Eightco Holdings Inc. [OCTO] Filings

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

or

For the transition period from _____to _____

Commission file number: 001-41033

EIGHTCO HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(888) 765-8933

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

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

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

☐ Yes ☒ No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

☐ Yes ☒ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or Section 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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 whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

☐ Yes ☒ No

The aggregate market value on June 30, 2023 (the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed second quarter) of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price of the stock on that date, was approximately $4,093,446. The registrant does not have non-voting common stock outstanding.

As of April 1, 2024, there were 8,537,310 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None

EIGHTCO HOLDINGS INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND SUMMARY RISK FACTORS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023 (the “Annual Report”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements relate to future events including, without limitation, our ability to raise capital, our operational and strategic initiatives or our future financial performance. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by using terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predict,” “should” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions; uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels or activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Our expectations are as of the date this Annual Report is filed, and we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date this Annual Report is filed to confirm these statements to actual results, unless required by law.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The cautionary statements set forth in this Annual Report identify important factors which you should consider in evaluating our forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things:

These and other factors discussed above could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by any independent parties and by us.

TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES

Solely for convenience, we refer to trademarks in this Annual Report without the ® or the ™ or symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our own trademarks. Other service marks, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Annual Report, if any, are the property of their respective owners, although for presentational convenience we may not use the ® or the ™ symbols to identify such trademarks.

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

Unless the context otherwise indicates, when used in this Annual Report, the terms “Eightco,” “OCTO,” “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and similar terms refer to Eightco Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and all of our consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities.

USE OF MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

This Annual Report includes market and industry data that we have obtained from third-party sources, including industry publications, as well as industry data prepared by our management on the basis of its knowledge of and experience in the industries in which we operate (including our management’s estimates and assumptions relating to such industries based on that knowledge). Management has developed its knowledge of such industries through its experience and participation in these industries. While our management believes the third-party sources referred to in this Annual Report are reliable, neither we nor our management have independently verified any of the data from such sources referred to in this Annual Report or ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon by such sources. Furthermore, internally prepared and third-party market prospective information, in particular, are estimates only and there will usually be differences between the prospective and actual results, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, and those differences may be material. Also, references in this Annual Report to any publications, reports, surveys or articles prepared by third parties should not be construed as depicting the complete findings of the entire publication, report, survey or article. The information in any such publication, report, survey or article is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Our company was established in 2021, initially composed of three businesses - the Web3 business, the BTC Mining Hardware Business and the Packaging Business, which we acquired from our former parent company, Vinco Ventures, Inc. These businesses had a more extended operating history than ours, and we include information related to their operations before our existence and acquisition in our discussions.

On October 1, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Forever 8 Fund, LLC (“Forever 8”), an e-commerce fintech company that provides funding solutions for e-commerce businesses. The Company’s business has since been focused primarily on the Packaging Business and the business of Forever 8.

Our corporate headquarters are located in Easton, Pennsylvania, and our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OCTO.”

Forever 8

On October 1, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Forever 8, an e-commerce fintech company. Forever 8 provides funding solutions for e-commerce businesses which sell on Amazon, Shopify and other leading online platforms. Forever 8 uses proprietary technology to review product sales data and determine funding potential for online retail entrepreneurs around the world. Forever 8’s process is automated and does not require a personal guarantee, credit check or traditional lending requirements. Forever 8’s unique approach directly purchases inventory on its customers’ behalf, applies a mark-up and collects the revenue as the products are sold.

In the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Forever 8 had revenue of $67,568,353 and $23,785,070, respectively.

Packaging Business

The Packaging Business, through Ferguson Containers, manufactures and sells custom packaging for a wide variety of products. In our experience, packaging has the capability to “tell” the products story, generating increased product awareness, promote brand image, and drive unit growth. Senior management has more than 100 years of combined experience marketing, producing and delivering packaging materials. A hallmark of our operation is our quick production cycle. We can often begin a production run within minutes of receipt of an order. Many of our products are manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled material. When production is complete, we typically ship the product using our own trucks rather than relying on a common carrier. Ferguson Containers does not have long-term agreements with its customers, and instead manufactures and sells its packaging products subject to purchase orders from its customers.

In the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Packaging Business had revenue of $7,729,131 and $8,035,709, respectively.

Web3 Business

BlockHiro, LLC was formed in November 2021 to do business as a Web3 company. We had planned to launch a character driven virtual ecosystem, Freescape, comprised of themed interactive environments in 2022. Due to the current entertainment and gaming NFT market, we have decided to halt work on the Freescape project.

BTC Mining Hardware Business

CW Machines, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company formed on October 2, 2021, was formed to hold the BTC Mining Hardware Business. The BTC Mining Hardware Business, CW Machines, LLC, through a joint venture with Wattum Management Inc. and BBA Technology Inc., is focused on bringing Bitcoin mining to the consumer level by offering Bitcoin mining equipment and co-location services. Eightco holds a 51% interest in CW Machines, LLC.

CW Machines, LLC is a reseller of Bitcoin mining equipment and services. The equipment sales primarily focus on Bitcoin mining equipment including Antminer S19s, Antminer S19 Pros, Whatsminer, and Canaan. Our Bitcoin mining services include reselling co-location services, which offer a physical location and ancillary services allowing Bitcoin miners to mine for Bitcoin. These services are provided by third-parties.

The BTC Mining Hardware Business does not currently have any material commitments for capital expenditures. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company is not anticipating any future BTC mining equipment sales.

Business Strategy

Eightco Holdings Inc. is committed to driving revenue growth through its existing subsidiaries, Forever 8 and Ferguson Containers. The Company intends to expand Forever 8’s market reach through strategic expansion while continuing to focus on revenue growth. Forever 8 generates revenue through the purchase and sale of products while the Packaging Business earns revenue from the sale of goods and related services.

The Company plans to continually assess its businesses to allocate resources efficiently and maximize growth opportunities. With a diverse range of industries and revenue sources, management believes they are well-positioned to navigate changing economic conditions and customer preferences.

Eightco Holdings Inc. plans to expand through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. While strategic acquisitions may be considered for the Packaging Business and Forever 8 Business, management believes that organic growth is the key to success through continued sales efforts.

The company is dedicated to maintaining a close partnership with customers, which will enable them to effectively focus their efforts and respond to changing demands. Management believes that by listening to customers and adapting to their needs and preferences, they can remain relevant in constantly evolving industries.

Competition

We operate and plan to operate in a competitive market and encounter competition from both domestic and foreign participants. We believe we can effectively compete with our present competitors. We compete, and plan to compete, primarily based upon innovation, performance, price, quality, reliability, durability, consumer brand awareness, and customer service and support. Our competitors include a large number of private companies that directly compete with a number of our brands. Certain of our competitors may have more established brand names and stronger distribution channels than we do and have, or have through their owners, access to financial and marketing resources that are greater than we possess that may afford them the ability to invest more than we can in product development, intellectual property and marketing.

Competitors to our Packaging Business include Sutherland Packaging, based in Andover, New Jersey, Acme Corrugated Box Company, based in Hatboro Pennsylvania, and Trenton Corrugated Products, Inc., based in Ewing, Pennsylvania. Competitors to our Inventory Solutions Business include Clearco and Payoneer. Competitors for our BTC Mining Hardware Business include Compass Mining, Miners Dep, and Alliance Miners. Our competitors in the Web3 business will depend on what Web3 products we develop or acquire.

Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

We recognize the importance of innovation and protecting our intellectual property. We will apply for patents whenever we develop innovative new products, unique designs, or processes of commercial importance and seek trademark protection when we believe they provide a marketing advantage. We do not believe that our business is materially dependent on any single patent or trademark.

We rely on a combination of trade secrets, trademarks, trade dress, customer records, monitoring, brand protection services, confidentiality agreements, and other contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property.

We intend to vigorously pursue and challenge infringements of our patents, trademarks, service marks, trade dress, and copyrights, as we believe the goodwill associated with them is a cornerstone of our branding strategy.

Information Systems

Our information systems use software enterprise resource platforms, including procurement, inventory management, receivables management, and accounting. We utilize QuickBooks Enterprise and Xero Accounting as our ERP systems.

Seasonality

Our business is not seasonal and there are not large fluctuations with our operations between quarterly revenues based on the time of year.

Government Regulations

Packaging and Inventory Solutions Businesses

Like other manufacturers and distributors of consumer products, we are required to comply with a wide variety of federal, state, and international laws, rules, and regulations, including those related to consumer products and consumer protection, advertising and marketing, labor and employment, data protection and privacy, intellectual property, workplace health and safety, the environment, the import and export of products, and tax matters. Our failure to comply with applicable federal, state, and international laws, rules, and regulations may result in our being subject to claims, lawsuits, fines, and adverse publicity that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. These laws, rules, and regulations currently impose significant compliance requirements on our business, and more restrictive laws rules and regulations may be adopted in the future.

