for exchange of 13.3333% of the total equity interest of SH Xianzhui (as described in Note 1).
In March 2024, the Company entered into a placement agency agreement (the “March 2024 Placement Agency Agreement”), with Univest, pursuant to which, Univest agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to sell the Company’s common stock in a registered direct offering and a concurrent private placement (the “March 2024 Offering”). Univest has no obligation to buy any of the securities from the Company or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities.
Pursuant to the March 2024 Offering, an aggregate of 810,277 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, were sold to certain purchasers (the “March 2024 Offering Purchasers”), pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated March 22, 2024 (the “March 2024 Securities Purchase Agreement”) at a price of $1.144 per common stock, for aggregated proceeds of approximately $0.9 million. The Company paid Univest a cash fee equal to 4.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the March 2024 Offering. The Company also issued warrants to Univest to purchase up to 40,514 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1.373 per share, (the “March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants”). The March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants and the common stock underlying the March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants were not registered under the Securities Act, pursuant to the registration statement of March 2024 Offering. The March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants were issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
The May 2023 Offering, the November 2023 Offering and the March 2024 Offering were being made pursuant to a shelf registration statement (No. 333-254366) on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 26, 2021, and related prospectus supplement.
On May 31, 2024, the Company entered into a software purchase agreement with Shanxi Gangdong Cultural Media Co., Ltd., a seller unaffiliated with the Company (the “Seller”). Pursuant to the agreement, the Company agreed to purchase and the Seller agreed to sell all of Seller’s right, title, and interest in and to the certain software. The purchase price of the software shall be $1,248,000, payable in the form of issuance of 1,560,000 shares of common stock of the Company, valued at $0.80 per share. The Company plans to use the software to develop its AI business. On June 4, 2024, the Company issued 1,560,000 shares of common stock of the Company to the Seller’s designees and the transaction was completed.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the total outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock were 11,167,294 and 5,453,416, respectively.
Warrants and Options
On July 29, 2015, the Company sold 10,000,000 units at a purchase price of $5.00 per unit (“Public Units”) in its initial public offering (the “IPO”). Each Public Unit consists ofone share of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value, andone warrant (the “Public Warrants”). Each Public Warrants entitled the holder to purchase one-half of one share of common stock at an exercise price of $2.88 per half share ($5.75 per whole share). Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of common stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. The Public Warrants became exercisable on 30 days after the consummation of its initial Business Combination with China Sunlong on February 6, 2018. The Public Warrants expired on February 5, 2023.
The sponsor of the Company purchased, simultaneously with the closing of the IPO on July 29, 2015,500,000 units (“Private Units”) at $5.00 per unit in a private placement for an aggregate price of $2,500,000. Each Private Unit consists ofone share of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value, andone warrant (the “Private Warrants”). Each Private Unit purchased is substantially identical to the units sold in the IPO. Therefore, the 500,000 Private Warrants included in the Private Units became exercisable on February 6, 2018 and expired on February 5, 2023.
The Company sold to the underwriter (and/or its designees), for $100, as additional compensation, an option (“the Option”) to purchase up to a total of 800,000 units exercisable at $5.00 per unit (or an aggregate exercise price of $4,000,000) upon the closing of the IPO. The Option became exercisable until closing the initial Business Combination on February 6, 2018 and expired on February 5, 2023.
After the 1-for-30 reverse stock split effective on November 9, 2022, all options, warrants and other convertible securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the reverse stock split were adjusted by dividing the number of shares of common stock into which the options, warrants and other convertible securities are exercisable or convertible by thirty (30) and multiplying the exercise or conversion price thereof by thirty (30), all in accordance with the terms of the plans, agreements or arrangements governing such options, warrants and other convertible securities and subject to rounding to the nearest whole share.
On February 18, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “February 2021 Securities Purchase Agreement”) with certain purchasers, pursuant to which, on February 22, 2021, the Company sold (i)138,889 shares of common stock, (ii) registered warrants (the “February 2021 Registered Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of up to 54,646 shares of common stock and (iii) unregistered warrants (the “February 2021 Unregistered Warrants”) to purchase up to 84,244 shares (the “Warrant Shares”) of common stock in a registered direct offering (the “February 2021 Registered Direct Offering”) and a concurrent private placement (the “February 2021 Private Placement,” and together with the February 2021 Registered Direct Offering, the “February 2021 Offering”). The terms of the February 2021 Offering were previously reported in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 18, 2021 and the closing of the Offering was reported in a Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 22, 2021.
The February 2021 Registered Warrants have a term offive years and are exercisable immediately at an exercise price of $201.60 per share, subject to adjustments thereunder, including a reduction in the exercise price, in the event of a subsequent offering at a price less than the then current exercise price, to the same price as the price in such offering (a “Price Protection Adjustment”).
