Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd [NISN] Filings

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR 12(G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022

OR

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

OR

☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report _________________

For the transition period from               to                 

Commission file number 001-37829

NISUN INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT GROUP CO., LTD

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

British Virgin Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Floor 20-21, No. 55 Loushanguan Road, Changning District,

Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

Changjuan Liang, Chief Financial Officer

+86-577-8689-5678– telephone

liangchangjuan@cnisun.com

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

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

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common shares as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 3,749,716 Class A Common Shares and Nil Class B Common Shares.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

☐ Yes ☒ No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

☐ Yes ☒ No

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

☒ Yes ☐ No

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

☒ Yes ☐ No

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

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act: ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐ 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

☐ Yes ☒ No

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

☐ Yes ☐ No

Table of Contents

Conventions Used in this Annual Report

Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report on Form 20-F only, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “Company,” “our” and “Nisun” refer to NISUN INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT GROUP CO., LTD, a British Virgin Islands company limited by shares (“Nisun International”), and its subsidiaries, including its offshore subsidiaries and PRC subsidiaries, and in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, also include our consolidated affiliated entities in China.

References to “offshore subsidiaries” are to: 

References to “PRC subsidiaries” are to: 

References to “consolidated affiliated entities” are to: variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and subsidiaries of VIEs.

References to VIEs are to: 

References to VIE subsidiaries are to: 

References to “Xibolun subsidiaries” or “Hebron subsidiary” are to:

Hebron is the English romanization of Xibolun in Chinese.

This annual report contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollar amounts at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. The exchange rates in effect as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were US$1.00 for RMB 6.8972 and RMB 6.3726, respectively. The average exchange rates for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were US$1.00 for RMB 6.7290, RMB 6.4508, and RMB 6.9042, respectively. We use period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates for revenue and expenses. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred. Any discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are due to rounding.

For the sake of clarity, this annual report follows the English naming convention of first name followed by last name, regardless of whether an individual’s name is Chinese or English. For example, the name of the Chief Executive Officer will be presented as “Xiaoyun Huang,” even though, in Chinese, Mr. Huang’s name is presented as “Huang Xiaoyun.”

We obtained the industry and market data used in this annual report or any document incorporated by reference from industry publications, research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties and our own internal estimates based on our management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate. We did not, directly or indirectly, sponsor or participate in the publication of such materials, and these materials are not incorporated in this annual report other than to the extent specifically cited in this annual report. We have sought to provide current information in this annual report and believe that the statistics provided in this annual report remain up-to-date and reliable, and these materials are not incorporated in this annual report other than to the extent specifically cited in this annual report.

SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, those discussed under “Item 3—Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 4—Information on the Company,” “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” and elsewhere in this report, as well as factors which may be identified from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or in the documents where such forward-looking statements appear. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this report reflect our views and assumptions only as of the date this report is signed. Except as required by law, we assume no responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements.

PART I

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.

Item 3. Key Information

Our Corporate Structure and Contractual Arrangements with our Consolidated Affiliated Entities

Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd, or Nisun International, is not a PRC operating company but a British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) holding company with operations primarily conducted through (i) its PRC subsidiaries, and (ii) contractual arrangements with its consolidated affiliated entities based in China. PRC laws and regulations restrict and impose conditions on foreign investment in internet based, value-added telecommunication services, mobile application services and certain other businesses. Accordingly, we operate these businesses in China mainly through our consolidated affiliated entities and rely on contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities and their nominee shareholders to control the business operations of our consolidated affiliated entities. Our consolidated affiliated entities are consolidated for accounting purposes, but are not entities in which our BVI holding company, or our investors, own equity. Such structure and the contractual arrangements are designed to enable Nisun International to have power to direct significant activities of our consolidated affiliated entities and to receive economic benefits from these entities where PRC law prohibits, restricts or imposes conditions on direct foreign investment in such entities. Investors in our common shares thus are not acquiring or owning equity interests in our consolidated affiliated entities but instead are acquiring interests in a BVI holding company. Investors may never directly hold equity interests in these consolidated affiliated entities.

Our consolidated affiliated entities have been treated as Variable Interest Entities under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810 “Consolidation” and we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of our consolidated affiliated entities, or VIEs. Accordingly, we treat our VIEs as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP and we consolidate the financial results of our VIEs and their subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Our subsidiaries, our VIEs and shareholders of VIEs have entered into a series of contractual agreements. These contractual arrangements enable us to:

The contractual arrangements among our subsidiaries, our VIEs and their shareholders generally include equity interest holder voting rights proxy agreements, exclusive equity purchase option agreements, trademarks, technologies, management and consulting services agreements, and equity interest pledge agreements. Terms contained in each set of contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their respective shareholders are substantially similar. As a result of the contractual arrangements, we have effective control over and are considered the primary beneficiary of these affiliated companies, and we have consolidated the financial results of these companies in our consolidated financial statements. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Contractual Arrangements with Our Consolidated Affiliated Entities and the Nominee Shareholders;” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.”

The contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our consolidated affiliated entities and we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. Uncertainties in the PRC legal system may limit our ability, as a BVI holding company, to enforce these contractual arrangements. There are very few precedents upon which we can rely to determine whether such contractual arrangements would provide our subsidiaries with effective control over the relevant consolidated affiliated entities, or how such contractual arrangements in the context of a consolidated affiliated entity structure should be interpreted or enforced by the PRC courts. Should legal actions become necessary, we cannot guarantee that the court will rule in favor of the enforceability of the consolidated affiliated entity contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we experience significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our consolidated affiliated entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be materially adversely affected. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their shareholders for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Shareholders of VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.”

Our corporate structure is subject to risks associated with our contractual arrangements with our VIEs. Investors may never directly hold equity interests in our VIEs. If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our business do not comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations or their interpretations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries, our VIEs, and investors of our Company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with our VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of our VIEs and our Company as a whole.

There are also substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of our BVI holding company with respect to its contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their respective shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to VIE structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or any of our VIEs is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure— Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations,” and “—If the PRC government finds that the contractual arrangements that establish the structure for operating our business do not comply with PRC laws and regulations, we could be subject to severe consequences.”

We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties associated with being based in or having our operations primarily in China and the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offerings conducted overseas by and foreign investment in China-based issuers, the use of our VIEs, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our securities, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China.”

PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be of little or no value. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our listed securities.”

Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in China, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common shares. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors— Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties in the PRC legal system and the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us and our investors, materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, and cause our shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless.”

Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for the Operations and Securities Offerings of PRC Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities

We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries, our VIEs and their subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this annual report, all of our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities have obtained the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our holding company, our subsidiaries, VIEs and VIE subsidiaries in China, including, Business Licenses, the Internet Content Provision (ICP) Licenses and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Licenses. All of our PRC subsidiaries, VIEs and VIE subsidiaries are required to obtain, and have obtained, their respective Business Licenses. Fintech, Hengpu and Nami are required to made, and have made a record filing with the competent telecommunications authority as a non-operational Internet Content (ICP) Provider and therefore have received the ICP Licenses. Hengpu is required to make, and has made, an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) record filing with the competent telecommunications authority and therefore has received the EDI License. However, given the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of relevant laws and regulations and the enforcement practice by government authorities, we cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required by the PRC government authorities for conducting our business in China. We may be required to obtain additional licenses, permits, filings or approvals for the functions and services of our platform in the future. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet- related or finance-related businesses and companies, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses, permits or filings applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.”

Furthermore, we are subject to PRC rules and regulations relating to overseas listing and securities offering, and a substantial extension of the PRC government’s oversight over our business operations or overseas listings may hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities. Under current PRC laws, regulations and regulatory rules, we, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities may be required to obtain permissions from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, and may be required to go through cybersecurity review by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, in connection with any future offering and listing on overseas capital markets.

On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China promulgated the Data Security Law which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law provides for data security and privacy obligations of entities and individuals carrying out data activities, prohibits entities and individuals in China from providing any foreign judicial or law enforcement authority with any data stored in China without approval from the competent PRC authority, and sets forth the legal liabilities of entities and individuals found to be in violation of their data protection obligations, including rectification orders, warnings, fines of up to RMB10 million, suspension of the relevant business, and revocation of business permits or licenses. The Data Security Law is relatively new, and therefore there are substantial uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the law. We may need to adjust our operations to comply with data security requirements from time to time. If we were found to have violations, we may be ordered to rectify and terminate any actions that are deemed illegal by the government authorities and become subject to fines and other government sanctions, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions on Severe and Lawful Crackdown on Illegal Securities Activities, which took effect on the same day. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies. These opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for cybersecurity and data privacy protection. As of the date of this opinion, no official guidance and related implementation rules have been issued in relation to these recently issued opinions and the interpretation and implementation of these opinions remain unclear at this stage.

On July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued the Measures for Cybersecurity Review which took effect on February 15, 2022. The Revised Cybersecurity Measures authorize the relevant government authorities to conduct cybersecurity review on a range of activities that affect or may affect national security, including listings in foreign countries by companies that possess personal data of more than one million users. The PRC National Security Law covers various types of national security, including technology security and information security. Given the nature of our business in China and the fact that we do not have personal information of more than one million users, we do not believe we are an “internet platform operator” that is required to file for a cybersecurity review pursuant to the Measures for Cybersecurity Review.

On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the Personal Information Security Law, which took effect on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law includes the basic rules for personal information processing, the rules for cross-border provision of personal information, the rights of individuals in personal information processing activities, the obligations of personal information processors, and the legal responsibilities for illegal collection, processing, and use of personal information. We have access to confidential or personal information in certain of the businesses and have privacy policies and other documentation regarding the protection of personal information; however, we may not be successful in achieving compliance if any employees or contractors fail to comply with these policies and procedures.

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedure and report relevant information to the CSRC. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC held a press conference for the release of the Trial Measures and issued the Notice on Administration for the Filing of Overseas Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, which, among others, clarifies that domestic companies that have already been listed overseas on or prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures (i.e. March 31, 2023) shall be deemed as existing issuers, or the Existing Issuers. Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures immediately, and they are required to file with the CSRC when subsequent matters such as refinancings are involved. However, since the Trial Measures was newly promulgated, the interpretation, application and enforcement of Trial Measures remain unclear. If the filing procedure with the CSRC under the Trial Measures is required for any future offerings, listing or any other capital raising activities, it is uncertain whether we, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, could complete the filing procedure in relation to any further capital raising activities in a timely manner, or at all.

On July 7, 2022, the CAC issued the Measures for Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer, which took effect on September 1, 2022. According to these measures, in addition to the requirement to conduct self-assessment on the risks of the outbound data transfer, to provide data abroad under any of the following circumstances, a data processor must apply to the national cyberspace department for data security assessment through the provincial-level cyberspace administration authority: (i) outbound transfer of important data by a data processor; (ii) outbound transfer of personal information by a critical information infrastructure operator or a personal information processor who has processed the personal information of more than one million people; (iii) outbound transfer of personal information by a personal information processor who has made outbound transfers of the personal information of 100,000 people cumulatively or the sensitive personal information of 10,000 people cumulatively since January 1 of the previous year; and (iv) other circumstances where an application for the security assessment of an outbound data transfer is required as prescribed by the national cyberspace administration authority. The Measures for Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer further stipulate the process and requirements for the security assessment. However, it remains uncertain how the PRC government authorities will regulate companies under such circumstances. This brings more uncertainties with respect to the application and enforcement of the newly published measures, and we may be subject to such outbound data security assessment with the CAC.

Based on PRC laws and regulations effective as of the date of this report and subject to different interpretations of these laws and regulations that may be adopted by PRC authorities, we believe that, as of the date of this report, we, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities are not required to obtain any permission from the CSRC, the CAC, or any other PRC authority in connection with this offering. As a result, we have not submitted any application to the CSRC, the CAC or other PRC authorities for the approval of our securities offerings. As of the date of this report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have not received any inquiry, notice, warning or objection in relation to this offering or Nasdaq listing from the CSRC, the CAC or any other PRC authorities. If we fail to obtain the relevant approval or complete other review or filing procedures for any future offshore offering or listing, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which may include fines and penalties on our operations in China, limitations on our operating privileges in China, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries, restrictions on or delays to our future financing transactions, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common shares. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The PRC government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless,” and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—Recent regulatory developments in China, including greater oversight and control by the CAC over privacy and data security, may subject us to additional regulatory review and any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over foreign investment in China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.”

Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (HFCAA)

Our common shares may be prohibited from trading on a national exchange or “over-the-counter” markets under the HFCAA if the PCAOB determines it is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditors for two consecutive years.

Pursuant to the HFCAA, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 which found that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in: mainland China and Hong Kong. In addition, the PCAOB’s report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations. Our auditor, Wei, Wei & Co., LLP, is headquartered in New York City, New York and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis. Our auditor was not among the PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in the PRC or Hong Kong that were subject to PCAOB’s determination. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the future, if it is determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, or if there is any regulatory change or step taken by PRC regulators that does not permit our auditor to provide audit documentations to the PCAOB for inspection or investigation, or the PCAOB expands the scope of the Determination so that we are subject to the HFCAA, as the same may be amended, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection. Any audit reports not issued by auditors that are completely inspected or investigated by the PCAOB, or a lack of PCAOB inspections of audit work undertaken in China that prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditor’s audits and their quality control procedures, could result in a lack of assurance that our financial statements and disclosures are adequate and accurate, which could result in limitation or restriction to our access to the U.S. capital markets and trading of our securities, including trading on the national exchange or “over-the-counter” markets, may be prohibited under the HFCAA. See “Risk Factors — Our shares may be delisted under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our auditors for two consecutive years” for more information.