Web3 Business and BTC Mining Hardware Business

The laws and regulations applicable to digital assets, including those we intend to produce under our Web3 Business and the Bitcoins mined by our BTC Mining Hardware Business customers, are evolving and subject to interpretation and change. Governments around the world have reacted differently to digital assets; certain governments have deemed them illegal, and others have allowed their use and trade without restriction, while in some jurisdictions, such as in the U.S., digital assets are subject to extensive, and in some cases overlapping, unclear and evolving regulatory requirements. As digital assets have grown in both popularity and market size, the U.S. Congress and a number of U.S. federal and state agencies, including FinCEN, the CFTC, the SEC, FINRA, the CFPB, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS and state financial regulators, have been examining the operations of digital assets networks, digital assets users and digital assets exchange markets. Ongoing and future regulatory actions may alter, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the nature of digital assets markets and our digital assets operations. Additionally, U.S. state and federal and foreign regulators and legislatures have taken responsive action against digital assets businesses or enacted restrictive regimes in response to hacks, consumer harm, or criminal activity stemming from digital assets activity. There is also increasing attention being paid by U.S. federal, state, and local energy regulatory authorities as the total electricity consumption of cryptocurrency-mining grows and potentially alters the supply and dispatch functionality of the wholesale grid and retail distribution systems. Many state legislative bodies are also actively reviewing the impact of cryptocurrency-mining in their respective states.

Due to the relatively short history of Bitcoin and digital assets, and their emergence as a new asset class, government regulation of blockchain and digital assets is constantly evolving, with increased interest expressed by U.S. and international regulators.

Government regulation of blockchains and digital assets is under active consideration by the United States federal government via its agencies and regulatory bodies, as well as by similar entities in other countries and transnational organizations. State and local regulations also may impact our activities and other activities in which we may participate in the future. Other governmental regulatory bodies have shown an interest in regulating or investigating companies engaged in blockchain or digital asset businesses.

The effect of any regulatory change, either by the federal, state, local or foreign governments or any self-regulatory agencies on us is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. While we are unaware of significant adverse governmental or regulatory action adverse to Bitcoin mining in the United States, there is no guarantee that future regulation or adverse action will not take place and interpretation of existing regulations in a manner adverse to our business is possible.

In addition, various foreign jurisdictions either have adopted, or may adopt, laws, regulations or directives that affect digital assets, digital asset networks, and their users and participants. Such laws, regulations or directives may conflict with those of the United States, may negatively impact the acceptance of digital assets by users, merchants, and service providers outside of the United States, and may therefore impede the growth of digital assets. Several Eastern European and Asian countries have a more restrictive posture toward digital assets and, thereby, have reduced the rate of expansion of digital asset use, as well as mining, in each of those countries. Presently, we do not believe any U.S. federal or state regulatory body has taken any action or position adverse to Bitcoin, with respect to its production, sale, and use as a medium of exchange; however, future changes to existing regulations or entirely new regulations may affect our business in ways it is not presently possible for us to predict with any reasonable degree of reliability.

We are unable to predict the effect that any future regulatory change, or any overlapping or unclear regulations, may have on us, but such change, overlap or lack of clarity could be substantial and make it difficult for us to operate our business or materially impact the market for digital assets that we mine or may mine in the future. FinCEN has issued guidance stating its position that it does not differentiate between fiat currency (which FinCEN calls “real currency”) and digital assets that are convertible into fiat currency or other forms of convertible virtual currencies (which FinCEN calls “virtual currency”) for purposes of determining whether a person or entity is engaging in “money transmission services”. Persons and entities engaging in virtual currency activities that amount to “money transmission services,” or otherwise cause them to be deemed a “money services business” under FinCEN’s regulations, must register with FinCEN as a money services business, implement an “effective” anti-money laundering program and comply with FinCEN’s reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

In May 2019, FinCEN issued guidance relating to how the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and its implementing regulations relating to money services businesses apply to certain businesses that transact in convertible virtual currencies. Although the guidance generally indicates that certain mining and mining pool operations will not be treated as money transmission services, the guidance also addresses when certain activities, including certain services offered in connection with operating mining pools such as hosting convertible virtual currency wallets on behalf of pool members or purchasers of computer mining power, may be subject to regulation. Although we believe that our activities under the Web3 Business and the BTC Mining Hardware Business do not presently trigger FinCEN registration requirements under the BSA, if our activities cause us to be deemed a “money transmitter,” “money services business” or equivalent designation, under federal law, we may be required to cease certain of our operations. Ceasing such operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

For additional information about government regulation applicable to our business, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Human Capital Resources

As of April 1, 2024, the companies that comprise Eightco had 22 employees that perform various administrative, finance and accounting, technology, and corporate management functions. Of the 22 employees, 15 employees were employed by Ferguson Containers and 7 were employed by Forever 8. None of our employees are represented by a union in collective bargaining with us. We consider relations with our employees to be good.

We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive space for all our employees, customers and retail partners. The core values of our Company include integrity, caring and inclusivity that affirms every individual. Our leadership team is committed to fostering an environment where everyone is welcomed, respected, listened to and valued for their unique contributions to the organization, and to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination and inequality. We recruit, employ, train, promote and compensate our employees without regard to race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status, veteran’s status or disability. All facilities have established human resource departments with formal hiring processes and controls in place to ensure ethical and fair hiring practices. We compensate employees competitively relative to the industry and local labor market, and in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local wage, work hour, overtime and benefit laws.

Legal Proceedings

During the normal course of its business, the Company may be subject to occasional legal proceedings and claims. There are currently no legal proceedings or claims asserted against the Company or its subsidiaries.

Supply Chain and Production

Our Packaging Business does not have long-term contractual arrangements with any of our suppliers that guarantee us production capacity, prices, lead times, or delivery schedules. Our reliance on independent party suppliers exposes us to vulnerability because of our dependence on a few sources of supply. We believe, however, that other sources of supply are available. In addition, we continually strive to develop relationships with other sources of supply in order to reduce our dependence on any one source of supply. As a result, we believe that our current and other available suppliers will ensure that we obtain a sufficient supply of goods built to our specifications in a timely manner and on satisfactory economic terms. The main raw material used by our Packaging Business is corrugated cardboard. Our main suppliers of corrugated cardboard are Corrugated Supplies Company, Georgia Pacific, and Freedom Corrugated. We also purchased certain finished products from Delta Packaging for resale to end users.

Our Inventory Solutions Business purchases finished products from its suppliers and does not have long-term contractual arrangements that guarantee production capacity, prices, lead times, or delivery schedules. Our reliance on independent party suppliers exposes us to vulnerability because of our dependence on a few sources of supply. We believe, however, that other sources of supply are available. In addition, we continually strive to develop relationships with other sources of supply in order to reduce our dependence on any one source of supply. As a result, we believe that our current and other available suppliers will ensure that we obtain a sufficient supply of goods built to our specifications in a timely manner and on satisfactory economic terms.

Our BTC Mining Hardware Business is reliant on third-party suppliers. We are a reseller and require the availability of the products we purchase, at wholesale, then distribute to final customers. We do not have long-term contractual arrangements with any of our suppliers that guarantee us adequate supply of Bitcoin mining equipment to satisfy the needs of our BTC Mining Hardware Business. Our main suppliers of Bitcoin mining equipment sold under the BTC Mining Hardware Business is Wattum Management, Inc.

Backlog

We currently do not have a material backlog of orders through our Packaging Business. A backlog consists of orders for which purchase orders have been received and which are generally scheduled for shipment within six months or subject to capacity constraints, including lack of available products. We allow orders received that have not yet shipped to be cancelled; therefore, our backlog may not be indicative of future sales.

Segment Information

The Company uses “the management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Company’s reportable segments. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the entire Company. The Company’s primary revenue streams include the sale of corrugated packaging materials and therefore the Company only identifies one reportable operating segment.

Corporate Information

Eightco Holdings Inc. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on September 21, 2021, and is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OCTO.” On March 9, 2022, we changed our state of domicile to the State of Delaware. On April 3, 2023, we changed our corporate name from Cryptyde, Inc. to Eightco Holdings Inc. Our principal executive office is located at 101 Larry Holmes Dr., Suite 313, Easton, PA 18042, and our telephone number is (866) 980-2818. Our website is www.8co.holdings, and the information included in, or linked to our website is not part of this Annual Report. We have included our website address in this Annual Report solely as a textual reference.

Available Information

Our website, www.8co.holdings, provides access, without charge, to our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information provided on our website is not part of this Annual Report and is therefore not incorporated by reference unless such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this Annual Report. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding our company that we file electronically with the SEC.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

RISK FACTORS

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

Summary of our Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business Generally

Risks Related to Our Packaging Business

Risks Related to Forever 8 and its Operations

Risks Related to Our Securities

Risks Related to Our Business Generally

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

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

The Company has limited financial resources. Our auditors have expressed in the report of independent registered public accounting firm that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

The report of our independent registered accounting firm expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern based on the absence of our significant losses from operations and our need for additional financing to fund all of our operations. It is not possible at this time for us to predict with assurance the potential success of our business. The revenue and income potential of our proposed business and operations are unknown. If we cannot continue as a viable entity, we may be unable to continue our operations and you may lose some or all of your investment in our common stock.

Loss of any or all of our key management personnel may present challenges.