The February 2021 Unregistered Warrants have a term of five and one-half years and are first exercisable on the date that is the earlier of (i) six months after the date of issuance or (ii) the date on which the Company obtains stockholder approval approving the sale of the securities sold under the February 2021 Securities Purchase Agreement, to purchase an aggregate of up to 84,244 shares of common stock. The February 2021 Unregistered Warrants have an exercise price of $201.60 per share, subject to adjustments thereunder, including (x) a Price Protection Adjustment and (y) in the event the exercise price is more than $183.00, a reduction of the exercise price to $183.00, upon obtaining such stockholder approval.
The Company paid the Placement Agent a cash fee of $2,310,000, including $2,000,000 in commission which was equal to eight percent (8.0%) of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in February 2021 Offering, $250,000 in non-accountable expense which was equal to one percent (1%) of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the February 2021 Offering, and $60,000 in accountable expenses. Additionally, the Company issued to the Placement Agent warrants to purchase up to 6,945 shares of common stock (the “February 2021 Placement Agent Warrants”), with a term of five years first exercisable six months after the date of issuance and at an exercise price of $180.00 per share.
Pursuant to the February 2021 Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company is required to hold a meeting of our shareholders not later than April 29, 2021 to seek such approval as may be required from our shareholders (the “Stockholder Approval”), in accordance with applicable law, the applicable rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the Nevada Revised Statutes with respect to the issuance of the securities in the Offering, including the Warrants sold in the Private Placement, so that the issuance by us of shares of common stock in excess of the 231,802 shares (19.99% of the shares of common stock outstanding as of February 17, 2021, the date prior to entering into the February 2021 Securities Purchase Agreement) in the aggregate (the “Issuable Maximum”), will be in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules 5635(a) and 5635(d) as described herein, and investors in the Offering will be able to exercise the Warrants prior to six months after the closing of the Offering.
On April 29, 2021, the Company held a special meeting of shareholders and approved the issuance of shares of common stock in excess of the 231,802 shares. The exercise price of the Unregistered Warrants was reduced to $183.00.
In August 2024, holders of February 2021 Registered Warrants and the February 2021 Unregistered Warrants exercised their option to purchase an aggregated of 92,756 shares of the Company’s common stock through cashless exercise. As of December 31, 2024, no February 2021 Registered Warrants and February 2021 Unregistered Warrants was outstanding.
On May 1, 2023, pursuant to the May 2023 Placement Agency Agreement as described above, Pre-Funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 844,351 shares of common stock are sold to May 2023 Offering Purchasers. The purchase price of each Pre-funded Warrant is $8.349. In connection with the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares, “Pre-funded” refers to the fact that the purchase price of the warrants in the offering includes almost the entire exercise price that will be paid under the Pre-funded Warrants, except for a nominal remaining exercise price of $0.001. The purpose of the Pre-funded Warrants is to enable Purchasers that may have restrictions on their ability to beneficially own more than 4.99% (or, upon election of the holder,9.99%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock following the consummation of the offering the opportunity to make an investment in the Company without triggering their ownership restrictions, by receiving Pre-funded Warrants in lieu of the Company’s common stock which would result in such ownership of more than 4.99% (or 9.99%), and receive the ability to exercise their option to purchase the shares underlying the Pre-funded Warrants at such nominal price at a later date. In the RD Offering, each Pre-funded Warrant is exercisable forone share of our common stock, with an exercise price equal to $0.001 per share, at any time that the Pre-funded Warrant is outstanding. The Pre-funded Warrants will be exercisable immediately after issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. The holder of a Pre-funded Warrant will not be deemed a holder of our underlying common stock until the Pre-funded Warrant is exercised.
In connection with the May 2023 Offering, unregistered warrants to purchase up to 1,154,519 shares of common stock (the “May 2023 Unregistered Warrants”) are also sold to the May 2023 Offering Purchasers. The May 2023 Unregistered Warrants are exercisable immediately after issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. The Exercise Price of the May 2023 Unregistered Warrants is $8.35 per share, subject to adjustment as provided in the form of May 2023 Unregistered Warrants.
In concurrent with the November 2023 Offering, on November 1, 2023, the Company entered into certain warrant exchange agreements (the “Warrant Exchange Agreements” with May 2023 Offering Purchasers. Pursuant to the Warrant Exchange Agreements, the holders of May 2023 Unregistered Warrants shall surrender the May 2023 Unregistered Warrants, and the Company shall cancel the May 2023 Unregistered Warrants and shall issue to these holders pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 577,260 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Exchange Warrants”). The Exchange Warrants were issued to holders on November 3, 2023 and the warrant exchange closed on the same day.