Cash and Other Assets Transfers within our Organization and Dividend Distribution

Cash may be transferred within our organization in the following manner: (i) we may transfer funds to our subsidiaries, including our PRC subsidiaries, by way of capital contributions or loans, through intermediate holding companies or otherwise; (ii) we and our subsidiaries may provide loans to our VIEs and vice versa; (iii) funds may be transferred between our VIEs and our subsidiaries, including our PRC subsidiaries, as service fees for services contemplated by the VIE agreements, as repayment of loan or pursuant to other commercial contracts; and (iv) our subsidiaries, including our PRC subsidiaries, may make dividends or other distributions to us through intermediate holding companies or otherwise.

Because we control our VIEs through contractual arrangements, neither us nor our subsidiaries are able to make direct capital contributions to our VIEs or their respective subsidiaries.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, Nisun International, through its intermediate holding companies, provided capital contribution of $0.7 million, $15.1 million, and $32 million to its subsidiaries in China. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, our VIEs received debt financing of $2.1 million, $4.4 million and $2.9 million from our subsidiaries in China, respectively.

Our VIEs may transfer cash to the relevant WFOE by paying service fees according to the management and consulting service agreement. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, no service fee was paid to the relevant WFOEs under the management and consulting service agreement.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, no dividends or distributions were made to Nisun International by our subsidiaries and our subsidiaries have paid all income taxes. Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of China is also subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Any dividends paid outside of China are subject to a PRC 10% withholding tax. The amounts restricted include the paid-up capital and the statutory reserve funds of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs, totaling $46.5 million, $64.6 million and $82.5 million as of December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Furthermore, cash transfers from our PRC subsidiaries to entities outside of China are subject to PRC government control of currency conversion. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may temporarily delay the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. For risks relating to the fund flows of our operations in China, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us, or the tax implications of making payments to us, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business or our financial condition.”

In the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, no assets other than cash were transferred through our organization.

Nisun International has not declared or paid any cash dividends, nor does it have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on its common shares in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” For the BVI, PRC and U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in our Class A common shares, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.”

For purposes of illustration, the following discussion reflects the hypothetical taxes that might be required to be paid within mainland China, assuming that: (i) our PRC subsidiaries have taxable earnings, and (ii) they determine to pay a dividend in the future: 

Notes:

The table above has been prepared under the assumption that all profits of our VIEs will be distributed as fees to our PRC subsidiaries under tax neutral contractual arrangements. If, in the future, the accumulated earnings of our VIEs exceed the service fees paid to our PRC subsidiaries (or if the current and contemplated fee structure between the intercompany entities is determined to be non-substantive and disallowed by Chinese tax authorities), our VIEs could make a non-deductible transfer to our PRC subsidiaries for the amounts of the stranded cash in our VIEs. This would result in such transfer being non-deductible expenses for our VIEs but still taxable income for the PRC subsidiaries. Such a transfer and the related tax burdens would reduce our after-tax income to approximately 50.6% of the pre-tax income. Our management believes that there is only a remote possibility that this scenario would happen.

A. Selected Consolidated Financial Data 

We do not own the VIEs that we consolidate in our financial statements. We consolidate the results of the VIEs and their subsidiaries under U.S. GAAP through our contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their nominee shareholders. The following tables present the condensed consolidating schedules of financial information for Nisun International, its wholly owned subsidiaries that are the primary beneficiary of our VIEs, our other subsidiaries, our VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries as of the dates presented.

We completed the sale of our equity interest in Xibolun HK to Wise Metro Development Co., Ltd., an entity controlled by our former Chairman and CEO, Mr. Anyuan Sun (“Wise Metro”) on September 30, 2021, pursuant to a Call Option Agreement we entered on April 16, 2019 with Wise Metro. Under the agreement, Wise Metro was granted an option to purchase all of the equity of the Xibolun Group for a period beginning six months after the effective date of the Call Option Agreement and expiring two years and six months after the agreement effective date. On May 11, 2020, Wise Metro exercised the Call Option to acquire the Xibolun Group and on September 30, 2020, we completed the sale of Xibolun Group to Wise Metro. The transaction met the criteria for discontinued operations. Accordingly, the results of operations of Hebron Group and the gain of approximately $0.1 million, net of transaction and other costs, from its disposal are presented in separate line items as discontinued operations. Retrospective adjustments to the historical statements have been made in order to provide a consistent basis of comparison. The financial position and results of operations in relation to the discontinued operations were therefore not disaggregated considering they will not constitute any part of our consolidated financial statements after the completion of the disposition.

Selected Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Data

The following table presents our condensed consolidating schedule of financial position for our publicly-traded holding company, Nisun International, our wholly-owned subsidiaries that are the primary beneficiaries of the VIEs under U.S. GAAP (the “Primary Beneficiaries of VIEs”), our other subsidiaries that are not the Primary Beneficiaries of VIEs (the “Other Subsidiaries”), and VIEs and their subsidiaries that we consolidate as of the dates presented:

Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Data

Selected Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Data

Notes:

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Primary Beneficiaries of VIEs did not charge any service fee from the VIEs. Apart from what have been disclosed above, there was no intra-group revenues during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.

D. Risk Factors

Summary Of Risk Factors

Our business is subject to a number of risks, including risks that may prevent us from achieving our business objectives or may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects. These risks are discussed more fully below and include, but are not limited to, risks related to:

Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry

Risks Relating to Doing Business in China

Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Shares

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We have a limited operating history in the rapidly evolving supply chain and financial services industries, and any unforeseeable changes and uncertainties could adversely affect our operating results and growth prospects.

Financial technologies have brought dynamic and rapidly changes to the financial services and supply chain industries in China. The regulatory framework for those industries is also evolving and may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. We provide technology-driven customized financing solutions to small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) (hereinafter referred to as “SME financing solutions”) and direct banking solutions to small- and mid-sized commercial banks (referred to as “direct banking solutions” or “other financing solutions”) in China. We commenced our financial service operations in 2019 after we acquired NiSun BVI and its subsidiaries and contractually controlled affiliates, Fintech (Shanghai) Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Fintech”) and Beijing Hengtai Puhui Information Services Co., Ltd (“Hengpu”). We expanded our financial service operations following the acquisition of Nami Holding (Cayman) Co., Ltd.

In January 2020, we commenced our supply chain solutions service operations. Supply chain industry is at a relatively early stage of its development in China, and there are few established players with well-recognized business models that we can follow or build upon. In addition, we face uncertainties related to increased competition and a changing regulatory environment in China’s supply chain finance industry. As the financial services market dynamics, regulatory environment and our business continue to evolve, we may need to introduce new services from time to time or modify the existing business models. Any significant change to our existing business models may not achieve expected results and may have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. It is therefore difficult to effectively assess the future prospects of our operations. Investors should consider our business and prospects based on such uncertainties that we encounter or may encounter in this fast-growing industry, including, but not limited to:

If we are unable to effectively address those identified and unknown risks and uncertainties, or fail to adapt to changes in the financial services industry, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

If we are unable to innovate or respond effectively to ever-changing financial technologies and industry practice, our business and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

The supply chain and SME financing markets in which we compete are subject to rapid and significant changes. Operating in the financial service industry requires cutting-edge technology to digitize supply chain finance processes and optimize payment cycles. We offer a wide range of solutions built upon our cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, big data, and cloud technology to digitize and optimize payment cycles throughout the supply chain procurement process. Innovation is key to improving our finance solution products and developing new technologies to meet ever-changing customer needs. If we fail to innovate or invest in technology innovation, our competitive position could be compromised, which in turn could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

Our success will depend in part on our ability to adapt and respond to the technology changes in a timely and effective manner. It requires us to continue to invest significant resources to enhance our technology infrastructure and research and development efforts. Changes and developments in the supply chain finance industry may also require us to reevaluate our existing business models or financial solutions from time to time and make significant adjustments to our long-term strategy and business plans. We cannot assure you that we will succeed in implementing those initiatives. If we are unable to respond to technological developments or industry practices in a cost-effective manner, our business, financial position, and operating performance may be materially adversely affected.

We rely on our cooperation with our customers and industry partners, and if our technology solutions or services cannot meet the needs or expectations of customers and partners for any reason, we could lose our established market share.

Our relationships with our customers and partners are critical to our success. We generate revenue primarily by providing financial services and technology solutions to our customers and partners for service fees. In our supply chain solutions business, much of our business depends on our relationships with core enterprises and financial institutions and their willingness to continue to work with us. Almost all of our customers apply a complex and rigorously screened bidding process in selecting their fintech solutions partners to address some of their most challenging yet frequently encountered problems. We have been successful in building trusted relationships with those core enterprises and financial institutions and believe we will continue to deliver satisfactory fintech solutions to those businesses. However, our service agreements are usually non-exclusive in nature, and they may choose to use their in-house research and development capabilities or choose our competitors to develop their supply chain fintech platforms and solutions. We cannot guarantee our customers and industry partners will renew contracts with us on a long term basis or at all, nor can we be certain that the customer will not engage other third-party technology solution providers for their technical solution needs.

Our ability to maintain and expand our customer base and build long-term relationships with our partners also depends on a number of other factors, such as:

Our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects may be materially adversely affected if our technology solutions or services cannot meet the needs or expectations of customers and partners, or our customers and partners opt for their in-house team or our competitors to provide them technology solutions.

We are subject to evolving regulatory requirements, and if we fail to adapt to regulatory changes, our business and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

Many aspects of our business, including the provision of internet information, consulting services to customers and banks, online publication services relating to financial product information, and financing solutions services, among others, are subject to supervision and regulation by various governmental authorities in China. In addition, as we continue to expand the solutions on our platform, we may be subject to new and more complex regulatory requirements. We are also required to comply with applicable laws and regulations in relevant jurisdictions to protect the privacy and security of our customers’ information. Legal and regulatory restrictions may delay, or possibly prevent, some of our solutions or services from being offered, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Violation of laws and regulations may also result in severe penalties, confiscation of illegal income, revocation of licenses and, under certain circumstances, criminal prosecution.

The PRC regulatory framework governing financial services and related technology services is evolving. New laws or regulations may be promulgated, which could impose new requirements or prohibitions that render our operations or our technologies non-compliant. In addition, due to uncertainties and complexities of the regulatory environment, we cannot assure you that regulators will interpret laws and regulations the same way we do, or that we will always be in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. To remedy any violations, we may be required to modify our business models, solutions and technologies in ways that render our solutions less appealing. We may also become subject to fines or other penalties, or, if we determine that the requirements to operate in compliance are overly burdensome, we may elect to terminate potentially non-compliant operations. If those situations were to happen, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Failure to manage our growth could cause disruption to our operations, impair our ability to generate revenue and strain our operational and other resources.

Since 2019, our business has experienced significant growths through acquisitions and service solution diversification. Our growth strategy includes increasing market penetration of our existing products and services, enhancing our financial technologies, developing new products, and increasing the number of industries and customers we serve. Pursuing these strategies has resulted in, and will continue to result in substantial demands on our capital and operating resources. In particular, the management of our growth will require, among other things:

If we are not able to manage our growth successfully, our business, financial condition and operating results would be materially and adversely affected.

We have modified our business models and had substantial strategic operational adjustments to our business as a result of changes in the regulatory mandates as well as our corporate reorganizations, and we may be subject to risks, uncertainties or potential liabilities associated with our legacy business, products or services.

Given the complexities, uncertainties and changes in the laws, rules, regulations, policies and administrative measures governing our industries and business operations, we have modified our business models and practices in response to changes in regulatory requirements and our strategies. In addition, among historical financial service products some of our affiliated entities offered, they had ceased to facilitate certain financial intermediary services before being acquired by our Company as a result of the legal and policy changes in the PRC financial industry. In addition, in the normal course of business, legacy Xibolun Group that has been divested by us in 2020 may still be subject to challenges from PRC taxing authorities regarding the amounts of taxes due. Although Xibolun Group management believed it had paid all accrued taxes owed, PRC taxing authorities may take the position that Xibolun Group owed more taxes than it had paid and could hold us liable for any overdue taxes that may be levied despite that Xibolun Group is no longer a part of our consolidated group.

We are not aware any PRC authorities have imposed such liability or administrative penalties on us as of the date of this prospectus. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to liabilities or regulatory penalties in connection with the historical products or services our affiliates previously offered. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of any violation of those policies and rules until notified by the relevant agencies, and we cannot assure you that our affiliates or disposed operations would not cause us to be subject to liabilities or administrative penalties even though the relevant products or operations had not been or no longer are associated with our Company. Any of such occurrence may materially and adversely affect our client relationship, reputation and business operations.

We cannot assure you that our growth strategies will be successful or that we will not incur loss in the future.