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

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

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

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

Each of the Eightco Businesses will face competition from existing competitors. Our competitors in the Inventory Management Solutions business include Clearco. With respect to the Packaging Business, our competitors include Sutherland Packaging, Acme Corrugated Box Company, and Trenton Corrugated Products, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our management has limited experience in operating a public company.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Risks Related to Our Packaging Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paper and packaging companies face strong competition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Risks Related to Forever 8 and its Operations

Our stockholders may experience substantial dilution from the issuance of equity consideration in the Forever 8 acquisition and may not realize a benefit from the Forever 8 acquisition commensurate with the ownership dilution they will experience in connection with the Acquisition.

In connection with the acquisition, we may issue shares of our common stock as consideration to Forever 8’s former owners, including the issuance of shares of our common stock upon the exercise of a put right on certain preferred membership interests of Forever 8 and upon the achievement of certain earnout targets. Our stockholders may experience substantial dilution from the issuance of such shares of our common stock.

Our business depends on our strong and trusted brand, and failure to maintain and protect our brand, or any damage to our reputation, or the reputation of our partners, could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We have developed a strong and trusted brand that has contributed significantly to the success of our business. We believe that maintaining and promoting our brand in a cost-effective manner is critical to achieving widespread acceptance of our products and services and expanding our base of customers.

Maintaining and promoting our brand will depend largely on our ability to continue to provide useful, reliable, secure, and innovative products and services, as well as our ability to maintain trust and remain a global payments leader. We may introduce, or make changes to, features, products, services, privacy practices, or terms of service that customers do not like, which may materially and adversely affect our brand. Our brand promotion activities may not generate customer awareness or increase revenue, and even if they do, any increase in revenue may not offset the expenses we incur in building our brand. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand or if we incur excessive expenses in this effort, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

We rely on relationships with marketplaces and enterprises to obtain and maintain customers. Our ability to acquire new customers could be materially harmed if we are unable to enter into or maintain these relationships on terms that are commercially reasonable to us, or at all.

Harm to our brand can arise from many sources, including failure by us or our partners and service providers to satisfy expectations of service and quality, inadequate protection or misuse of personally identifiable information (“PII”), compliance failures and claims, litigation and other claims, and misconduct by our partners or other counterparties.

We are dependent upon consumers’ continued and unimpeded access to the internet, and upon their willingness to use the internet for commerce.

Our success depends upon the general public’s ability to access the internet and its continued willingness to use the internet as a means to pay for purchases, communicate, research and conduct commercial transactions, including through mobile devices. The adoption of any laws or regulations that adversely affect the growth, popularity or use of the internet, including changes to laws or regulations impacting internet neutrality, could decrease the demand for our products, increase our operating costs, or otherwise adversely affect our business. Given uncertainty around these rules, we could experience discriminatory or anticompetitive practices that could impede both our and our merchants’ growth, increase our costs or adversely affect our business. If consumers or merchants become unable, unwilling or less willing to use the internet for commerce for any reason, including lack of access to high-speed communications equipment, congestion of traffic on the internet, internet outages or delays, disruptions or other damage to merchants’ and consumers’ computers, increases in the cost of accessing the internet and security and privacy risks or the perception of such risks, our business could be adversely affected.

If we do not successfully maintain a strong and trusted brand, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

Our results of operations may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

We are subject to risks related to changes in currency rates as a result of our investments in international operations and from revenues generated in currencies other than the United States dollar. Our results of operations may be affected by such international operations as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

From time to time, we may utilize foreign currency forward contracts and other hedging instruments to mitigate the market value risks associated with foreign currency-denominated transactions and investments. These hedging strategies may not, however, eliminate all of the risks related to foreign currency translation, and we may forgo the benefits we would otherwise experience if currency exchange rates were to change in our favor.

In addition, our ability to optimize foreign exchange revenues as part of the payment delivery process may be adversely affected due to foreign exchange market and regulatory conditions outside of our control, as a result of which revenue and profit may decrease as compared to prior periods. In addition, we may become subject to exchange control regulations that restrict or prohibit the conversion of our foreign revenue currencies into United States dollars. Any of these factors could decrease the value of revenues and earnings we derive from our international operations and have a material adverse effect on our business.

Climate change and environmental issues could adversely affect our operations, business, customers and partners.

Concerns over the risks associated with climate change and environmental matters have been growing in recent years and are at the center of rapidly evolving rule-making in the United States and abroad. Customers, investors, partners, and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices. While we have not yet identified a material impact on our results and operations, we acknowledge that physical events, such as extreme weather and natural disasters, could disrupt our operations or those of our customers, partners, or third parties on which we rely, and may result in market volatility, shift in customer purchasing behaviors and travel patterns, and subsequently adversely impact our business. In addition, current and emerging ESG-related regulation, such as mandated disclosures or requirements to reduce carbon footprint, may result in increased compliance requirements, which may increase our costs.

Risks Related to Our Securities

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

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

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

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

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

For Ferguson Containers’ fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, Ferguson Containers had the following material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting:

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

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

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

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

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

On January 19, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation with the Delaware Secretary of State for its Series A Preferred Stock. The number of shares designated is three hundred thousand (300,000).

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

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

A reverse stock split may decrease the liquidity of the shares of our common stock.

On October 5, 2022, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the 31 consecutive business day period between August 22, 2022, through October 4, 2022, the Company did not meet the minimum bid price of $1.00 per share required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). In order to regain compliance pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company may effect a reverse stock split.

The liquidity of the shares of our common stock may be affected adversely by our reverse stock split given the reduced number of shares that are outstanding following the reverse stock split, especially if the market price of our common stock does not increase proportionately as a result of the reverse stock split.

On March 15, 2023, a Special Meeting of Security Holders was held to vote upon the proposal to approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to effect, at the discretion of the Board but prior to the one-year anniversary of the date on which the reverse stock split is approved by the Company’s stockholders, a reverse stock split of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at a ratio in the range of 1-for-2 to 1-for-50, with such ratio to be determined by the Board in its discretion and included in a public announcement (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”). The proposal was approved by Security Holders.

On April 3, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware (1) to effect a 1-for-50 reverse stock split of the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, either issued and outstanding or held by the Company as treasury stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and (2) to change the name of the Company from “Cryptyde, Inc.” to “Eightco Holdings Inc.” (the “Name Change”). Both the Reverse Stock Split and the Name Change were effective as of 4:05 p.m., New York time, on April 3, 2023. The Common Stock began trading on a reverse stock split-adjusted basis on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 4, 2023. The trading symbol for the Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split and the Name Change is “OCTO.” The new CUSIP number for the Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split and the Name Change is 22890A203.

Following a reverse stock split, the resulting market price of our common stock may not attract new investors, including institutional investors, and may not satisfy the investing requirements of those investors. Consequently, the trading liquidity of our common stock may not improve.

Following our reverse stock split, we believe that a higher market price of our common stock will result and may help generate greater or broader investor interest However, we cannot assure you that our reverse stock split will result in a share price that will attract new investors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the event that we fail to satisfy any of the listing requirements of Nasdaq, our common stock may be delisted, which could affect our market price and liquidity.

Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq. For continued listing on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with the continued listing requirements, including the minimum market capitalization standard, the corporate governance requirements and the minimum closing bid price requirement, among other requirements. On September 29, 2023, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the 31 consecutive business day period between August 16, 2023, through September 28, 2023, the Company did not meet the minimum bid price of $1.00 per share required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The letter also indicated that the Company has a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until March 27, 2024 (the “Compliance Period”), in which to regain compliance pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A).

In the event that we fail to satisfy any of the listing requirements of Nasdaq or fail to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement within the Compliance Period, our common stock may be delisted. If we are unable to list on Nasdaq, we would likely be more difficult to trade in or obtain accurate quotations as to the market price of our common stock. If our common stock is delisted from trading on Nasdaq, and we are not able to list our common stock on another exchange or to have it quoted on Nasdaq, our securities could be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or on the “pink sheets.” As a result, we could face significant adverse consequences including, without limitation:

On March 28, 2024, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq indicating that the Company has not regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) and is not eligible for a second 180 day period. The Company has not regained compliance with the Rule and is not eligible for a second 180 day period. Specifically, the Company does not comply with the $5,000,000 minimum stockholders’ equity initial listing requirement for The Nasdaq Capital Market.

Accordingly, unless the Company requests an appeal of this determination as described in further detail below, we have determined that the Company’s securities will be scheduled for delisting from The Nasdaq Capital Market and will be suspended at the opening of business on April 8, 2024, and a Form 25-NSE will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which will remove the Company’s securities from listing and registration on The Nasdaq Stock Market.

We intend on appealing the Staff’s determination to a Hearings Panel (the “Panel”), pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5800 Series. A hearing request will stay the suspension of the Company’s securities and the filing of the Form 25-NSE pending the Panel’s decision.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

Cyber Risk Management and Strategy

We recognize the importance of assessing, identifying, and managing risks from cybersecurity threats. Our approach to cybersecurity risk management is aligned with our risk profile and business.