From July 2024 to September 2024, holders of 577,260 Exchange Warrants exercised their options in full through cashless exercise, to purchase 577,007 shares of the Company’s common stock. No Exchange Warrants was outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
The Placement Agent of the May 2023 Offering also received warrants to purchase up to 115,452 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.02 per share (the “May 2023 Placement Agent Warrants”), which represents 120% of the May 2023 Offering price of each share of common stock. The Placement Agent’s warrants will have substantially the same terms as the May 2023 Unregistered Warrants.
In connection with the November 2023 Offering,1,876,103 shares of the November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants and 3,312,356 shares of the November 2023 Registered Warrants were sold to November 2023 Offering Purchasers. Each November 2023 Pre-funded Warrant is exercisable forone share of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price equal to $0.001 per share, at any time that the November 2023 Pre-funded Warrant is outstanding. The November 2023 Pre-funded Warrants will be exercisable immediately after issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. The holder of a November 2023 Pre-funded Warrant will not be deemed a holder of the Company’s underlying common stock until the November 2023 Pre-funded Warrant is exercised. The November 2023 Registered Warrants will be exercisable immediately and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. The exercise price of the November 2023 Registered Warrants is $3.019, subject to adjustment as provided in the form of November 2023 Registered Warrants. As of December 31, 2024,1,876,103 of the November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants and 1,695,885 shares of November 2023 Registered Warrants were exercised, leavingnil of November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants and 1,616,471 shares of November 2023 Registered Warrants are still outstanding.
The Placement Agent of the November 2023 Offering also received warrants purchase up to 331,236 shares of common stock (equal to 5.0% of the aggregate number of common stocks, and shares of common stock underlying the November 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants, and the number of shares of common stock underlying the November 2023 Registered Warrants) at an exercise price of $3.623 per share (the “November 2023 Placement Agent Warrants”), which represents 120% of November 2023 Offering price, for an aggregate purchase price of one hundred U.S. dollars (US$100), which warrant shall be exercisable at any time during the period commencing six (6) months after commencement of sales in the November 2023 Offering through the fifth (5th) anniversary of issuance. The Placement Agent’s Warrants are not covered by the shelf registration statement (No. 333-254366) on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the SEC on March 26, 2021, and related prospectus supplement.
In connection with the March 2024 Offering, the Company issued 40,514 shares of March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants to Univest, at an exercise price of $1.373 per share. The March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants and the common stock underlying the March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants were not registered under the Securities Act, pursuant to the registration statement of March 2024 Offering. The March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants were issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
The summary of warrant activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 were as follows:
| Warrants | Exercisable Into Number of | Weighted Average Exercise | Average Remaining Contractual | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | Shares | Price | Life | |
| December 31, 2023 | 9,623,806 | 5,394,642 | $19.45 | 4.54 |
| Granted | 40,514 | 40,514 | 1.37 | 4.24 |
| Exercised | 7,352,314 | 3,324,538 | - | - |
| December 31, 2024 | 2,312,006 | 2,110,618 | $29.94 | 3. 46 |
The summary of warrant activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| Warrants | Exercisable Into Number of | Weighted Average Exercise | Average Remaining Contractual | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | Shares | Price | Life | |
| December 31, 2022 | 4,539,674 | 151,323 | $172.5 | 0.10 |
| Granted/Acquired | 7,056,758 | 7,056,758 | 3.73 | 4.80 |
| Expired | 164,675 | 5,488 | 172.5 | 0.1 |
| Exercised | 1,807,951 | 1,807,951 | 0.001 | - |
| December 31, 2023 | 9,623,806 | 5,394,642 | $19.45 | 4.54 |
Note 16 – Commitments and Contingencies
Contingencies
From time to time, the Company may be subject to certain legal proceedings, claims and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcomes of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted, the Company does not believe these actions, in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Note 17 – Segment Reporting
The Company follows ASC 280, Segment Reporting, which requires that companies disclose segment data based on how management makes decision about allocating resources to segments and evaluating their performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker, who has been identified as the Company’s chief executive officer, evaluates performance and determines resource allocations based on a number of factors, the primary measure being income from operations.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s remain business segment and operations is Virtual Content Production. The Company’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial position from continuing operations are almost all attributable to Virtual Content Production; accordingly, management believes that the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss provide the relevant information to assess Virtual Content Production’s performance.