We implement diversified and complimentary business strategies in pursuing our growth. However, many obstacles to our growth exist, including, but not limited to, increased competition from similar businesses, our ability to improve our products and product mix to realize the benefits of our solution services, unexpected costs and costs associated with marketing efforts. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully overcome such obstacles, increase market share or succeed in achieving our goals. Our inability to implement this internal growth strategy successfully may have a negative impact on our growth, future financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In addition, we have incurred losses in the past. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate profits in the future. We may experience losses due to our continued investments in technology, talent, content, brand recognition, customer base expansion and other initiatives. Our profitability also depends on our ability to manage our costs and expenses. We intend to manage and control our costs and expenses as a proportion of our total revenues, but there can be no assurance that we will achieve this goal. Our ability to achieve and sustain profitability is affected by various other factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in macroeconomic and regulatory environment or competitive dynamics in the industry. Accordingly, shareholders should not rely on our financial results of any prior period as an indication of our future performance.

From time to time we may evaluate and pursue strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management attention, disrupt our existing operations and adversely affect our financial results.

We may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to expand our operations and further increase the value of our services to our customers. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we are able to identify an appropriate business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction or may be unable to obtain the benefits of such transaction.

Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:

We have made certain investments and acquisitions during the past year, including, for example, working with local partners in Shandong to establish our Tai’an subsidiary as a key holding and operational platform and acquiring Nami Cayman and its subsidiaries and operating affiliates to support the growth of our SME financing solution services. However, our investments and acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits. In addition, we cannot assure you that any future investment in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will prove to be profitable or bring value to our shareholders.

COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on some operations of our business and may have material impact on our future business operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted business operations of various industries, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. In the Spring of 2020, our operations were temporarily affected by travel restrictions, office closings, home quarantine, delays in project implementation, on-site work and business development, among others. For fiscal year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a material negative impact on the Company’s financial services business. However, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in material adverse effects on the Company’s discontinued equipment and engineering business. Employees had very limited access to Xibolun Group’s manufacturing facilities, and as a result, the Company experienced difficulty in providing manufacturing and installation services. In addition, some of the Company’s customers and suppliers experienced financial distress, delayed or defaulted on their payments, reduced the scale of their business, and suffered disruptions in their business, which in turn had caused further adverse impact on the equipment and engineering business.

After Spring 2020, the COVID outbreak in China has gradually been controlled and we also returned to normal operations. However, in March 2022, due to the spread of new variants and subvariants of COVID-19 in Shanghai and several other cities in China, local governments of the impacted cities had imposed strict movement restrictions. In mid-March 2022, Shanghai authorities issued strict lockdown and shutdown orders in response to the pandemic and as a result, employees of our PRC operating entities located in Shanghai have worked from home. Our Shanghai entities have been able to continue to provide services to our customers remotely with minimum interruptions. China modified its COVID control policy at the end of 2022, and most of the travel restrictions and quarantine requirements were lifted in December 2022. However, the pandemic could adversely affect our business and financial results in 2023 if any virus resurges cause significant disruptions to our operations or the business of our supply chain customers, logistics and service providers, and negative impact to the pricing of our products. We cannot predict the severity and duration of the impact from such resurgence. If any new outbreak of COVID-19 is not effectively and timely controlled, or if government responses to outbreaks or potential outbreaks are severe or long-lasting, our business operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected as a result of the deteriorating market outlook, the slowdown in regional and national economic growth, weakened liquidity and financial condition of our customers or other factors that we cannot foresee. Any of these factors and other factors beyond our control could have an adverse effect on the overall business environment, cause uncertainties in the economic growth in the regions where we conduct business, and could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we cannot compete effectively, our results of operations could suffer.

Competition in the SME financing industry has been intense, and increasingly more participants have also entered into the supply chain solutions market. Our competitors operate with different business models, have different cost structures or participate selectively in different markets. They may ultimately prove more successful or more adaptable to new regulatory, technological and other developments. Some of our current and potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their financial service platforms and customers. Our competitors may also have longer operating histories, more extensive customer bases, greater brand recognition and brand loyalty and broader partner relationships than us. Additionally, a current or potential competitor may acquire one or more of its existing competitors or form a strategic alliance with one or more of its competitors. Our competitors may be better at developing new products or services, responding faster to new technologies, or undertaking more extensive and effective marketing campaigns. If we are unable to compete with such companies and meet the need for innovation in the financial services industry, the demand for our financial services could stagnate or substantially decline, our financial services business could experience reduced revenues or fail to achieve or maintain more widespread market acceptance, any of which could harm our business and results of operations.

If SME financial products traded on provincial or regional financial assets exchanges become restricted or prohibited, or if such financial assets exchanges are prohibited from listing exchange administered products, our results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.

We provide small-and mid-size enterprises with financing solution services in connection with the listing of their securities on the provincial or regional financial assets exchanges in the PRC. The PRC government has not adopted a regulatory framework governing such local exchanges or the listing, trading and distribution of exchange administered products. The local financial assets exchanges are established upon approval of the local governments, and the exchange administered products listed and traded on these exchanges are filed with and approved by local financial asset exchanges under the supervision of the offices of finance at the municipal and provincial levels. As a result, the major product types selected for distribution on such exchanges are dependent upon the local regulatory environment and policies. If any significant product types are discouraged by the local government authorities, our product portfolio, distribution services and related revenues may be negatively impacted.

In addition, although the local financial exchanges are regulated by the local government subject to the two prohibitive provisions issued by the State Council, we cannot guarantee that they would not be covered by the tightened national financial supervision system. If they are subject to approval or guidance of any national regulatory bodies, such as the People’s Bank of China, China Banking and Insurance Regulatory and Administration Committee, or the CSRC, these financial exchanges may be prohibited from listing certain or all of the products currently traded on such exchanges, or be prohibited from engaging in such listing and trading services. Under that circumstance, we may have to change our business model and as a result, our operating results from SME financing solution services would be materially and adversely affected.

We depend on our industry partners to derive a substantial portion of our revenues.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from our cooperation with industry partners, including state-owned enterprises in our supply chain finance operations, financial institutions underwriting our customers’ securities on the financial asset exchanges and commercial banks distributing various financial products. If we lose any of the product providers, sponsors or acquirers, or any of our partners significantly reduces its volume of business with us, our revenues and profitability would be substantially reduced if we are unable seek alternative partners on a timely basis, or at all. In addition, the product volume we source and distribute from specific product providers may vary from period to period, particularly because we are not the exclusive distributor for any particular product provider. Our dependence on our financial product providers, sponsors or acquirers may also adversely affect our ability to negotiate fee rates with our customers, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

While we are not aware of any data breach in the past, cyber-attacks, computer viruses or any future failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to electronic and other confidential information could result in a data breach which could materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.

The protection of our customers’, business partners’, our Company’s and employees’ data is critically important to us. Our customers, business partners, and employees expect we will adequately safeguard and protect their sensitive personal and business information. We have become increasingly dependent upon automated information technology processes. Improper activities by third parties, exploitation of encryption technology, data-hacking tools and discoveries and other events or developments may result in a future compromise or breach of our networks, payment terminals or other settlement systems. In particular, the techniques used by criminals to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target; accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. There can be no assurance that we will not suffer a criminal cyber-attack in the future, that unauthorized parties will not gain access to personal or business information or sensitive data, or that any such incident will be discovered in a timely manner.

We also face indirect technology, cybersecurity and operational risks relating to the third parties whom we work with to facilitate our business activities, including, among others, third-party online service providers who manage accounts for our customers and external cloud service provider. As a result of increasing consolidation and interdependence of technology systems, a technology failure, cyber-attack or other information or security breach that significantly compromises the systems of one entity could have a material impact on its counterparties. Any cyber-attack, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions of such third-party service providers could adversely affect our operations and could result in misappropriation of funds of our customers.

Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. If security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with customers and cooperation partners could be severely damaged, we could incur significant liability and our business and operations could be adversely affected.

Any negative publicity and allegations against us may adversely affect our brand and reputation, which may harm our ability to attract and retain customers and business partners and result in material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and prospects.

Negative publicity and allegations about us, our products and services or our financial results, including by short sellers or investment research firms, regardless of their veracity, may adversely damage our brand, public image and reputation, harm our ability to attract and retain customers and result in material adverse impact on our share price, business, results of operations and prospects. For example, on June 3, 2020, a short seller issued a report alleging that, among other things, the private placement we consummated in December 2019, Hengpu acquisition and Nami acquisition were undisclosed related party transactions which we failed to disclose. The trading price of our shares declined and a shareholder class action lawsuit was filed against us and some of our directors and senior executive officers with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. While the findings and conclusions of the independent investigation conducted by the special counsel have refuted the relevant allegations set out in the short report, and the class action lawsuit has been dismissed in its entirety, nevertheless our share price fluctuated after such negative publicity.

The loss of any of our key customers could reduce our revenues and our profitability.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, five customers accounted for 18%, 16%, 15%, 13% and 13% of our total revenue from the financial services business and one customer accounted for 33% of the total revenue from its supply chain trading business. For the year ended December 31, 2021, two customer accounts for 37% and 15% of our total revenue from the financial services business and two customers accounted for 71% and 10% of the total revenue from its supply chain trading business. As of December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for approximately 20% and 11% of our total accounts receivable balance. As of December 31, 2021, two customers accounted for approximately 31% and 29% of our total accounts receivable balance.

We have not entered into long-term contracts with any of these major customers and instead rely on individual orders from such customers. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will maintain or improve the relationships with these customers, or that we will be able to continue to serve these customers at current levels or at all. As the majority of our revenues are driven by individual orders for services, our major customers often change each period based on when a given order is placed. Although long-term contracts do not exist in our industry and our customers often make orders repeatedly, if we cannot develop and maintain long-term relationships with major customers or replace major customers from period to period with equivalent customers, the loss of such sales could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our supply chain solutions services are capital driven operations, and if we cannot maintain the level of capital and funding sources needed to support our solutions services to our customers, our business would be harmed.

For our supply chain solutions services, we participate as an intermediary and a trading partner in the procurement and distribution transactions, automate the transaction payments and streamline the supply chain finance process. Such supply chain transactions are common for the commodity-based industry such as the agriculture, infrastructure and energy markets. As such, our supply chain solutions services may be considered capital intensive operations in the merchandise flows from the upstream procurement to the downstream distribution. Further, to remain competitive and enhance customer experience and the quality of our services, we need to make continued investment to develop new solution products and expand into new industries. Such endeavors carry risks, such as cost overruns, delays in delivery or lack of acceptance from our clients or partners. There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient funds available to maintain the levels of funding or future investment required to support our products or innovations, and any delay in the delivery of new services or the failure to accurately predict and address market demand could render our services less desirable to our customers and cooperation partners. While we have made continued efforts to diversify revenue and funding sources, we cannot assure you that such efforts would be successful or could remain or become increasingly diversified in the future. If we become dependent on a small number of customers or funding sources, and any such entities decide not to collaborate with us, change the commercial terms to the extent unacceptable to us or limit the funding available on our platform, such constraints may materially limit our ability to serve our customers. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow may be materially and adversely affected.

Our PRC subsidiaries’ and consolidated affiliates’ books and records are prepared in accordance with China GAAP, not U.S. GAAP.

Substantially all of the business operations of the Company are located in Mainland China. Although Nisun International’s reports are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, our PRC subsidiaries’ books and records are prepared in accordance with China GAAP. Despite our efforts to improve the Company’s controls and procedures, our accounting personnel do not have sufficient knowledge, experience and training in maintaining our books and records in accordance with U.S. GAAP standards. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm the value of our shares.

We are substantially dependent upon our senior management and key information technology and development personnel.

We are highly dependent on our senior management to manage our business and operations and our key research and development personnel for the development of new products and the enhancement of our existing products and technologies. In particular, we rely substantially on members of our senior management, including Chief Executive Officer, Xiaoyun Huang, Chief Financial Officer, Changjuan Liang, and senior executives of Fintech, Hengpu and Nami to manage our operations.

While we provide the legally required personal insurance for the benefit of our employees, we do not maintain key man life insurance on any of our senior management or key personnel. The loss of any one of them would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. Competition for senior management and our other key personnel is intense and the pool of suitable candidates is limited. We may be unable to locate a suitable replacement for any senior management or key personnel that we lose. In addition, if any member of our senior management or key personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing company, they may compete with us for customers, business partners and other key professionals and staff members of our Company. Although each of our senior management and key personnel has signed a confidentiality agreement in connection with their employment with us, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully enforce these provisions in the event of a dispute between us and any member of our senior management or key personnel.

We compete for qualified personnel with other technology companies and research institutions. Intense competition for these personnel could cause our compensation costs to increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our future success and ability to grow our business will depend in part on the continued service of these individuals and our ability to identify, hire and retain additional qualified personnel. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified employees, we may be unable to meet our business and financial goals.

We are heavily dependent upon the services of experienced personnel who possess skills that are valuable in our industry, and we may have to actively compete for their services.

We are heavily dependent upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate skilled personnel to serve our customers. Many of our personnel possess skills that would be valuable to all companies engaged in our industry. Consequently, we expect that we will have to actively compete for these employees. Some of our competitors may be able to pay our employees more than we are able to pay to retain them. Our ability to profitably operate is substantially dependent upon our ability to locate, hire, train and retain our personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our current personnel, or that we will be able to attract and assimilate other personnel in the future. If we are unable to effectively obtain and maintain skilled personnel, the development and quality of our services could be materially impaired. See “Our Employees.”