We have leveraged the support of third-party information technology and security providers, including to perform a risk assessment designed to identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks. Further, we follow a formal, documented process to assess the data protection practices of certain third-party vendors that handle sensitive information on our behalf.

Although risks from cybersecurity threats have to date not materially affected, and we do not believe they are reasonably likely to materially affect, us or our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition, we could, from time to time, experience threats and security incidents relating to our and our third-party vendors’ information systems. For more information, please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Governance Related to Cybersecurity Risks

Our Senior Director of Information Technology (IT) is responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of our cybersecurity program. The Senior Director of IT has nearly 15 years of experience as an information technology professional.

Our audit committee has oversight over cybersecurity risks. Our management provides periodic presentations to the audit committee on our cybersecurity program, including updates on cybersecurity risks and related cybersecurity strategy, as applicable. The audit committee provides updates regarding our cybersecurity program to the board of directors when material.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The following table summarizes pertinent details of our properties as of December 31, 2023:

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

During the normal course of its business, the Company may be subject to occasional legal proceedings and claims. There are currently no legal proceedings or claims asserted against the Company or its subsidiaries.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

On June 30, 2022, our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol of “TYDE.” On April 4, 2023, we changed the symbol of our common stock to “OCTO” in conjunction with our name change.

Holders of Record

The Company had approximately 336 holders of record of our common stock as of April 1, 2024.

Dividends

We have not historically declared dividends on our common stock, and we do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock. The declaration, amount and payment of any future dividends on shares of our common stock, if any, will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors.

On January 17, 2023, the Company declared a dividend of one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, to stockholders of record at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 27, 2023 (the “Record Date”).

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The Company’s executive compensation program consists of stock-based awards issued under an equity incentive plan. The Company determines the appropriate level for compensation under the equity incentive plan based in part, but not exclusively, on its view of internal equity and consistency, individual performance, the Company’s performance, and other information deemed relevant and timely.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities, Uses of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Except as set forth below, during the period covered by this Annual Report, we have not sold any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act that were not previously reported in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q or in a current report on Form 8-K.

On November 10, 2023, the Company issued 25,000 shares of its common stock to a consultant for services rendered on behalf of the Company.

ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion and analysis contain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties.

Overview

As used herein, “Eightco” and the “Company” refer to Eightco Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries and/or where applicable, its management, a Delaware corporation originally incorporated on September 21, 2021 (date of inception) under the laws of the State of Nevada. On March 9, 2022, the Company converted to a Delaware corporation pursuant to a plan of conversion entered into with the Former Parent. On April 3, 2023, the Company changed its name to Eightco Holdings Inc. from Cryptyde, Inc. and its stock symbol to “OCTO.” The Company is comprised of two main businesses, Forever 8 Inventory Cash Flow Solution and our Packaging Business. Our Inventory Cash Flow Solution Business, Forever 8 Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company is focused on purchasing inventory and becoming the supplier for e-commerce retailers, which we acquired on October 1, 2022 (“Forever 8”). We no longer intend to generate revenue from our Web 3 Business. Our Packaging Business manufactures and sells custom packaging for a wide variety of products and through packaging helps customers generate brand awareness and promote brand image.

On June 29, 2022, the Company separated from its former parent company, Vinco Ventures Inc. (“Vinco”). As previously announced, we concluded a spin-off from Vinco (the “Separation”) and continue operating our BTC Mining Hardware Business and our Packaging Business. The Separation occurred concurrently with the distribution (the “Distribution”) of our common stock to stockholders of Vinco as of May 18, 2022 (the “Record Date”) at a ratio of one share of our common stock for every ten shares of Vinco common stock held by the Vinco stockholders. Following the Separation, we are an independent, publicly traded company, and Vinco retains no ownership interest in our Company.

In connection with the Separation, we entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and other agreements with Vinco to effect the Separation and provide a framework for our relationship with Vinco after the Separation. These agreements provide for the allocation between us and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Vinco and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, of the assets, liabilities, legal entities, and obligations associated with the Eightco Businesses, on the one hand, and Vinco’s other current businesses, on the other hand, and govern the relationship between our Company and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Vinco and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, following the Separation. In addition to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the other principal agreements entered into with Vinco include a Tax Matters Agreement and certain commercial agreements.

Name Change, Symbol Change and Recapitalization

On March 15, 2023, a Special Meeting of Security Holders was held to vote upon the proposal to approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to effect, at the discretion of the Board but prior to the one-year anniversary of the date on which the reverse stock split is approved by the Company’s stockholders, a reverse stock split of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at a ratio in the range of 1-for-2 to 1-for-50, with such ratio to be determined by the Board in its discretion and included in a public announcement (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”). The proposal was approved by Security Holders.

On April 3, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment (the “Certificate of Amendment”) to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) with the Secretary of State of Delaware (1) to effect a 1-for-50 reverse stock split of the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), either issued and outstanding or held by the Company as treasury stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and (2) to change the name of the Company from “Cryptyde, Inc.” to “Eightco Holdings Inc.” (the “Name Change”). Both the Reverse Stock Split and the Name Change were effective as of 4:05 p.m., New York time, on April 3, 2023. The Common Stock began trading on a reverse stock split-adjusted basis on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 4, 2023. The trading symbol for the Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split and the Name Change is “OCTO.” The new CUSIP number for the Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split and the Name Change is 22890A203.

Recent Financings and Forever 8 Acquisition

Recent Financings

February 2024 Private Placement

On February 26, 2024, Eightco Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company sold to the Investors an aggregate of 865,856 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $0.82 per Share (the “Private Placement”). The Company received aggregate gross proceeds from the Private Placement of approximately $0.71 million. The Shares are being offered and sold in reliance on the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided by Section 4(a)(2) and Regulation D promulgated thereunder for transactions not involving a public offering.

The Purchase Agreement contains representations and warranties of the Company and the Investors that are typical for transactions of this type. The Purchase Agreement also contains covenants on the part of the Company that are typical for transactions of this type.

Series A Financing

On May 30, 2023, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Forever 8 Fund, LLC (the “Borrower”), entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Agreement”) with several individuals, financial institutions and entities (collectively, the “Lenders”). Under the terms of the Agreement, each Lender will severally (and not jointly) make available to Borrower, in an amount not to exceed its respective Commitment, a Loan Advance amount to be determined by the Lender (as such amount may be increased, the “Aggregate Commitment”) in the aggregate, of which (x) a certain amount will be deposited into an account of the Borrower in accordance with its written instructions (the “Initial Loan Advance”) and (y) the remaining balance of the Aggregate Commitment after deducting the Initial Loan Advance shall be deposited into the Escrow Account (the “Escrow Funds”). The Borrower may, at any time, request an advance for all or a portion of the Escrow Funds (each such advance, a “Subsequent Draw”).

The Borrower issued a Promissory Note (the “Note”) to each of the Lenders in the amount of the Lender’s respective Initial Loan Advance. The principal balance of the Initial Loan Advance and each Subsequent Draw shall bear interest thereon from the Closing Date and applicable Advance Date, respectively, at 15.00% per annum. The Borrower shall pay each Lender, according to its Applicable Percentage, an unused commitment fee on the actual daily amount of the Unused Commitment Amount during the immediately preceding calendar quarter at the rate of five percent (5.00%) per annum (the “Unused Commitment Fee”). In the event any payment is not paid on or within five (5) Business Days of the scheduled payment date, an amount equal to two percent (2.00%) of the past due amount shall be payable on demand, in addition to interest accruing. In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default hereunder, the Initial Loan Advance and all Subsequent Draws, including principal, interest, compounded interest, and professional fees thereupon, shall upon the election of the Lenders, bear interest at the Interest Rate, plus five (5) percentage points. In the event any interest is not paid when due hereunder, delinquent interest shall be added to principal and shall bear interest on interest, compounded.

As security for the prompt and complete payment when due (whether on the payment dates or otherwise) of all the Secured Obligations, Borrower grants to Lenders a security interest in all of Borrower’s right, title, and interest in and to all Inventory or Equipment and machinery, in each case, purchased (or refinanced) with the proceeds of the Initial Loan Advance and any Subsequent Draw, and, to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds of each of the foregoing and all products, additions, increases and accessions to, substitutions and replacements for, and rents, profits and products of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “Collateral”).

As of the date of this filing, $3,425,000 has been committed by the Lenders.

Series B Financing

On October 6, 2023, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Forever 8 Fund, LLC (the “Borrower”), entered into a Series B Loan and Security Agreement (the “Series B Agreement”) with an individual (the “Lender”). Under the terms of the Series B Agreement, the Lender will make available to Borrower, in an amount not to exceed its respective Commitment, a Loan Advance amount to be determined by the Lender (as such amount may be increased, the “Aggregate Commitment”) in the aggregate, of which (x) a certain amount will be deposited into an account of the Borrower in accordance with its written instructions (the “Initial Loan Advance”) and (y) the remaining balance of the Aggregate Commitment after deducting the Initial Loan Advance shall be deposited into the Escrow Account (the “Escrow Funds”). The Borrower may, at any time, request an advance for all or a portion of the Escrow Funds (each such advance, a “Subsequent Draw”).