Note 18 – Discontinued Operations
The following depicts the result of operations for the discounted operations of Highlight Media for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||
| REVENUES | |||
| Enterprise brand management services | $ | - | $165,993 |
| TOTAL REVENUES | - | 165,993 | |
| COST OF REVENUES | |||
| Enterprise brand management services | - | 88,658 | |
| TOTAL COST OF REVENUES | - | 88,658 | |
| GROSS PROFIT | - | 77,335 | |
| OPERATING EXPENSES | |||
| Selling, general and administrative | - | 2,209,894 | |
| TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES | - | 2,209,894 | |
| LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | - | (2,132,559) | |
| OTHER INCOME | |||
| Interest income | - | 49 | |
| Interest expense | (248) | ||
| Other income (expenses), net | - | 709 | |
| Total other income (expenses), net | - | 510 | |
| LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | - | (2,132,049) | |
| PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES | - | - | |
| NET LOSS | $ | - | $(2,132,049) |
Note 19 – Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
The following tables presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31 2023 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value. There was no assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024.
| December 31, 2023 | Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||||
| Notes receivable - DigiTrax Convertible Notes | $1,048,219 | $— | $— | $1,048,219 |
| Notes receivable - Liquid Convertible Notes | 1,553,808 | — | — | 1,553,808 |
| Total | $2,602,027 | $— | $— | $2,602,027 |
The Company evaluated the DigiTrax Convertible Notes and the Liquid Convertible Notes according to ASC 320 and concluded that these note receivables should be classified as available-for-sale security and measured at fair value. To evaluate the fair value of the available-for-sale security, the Company used the discounted cash flow method. The fair value changes of these notes were recorded as other comprehensive income on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations at each reporting date. As a result of the unobservable inputs, the available-for-sale security was classified as Level 3 as of December 31, 2023.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a non-recurring basis
Fair value of the long-lived assets was determined by the Company based on the income approach using the discounted cash flow associated with the underlying assets, which incorporated certain assumptions including projected revenue, growth rates and projected operating costs based on current economic condition, expectation of management and projected trends of current operating results. Considerable management judgement is used to estimate future cashflows, particularly revenues expected to be generated from the usage of the long-lived assets and estimates of the price market participants would pay to lease the operating lease right-use assets, which are based on comparable market rental information that could be reasonably obtained for the property. Accordingly, actual results may vary significantly from the Company estimates as they are forward-looking and include assumptions about economic and market conditions with uncertain future outcomes.
There were no transfers among the three hierarchies for the years ended December 31, 2024 or 2023.
Note 20 – Subsequent events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to March 17, 2024, which is the date that the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. Based on this review, other than described below, the Company did not identify any subsequent event that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
Debt Financing
On January 31, 2025, the CEO lent $50,000 to the Company through a loan agreement, for working capital purposes. Pursuant to the loan agreement, this loan is non-interest bearing and will be due on January 31, 2026. Up to the date of the consolidated financial statements were issued, the Company received $399,485 in total from the CEO.
On January 23, 2025, Green Oasis Limited, a shareholder holding less than a 5% ownership shares in the Company, provided a $100,000 loan to the Company, for working capital purposes. According to the loan agreement, the loan is non-interest-bearing and is due for repayment on April 23, 2025.
In March 2025, the CEO executed a Letter of Support in which he agreed to provide continuing financial support to the Company for a period of at least 12 months from the issuance date of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2024.
Offerings
On February 10, 2025, the Company entered into an At-The-Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with Univest Securities, LLC as the sales agent (the “February 2025 Offering”). Pursuant to the ATM Agreement, the Company may issue and sell from time to time, shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of not more than $10,000,000 through the sales agent or any of its sub-agent(s) or other designees, acting as sales agent. Up to the date the consolidated financial statements were issued, the Company has not issue or sell any shares under the ATM Agreement.
On March 4, 2025, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “March 2025 Securities Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors for the sale of 1,115,600 shares of common stock at $0.896379 per share (the “March 2025 Offering”), generating net proceeds in the amount of $910,000, after deducting underwriter’s fees of $70,000, equal to seven percent (7%) of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in this Offering and reimbursement of $20,000 for the underwriter’s legal counsel and due diligence analysis expense. The Company plans to use the proceeds from the offering for working capital purposes.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 17, 2025.
| GD CULTURE GROUP LIMITED | ||
| By: | /s/ Xiao Jian Wang | |
| Name: | Xiao Jian Wang | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| By: | /s/ Zihao Zhao | |
| Name: | Zihao Zhao | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| /s/ Xiao Jian Wang | Chief Executive Officer, President and | March 17, 2025 |
| Xiao Jian Wang | Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| /s/ Zihao Zhao | Chief Financial Officer and Director | March 17, 2025 |
| Zihao Zhao | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
| /s/ Lei Zhang | Director | March 17, 2025 |
| Lei Zhang | ||
| /s/ Shuaiheng Zhang | Director | March 17, 2025 |
| Shuaiheng Zhang | ||
| /s/ Yun Zhang | Director | March 17, 2025 |
| Yun Zhang | ||
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.