If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights, it could harm our business and competitive position.

We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and non-disclosure agreements and other methods to protect our intellectual property rights. Our affiliated entities own a number of trademarks in China, all of which have been properly registered with regulatory agencies such as the State Intellectual Property Office and Trademark Office. This intellectual property has allowed our products to earn market share in the financial services and supply chain solutions industries.

We also rely on trade secret rights to protect our business through non-disclosure agreements with certain employees. If any of our employees breach their non-disclosure obligations, we may not have adequate remedies in China, and our trade secrets may become known to our competitors. In accordance with Chinese intellectual property laws and regulations, we will have to renew our trademarks once the terms expire.

Implementation of PRC intellectual property-related laws has historically been lacking, primarily because of ambiguities in the PRC laws and enforcement difficulties. Accordingly, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other western countries. Furthermore, policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive, and we may need to resort to litigation to enforce or defend our intellectual property rights, or to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of our proprietary rights or those of others. Such litigation and an adverse determination in any such litigation, if any, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention, which could harm our business and competitive position.

We may be exposed to intellectual property infringement and other claims by third parties which, if successful, could disrupt our business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to use and develop our technology and know-how without infringing third party intellectual property rights. As litigation concerning intellectual property has become more common in China, we face a higher risk of being the subject of claims for intellectual property infringement, invalidity or indemnification relating to other parties’ proprietary rights. Our current or potential competitors, many of which have substantial resources and have made substantial investments in competing technologies, may have or may obtain intellectual property rights that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to use or sell our products in either China or other countries, including the United States. In addition, the defense of intellectual property suits, including patent infringement suits, and related legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time consuming and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of our technical and management personnel. Furthermore, an adverse determination in any such litigation or proceedings to which we may become a party could cause us to:

each of which could effectively prevent us from pursuing some or all of our business and result in our customers or potential customers deferring or limiting their purchase or use of our branded products, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our brands or reputation and the reputation of the financial service industry may materially and adversely be affected by factors outside of its control.

Enhancing the recognition and reputation of the brands of our financial services is critical to its business and competitiveness. Factors that are important to this objective include but are not limited to its ability to:

Any negative publicity by the media or other parties about the foregoing or other aspects of our services, including but not limited to our management, business, compliance with laws, whether with merit or not, could severely hurt its reputation and harm its business and operating results.

Certain factors that may adversely affect our reputation are beyond our control. Negative publicity about our industry partners, service providers or other counterparties, such as negative publicity about their revenue generating practices and any failure by them to adequately protect the information of their investors, to comply with applicable laws and regulations or to otherwise meet required quality and service standards could harm the reputation of our financial services model working with those industry partners. Furthermore, any negative development in the financial services industry, such as bankruptcies or failures of other financial technology platforms, or negative perception of the industry as a whole, such as that arises from any failure of other financial advisory service providers or their technology platforms to detect or prevent money laundering or other illegal activities, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could compromise our image, undermine the trust and credibility we have established and have a negative impact on our ability to attract new customers. Negative developments in the financial services industry, such as fraudulent behavior and/or the closure of other financial service platforms, may also lead to tightened regulatory scrutiny of the industry and limit the scope of permissible business activities that may be conducted by the industry participants. If any of the foregoing were to occur, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our operations depend on the performance of the internet infrastructure and fixed telecommunications networks in China.

Almost all access to the internet in China is maintained through state-owned telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT. We rely on a limited number of telecommunication service providers to provide us with data communications capacity through local telecommunications lines and internet data centers to host our servers. We have limited access to alternative networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s internet infrastructure or the fixed telecommunications networks provided by telecommunication service providers. With the expansion of our business, we may be required to upgrade our technology and infrastructure to keep up with the increasing traffic on our digital technology systems and platform. We cannot assure you that the internet infrastructure and the fixed telecommunications networks in China will be able to support the demands associated with the continued growth in internet usage.

In addition, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by telecommunication service providers. If the prices we pay for telecommunications and internet services rise significantly, our results of operations may be adversely affected. Furthermore, if internet access fees or other charges to internet users increase, our user traffic may decline and our business may be harmed.

We face risks related to health pandemics or disease outbreaks.

In general, our business could be adversely affected by the effects of pandemic, including but not limited to, the COVID-19, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the influenza A virus, Ebola virus, or other outbreaks. In response to an pandemic, government and other organizations may adopt regulations and policies that could lead to severe disruptions to our daily operations, including temporary closure of our offices and other facilities. These severe conditions may cause us and/or our suppliers and customers to make internal adjustments, including but not limited to, temporarily closing down our business, limiting business hours, and setting restrictions on travel and/or visits with clients and suppliers for a prolonged period of time. Various impacts arising from a severe condition may cause business disruption, resulting in a material, adverse impact to our financial condition and results of operations.

Substantially all of our revenues and our workforce are concentrated in the PRC. Consequently, our results of operations will likely be adversely, and may be materially, affected, to the extent that the COVID-19 or any other pandemic harms the Chinese and global economy in general. Any potential impact to our results will depend on, to a large extent, future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the duration and severity of the health pandemics and the actions taken by government authorities and other entities to contain the health pandemics or alleviate its impact, almost all of which are beyond our control. Potential impacts include, but are not limited to, the following:

Because of the possible future uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19, the financial impact related to the pandemic of and response cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. There is no guarantee that our total revenues will grow or remain at the similar level year-over-year in the future. We may have to record downward adjustments, if conditions have not been significantly improved and global stock markets have not recovered from recent declines.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Adverse changes in political climate and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.

Substantially all of our business operations are conducted in China. Our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to economic, political and legal developments in China. Although the Chinese economy is no longer a planned economy, the PRC government continues to exercise significant control over China’s economic growth through direct allocation of resources, monetary and tax policies, and a host of other government policies such as those that encourage or restrict investment in certain industries by foreign investors, control the exchange between RMB and foreign currencies, and regulate the growth of the general or specific market. This government involvements has been instrumental in China’s significant growth in the past 30 years. In response to the global and Chinese economic downturns, the PRC government has adopted policy measures aimed at stimulating the economic growth in China. If the PRC government’s current or future policies fail to help the Chinese economy achieve further growth or if any aspect of the PRC government’s policies limits the growth of our industry or otherwise negatively affects our business, our growth rate or strategy and our results of operations could be adversely affected as a result.

Uncertainties in the PRC legal system and the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us and our investors, materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause our shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

We conduct all of our business through our subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws and regulations applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China for the past decades. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties.

Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all. As a result, we may not be aware of our potential violation of these policies and rules. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct of our business and it has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. Any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet- related or finance-related businesses and companies, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses, permits or filings applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The PRC government extensively regulates the internet industry and finance-related industry, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements pertaining to, companies in the internet industry and finance-related industry. These internet-related or finance-related laws and regulations are relatively new and evolving, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations.

For example, PRC regulations impose sanctions for engaging in disseminating analysis, forecasting, advisory or other information related to securities and securities markets without having obtained the securities investment consultancy qualifications in China. We do not intend to engage in such business in China. However, our users could post articles or share contents that contain analysis, forecasting or advisory content related to securities on our platform. If any of the information or content displayed on our platform is deemed as analysis, forecasting, advisory or other information related to securities or securities markets, or any of our business in the PRC is deemed to be a service providing such information, we may be subject to regulatory measures including warnings, public condemnation, suspension of relevant business and other measures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Any such penalties may disrupt our business operations or materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies and possible new laws, regulations or policies relating to the internet industry and finance-related have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, internet and finance-related businesses in China, including our business. While we believe that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required to conduct our business operations in China, we cannot assure you that the relevant government authorities will determine we have obtained all required permits or licenses or completed all the record-filing procedures required for conducting our business, or that we will be able to maintain our existing licenses or obtain new permits if so required. If the PRC government considers that we were operating without the proper approvals, licenses, permits or filings or promulgates new laws and regulations that require additional approvals, licenses, permits or filings or imposes additional restrictions on the operation of any part of our business, it has the power, among other things, to levy fines, confiscate our income, revoke our business licenses, and require us to discontinue our relevant business or impose restrictions on the affected portion of our business. Any of these actions by the PRC government may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The PRC government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

The Chinese government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene or influence our operations as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals. The Chinese government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries. Recent statements made by the Chinese government have indicated an intent to increase the government’s oversight and control over offerings of companies with significant operations in mainland China that are to be conducted in foreign markets, as well as foreign investment in China-based issuers like us. Any future action by the Chinese government expanding the categories of industries and companies whose foreign securities offerings are subject to government review could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors or could disallow our current operating structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and/or a material change in the value of our securities, including causing the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since this document is still relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our future business combination with a company with major operation in China.

Further, Chinese government continues to exert more oversight and control over Chinese technology firms. On July 2, 2021, Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced, that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company’s application be removed from smartphone application stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same investigation on two other Internet platforms, China’s Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ).

According to the Trial Measures released on February 17, 2023, which came into effect on March 31, 2023, (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, should fulfill the filing procedure with and report relevant information to the CSRC; if a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedure or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines; (2) if the issuer meets both of the following criteria, the overseas offering and listing shall be determined as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company: (i) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year is accounted for by domestic companies; (ii) the main parts of the issuer’s operation activities are conducted in mainland China, or the principal operation premises are located in mainland China, or the majority of senior management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have habitual residences located in mainland China; and (3) an overseas offering and listing of securities of a domestic company is prohibited under any of the following circumstances: (i) such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules; (ii) the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (iii) the domestic company(ies) intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling shareholder(s) and the actual controller, have committed relevant crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (iv) the domestic company(ies) intending to make the securities offering and listing is currently under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations, and no conclusion has yet been made thereof; or (v) there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the PRC domestic company’s controlling shareholder(s) or by other shareholder(s) that are controlled by the controlling shareholder(s) and/or actual controller. Furthermore, the Trial Measures also provide that (1) where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in overseas markets, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity, which shall, as the domestic responsible entity, fulfill the filing procedures with the CSRC; (2) an initial public offering and listing shall be filed with the CSRC within three business days after the relevant application is submitted overseas; (3) subsequent securities offerings of an issuer in the same overseas market where it has previously offered and listed securities shall be filed with the CSRC within three business days after the offering is completed; (4) subsequent securities offerings and listings of an issuer in overseas markets other than where it has offered and listed shall be filed pursuant to provisions as stipulated for initial public offerings and listings.

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC held a press conference for the release of the Trial Measures and issued the Notice on Administration for the Filing of Overseas Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, which, among others, clarifies that (1) domestic companies that have already been listed overseas on or prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures (i.e. March 31, 2023) shall be deemed as existing issuers, or the Existing Issuers, Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures immediately, and they are required to file with the CSRC when subsequent matters such as refinancing are involved; (2) domestic companies that have already obtained approval of CSRC for direct overseas offering and listing may complete the filing before the filing notice expires, otherwise it shall file with the CSRC in accordance with the Trial Measures; (3) a six-month transition period will be granted to domestic companies which, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, have already obtained the approval from overseas regulatory authorities or stock exchanges (such as the completion of registration in the market of the United States or the completion of hearing in the market of Hong Kong), but have not completed the indirect overseas listing; if domestic companies fail to complete the overseas listing or have to obtain regulatory approval again within such six-month transition period, they shall file with the CSRC according to the requirements; and (4) the CSRC will solicit opinions from relevant regulatory authorities and complete the filing of the overseas listing of companies with contractual arrangements which duly meet the compliance requirements, and support the development and growth of these companies by enabling them to utilize two markets and two kinds of resources.

In addition, pursuant to the Confidentiality and Archives Management Provisions, which was promulgated on February 24, 2023 and came into effect on March 31, 2023, PRC domestic enterprises seeking to offer securities and list in overseas markets, either directly or indirectly, shall establish and improve the system of confidentiality and archives work, and shall complete approval and filing procedures with competent authorities, if such PRC domestic enterprises or their overseas listing entities provide or publicly disclose documents or materials involving state secrets and work secrets of state organs to relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory agencies and other entities and individuals. It further stipulates that providing or publicly disclosing documents and materials which may adversely affect national security or public interests, and accounting records or photocopies thereof to relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory agencies and other entities and individuals shall be subject to corresponding procedures in accordance with relevant laws and regulations;

However, given that the Trial Measures and the Confidentiality and Archives Management Provisions were recently promulgated, there are substantial uncertainties as to the implementation and interpretation, and how they will affect our listing status and future capital raising activities. If we fail to complete the filing with or approval of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities in a timely manner or at all, for any future offering or any other activities which are subject to the filing or approval requirements under the aforesaid provisions, our ability to raise or utilize funds and our financial conditions, business operation, and business prospect may be adversely and materially affected.

Recent regulatory developments in China, including greater oversight and control by the CAC over privacy and data security, may subject us to additional regulatory review and any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over foreign investment in China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

Recent statements by the Chinese government have indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investments in China based issuers. The PRC government recently initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, among other things, including adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. The PRC government is increasingly focused on data security, recently launching cybersecurity review against a number of mobile apps operated by several U.S.-listed Chinese companies and prohibiting these apps from registering new users during the review period. We are subject to various risks and costs related to the collection, use, sharing, retention, security, and transfer of confidential and private information, such as personal information and other data. Such covered data is wide ranging and relates to our investors, employees, suppliers, customers and other third parties. The relevant PRC laws apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between Nisun International, offshore subsidiaries, our PRC subsidiaries, and other parties with which we have commercial relations.