The Borrower issued a Promissory Note (the “Note”) to the Lender in the amount of the Lender’s respective Initial Loan Advance. The principal balance of the Initial Loan Advance and each Subsequent Draw shall bear interest thereon from the Closing Date and applicable Advance Date, respectively, at 15.00% per annum. The Borrower shall pay each Lender, according to its Applicable Percentage, an unused commitment fee on the actual daily amount of the Unused Commitment Amount during the immediately preceding calendar quarter at the rate of five percent (5.00%) per annum (the “Unused Commitment Fee”). In the event any payment is not paid on or within five (5) Business Days of the scheduled payment date, an amount equal to two percent (2.00%) of the past due amount shall be payable on demand, in addition to interest accruing. In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default hereunder, the Initial Loan Advance and all Subsequent Draws, including principal, interest, compounded interest, and professional fees thereupon, shall upon the election of the Lender, bear interest at the Interest Rate, plus five (5) percentage points. In the event any interest is not paid when due hereunder, delinquent interest shall be added to principal and shall bear interest on interest, compounded.

As security for the prompt and complete payment when due (whether on the payment dates or otherwise) of all the Secured Obligations, Borrower grants to Lender a security interest in all of Borrower’s right, title, and interest in and to all Inventory or Equipment and machinery, in each case, purchased (or refinanced) with the proceeds of the Initial Loan Advance and any Subsequent Draw, and, to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds of each of the foregoing and all products, additions, increases and accessions to, substitutions and replacements for, and rents, profits and products of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “Collateral”).

From October 12, 2023, through February 26, 2024, the Borrower entered into Lender Joinder Agreements (the “Joinder Agreement”) with several individuals and entities (the “Subsequent Lenders”). Under the terms of the Joinder Agreement, the Subsequent Lenders agreed to become a Lender and be bound by the terms of the Series B Agreement as a Lender pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Series B Agreement.

As of the date of this filing, $275,000 has been committed by the Lenders.

Series C Financing

On October 19, 2023, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Forever 8 Fund, LLC (the “Borrower”), entered into a Series C Loan and Security Agreement (the “Series C Agreement”) with an individual (the “Lender”). Under the terms of the Series C Agreement, the Lender will make available to Borrower, in an amount not to exceed its respective Commitment, a Loan Advance amount to be determined by the Lender (as such amount may be increased, the “Aggregate Commitment”) in the aggregate, of which (x) a certain amount will be deposited into an account of the Borrower in accordance with its written instructions (the “Initial Loan Advance”) and (y) the remaining balance of the Aggregate Commitment after deducting the Initial Loan Advance shall be deposited into the Escrow Account (the “Escrow Funds”). The Borrower may, at any time, request an advance for all or a portion of the Escrow Funds (each such advance, a “Subsequent Draw”).

The Borrower issued a Promissory Note (the “Note”) to the Lender in the amount of the Lender’s respective Initial Loan Advance. The principal balance of the Initial Loan Advance and each Subsequent Draw shall bear interest thereon from the Closing Date and applicable Advance Date, respectively, at 18.00% per annum. The Borrower shall pay the Lender, according to its Applicable Percentage, an unused commitment fee on the actual daily amount of the Unused Commitment Amount during the immediately preceding calendar quarter at the rate of five percent (5.00%) per annum (the “Unused Commitment Fee”). In the event any payment is not paid on or within five (5) Business Days of the scheduled payment date, an amount equal to two percent (2.00%) of the past due amount shall be payable on demand, in addition to interest accruing. In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default hereunder, the Initial Loan Advance and all Subsequent Draws, including principal, interest, compounded interest, and professional fees thereupon, shall upon the election of the Lenders, bear interest at the Interest Rate, plus five (5) percentage points. In the event any interest is not paid when due hereunder, delinquent interest shall be added to principal and shall bear interest on interest, compounded.

As security for the prompt and complete payment when due (whether on the payment dates or otherwise) of all the Secured Obligations, Borrower grants to Lender a security interest in all of Borrower’s right, title, and interest in and to all Inventory or Equipment and machinery, in each case, purchased (or refinanced) with the proceeds of the Initial Loan Advance and any Subsequent Draw, and, to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds of each of the foregoing and all products, additions, increases and accessions to, substitutions and replacements for, and rents, profits and products of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “Collateral”).

As of the date of this filing, $2,900,000 has been committed by the Lenders.

Series D Financing

On March 15, 2024, Forever 8 Fund, LLC (“Forever 8”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Eightco Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), entered into the Series D Loan and Security Agreement (the “Series D Agreement”), with the lenders party thereto from to time (collectively, the “Lenders”) for an amount of up to $5,000,000.

In connection with the Series D Agreement, on March 15, 2024, Forever 8 also entered into a Subordination Agreement (the “Subordination Agreement”) with each of the Lenders, the several individuals, financial institutions or entities from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Senior Lenders”) and the collateral agent for the Senior Lenders. Forever 8 additionally entered into an Intercreditor Agreement (the “Intercreditor Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto and the collateral agent for such lenders. As of the date of this filing, a total of $250,000 has been committed by a Lender.

As of the date of this filing, $600,000 has been committed by the Lenders.

May 2023 Debt Exchange

On May 30, 2023, the Forever 8 Fund, LLC (the “Borrower”) entered into a Debt Exchange Agreement (the “Debt Agreement”) with two Lenders for funds advanced to the Borrower pursuant to secured promissory notes (the “Old Notes”), executed by the Borrower in favor of the Lenders during 2021. Under the terms of the Debt Agreement, the Old Notes shall be exchanged for new Notes (“New Notes”) as per the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement dated May 30, 2023. The principal of the New Notes issued under the Debt Agreement is $1,650,000.

March 2023 Offering

On March 15, 2023, Eightco Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Hudson Bay (the “Investor”) for the issuance and sale of a Senior Secured Convertible Note with an initial principal amount of $5,555,000 (the “Note”) at a conversion price of $6.245 per share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 (the “Common Stock”), and a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 889,512 shares of Common Stock with an initial exercise price of $6.245 per share of Common Stock (the “Private Placement”). The purchase price of the Note and the Warrant is $5 million.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), a Security and Pledge Agreement (the “Pledge Agreement”), and various ancillary certificates, disclosure schedules and exhibits in support thereof prior to the closing of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

Securities Purchase Agreement

The Securities Purchase Agreement provides for the purchase by the Investor and the sale by the Company of the Note and the Warrant. The Securities Purchase Agreement contains representations and warranties of the Company and the Investor that are typical for transactions of this type. The representations and warranties made by the Company in the Securities Purchase Agreement are qualified by reference to certain exceptions contained in disclosure schedules delivered to the Investor. Accordingly, the representations and warranties contained in the Securities Purchase Agreement should not be relied upon by third parties who have not reviewed those disclosure schedules and the documentation surrounding the transaction as a whole.

The Securities Purchase Agreement closed upon the satisfaction of certain conditions of the Investor and the Company that are typical for transactions of this type, as well certain other condition including the following:

The Securities Purchase Agreement also obligates the Company to indemnify the Investor for certain losses resulting from (1) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, (2) any breach of any obligation of the Company or, any subsidiary of the Company, of the Securities Purchase Agreement or any agreements and instruments entered into or connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement and (3) certain third party claims.

Senior Secured Convertible Note

The Company issued the Note upon the closing. The entire outstanding principal balance and any outstanding fees or interest is due and payable in full on January 15, 2024 (“Maturity Date”). The Note does not bear interest, provided, however, that the Note will bear interest at 18% per annum upon the occurrence of an event of default (as described below).

The Maturity Date may be extended at the sole option of the Investor for so long as certain events of default is continuing or for so long as an event is continuing that if not cured and with the passage of time would result in an event of default.

The Note is convertible at the option of the Investor into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $6.245 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations or similar events (each a “Stock Combination Event”). If on the on the fifth trading day immediately following a Stock Combination Event, the conversion price then in effect on such fifth trading day (after giving effect to a proportional adjustment of the conversion price), is greater than the lowest weighted average price of the Common Stock during the twenty consecutive trading day period ending and including the trading day immediately preceding the fifth trading day after such Stock Combination Event (the “Event Market Price”), then the conversion price shall be adjusted to the Event Market Price.

The Note contains certain limitations on conversion. It provides that no conversion may be made if, after giving effect to the conversion, the Investor would own in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock. This percentage may be increased or decreased to a percentage not to exceed 9.99%, at the option of the Investor, except any increase will not be effective until 61-days’ prior notice to the Company.

The conversion price of the Note will be subject to adjustments for stock splits, combinations or similar events. In addition, the conversion price of the Note will also subject to anti-dilution adjustment which, subject to specified exceptions, in the event that the Company issues or is deemed to have issued certain securities at a price lower than the then applicable conversion price, immediately reduces the conversion price of the Note to equal the price at which the Company issues or is deemed to have issued its Common Stock.

The Note imposes penalties on the Company for any failure to timely deliver any shares of its Common Stock issuable upon conversion.

The Note contains events of default that are typical for transactions of this type, as well as the following events:

If there is an event of default, then the Investor has the right to request redemption of all or any portion of the Note, at 130% of the sum of the outstanding principal, interest and late fees to be redeemed, provided that if certain conditions specified in the Note are not satisfied, then the Investor has the right to request redemption of all or any portion of the Note, at 130% of the greater of (i) the sum of the outstanding principal, interest and late fees to be redeemed and (ii) the product of (a) the number of shares into which the Note (including all principal, interest and late fees) subject to redemption may be converted and (b) the greatest closing sale price for the Common Stock beginning on the date immediately preceding the event of default and ending on the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made upon the redemption provided, however, that if no Cash Release Event (as defined in the Note) has occurred on or prior to the applicable of default redemption date, the principal amount used in calculating the applicable event of default redemption price on such event of default redemption date shall be decreased by the holder’s pro rata portion of $222,000.

The Note prohibits the Company from entering into certain transactions involving a change of control, unless the successor entity assumes in writing all of the obligations of the Company under the Note and the other transaction documents. In the event of such a transaction, the Investor will have the right to request redemption of the Note, at Redemption Variable Premium (as defined in the Note) of the greater of (i) of the sum of the amount of principal, interest and late fees to be redeemed; and (ii) the product of (x) the sum of the amount of principal, interest and late fees to be redeemed and (y) the quotient determined by dividing (1) the greatest closing sale price of the shares of Common Stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (A) the consummation of the applicable change of control and (B) the public announcement of such change of control and ending on the date the Note Investor delivers a change of control redemption notice, by (2) the Conversion Price; or; (iii) Redemption Variable Premium of the product of (x) the number of shares into which the Note (including all principal, interest and late fees) subject to such redemption may be converted multiplied by (y) the greatest closing sale price of the shares of Common Stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (x) the consummation of the change of control and (y) the public announcement of such change of control and ending on the date the Investor delivers the change of control redemption notice; provided, however, that if no Cash Release Event has occurred on or prior to the applicable change of control redemption date, the principal amount used in calculating the applicable change of control redemption price on such change of control redemption date shall be decreased by the holder’s pro rata portion of $222,000.

If the Company issues options, convertible securities, warrants, stock, or similar securities to holders of its Common Stock, the holder of the Note shall have the right to acquire the same as if it had converted its Note.

The Investor is entitled to receive any dividends paid or distributions made to the holders of the Common Stock on an “as if converted” to Common Stock basis.

The Note contains a variety of covenants on the part of Company that are typical for transactions of this type, as well as the following covenants:

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock

The Warrant was issued upon closing and is immediately exercisable and, in the aggregate, entitles the Investor to timely purchase up to 889,512 shares of Common Stock. The Warrant has an initial exercise price of $6.245 per share payable in cash, or while each share of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is not registered for resale with the SEC or such prospectus is not available for resale, by way of a “cashless exercise” or an “alternative cashless exercise,” at the option of the Investor. An “alternative cashless exercise” will provide the investor with 0.7 shares of Common Stock for each share that would have been issuable to the Investor upon such exercise had the Holder elected to pay the exercise price in cash. The Warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of its date of issuance. The exercise price of the Warrant is subject to adjustment for a Stock Combination Event. If on the on the fifth trading day immediately following a Stock Combination Event, the exercise price then in effect on such fifth trading day (after giving effect to a proportional adjustment of the exercise price), is greater than the Event Market Price, then the conversion price shall be adjusted to the Event Market Price. Upon each such adjustment of the exercise price hereunder, the number of underlying shares of Common Stock shall, subject to specified exceptions, be increased (but in no event decreased) to the number of shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying the exercise price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment by the number of underlying shares of Common Stock acquirable upon exercise of the Warrant immediately prior to such adjustment and dividing the product thereof by the exercise price resulting from such adjustment.

The Warrant requires payments to be made by the Company for failure to deliver the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise. The Warrant also contains limitations on exercise, including the limitation that the Investor may not exercise its Warrant to the extent that upon exercise the Investor, together with its affiliates, would own in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock (subject to an increase or decrease, upon at least 61-days’ notice by the Investor to the Company, of up to 9.99%).

The exercise price of the Warrant and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant will be subject to adjustments for stock splits, combinations or similar events. In addition, the exercise price of the Warrant will also be subject to anti-dilution adjustment which, subject to specified exceptions, in the event that the Company issues or is deemed to have issued certain securities at a price lower than the then applicable exercise price, immediately reduces the exercise price of the Warrant to equal the price at which the Company issues or is deemed to have issued its Common Stock.

The Company may not enter into a fundamental transaction unless the successor entity assumes the obligations of the Company under the Warrant. Upon the occurrence of a fundamental transaction involving a change of control, the holder of the Warrant will have the right to have the Warrant repurchased for a purchase price in cash equal to the Black-Scholes value (as calculated pursuant to the Warrants) of the then unexercised portion of the Warrant.

If the Company issues options, convertible securities, warrants, stock, or similar securities to holders of its Common Stock, the holder of the Warrant shall have the right to acquire the same as if it had exercised its Warrant.

The Investor is entitled to receive any dividends paid or distributions made to the holders of the Common Stock on an “as if exercised” to Common Stock basis.

The Company redeemed all of the Warrants related to the Investor for $660,000 on October 23, 2023.

Registration Rights Agreement

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of 250% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Note and 150% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrant on or before the 45th calendar day following the closing of the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Filing Deadline”) and cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC by the earlier to occur of (x) ninety (90) calendar days after the closing date and (y) the fifth business day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such the registration statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). If (i) the registration statement is not filed by the Filing Deadline or declared effective by the Effectiveness Deadline, (ii) the sales of all of the securities required be included on such registration statement cannot be made pursuant to such registration statement, or (iii) the registration statement is not effective for any reason and either (x) the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the requirements of Rule 144(c)(1), or (y) the Company has ever been an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) or becomes such an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any condition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2), then the Company shall pay to the Investor in an amount equal to 2% of the aggregate purchase price paid by the Investor on the day of delinquency and each 30th day (pro-rated for periods of less than 30 days) of delinquency thereafter.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company must maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement from the effective date until the date on which all securities registered under the registration statement have been sold, or are otherwise able to be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without the requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) and otherwise without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144, subject to the Company’s right to suspend or defer the use of the registration statement in certain events.

In connection with the full payoff of the Hudson Bay Notes the Registration Rights Agreement is no longer effective.

Security Documents

Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company, and its subsidiaries, as applicable, provided guarantee agreements, a pledge agreement, a control agreement and all financing statements, pledges, assignments, opinions of counsel, and all other documents requested by the collateral agent to create, perfect, and continue perfected or to better perfect the collateral agent’s security interest in and liens on all assets of the Company, and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the other transaction documents.

Placement Agent

Palladium Capital Group, LLC (the “Placement Agent”) acted as placement agent for the Private Placement. For the acting as placement agent in the Private Placement, the Placement Agent is to receive (i) upon closing cash compensation of $400,000 (8% of the gross proceeds to the Company) (ii) upon closing a warrant to purchase up to 71,161 shares of Common Stock (8% of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Note).

Forever 8 Acquisition

On September 14, 2022, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, Forever 8 and the Sellers pursuant to which Eightco was to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Forever 8 (the “Membership Interests”) from the Sellers (the “Acquisition”). On October 1, 2022, the closing of the acquisition occurred (the “Closing”).

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Sellers received consideration consisting of (i) the Initial Base Preferred Units, subject to adjustments discussed below, (ii) the Promissory Notes, and (iii) the right to receive potential earnout amounts. In addition, $4.6 million in cash was transferred to the Company in consideration for the Company’s payment of certain of its obligations.

In the event that the VWAP of the Eightco Shares the later of (i) the 15 trading days immediately prior to the date the put right pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Amended Operating Agreement (as defined below) is exercisable and (ii) the 15 trading days following the Company’s filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 is less than $3.07, then Sellers shall be entitled to receive an additional number of Preferred Units (“Additional Base Preferred Units” and together with the Initial Base Preferred Units, the “Total Base Preferred Unit Consideration”) such that the Total Base Preferred Unit Consideration multiplied by the Additional Base Preferred Unit VWAP equals $21.5 million; provided that in no event shall more than 3,750,000 Additional Base Preferred Units be issued.

As indicated below, the Purchase Agreement provides that the Sellers are entitled to receive three potential earnout payments (the “Earnout Consideration). The Earnout Consideration is payable to the Sellers in cash or, at Eightco’s election, in up to 7,000,000 additional Preferred Units, upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds relating to cumulative collected revenues (each, an “Earn-Out Target”).

If Eightco elects to issue additional Preferred Units upon the achievement of any Earn-Out Target and the VWAP of Eightco’s common stock for the 15 trading days preceding the date that any Earn-Out Target is achieved (the “Earn-Out VWAP”) is (A) with respect to the first Earn-Out Target, less than $5.00, (B) with respect to the second Earn-Out Target, less than $6.00 or (C) with respect to the third Earn-Out Target, less than $5.00, then Sellers shall be entitled to receive an additional number of additional Preferred Units (the “True-up Units” and together with the additional Preferred Units, the “Total Additional Preferred Units”) such that the Total Additional Preferred Units multiplied by the Earn-Out VWAP equals (x) $15 million for the first Earn-Out Target, (y) $12 million for the second Earn-Out Target and (z) $10 million for the third Earn-Out Target; provided that in no event shall more than 4.5 million True-up Units be issued for the first Earn-Out Target, in no event shall more than 4.0 million True-up Units be issued for the Second Earn-Out Target and in no event shall more than 3.0 million True-up Units be issued for the Third Earn-Out Target.