The PRC regulatory and enforcement regime with regard to privacy and data security is evolving. The PRC Cyber Security Law, which was promulgated on November 7, 2016 and became effective on June 1, 2017, provides that personal information and important data collected and generated by operators of critical information infrastructure in the course of their operations in the PRC should be stored in the PRC, and the law imposes heightened regulation and additional security obligations on operators of critical information infrastructure. On September 12, 2022, the Cyber Administration of China issued the Cyber Security Law (Draft for Comments) to solicit public comments. The draft mainly adjusted the penalties stipulated in Cyber Security Law. As of now, Cyber Security Law has not been revised. The interpretation and application of these cybersecurity laws, regulations and standards are still uncertain and evolving. We cannot assure you that relevant governmental authorities will not interpret or implement these and other laws or regulations in ways that may negatively affect us.

On November 14, 2021, the CAC published a discussion draft of the Administrative Measures for Internet Data Security, or the Draft Measures for Internet Data Security, which provides that data processors conducting the following activities shall apply for cybersecurity review: (i) merger, reorganization or division of Internet platform operators that have acquired a large number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests affects or may affect national security; (ii) listing abroad of data processors processing over one million users’ personal information; (iii) listing in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security; or (iv) other data processing activities that affect or may affect national security. There have been no clarifications from the authorities as of the date of this annual report as to the standards for determining such activities that “affects or may affect national security.” The CAC has solicited comments on this draft until December 13, 2021, but there is no timetable as to when it will be enacted. As such, substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the enactment timetable, final content, interpretation and implementation. The Draft Measures for Internet Data Security, if enacted as proposed, may materially impact our capital raising activities. Any failure to obtain such approval or clearance from the regulatory authorities could materially constrain our liquidity and have a material adverse impact on our business operations and financial results, especially if we need additional capital or financing.

On December 28, 2021, the CAC, the NDRC, the MIIT, and several other administrations jointly published the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, effective on February 15, 2022, which provides that certain operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services or network platform operators carrying out data processing activities, which affect or may affect national security, must apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review. However, the scope of operators of “critical information infrastructure” under the current regulatory regime remains unclear and is subject to the decisions of competent PRC regulatory authorities. Based on our understanding of the Measures as of the date hereof, the exact scope of operators of “critical information infrastructure” under the Measures and current PRC regulatory guidance remains unclear, and is subject to the decisions of the relevant PRC government authorities that have been delegated the authority to identify operators of “critical information infrastructure” in their respective jurisdictions (including regions and industries). PRC government authorities have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, including the identification of operators of “critical information infrastructure” and the interpretation and enforcement of requirements potentially applicable to such operators of “critical information infrastructure.” As we operate an internet platform, we are at risk of being deemed to be an operator of “critical information infrastructure” or a network platform operator meeting the above criteria under PRC cybersecurity laws. If we are identified as an operator of “critical information infrastructure,” we would be required to fulfill various obligations as required under PRC cybersecurity laws and other applicable laws for such operators of “critical information infrastructure,” including, among others, setting up a special security management organization, organizing regular cybersecurity education and training, formulating emergency plans for cyber security incidents and conducting regular emergency drills, and we may need to follow cybersecurity review procedure and apply with Cybersecurity Review Office before making certain purchases of network products and services. During cybersecurity review, we may be required to suspend the provision of any existing or new services to our users, and we may experience other disruptions of our operations, which could cause us to lose users and customers therefore resulting in adverse impacts on our business. The cybersecurity review could also lead to negative publicity and a diversion of time and attention of our management and our other resources. It could be costly and time-consuming for us to prepare application materials and make the applications. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that we will obtain the clearance or approval for these applications from the Cybersecurity Review Office and the relevant regulatory authorities in a timely manner, or at all. If we are found to be in violation of cybersecurity requirements in China, the relevant governmental authorities may, at their discretion, conduct investigations, levy fines, request app stores to take down our apps and cease to provide viewing and downloading services related to our apps, prohibit the registration of new users on our platform, or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business. Any of these actions may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

On July 7, 2022, the CAC issued the Measures for Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer, which took effect on September 1, 2022. According to these measures, in addition to the requirement to conduct self-assessment on the risks of the outbound data transfer, to provide data abroad under any of the following circumstances, a data processor must apply to the national cyberspace department for data security assessment through the provincial-level cyberspace administration authority: (i) outbound transfer of important data by a data processor; (ii) outbound transfer of personal information by a critical information infrastructure operator or a personal information processor who has processed the personal information of more than one million people; (iii) outbound transfer of personal information by a personal information processor who has made outbound transfers of the personal information of 100,000 people cumulatively or the sensitive personal information of 10,000 people cumulatively since January 1 of the previous year; and (iv) other circumstances where an application for the security assessment of an outbound data transfer is required as prescribed by the national cyberspace administration authority. The Measures for Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer further stipulate the process and requirements for the security assessment. However, it remains uncertain how the PRC government authorities will regulate companies under such circumstances. This brings more uncertainties with respect to the application and enforcement of the newly published measures, and we may be subject to such outbound data security assessment with the CAC.

PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions conducted by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in August 2006 and amended in June 2009, among other things, established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. In addition, the Implementing Rules Concerning Security Review on the Mergers and Acquisitions by Foreign Investors of Domestic Enterprises, or the Rules Concerning Security Review on M&A, issued by the Ministry of Commerce in August 2011, specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors involved in “an industry related to national security” are subject to strict review by the Ministry of Commerce, and prohibit any activities attempting to bypass such security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. We believe that our business is not in an industry related to national security, but we cannot preclude the possibility that the competent PRC government authorities may publish explanations contrary to our understanding or broaden the scope of such security reviews in the future, in which case our future acquisitions and investment in the PRC, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited. Moreover, according to the Anti-Monopoly Law, the SMAR shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain filing thresholds are triggered. We may grow our business in part by directly acquiring complementary businesses in China. Complying with the requirements of the laws and regulations mentioned above and other PRC regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the SMAR, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share. Our ability to expand our business or maintain or expand our market share through future acquisitions would as such be materially and adversely affected.

In December 2020, the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce promulgated the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment, which came into effect on January 18, 2021. As these measures are recently promulgated, official guidance has not been issued by the relevant government authority. The interpretation of those measures remains unclear in many aspects such as what would constitute “important information technology and internet services and products” and whether these measures may apply to foreign investment that is implemented or completed before the enactment of these new measures. We cannot assure you that our current business operations will remain fully compliant, or we can adapt our business operations to new regulatory requirements on a timely basis, or at all.

Trading in our securities may be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or investigate completed our auditors for two consecutive years.

In recent years, U.S. regulatory authorities have continued to express their concerns about challenges in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. As part of a continued regulatory focus in the United States on access to audit and other information, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, was enacted on December 18, 2020. The HFCAA includes requirements for the SEC to identify issuers whose audit work is performed by auditors that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a restriction imposed by a non-U.S. authority in the auditor’s local jurisdiction. The HFCAA and related legislation also require that, to the extent that the PCAOB has been unable to inspect an issuer’s auditor for two consecutive years, the SEC shall prohibit its securities registered in the United States from being traded on any national securities exchange or over-the-counter markets in the United States.

Pursuant to the HFCAA, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 which found that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. In addition, the PCAOB’s report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations. Our auditor, Wei, Wei & Co., LLP, is headquartered in New York City, New York and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis. Our auditor was not among the PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in the PRC or Hong Kong that were subject to PCAOB’s determination. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if in the future it is determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, or if there is any regulatory change or step taken by PRC regulators that does not permit our auditor to provide audit documentations located in China or Hong Kong to the PCAOB for inspection or investigation, or the PCAOB expands the scope of the Determination so that we are subject to the HFCAA, as the same may be amended, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection. Any audit reports not issued by auditors that are completely inspected or investigated by the PCAOB, or a lack of PCAOB inspections or investigations of audit work undertaken in China that prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors’ audits and their quality control procedures, could result in a lack of assurance that our financial statements and disclosures are adequate and accurate.

Chinese economic growth slowdown may have a negative effect on our business.

Since 2014, Chinese economic growth has been slowing down from double-digit GDP speed. The annual rate of growth declined from 7.3% in 2014 to 6.9% in 2015, to 6.7% in 2016, to 6.9% in 2017, to 6.6% in 2018, and to 6.1% in 2019. Due to the impact of COVID-19, China’s economic growth rate in 2020 has slowed to 2.3%, its lowest level in years. The China’s economic growth rate were 8.1% in 2021 and 2.8% in 2022, which is fluctuating. While technology-based financial services companies have not been affected by the pandemic on the same level as companies in certain other industries, nevertheless a slow economic growth could adversely affected many of our customers and partners, which in turn may materially adversely affected our financial condition and results of operations.

We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us and any tax we are required to pay could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

We are a BVI holding company and we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and for services of any debt we may incur. Our subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of such entities in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

In response to the persistent capital outflow and RMB’s depreciation against U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, the People’s Bank of China issued the Circular on Further Clarification of Relevant Matters Relating to Offshore RMB Loans Provided by Domestic Enterprises, or the PBOC Circular 306, on November 22, 2016, which provides that offshore RMB loans provided by a domestic enterprise to offshore enterprises that it holds equity interests in shall not exceed 30% of the domestic enterprise’s ownership interest in the offshore enterprise. The PBOC Circular 306 may constrain our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to provide offshore loans to us. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subjected to tighter scrutiny in the future. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

Under the EIT Law and related regulations, dividends, interests, rent or royalties payable by a foreign-invested enterprise, such as our PRC subsidiaries, to any of its foreign non-resident enterprise investors, and proceeds from any such foreign enterprise investor’s disposition of assets (after deducting the net value of such assets) are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless the foreign enterprise investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax. Undistributed profits earned by foreign-invested enterprises prior to January 1, 2008 are exempted from any withholding tax. The BVI, where Nisun International, the parent company of our PRC subsidiaries, is incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with China. Hong Kong has a tax arrangement with China that provides for a 5% withholding tax on dividends subject to certain conditions and requirements, such as the requirement that the Hong Kong resident enterprise own at least 25% of the PRC enterprise distributing the dividend at all times within the 12-month period immediately preceding the distribution of dividends and be a “beneficial owner” of the dividends. However, if NiSun HK is not considered being the beneficial owner of the dividends paid to it by our WFOE under the tax circulars promulgated in February and October 2009, such dividends would be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%. If our PRC subsidiaries declare and distribute profits to us, such payments will be subject to withholding tax, which will increase our tax liability and reduce the amount of cash available to our company.

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “Resident Enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.

China passed an Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”) and implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.

On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation of China issued the Notice Concerning Relevant Issues Regarding Cognizance of Chinese Investment Controlled Enterprises Incorporated Offshore as Resident Enterprises pursuant to Criteria of de facto Management Bodies, or the Notice, further interpreting the application of the EIT Law and its implementation to offshore entities controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group. Pursuant to the Notice, an enterprise incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction and controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group will be classified as a “non-domestically incorporated resident enterprise” if (i) its senior management in charge of daily operations reside or perform their duties mainly in China; (ii) its financial or personnel decisions are made or approved by bodies or persons in China; (iii) its substantial assets and properties, accounting books, corporate stamps, board and stockholder minutes are kept in China; and (iv) at least half of its directors with voting rights or senior management are often resident in China. A resident enterprise would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on its worldwide income and must pay a withholding tax at a rate of 10% when paying dividends to its non-PRC stockholders.

Nisun International does not have a PRC enterprise or enterprise group as its primary controlling shareholder and is therefore not a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise within the meaning of the Notice, so we believe the Notice is not applicable to us. However, in the absence of guidance specifically applicable to us, we have applied the guidance set forth in the Notice to evaluate the tax residence status of Nisun International.

We do not believe that we meet some of the conditions outlined. As a holding company, the key assets and records of Nisun International including the resolutions and meeting minutes of our board of directors and the resolutions and meeting minutes of our shareholders, are located and maintained outside the PRC. In addition, we are not aware of any offshore holding companies with a corporate structure similar to ours that have been deemed a PRC “resident enterprise” by the PRC tax authorities. Accordingly, we believe that Nisun International should not be treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes if the criteria for “de facto management body” as set forth in the Notice were deemed applicable to us. However, as the tax residency status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body” as applicable to our offshore entities, we will continue to monitor our tax status.

If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Currently, we do not have any non-China source income, so this would have minimal effect on us; however, if we develop non-China source income in the future, we could be adversely affected. Second, under the EIT Law and its implementing rules, dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income.” Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC stockholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC stockholders from transferring our shares.

If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by the PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both the U.S. and China, but our PRC source income will not be taxed in the U.S. again because the U.S.-China tax treaty will avoid double taxation between these two nations.

PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies in PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our securities offerings to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

In utilizing proceeds of our securities offerings, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries.

Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans by us to our subsidiaries in China, which are FIEs, to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. Currently, China is holding more open and tolerant attitude toward FIEs. More open rules and regulations are published in recent years to replace previous ones which are more restrictive. On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated Circular 19 which is about Reforming the Management Approach regarding the Settlement of Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises) and effective since June 1, 2015. Circular 19 has made some important changes in rules regarding the conversion of foreign exchanges to RMB, which are as follows in particular:

On May 10, 2013, SAFE released Circular 21, which came into effect on May 13, 2013; also, on February 13, 2015 SAFE published Circular 13 (Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Simplifying and Improving the Direct Investment-related Foreign Exchange Administration Policies) to update some measures stipulated in Circular 21. According to Circular 21, SAFE has significantly simplified the foreign exchange administration procedures with respect to the registration, account openings and conversions, settlements of FDI-related foreign exchange, as well as fund remittances. Meanwhile, Circular 13 has further simplified foreign exchange administration procedures, most important among which is that SAFE delegated foreign exchange registration to the banks, meanwhile the related registration approval by SAFE has been annulled.

Even with more and more open policy toward FDI and FIEs, the Circulars mentioned above may still have some limit our ability to convert, transfer and use the net proceeds from our securities offerings and any offering of additional equity securities in China, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.

We may also decide to finance our subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be approved by the Ministry of Commerce of China, or MOFCOM, or its local counterpart. We may not be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to receive such approvals, we will not be able to use the proceeds of our offerings and capitalize our PRC operations, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

The Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents to Engage in Financing and Inbound Investment via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular No. 75, and a series of implementation rules and guidance issued by SAFE, including the circular relating to operating procedures that took effect in July 2011, required PRC residents and PRC corporate entities to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment in an overseas special purpose vehicle, or SPV, for the purposes of overseas equity financing activities, and to update such registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to that offshore company. SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular No. 37, on July 4, 2014, which replaced the SAFE Circular No. 75. SAFE Circular No. 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular No. 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.” The term “control” under SAFE Circular No. 37 is broadly defined as the operation rights, beneficiary rights or decision-making rights acquired by the PRC residents in the offshore special purpose vehicles or PRC companies by such means as acquisition, trust, proxy, voting rights, repurchase, convertible bonds or other arrangements. SAFE Circular No. 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any changes with respect to the basic information of the special purpose vehicle, such as changes in a PRC resident individual shareholder, name or operation period; or any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. If the shareholders of the offshore holding company who are PRC residents do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, the PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the offshore company, and the offshore company may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital to its PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions. On February 28, 2015, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015. In accordance with SAFE Notice 13, entities and individuals are required to apply for foreign exchange registration of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment, including those required under the SAFE Circular No. 37, with qualified banks, instead of SAFE. The qualified banks, under the supervision of SAFE, directly examine the applications and conduct the registration.

Our shareholders that are PRC entities are required to complete their overseas direct investment filings according to applicable laws and regulations regarding the overseas direct investment by PRC entities, including certificates, filings or registrations with the MOFCOM and the NDRC, or the local branch of the MOFCOM and NDRC based on the investment amount, invested industry or other factors thereof, and shall also update or apply for amendment in respect to the certificates, filings or registrations in the event of any significant changes with respect to the offshore investment.

We have notified our shareholders whom we know are PRC residents to register with the local SAFE branch and update their registrations as required under the SAFE regulations described above. We believe that such PRC resident shareholders either have registered and updated registration when required, or are in the process of the registration, with the relevant local SAFE branch. We, however, cannot provide any assurances that all of our shareholders who are PRC residents have filed or will file all applicable registrations or update previously filed registrations as required by these SAFE regulations. The failure or inability of our PRC resident shareholders to comply with the registration procedures or other applicable PRC regulations may subject the PRC resident shareholders to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to or obtain foreign exchange-dominated loans from our company.

As it is uncertain how the SAFE regulations described above will be interpreted or implemented, we cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or future strategy. For example, we may be subject to more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign currency-denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the SAFE regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.

Failure to comply with the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules relating to the overseas direct investment or the engagement in the issuance or trading of securities overseas by our PRC resident stockholders may subject such stockholders to fines or other liabilities.

Other than Notice 37, our ability to conduct foreign exchange activities in the PRC may be subject to the interpretation and enforcement of the Implementation Rules of the Administrative Measures for Individual Foreign Exchange promulgated by SAFE in January 2007 (as amended and supplemented, the “Individual Foreign Exchange Rules”). Under the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules, any PRC individual seeking to make a direct investment overseas or engage in the issuance or trading of negotiable securities or derivatives overseas must make the appropriate registrations in accordance with SAFE provisions. PRC individuals who fail to make such registrations may be subject to warnings, fines or other liabilities.

We may not be fully informed of the identities of all our beneficial owners who are PRC residents. For example, because the investment in or trading of our shares will happen in an overseas public or secondary market where shares are often held with brokers in brokerage accounts, it is unlikely that we will know the identity of all of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents. Furthermore, we have no control over any of our future beneficial owners and we cannot assure you that such PRC residents will be able to complete the necessary approval and registration procedures required by the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules.

It is uncertain how the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules will be interpreted or enforced and whether such interpretation or enforcement will affect our ability to conduct foreign exchange transactions. Because of this uncertainty, we cannot be sure whether the failure by any of our PRC resident stockholders to make the required registration will subject our PRC subsidiaries to fines or legal sanctions on their operations, delay or restriction on repatriation of proceeds of our securities offerings into the PRC, restriction on remittance of dividends or other punitive actions that would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in RMB. Under our current corporate structure, our income will currently only be derived from dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our security-holders.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.

Changes in the value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar, Euro and other foreign currencies are affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of the RMB may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial condition, and the value of, and any dividends payable on our shares in U.S. dollar terms. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from our securities offerings into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on RMB amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of paying dividends on our common shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. In addition, fluctuations of the RMB against other currencies may increase or decrease the cost of imports and exports, and thus affect the price-competitiveness of our products against products of foreign manufacturers or products relying on foreign inputs.

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

We reflect the impact of currency translation adjustments in our financial statements under the heading “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we had foreign currency translation loss of $12.6 million, foreign currency gain of $2.0 million and foreign currency translation gain of $5.5 million, respectively. Very limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions. While we may enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these transactions may be limited, and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our foreign currency exchange gains and losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into foreign currencies.

Shareholders may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, including those obtained in the U.S., or bringing actions in China against us or our management based on foreign laws.

We are a holding company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. We conduct substantially all of our operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, all our key employees and all, but one, directors are PRC residents and reside within China. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside mainland China, including our management. In addition, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the British Virgin Islands and many other countries and regions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these non-PRC jurisdictions, including the U.S., in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult or impossible.

There are uncertainties under the PRC laws relating to the procedures for U.S. regulators to investigate and collect evidence from companies located in the PRC.

Shareholder claims that are common in the U.S., including securities law class actions and fraud claims, among other matters, generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the local authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States have not been efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, which became effective in March 2020, or Article 177, the securities regulatory authority of the State Council may collaborate with securities regulatory authorities of other countries or regions in order to monitor and oversee cross border securities activities. Article 177 further provides that overseas securities regulatory authorities are not permitted to carry out investigation and evidence collection directly within the territory of the PRC, and that any Chinese entities and individuals are not allowed to provide documents or materials related to securities business activities to overseas agencies without prior consent of the securities regulatory authority of the State Council and the competent departments of the State Council.

Our principal business operations are conducted in the PRC. In the event that the U.S. regulators carry out investigations with respect to our business and need to conduct investigation or collect evidence within the territory of the PRC, the U.S. regulators may not be able to carry out such investigation or evidence collection directly in the PRC under the PRC laws. The U.S. regulators may consider cross-border cooperation with securities regulatory authority of the PRC by way of judicial assistance, diplomatic channels or regulatory cooperation mechanism established with the securities regulatory authority of the PRC. However, there can be no assurance that the U.S. regulators could succeed in establishing such cross-border cooperation in a specific case or could establish the cooperation in a timely manner. If U.S. regulators are unable to conduct such investigations, such U.S. regulators may determine to suspend and ultimately delist our common shares from the Nasdaq Capital Market or choose to suspend or de-register our SEC registration.

Labor laws in the PRC may adversely affect our results of operations.

On June 29, 2007, the PRC government promulgated a new labor law, namely, the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which became effective on January 1, 2008, which was further amended on December 28, 2012 (effective July 1, 2013). The Labor Contract Law imposes greater liabilities on employers and significantly affects the cost of an employer’s decision to reduce its workforce. Further, it requires certain terminations be based upon seniority and not merit. In the event we decide to significantly change or decrease our workforce, the Labor Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to enact such changes in a manner that is most advantageous to our business or in a timely and cost-effective manner, thus materially and adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations. The Labor Contract Law also mandates that employers provide social welfare packages to all employees, increasing our labor costs. To the extent competitors from outside China are not affected by such requirements, we could be at a competitive disadvantage.

Additional factors outside of our control related to doing business in China could negatively affect our business.

Additional factors that could negatively affect our business include a potential significant revaluation of the Renminbi, which may result in an increase in the cost of commodity or products in the PRC supply chain industry, labor shortages and increases in labor costs in China as well as difficulties in moving products manufactured in China out of the country, whether due to infrastructure inadequacy, labor disputes, slowdowns, PRC regulations and/or other factors. Prolonged disputes or slowdowns can negatively impact both the time and cost of goods. Natural disasters or health pandemics impacting China can also have a significant negative impact on our business. Further, the imposition of trade sanctions or other regulations against products supplied or sold in the supply chain industry transactions for which we provide solutions or the loss of “normal trade relations” status with China could significantly affect our operating results and harm our business.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure and business operations.

The National People’s Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law on March 15, 2019 and the State Council adopted the Regulation on Implementing the Foreign Investment Law (the “Implementation Regulations”) on December 12, 2019, effective from January 1, 2020, to replace the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For instance, under the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to the investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign individuals, enterprises or other entities in China. Though it does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, there is no assurance that foreign investment via contractual arrangement would not be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities under the definition in the future. In addition, the definition contains a catch-all provision which includes investments made by foreign investors through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. In any of these cases, it will be uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment under the PRC laws and regulations. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

If the PRC government finds that the contractual arrangements that establish the structure for operating our business do not comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations or their interpretations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

Foreign ownership of internet-based businesses, such as distribution of online information, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. For example, foreign investors are not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunication service provider (except e-commerce) and any such foreign investor must have experience in providing value-added telecommunications services overseas and maintain a good track record in accordance with the Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List 2021) issued on June 23, 2020 and effective on July 23, 2020, by the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, and the PRC Ministry of Commerce, and other applicable laws and regulations.

We are a British Virgin Islands company. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we conduct our financing solutions and supply chain service operations in China through a series of contractual arrangements entered into between our subsidiaries and VIEs and shareholders of the VIEs. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we exert control over VIEs and their subsidiaries and consolidate the VIEs’ operating results in our financial statements under U.S. GAAP. We believe our current ownership structure and the contractual arrangements among our subsidiaries, VIEs and the shareholders of the VIEs are not in violation of existing PRC laws, rules and regulations; and those contractual arrangements are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations and there can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with our opinion.

It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws, rules or regulations relating to variable interest entities structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. In particular, in January 2015, the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law for public review and comments. Among other things, the draft Foreign Investment Law expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of “actual control” in determining whether a company is considered a foreign-invested enterprise, or an FIE. Under the draft Foreign Investment Law, variable interest entities would also be deemed as FIEs, if they are ultimately “controlled” by foreign investors, and be subject to restrictions on foreign investments. In December 2018, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress published a discussion draft of a new proposed Foreign Investment Law, aiming to replace the major existing laws governing foreign direct investment in China. On January 29, 2019, the discussion draft with slight revisions, or the New Draft Foreign Investment Law, was submitted for review. Pursuant to the New Draft Foreign Investment Law, foreign investments shall be subject to the negative list management system. However, the New Draft Foreign Investment Law does not mention “actual control” as regulated in the previous draft and the position to be taken with respect to the existing or future companies with the “variable interest entities” structure. On March 15, 2019, the Foreign Investment Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Final Foreign Investment Law, with slight revision, was finally issued and became effective on January 1, 2020.

Although variable interest entities structures are not included in the Final Foreign Investment Law, it is uncertain whether any interpretation and implementation of the Final Foreign Investment Law or new PRC laws, rules or regulations relating to variable interest entities structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If the ownership structure, contractual arrangements and business of our PRC subsidiary or its consolidated VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or our PRC subsidiary fails to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant governmental authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including levying fines, confiscating its income or the income of its PRC subsidiary or consolidated variable interest entities, revoking the business licenses or operating licenses of its PRC subsidiary or consolidated variable interest entities, discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on its operations, requiring our PRC operations to undergo a costly and disruptive restructuring and taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to our financial service business operations and severely damage its reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of these occurrences results in its inability to direct the activities of its consolidated variable interest entities, and/or its failure to receive economic benefits from its consolidated variable interest entities, we may not be able to consolidate our VIEs’ results into our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We rely on our contractual arrangements with VIEs and the shareholder of VIEs for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.