In accordance with the Purchase Agreement, the Company’s existing operating agreement was amended and restated. The amended and restated operating agreement (the “Operating Agreement”) provides for, among other things, a put right for designated members (the “Preferred Members”). The Preferred Members (who are the Sellers) have a put right to cause Eightco to redeem certain Preferred Units, from time to time on or after the six-month anniversary following the Closing. Upon exercise of the put right, each Initial Base Preferred Unit (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) shall be exchanged for one Eightco share.

The Preferred Members have a put right, on terms and conditions set forth in Section 7.01 of the Operating Agreement, to cause Eightco to redeem the Preferred Units as follows:

(a) starting on the later of (i) six (6) months following the Closing and (ii) the Threshold Date (as defined in the Subordination Agreement), one (1) Eightco Share per Initial Base Preferred Unit being redeemed up to a maximum of 6,281,949 Initial Base Preferred Units;

(b) upon the satisfaction of (i) the receipt of Shareholder Approval on or prior to June 30, 2023, (ii) six (6) months following the Closing and (iii) the occurrence of the Threshold Date, one (1) Eightco Share per Initial Base Preferred Units that could not be converted due to the 6,281,949 unit limit in Section 7.01(a) of the Operating Agreement (such shares being an aggregate of 718,051 Initial Base Preferred Units being defined as the “Extra Initial Base Preferred Units”) being redeemed, and one (1) OCTO Share per Additional Base Preferred Unit being redeemed;

(c) if Shareholder Approval is not obtained on or before June 30, 2023, subject to both (i) six (6) months following the Closing and (ii) the terms of the Subordination Agreement, a cash payment equal to the difference between $3.07 minus the Additional Base Preferred Unit VWAP (as defined in the Purchase Agreement with it being subject to a $2.00 floor) (such difference being the “Additional Base Preferred Unit Cash Catch Up Amount”) with the Additional Base Preferred Unit Cash Catch Up Amount being multiplied by each Extra Initial Base Preferred Unit and each Additional Base Preferred Unit being redeemed;

(d) upon the satisfaction of (i) the receipt of Shareholder Approval on or prior to June 30, 2023, (ii) six (6) months following the time a Preferred Unit issued in connection with the first Earn-Out Target is earned under Section 1.04 of the Purchase Agreement and (iii) the occurrence of the Threshold Date, one (1) OCTO Share per Earnout One Unit being redeemed;

(e) if Shareholder Approval has not been obtained on or before June 30 2023, subject to both (i) six (6) months following the time an Earnout One Unit is earned under Section 1.04 of Purchase Agreement and (ii) the terms of the Subordination Agreement, a cash payment equal to the amount of $15,000,000 divided by the number of Earnout One Units (the “Earnout One Unit Redemption Amount”) with such Earnout One Unit Redemption Amount then being multiplied by each Earnout One Unit being redeemed;

(f) upon the satisfaction of (i) the receipt of Shareholder Approval on or prior to June 30, 2023, (ii) six (6) months following the time a Preferred Unit issued in connection with the second Earn-Out Target is earned under Section 1.04 of the Purchase Agreement and (iii) the occurrence of the Threshold Date, one (1) OCTO Share per Earnout Two Unit being redeemed;

(g) if Shareholder Approval has not been obtained on or before June 30 2023, subject to both (i) six (6) months following the time an Earnout Two Unit is earned under Section 1.04 of the Purchase Agreement and (ii) the terms of the Subordination Agreement, a cash payment equal to the amount of $12,000,000 divided by the number of Earnout Two Units (the “Earnout Two Unit Redemption Amount”) with such Earnout Two Unit Redemption Amount then being multiplied by each Earnout Two Unit being redeemed;

(h) upon the satisfaction of (i) the receipt of Shareholder Approval on or prior to June 30, 2023, (ii) six (6) months following the time a Preferred Unit issued in connection with the third Earn-Out Target is earned under Section 1.04 of the Purchase Agreement and (iii) the occurrence of the Threshold Date, one (1) OCTO Share per Earnout Three Unit being redeemed;

(i) if Shareholder Approval has not been obtained on or before June 30 2023, subject to both (i) six (6) months following the time an Earnout Three Unit is earned under Section 1.04 of the Purchase Agreement and (ii) the terms of the Subordination Agreement, a cash payment equal to the amount of $10,000,000 divided by the number of Earnout Three Units (the “Earnout Three Unit Redemption Amount”) with such Earnout Three Unit Redemption Amount then being multiplied by each Earnout Three Unit being redeemed.

Pursuant to the Operating Agreement, Eightco unconditionally guaranteed the payment, when due, of obligations pursuant to the put right. Eightco shall satisfy these obligations to the Preferred Members either in cash or, if Shareholder Approval has been obtained, through the issuance and delivery to each Preferred Member of one OCTO Share per Preferred Unit held by each Preferred Member.

Upon the Closing, Eightco issued the Promissory Notes. The Promissory Notes bear interest at the rate per annum equal to (i) ten (10%) for the first twelve (12) months of the Promissory Notes and (ii) twelve percent (12%) thereafter until the maturity date of the Promissory Notes (the “Note Maturity Date”). The Note Maturity Date is the date that is the later of (i) 91 days after the Maturity Date (as defined in the Investor Note (as defined below)) of the Senior Secured Convertible Note issued by Eightco in favor of the Investor on May 5, 2022 (the “Investor Note”) and (ii) three years following the Closing. Subject to the terms of the Subordination Agreement, the Promissory Notes may be prepaid in full or in part at any time without premium or penalty, provided, however, that Eightco agrees that, subject to the terms of the Subordination Agreement which specifically permit such prepayments in accordance therewith, it will make prepayments on the Promissory Notes and all other Seller Notes (as defined in the Promissory Notes) in amounts equal to the pro rata amount of the outstanding principal amount of the Seller Notes as a whole, as follows: (i) after Section 4(d) of the Amendment Agreement is satisfied such that excess cash may be removed from the Control Account, 50% of the cash proceeds of warrants exercised for common stock of the Eightco until an aggregate amount of $10 million in prepayments is made on the Seller Notes from such warrant exercises, (ii) 25% of all gross proceeds received by Eightco in any and all debt and equity capital raises by the Eightco (excluding warrant exercises) from and after the date of the Purchase Agreement and (iii) at least an aggregate of $11.5 million (including any prepayments made pursuant to clauses (i-ii) above) within the first twelve (12) months of the issuance of the Promissory Notes.

So long as the Eightco has received Shareholder Approval and the Threshold Date has been reached, at any time commencing after the 12-month anniversary of the date of the Promissory Notes, the holder of the Promissory Notes may, in its sole and absolute discretion, convert all or part of the Promissory Notes into shares of common stock of the Eightco (the “Conversion Shares”) at a per share conversion price equal to the VWAP of a OCTO Share for the ten trading days immediately preceding the conversion notice being provided to the Eightco by the holder of the Promissory Notes (the “Conversion Price”), with the Conversion Price being subject to a conversion price floor of $2.00 per share of common stock. If the VWAP is less than $2.00 and the holder converts all or part of the Note at $2.00 per share, then the holder shall be entitled to receive an additional Promissory Note with the same economic terms as the original Promissory Note in a principal amount equal to (A) $2.00 minus the VWAP multiplied by (B) the number of Conversion Shares issued upon the conversion.

On March 27, 2024, the Company issued 120,974 shares of common stock which retired a portion of the Promissory Notes.

Series A Preferred Stock Designation and Dividend

On January 17, 2023, the board of directors of the Company declared a dividend of one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share to stockholders of record at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 27, 2023 (the “Record Date”).

On January 19, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation with the Delaware Secretary of State for its Series A Preferred Stock. The number of shares designated is three hundred thousand (300,000). All shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued have been since redeemed.

Nasdaq Deficiency Notice

On September 29, 2023, the Company received a written notice (the “Notice”) from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that the Company is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share set forth in Nasdaq Rules for continued listing on Nasdaq.

Based on the closing bid price of the Company’s listed securities for the 31 consecutive business days from August 16, 2023 to September 28, 2023, the Company no longer meets the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The Notice is only a notification of deficiency, not of imminent delisting, and has no current effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been provided 180 calendar days, or until March 27, 2024, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). To regain compliance, the Company’s common shares must have a closing bid price of at least $1.00 for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days.

On March 28, 2024, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq indicating that the Company has not regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) and is not eligible for a second 180 day period. The Company has not regained compliance with the Rule and is not eligible for a second 180 day period. Specifically, the Company does not comply with the $5,000,000 minimum stockholders’ equity initial listing requirement for The Nasdaq Capital Market.

Accordingly, unless the Company requests an appeal of this determination as described in further detail below, we have determined that the Company’s securities will be scheduled for delisting from The Nasdaq Capital Market and will be suspended at the opening of business on April 8, 2024, and a Form 25-NSE will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which will remove the Company’s securities from listing and registration on The Nasdaq Stock Market.

We intend on appealing the Staff’s determination to a Hearings Panel (the “Panel”), pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5800 Series. A hearing request will stay the suspension of the Company’s securities and the filing of the Form 25-NSE pending the Panel’s decision.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements as well as the reported expenses during the reporting periods. The accounting estimates that require our most significant, difficult and subjective judgments have an impact on revenue recognition, the determination of share-based compensation and financial instruments. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eightco Holdings Inc. and its wholly-owned, majority owned subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, together with amounts disclosed in the related notes to the financial statements.

The Company’s significant estimates used in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable reserves, the valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax assets, the recoverability and useful lives of long-lived assets, debt conversion features, stock-based compensation, certain assumptions related to the valuation of the reserved shares and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the Company’s acquisitions. Certain of the Company’s estimates could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company and general economic conditions. It is reasonably possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and could cause actual results to differ from those estimates.

Long-Lived Assets

We record intangible assets based on their fair value on the date of acquisition. Intangible assets include the cost of developed technology, customer relationships, trademarks and identifiable media and influencer platforms. Intangible assets are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over their remaining economic useful lives. A significant percentage of the Company’s’ long term assets are intangibles assets and therefore, estimates regarding the fair value of these assets have a material impact on our financial statements.

Goodwill

Goodwill is recorded for the difference between the fair value of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. We perform an impairment assessment of goodwill on an annual basis, or whenever impairment indicators exist. In the absence of any impairment indicators, goodwill is assessed for impairment during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market conditions and operational performance of the business.

We may assess our goodwill for impairment initially using a qualitative approach to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of these assets is greater than their carrying value. When performing a qualitative test, we assess various factors including industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions and performance of our businesses. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, a quantitative impairment analysis would be performed to determine if impairment is required. We may also elect to perform a quantitative analysis of goodwill initially rather than using a qualitative approach.

The impairment testing for goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level. The valuation methods used in the quantitative fair value assessment, discounted cash flow and market multiples method, requires our management to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding certain industry trends and future profitability of our reporting units. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the related carrying value, the reporting unit’s goodwill is considered not to be impaired and no further testing is performed. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recorded for the difference. The valuation of goodwill is affected by, among other things, our business plan for the future and estimated results of future operations. Future events could cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist, and, therefore, that goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is a significant percentage of the Company’s’ long term assets and therefore, estimates regarding the fair value of our goodwill have a material impact on our financial statements.

Warrant Accounting

The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”.

The Company classifies a warrant to purchase shares of its common stock as a liability on its consolidated balance sheets as this warrant is a free-standing financial instrument that may require the Company to transfer consideration upon exercise Each warrant is initially recorded at fair value on date of grant using the Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model and net of issuance costs, and it is subsequently re-measured to fair value at each subsequent balance sheet date. Changes in fair value of the warrant are recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company will continue to adjust the liability for changes in fair value until the earlier of the exercise or expiration of the warrant. A significant percentage of the Company’s’ long term liabilities are warrant liability and therefore, estimates regarding the fair value of our goodwill have a material impact on our financial statements.

Key Components of our Results of Operations

Revenues

We generate the majority of our revenues from inventory financing through our wholly owned subsidiary, Forever 8 Fund, LLC. In addition, we will generate revenues from the sale of corrugated custom packaging to a wide array of customers and the sales of Bitcoin mining equipment offered through CW Machines, LLC.

Cost of Revenues

Our cost of revenues includes inventory costs, materials and supplies costs, internal labor costs and related benefits, subcontractor costs, depreciation, overhead and shipping and handling costs. In addition, we incurred costs related to the purchase of Bitcoin mining equipment which was resold to customers.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of selling, marketing, advertising, payroll, administrative, finance and professional expenses.

Interest Expense and Income, Net

Interest expense includes the cost of our borrowings under our debt arrangements. Interest income includes the interest earned under our notes receivable.

Other Income

Other income includes the gain on disposal of the building located in Washington, New Jersey.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2023 versus the Year Ended December 31, 2022

The following table sets forth information comparing the components of net (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Revenue

For the year ended December 31, 2023, revenues increased by $43,476,705 or 136.63%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily the result of increased sales through the inventory management solutions business which resulted in revenues of $67,568,353 for the year ended December 31, 2023 versus $23,785,070 or the year ended December 31, 2022.

Cost of Revenues

For the year ended December 31, 2023, cost of revenues increased by $37,178,154 or 125.49%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was largely attributable to the increase in total revenues, increased costs of materials and production, as well as costs associated with the delivery and sale of goods related to the inventory management solutions business.

Gross Profit

For the year ended December 31, 2023, gross profit increased by $6,298,551, or 287.09%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was largely attributable to the increase in sales through the Forever 8 Fund.

Operating Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $16,335,561 and $16,401,414 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing a decrease of $65,763, or 0.40%. The decrease was largely attributable to the decrease in salaries.

Restructuring and severance expenses were $2,133,982 and $1,300,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing an increase of $833,982, or 64.15%. The increase was largely attributable to the headcount reductions.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $11,553,589 for the year ended December 31, 2023, versus $6,966,606 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest expense was largely attributable to the amortization of debt issuance costs related to borrowing under the convertible notes payable.

Total other (expense) income

Total other (expense) income was ($58,343,242) for the year ended December 31, 2023 versus ($32,111,553) for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in total other income (expense) was largely attributable to the loss on issuance of warrants and amortized interest expense.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense (benefit) was $- for the year ended December 31, 2023, versus an income tax benefit of ($172,997) for the year ended December 31, 2022, respectively. The decrease in income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2023 was a result of state taxes related to Ferguson Containers, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Net (loss) income

Net loss was ($68,320,414) for the year ended December 31, 2023, versus a net loss of ($47,446,060) for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net loss was largely attributable to the loss on issuance of warrants and amortized interest expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Eightco Holdings Inc. has required funding from the Former Parent to fund its operations. In addition, other than those that relate to the Note Private Placement, which currently amount to approximately $7.9 million, the Company has no significant debt obligations.

The Company currently has approximately $500,000 in cash. The Company expects to need additional capital in order to fund its operations and increase revenues above current levels.

Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Since inception, Eightco Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries have primarily used its available cash to fund its operations. The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows for the periods presented:

Operating Activities

Net cash (used in) operating activities was ($6,399,079) during the year ended December 31, 2023, which consisted primarily of a net loss of $68,320,414 offset by non-cash depreciation expense of $3,044,531, amortization of debt issuance costs of $8,109,078, impairment charges of 292,748, share based compensation of ($358,937), loss on issuance of warrants of $46,928,815 and changes in assets and liabilities of $3,899,203. Net cash (used in) operating activities was ($16,719,389) during the year ended December 31, 2022, which consisted primarily of a net loss of $47,446,060 offset by non-cash depreciation expense of $848,933, amortization of debt issuance costs of $6,217,053, impairment charges of $1,300,000, share based compensation of $1,504,500, loss on issuance of warrants of $25,318,519, bad debt expense of $608,356 and changes in assets and liabilities of ($5,070,690).

Investing Activities

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities was ($295,150) during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $468,419 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease is largely attributable to cash received from the acquisition of the Forever 8 Fund, LLC recognized in the year ended December 31, 2022.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $6,361,634 during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $20,920,207 for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was largely attributable to a decrease in proceeds from the issuance of common stock and borrowings under convertible notes as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.

Eightco Holdings Inc. has required funding from the Former Parent to launch operations. Ferguson Containers has historically had positive cash flows from operations. Since inception, Ferguson Containers Inc.’s operations have been funded principally through its operations.

Going Concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred a loss since Inception resulting in an accumulated deficit of $113,278,588 as of December 31, 2023 and further losses are anticipated in the development of its business. Further, the Company has current liabilities in excess of current assets and has a stockholders’ deficit at December 31, 2023. These factors raise substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of one year from the issuance of these financial statements.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $5.2 million in cash and cash equivalents as compared to $5.6 million at December 31, 2022. The Company expects that its current cash and cash equivalents, approximately $500,000 as of the date of this annual report, will not be sufficient to support its projected operating requirements for at least the next 12 months from this date.

The Company expects to need additional capital in order to increase revenues above current levels. Any additional equity financing, if available, may not be on favorable terms and would likely be significantly dilutive to the Company’s current stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. The Company’s ability to access capital when needed is not assured and, if not achieved on a timely basis, will likely have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In 2023, the Company began reducing headcount to reduce the corporate overhead. The Company has continued to raise capital in 2024 and will continue to look to reduce costs in 2024.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have, during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any relationships with any organizations or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities, that would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide this information.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholder and Board of Directors of

Eightco Holdings Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Eightco Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 3. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.

Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

April 1, 2024

EIGHTCO HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

EIGHTCO HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022