We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with Fintech, Hengpu and Nami to operate our SME financing solutions, supply chain and other financing solutions business in the future. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our consolidated affiliates. For example, VIEs and their shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations, in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests.

If we had direct ownership of the VIEs, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the VIEs. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by the VIEs and their shareholders of their obligations under the contracts to exercise control over our consolidated entities. The shareholders of VIEs may not act in the best interests of ours or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we operate our business through the contractual arrangements with the VIEs. Although we have the right to replace any shareholder of the consolidated variable interest entities under the contractual arrangement, if any shareholder of such entity is uncooperative or any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce the rights under the contracts through the operations of PRC laws and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. Therefore, the contractual arrangements with VIEs may not be as effective in ensuring our control over the relevant portion of its business operations as direct ownership would be.

Shareholders of VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with ours, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The equity interests of the VIEs are beneficially owned by several individual shareholders through holding companies. Such VIE shareholders’ interests in VIE may differ from the interests of our Company as a whole. VIE shareholders may breach, or cause VIEs to breach, the existing contractual arrangements between us and VIEs, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively control the consolidated variable interest entities and receive economic benefits from them. For example, shareholders of VIEs may be able to cause the VIE agreements with the VIE to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to our subsidiaries on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of VIE shareholders will act in the best interests of our Company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between VIE shareholders and ours, except that we could exercise the purchase option under the exclusive option agreements with these shareholders to request them to transfer all of their equity interests in the VIE to a PRC entity or individual designated by us, to the extent permitted by PRC laws. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute with the shareholders of the VIE, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in the disruption of its business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

Contractual arrangements in relation to our consolidated variable interest entities may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our PRC consolidated variable interest entities owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.

Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the transactions are conducted. The PRC enterprise income tax law requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together with a report on transactions with its related parties to the relevant tax authorities. The tax authorities may impose reasonable adjustments on taxation if they have identified any related party transactions that are inconsistent with arm’s length principles. We may face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements between NingChen and Naqing, our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China, consolidated VIEs in China, and the shareholders of the VIEs were not entered into on an arm’s length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust the VIEs’ income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by VIEs for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase its tax liabilities without reducing tax expenses of NingChen and Naqing. In addition, if NingChen or Naqing requests the shareholders of VIEs to transfer their equity interests in the VIEs at nominal or no value pursuant to these contractual arrangements, such transfer could be viewed as a gift and subject the VIEs to PRC income tax. Furthermore, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on the VIEs for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our consolidated variable interest entities’ tax liabilities increase or if they are required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.

We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by our consolidated VIEs that are material to the operation of our business if the VIE goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceedings.

The VIE holds certain assets that are material to the operation of our financial services business, including domain names and equipment for our financial technology platform. Under the contractual arrangements, VIEs may not and VIE shareholders may not cause it to, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their assets or their legal or beneficial interests in the business without its prior consent. However, in the event a VIE shareholder breaches these contractual arrangements and voluntarily liquidates the VIE or the VIE declares bankruptcy and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, or are otherwise disposed of without NingChen’s or Naqing’s consent, it may be unable to continue some or all of its business activities, which could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. If the VIE undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, independent third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of their assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate its business, which could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Shares

We are a “foreign private issuer,” and our disclosure obligations differ from those of U.S. domestic reporting companies, which may make it more difficult for you to evaluate our performance and prospects.

We are a foreign private issuer and, as a result, we are not subject to the same requirements as U.S. domestic issuers. Under the Exchange Act, we will be subject to reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and less frequent than those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. For example, we will not be required to issue quarterly reports or proxy statements. We will not be required to disclose detailed individual executive compensation information. Furthermore, our directors and executive officers will not be required to report equity holdings under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and will not be subject to the insider short-swing profit disclosure and recovery regime.

As a foreign private issuer, we will also be exempt from the requirements of Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) which, generally, are meant to ensure that select groups of investors are not privy to specific information about an issuer before other investors. However, we will still be subject to the anti-fraud and anti-manipulation rules of the SEC, such as Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act. Since many of the disclosure obligations imposed on us as a foreign private issuer differ from those imposed on U.S. domestic reporting companies, you should not expect to receive the same information about us and at the same time as the information provided by U.S. domestic reporting companies.

British Virgin Islands companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests.

British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred. The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the United States based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law; and to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will generally recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. This means that even if shareholders were to sue us successfully, they may not be able to recover anything to make up for the losses suffered.

The laws of the British Virgin Islands provide little protection for minority shareholders, and minority shareholders will have little or no recourse if the shareholders are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs.

Under the law of the British Virgin Islands, there is little statutory law for the protection of minority shareholders other than the provisions of the BVI Business Companies Act dealing with shareholder remedies. The principal protection under statutory law is that shareholders may bring an action to enforce the constituent documents of the corporation, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Shareholders are entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted in accordance with the general law and the articles and memorandum.

There are common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English company law, since the common law of the British Virgin Islands for business companies is limited. Under the general rule pursuant to English company law known as the rule in Foss v. Harbottle, a court will generally refuse to interfere with the management of a company at the insistence of a minority of its shareholders who express dissatisfaction with the conduct of the company’s affairs by the majority or the board of directors. However, every shareholder is entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted properly according to law and the constituent documents of the corporation. As such, if those who control the company have persistently disregarded the requirements of company law or the provisions of the company’s memorandum and articles of association, then the courts will grant relief. Generally, the areas in which the courts will intervene are the following: (1) an act complained of which is outside the scope of the authorized business or is illegal or not capable of ratification by the majority; (2) acts that constitute fraud on the minority where the wrongdoers control the company; (3) acts that infringe on the personal rights of the shareholders, such as the right to vote; and (4) where the company has not complied with provisions requiring approval of a special or extraordinary majority of shareholders, which are more limited than the rights afforded minority shareholders under the laws of many states in the United States.

The market price of our Class A common shares may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares.

The trading price for our Class A common shares has fluctuated since we first listed our common shares. The trading price of our Class A common shares has ranged from $3.02 to $21.47 per share for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the last reported trading price on August 4, 2023 was $2.99 per Class A common share. The market price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. Stock prices of many companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business, and adversely affect our business.

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

We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment in our Class A common shares if the market price of our Class A common shares increases.

If we continue to be unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our Class A common shares may decline.

As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal control. In addition, beginning with the first annual report on Form 20-F, we have been required to furnish a report by management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we continue to identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, if we are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our Class A common shares could be negatively affected, and we could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.

Our staggered board structure may prevent a change in control of our company.

Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors. The current terms of the directors expire in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Directors of each class are chosen for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms, and each year the shareholders elect one class of directors. The staggered terms of our directors may reduce the possibility of a tender offer or an attempt at a change in control, even though a tender offer or change in control might be in the best interest of our shareholders.

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention.

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of the securities exchange on which we list, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Despite recent reforms made possible by the JOBS Act, compliance with these rules and regulations will nonetheless increase our management, legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, semiannual, and current reports with respect to our business and operating results.

As a result of disclosure of information in this annual report on Form 20-F and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition are more visible, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and adversely affect our business, brand and reputation and results of operations.

We also expect that being a public company and these new rules and regulations will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.

We incur increased costs as a result of being a public company.

As a public company, we incur legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. For example, we must now engage U.S. securities law counsel and U.S. GAAP auditors that we did not require as a private company, and we will have annual payments for listing on a stock exchange if we are so listed. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as new rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and NASDAQ, has required changes in corporate governance practices of public companies. We expect these new rules and regulations to increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs and to make certain corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. In addition, we incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. While it is impossible to determine the amounts of such expenses in advance, we expect that we will incur additional expenses of between $500,000 and $1 million per year that we did not experience as a private company.

Item 4. Information on the Company

NISUN INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT GROUP CO., LTD, formerly Hebron Technology Co., Ltd. (“Nisun International” or the “Company”) was established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) on May 29, 2012 as a company limited by shares. The Company is a holding company and conducts its business through its subsidiaries, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and subsidiaries of VIEs in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC’’).

We have had three major reorganizations since our inception. In connection with our initial public offering, we consummated the first reorganization to acquire our equipment and engineering business (the “IPO Reorganization”) in 2016. We became the ultimate parent company of Hong Kong Xibolun Technology Limited (“Xibolun HK”) and its PRC subsidiaries, Wenzhou Xibolun Fluid Equipment Co., Limited (“Xibolun Equipment”) and Zhejiang Xibolun Automation Project Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xibolun Automation”) (collectively referred to as the “Xibolun Group”), which before the IPO Reorganization, were all controlled by Mr. Anyuan Sun, our former Chairman of the Board and CEO. The Xibolun Group conducts equipment and engineering services operations focusing on the research, development and manufacture of valves, pipe fittings fluid equipment, with an emphasis on the manufacture and installation of intelligent valves used in the pharmaceutical, biological, food and beverage, and other clean industries in the PRC.

We commenced the second corporate restructure in July 2019 for the acquisition of our financial services business. We expanded our operations into the financial services industry through the acquisition of NiSun International Enterprise Management Group (British Virgin Islands) Co., Ltd. (“NiSun BVI”), its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliate, Fintech (Shanghai) Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Fintech”), and subsidiaries of Fintech (collectively, “Fintech” or “Fintech Subsidiary Group”). In 2019, Fintech provided comprehensive financing solution services to SMEs primarily in connection with SME financings sponsored or underwritten by financial institutions and also provided distribution and management services for direct banking products issued by small- and medium-sized commercial banks in China.

Since July 2019, our financial services industry operations have experienced significant growth through several subsequent acquisitions and organizational changes. In December 2019, we acquired a controlling interest in Beijing Hengtai Puhui Information Service Co. Ltd., a PRC company, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Hengpu” or “Hengpu Subsidiary Group”) through certain contractual arrangements. Hengpu provides a full set of financing solution services in SME financings. In May 2020, we acquired Nami Holding (Cayman) Co., Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Nami Cayman”), and its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entity (collectively, “Nami” or “Nami Subsidiary Group”) pursuant to a share purchase agreement. Nami provides financial advisory and intermediary financing solutions services matching small- and mid-sized enterprises and high quality investors in China.

On September 22, 2020, we changed our corporate name from “Hebron Technology Co., Ltd.” to “Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd” and in connection with the name change, the trading symbol of our Class A common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market was changed to “NISN” from “HEBT,” effective on November 16, 2020. The new corporate name reflects our Company’s current core financial services business and enables different service business to integrate various brands under one corporate identity.

In December 2020, based on a preliminary agreement with the local government, we established a wholly owned subsidiary, Nisun (Shandong) Industry Development Co., Ltd (“Nisun Shandong”), in Tai’an, Shandong province. Nisun Shandong is a holding company for our existing PRC operating subsidiaries and is expected to be a key operations platform. In 2020, we also formed several operating subsidiaries in different regions of China in response to the operational demands in our supply chain solutions and SME financing solutions services.

On November 30, 2020, to streamline our businesses, we completed the third corporate restructure whereby we sold all of our equity interest in Xibolun HK to Wise Metro Development Co., Ltd., an entity controlled by our former Chairman and CEO, Mr. Anyuan Sun (“Wise Metro”). The disposition of Xibolun HK (the “Disposition”) was consummated pursuant to a Call Option Agreement we entered on April 16, 2019 with Wise Metro under which Wise Metro was granted an option to purchase all of the equity of the Xibolun Group for a period beginning six months after the effective date of the Call Option Agreement and expiring two years and six months after the agreement effective date. Upon exercise, the purchase price to exercise the Call Option Agreement would be equal to the fair market value of the Xibolun Group at the time of exercise of the Call Option as determined by a qualified and experienced business appraisal firm appointed by us and Wise Metro. On June 14, 2019, our shareholders approved our entry into the Call Option Agreement. On May 11, 2020, Wise Metro exercised the Call Option to acquire the Xibolun Group. We completed the Disposition on November 30, 2020.

Through the transfer of Xibolun HK and the resulting divestiture of our interests in Xibolun HK’s operating subsidiaries, Xibolun Automation and Xibolun Equipment, we discontinued our legacy equipment and engineering business and disposed of our minority interest in Xuzhou Weijia Biotechnology Co., Ltd. We sold the legacy businesses for a gain of approximately $0.14 million.

On March 24, 2021, we completed a subsidiary reorganization whereby Nami Cayman and its Hong Kong subsidiary transferred all of the equity they held in Naqing and the economic interests in Nami Shanghai to Nisun Shandong. Following the transaction, Naqing became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nisun Shandong, which holds a controlling interest in Nami Shanghai.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at Floor 20-21, No. 55 Loushanguan Road, Changning District, , Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number is +86-21-2357-0055.

The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system. We maintain our websites at https://www.fintaike.com for Fintech, at https://www.ihengpu.com for Hengpu, and at www.namizx.com.cn for Nami.

Principal Corporate Activities 

Below is a brief summary of principal activities of our Company since its formation.

We are a technology-driven, integrated supply chain solutions and financial services provider focused on transforming China’s corporate finance industry. Leveraging our rich industry experience, we provide supply chain solutions to both PRC and non-PRC enterprises and financial institutions. Our full range of service solutions span from technology supply chain management, to technology asset routing, and digital transformation of technology and financial institutions, enabling the industries we serve to strengthen and grow. Further, we offer a wide range of technology-driven customized financing solutions to small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China to improve SMEs’ access to capital through our closed-loop ecosystem built on fintech platforms. Furthermore, we provide direct banking solutions to small- and medium-sized commercial banks and other financial institutions in their distribution and management of direct banking and other financial products. Built on our proprietary financial technology, our fintech platforms offer specialized asset allocation and financial planning services to institutional and individual investors.

Prior to the disposition of the Xibolun Group in November 2020, we conducted our business operations primarily in two industries, our legacy equipment and engineering and the financial services. Following the disposition, we no longer operate in the equipment and engineering industry, and the financial services industry and its related industries are the only sector of the PRC economy we serve. Our financial services operations have experienced rapid growth since July 2019 and have quickly evolved to become our core business, while the performance of our legacy equipment and engineering business had not met management expectations in the prior several years before the disposition.

In 2019, we provided comprehensive financing solution services to SMEs primarily in connection with SME financings sponsored or underwritten by financial institutions (previously referred to by us as underwriting related advisory services) and also provided distribution and management service for direct banking products issued by small- and medium-sized commercial banks in China. SME financing solution services are operated by Fintech and Hengpu. Nami provides financial advisory and intermediary financial services matching SMEs and high quality investors in China. Fintech also provides banking product distribution and management services.

We commenced our supply chain solutions business in January 2020. Fintech and its subsidiaries provide our customers with professionally tailored solutions for supply chain management, technology asset routing, and digital transformation of technology and financial institutions. With a focus on finance and industry linkage, we serve the upstream and downstream enterprises and transactions of the supply chain industry while facilitating supply-side sub-sector reforms. Our digitally linked platform connects commercial banks, securities firms, trusts, funds, insurance companies, state-owned enterprises and other participants in the supply chain industry.

Our business operations are comprised of three main service models: SME Financing Solutions, Supply Chain Solutions and Other Financing Solutions. We earn one-time advisory fees for our services provided to SMEs for offerings on PRC provincial or national financial assets exchanges or other designated capital markets underwritten by financial institutions in accordance with the service agreements with underwriters, financial institutions or financial product providers. In addition, we also provide ongoing customer management services to small and medium commercial banks and financial institutions in distributing and sourcing funds for their direct banking and other financial products in exchange for recurring service fees. Our intermediary matching service fee is earned upon the purchase of the financial products.

We use cutting-edge technologies, including big data, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and blockchain in the financial service. We are committed to leveraging our open fintech platforms and ecosystem and providing comprehensive financial solutions to facilitate digital transformation of financial institutions and enterprise customers.

Our Strengths

We believe our following strengths enable us to seize the opportunities in China’s financial services and supply chain industries:

Our Strategy

Our mission is to transform the corporate finance industry by promoting a finance ecosystem of openness and empowerment. We intend to achieve our growth and strengthen our competitive position by implementing the following strategies:

Contractual Arrangements with Our Consolidated Affiliated Entities and the Nominee Shareholders

We conduct our business through our PRC subsidiaries, three VIEs, Fintech, Hengpu and Nami, and VIE subsidiaries. Our relationships with the VIEs and their respective nominee shareholders are governed by a series of contractual arrangements, including:

Trademarks, Technologies & Management and Consulting Services Agreements (the “Consulting Services Agreement”)

Under the Consulting Services Agreement, NingChen and Naqing have the exclusive right to provide management and consulting and other services to their respective VIEs for a consulting service fee from VIEs and to authorize the VIEs to use our trademarks, technologies and related intellectual property rights. VIEs agree to pay NingChen and Naqing or their designated agents for the management and consulting service in the amount equivalent to VIEs’ net profits after tax. The agreement shall be effective as of the date of agreement and shall remain effective until the date when NingChen and Naqing terminate such agreements or a VIE ceases to exist.

Equity Interest Pledge Agreements

Pursuant to the Equity Interest Pledge Agreements, each shareholder of the VIEs agreed to pledge his equity interest in the VIEs to NingChen and Naqing, respectively, to secure nominal loans provided to the shareholders of VIEs for a loan term of 100 years. Each shareholder of VIEs agrees that the repayment of loan can only happen on loan maturity date or NingChen or Naqing agrees to collect the loan repayment. If VIEs or their shareholders breach their contractual obligations under these agreements, NingChen and Naqing, as pledgees, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests and will have priority in receiving the proceeds from the auction or sale of the pledged equity interests. NingChen and Naqing are entitled to any dividends declared or paid in connection with the pledged equity interests during the term of this agreement. The VIEs and their shareholders have further agreed that they will not transfer or encumber the pledged equity interests without the prior written consent from NingChen or Naqing during the term of this agreement. The Equity Interest Pledge Agreement remains effective and no provision of this agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented discharged or terminated unless all parties consent thereto in writing.

Equity Interest Holders’ Voting Rights Proxy Agreements (the “Voting Rights Proxy Agreements”)

Under the Voting Rights Proxy Agreements, each shareholder of the VIEs irrevocably authorizes NingChen and Naqing, respectively, to exercise rights and powers as the shareholders of the VIEs, including but not limited to, convening and attending shareholders’ meetings, voting on all matters of the VIEs requiring shareholder approval and appointing directors and senior management members. The Voting Rights Proxy Agreement will remain in force unless otherwise terminated in writing by NingChen or Naqing or with the written consent of all parties.

Exclusive Right and Option to Purchase Agreements (the “Exclusive Call Option Agreements”)

Under the Exclusive Call Option Agreements, the VIEs and their shareholders have irrevocably granted NingChen and Naqing, respectively, an exclusive option to purchase, or authorize their designated persons to purchase all or part of each shareholder’s equity interests in VIEs. The purchase price shall be equal to the minimum price required by the relevant PRC laws. Without prior written consent of NingChen and Naqing, VIEs shall not to, among other things, amend their articles of association, sell or otherwise dispose of their assets or beneficial interests, enter into transactions which may adversely affect their assets, liabilities, business operations, equity interests and other legal interests, or merge with any other entities or make any investments, or distribute dividends. NingChen and Naqing have rights to transfer the rights and obligations pursuant to the Exclusive Call Option Agreements to any third party, which does not require any prior consent of VIEs and their shareholders. The Exclusive Call Option Agreements will remain effective until NingChen or Naqing terminates this agreement with 30 days advance notice.

Those contractual arrangements enable us to exercise effective control over our VIEs, have the right to all net profits earned by the VIEs, is obligated to absorb all of net losses borne by VIEs, and have an exclusive option to purchase 100% of the equity interest in our VIEs, when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. Through such arrangements, our VIEs have become our contractually controlled affiliates and their financial statements are consolidated with that of our Company for financial reporting purposes.

Discontinued Operations -- Equipment and Engineering Business

Prior to the disposition of our legacy equipment and engineering business in November 2020, we also engaged in the research, development and manufacture of fluid equipment including valves, pipe fittings and others, with an emphasis on the manufacture and installation of intelligentized valves, used in the pharmaceutical, biological, food and beverage, and other clean industries. A significant majority of our revenues from equipment and engineering service had come from these installation services.

Xibolun Group developed, manufactured and provided customized installation of valves and pipe fittings for use in the pharmaceutical, biological, food and beverage, and other clean industries. Xibolun Group offered customers comprehensive pipeline design, installation, construction, ongoing maintenance services as well as holistic solution services. Xibolun Group provided our installation services and valve and pipe fitting products in the following areas: pharmaceuticals, biology, food and beverage. The sales network had presence in Shanghai, Wenzhou and Taiwan. Xibolun Group mainly provided installation services for the customers, although it also sold our products to third parties for installation. A significant majority of the revenues have come from these installation services. The profit margins associated with installing our customized valve and pipe fitting designs have historically been higher than those associated with the sale of our products for installation by third parties.

Prior to November 30, 2020, our offices and facilities for the equipment and engineering business was in Wenzhou in the South-eastern Zhejiang Province.

Our Products and Services  

SME Financing Solutions

We provide a system of technology-driven customized financing solutions to small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China to improve SMEs’ access to financing and innovative solutions to unlock sources of capital. Each of our three subsidiary groups, Hengpu, Fintech and Nami, is an integral and indispensable part of our SME financing solutions operations. Fintech provides comprehensive financing solution services, such as designing debt financial products, preparing product descriptions and other related advisory services, to underwriters and financial institutions in SME issuers’ offerings of debt securities on PRC provincial and municipal financial assets exchanges or other designated markets. Hengpu provides a full set of financing solution services, such as due diligence investigation, government registration, customer recommendation, investor education and maintenance, and other related services. Nami matches the SMEs with institutional and individual investors based on SMEs’ financing needs. We help SMEs channel working capital and liquidity resources by utilizing funds supplied by investors from Henpu’s original three-board equity pledge financing-based intermediary services and high-quality investors from Nami’s financial advisory and intermediary matching services.

By connecting the asset and capital ends and solving risk control issues in the financing process, we leverage our closed-loop system in the financings of SMEs and provide a full set of financial solutions to SMEs. Our comprehensive solutions enable SMEs to acquire financings in an efficient and customized manner to facilitate a healthy enterprise development process starting from the birth to the growth and mature development stages of the SMEs.

Supply Chain Solutions

We launched our technology-driven integrated supply chain solutions business in January 2020, which has become the fastest growing among all of our operations. We provide multi-level financing and supply chain solutions to core enterprises and SMEs by focusing on industry and finance integration and industry segmentation. Our supply chain solutions services mainly target the agriculture, infrastructure, maritime logistics, energy and plastics products markets. We streamline the supply chain finance process, participate as an intermediary and a partner in the merchandise flows in the procurement and distribution transactions, automate the transaction payments and offer the most favorable trading terms to both suppliers and buyers.

Our supply chain industry services provide cash flow solutions to help businesses free up working capital locked in the supply chains. Our offerings cover a broad category of trade financing solutions encompassing all the financing opportunities across a supply chain. We facilitate merchandise purchases from suppliers with payment terms desirable to the suppliers who can access working capital quickly and at a lower cost. Meanwhile our collaborations with merchandise buyers enable the buyers to make payments on a delayed basis often with an extended trade credit. Our solutions optimize working capital and allow for buyers to extend payments on supplies at no cost to the supplier. Pursuant to the agreements with our supply chain customers, we earn service fees when suppliers receive their financings, and our service fees are calculated as a fixed charge rate on the financing amount. Our services allow both suppliers and buyers to unlock working capital as well as reduce the risks associated with merchandise flows.

In the first half of 2020, our supply chain solutions services were mainly focused on the agriculture, infrastructure, and maritime logistics markets. In December 2020, we expanded our services into the energy industry through a strategic collaboration with Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange (“SHPGX”), a national trading platform for energy products. This partnership provides us with the opportunity to offer the supply chain management and financing solutions services to members of SHPGX’s trading platform and establish our presence and market share in the energy industry. Based on this cooperation, we have developed a new “supply chain +” business model, which will be applied in our services to clients in other industries.

We aim to build supply chain platforms that link commercial banks, securities firms, trusts, funds, insurance companies and state-owned enterprises through the continued introduction of big data, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain and other cutting-edge technologies into the supply chain industry. In supply chain procurement and sales transactions, we play an instrumental role in reducing the purchase cost, communication cost and financial risks for core enterprises, buyers and suppliers.

Supply Chain Trading

Since the launch of our supply chain solutions business, we have connected with supply chain participants from different sectors through our supply chain platforms and developed high quality customers in various industries, especially in agriculture, coal, new energy technology, construction, e-commerce, retail, and food and vegetable industries.

As our supply chain solution business grew substantially in size, we launched supply chain trading business in 2021, further expanding our product offerings and leveraging our supply chain technology platforms and high-quality customers connections. Complementary to supply chain solutions services, which primarily are focused on the financing aspect of the supply chain business, we have begun to participate in the procurement and distribution process as a trading partner, purchasing and selling merchandise, such as chemicals, food and agricultural products, directly to customers through our supply chain platforms and system. Empowered by our AI technology, we have developed an intelligent matching system through which we connect the upstream suppliers and the downstream customers through our procurement services. After a customer posts their product purchase inquiries on our platform, we are able to screen and identify the products with the most suitable suppliers in our supplier database via our intelligent matching system. When a customer places an order, we purchase products from a pre-selected supplier as an independent vendor and arrange delivery from the supplier directly to the customer. In the supply chain trading operations, we have developed supply chain logistics, inventory and warehousing capacities and also bear a vendor’s risks associated with turnovers of inventories.

Other Financing Solutions (Director Banking Solutions)

Fintech provides direct banking solutions to small- and medium-sized commercial banks and other financial institutions in their distribution and management of direct banking and other financial products. Our banking customers launch various financial products on Fintech’s online platform, “Huijingshe” (the “Huijingshe Platform”), directly reaching institutional and individual investors, market their banking financial products, and complete sales to investment institutions and individuals. Leveraging our proprietary financial technology, Huijingshe Platform offers specialized asset allocation and financial planning services to institutional and individual investors. It optimizes risk controls and asset management procedures to meet the investors’ financial planning needs and minimize their investment risks.

The Huijingshe Platform, through integrating four-dimensional elements of Internet finance, Internet plus, finance and advanced technology, builds a fintech ecosystem platform serving banks, investment institutions and individuals. The Huijingshe Platform features the following functionality: