GD Culture Group Ltd: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2024

The following discussion and analysis of the results of our operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed financial statements, and the notes to those unaudited condensed financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Report. All monetary figures are presented in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis contains not only statements that are historical facts, but also statements that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are, by their very nature, uncertain and risky. These risks and uncertainties include international, national, and local general economic and market conditions; our ability to sustain, manage, or forecast growth; our ability to successfully make and integrate acquisitions; new product development and introduction; existing government regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply with, government regulations; adverse publicity; competition; the loss of significant customers or suppliers; fluctuations and difficulty in forecasting operating results; change in business strategy or development plans; business disruptions; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the ability to protect technology; the risk of foreign currency exchange rate; and other risks that might be detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.

Although the forward-looking statements in this Report reflect the good faith judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by them. Consequently, and because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, the actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report as we attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and prospects.

Overview

GD Culture Group Limited, formerly known as JM Global Holding Company, TMSR Holding Company Limited and Code Chain New Continent Limited, is a Nevada corporation and a holding company. The Company currently conducts its operations on virtual content production (the “Virtual Content Production”) through the Company and two subsidiaries, AI Catalysis and Shanghai Xianzhui. The Company focuses its business mainly on 1) AI-driven digital human creation and customization; 2) Live streaming and e-commerce and 3) Live streaming interactive game. The company has relentlessly been focusing on serving its customers and creating value for them through the continual innovation and optimization of its products and services. The Company’s current subsidiaries, Citi Profit, Highlight HK, Highlight WFOE, and previous subsidiaries, TMSR Holdings Limited (“TMSR HK”) and Makesi WFOE are holding companies with no material operations.

For AI-driven digital human sector, the Company uses AI algorithms and software to generate realistic 3D or 2D digital human models. AI algorithms and machine learning models are used to simulate human characteristics, such as facial expressions, body movements, and even speech patterns. These models can be customized to create and personalize lifelike digital representations of humans. Customization may involve adjusting facial features, body proportions, skin textures, hair styles, clothing, and more. Once created and customized, digital humans find applications in a wide range of industries, including gaming, entertainment, advertising, education, and more. Depending on the specific industry and the application scenario, the Company helps the customers to define the objectives to achieve with digital humans, choose the technology for character customization, then create unique aviators and deploy in the chosen platform.

For live streaming and e-commerce sector, the Company applies digital human technology in live streaming e-commerce businesses. Livestream usage is taking off globally. The integration of cutting-edge AI digital human technologies and live streaming platforms will transform the way businesses, sellers and consumers engage in online commerce. Digital anchors can offer long-duration intelligent live broadcasting. It also supports customized avatars that perfectly adapt to different live streaming scenarios. The company has introduced online e-commerce businesses on TikTok.

For live streaming interactive game sector, the Company has launched a live-streamed game called “Trible Light.” This game is owned by the company, and we independently operate it. Currently, the game is being livestreamed on TikTok (TikTok account: almplify001). In addition to “Trible Light,” we have also introduced other licensed games on the same TikTok account, providing a diverse gaming experience for the players.

The Company aims to generate revenue from: 1) Service revenue and advertising revenue from digital human creation and customization; 2) Products’ sales revenue from social live streaming e-commerce business; and 3) Virtual paid gifts revenue from live streaming interactive gaming.

Recent Development

Change of Auditor

On October 9, 2023, the Company notified its independent registered public accounting firm, Enrome LLP, its decision to dismiss Enrome LLP as the Company’s auditor. On October 12, 2023, the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company approved the appointment of HTL as its new independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated statements.

Investment in Shanghai Xianzhui

On August 10, 2023, Highlight WFOE, Beijing Hehe Property Management Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Hehe”), and a third party, established Shanghai Xianzhui under the laws of the People’s Republic of China for social media marketing. Highlight WFOE owned 60% of the equity interest of Shanghai Xianzhui, Beijing Hehe owned 20% of the equity interest of Shanghai Xianzhui and the third party owned the remaining 20% of the equity interest of Shanghai Xianzhui.

On October 27, 2023, the Company entered into an equity purchase agreement with Highlight WFOE and Beijing Hehe, which was amended on November 10, 2023 (such equity purchase agreement, as amended, the “Agreement” for purpose of this section “Investment in Shanghai Xianzhui”), pursuant to which the Highlight WFOE agreed to purchase 13.3333% equity interest in Shanghai Xianzhui from Beijing Hehe and the Company agreed to issue 400,000 shares of common stock of the Company, valued at $2.7820 per share, the average closing bid price of the common stock of GDC as of the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the Agreement, to Beijing Hehe or its assigns. On January 11, 2024, the Company issued the 400,000 shares of its common stock to Beijing Hehe, at the price of $2.5 per share, and the transaction was completed. As of March 31, 2024, the Company owns 73.3333% of the total equity interest of Shanghai Xianzhui.

Registered Direct Offering

On March 26, 2024, the Company issued 810,277 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering. See Note 16 of the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Key Factors that Affect Operating Results

Competition

E-commerce and live streaming is a competitive industry. Our competition varies and includes content creators on TikTok and other social media platform. Each of these competitors competes with us based on quality of content, activeness and responsiveness on the social placement, product selection, product quality, customer service, price, store format, location, or a combination of these factors. Some of these competitors may have been in business longer, may have more experience, or may have greater financial or marketing resources than us. As competition intensifies, our results of operations may be negatively impacted through a loss of sales and decrease in market share.

Retention of Key Management Team Members

Our management team comprises executives with extensive experience in technology and content creation. The management team has led us to take leaps in deploying AI technology in live-steaming, e-commerce, gaming and other sectors. The loss of any of our key executive team member might affect our business and our result of operation.

Our Ability to Grow Market Presence and Penetrate New Markets

We are still in an early development stage. We intend to expand our presence on social media to increase the market presence. If we cannot grow market presence and penetrate new markets in an effective and cost-efficient way, our results of operation will be negatively impacted.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a material impact on our business or results of operation for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. However, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact the general economy and our business is highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted. These uncertainties may impede our ability to conduct our operations and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and as a result could adversely affect our stock price and create more volatility.

Results of Operations

For Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 vs. March 31, 2023

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Operating Expenses

The Company’s operating expenses include selling and marketing (“S&M”) expenses, general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses, research and development (“R&D”) expenses. S&M expenses increased to approximately $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to nil for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was mainly due to the Company increased inputs on digital human and e-commerce live streaming marketing and advertising to improve its brand reputation, attract a large following on social media. G&A expenses increased by approximately $1.8 million from $4,617 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to approximately $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was mainly due to the combined impact of (i) the expansion of our administrative associated personnel cost, (ii) increase in operating and lease expenses for offices, (iii) increase in the professional service fee and (iv) amortization of intangible assets. R&D expenses increased to $217,500 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to nil for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was mainly due to the Company increased inputs on research and development about our artificial intelligence based digital human application, to create unconventional digital characters and customize digital humans to support the clients’ marketing efforts.

Other Income, Net

The Company’s other income increased by approximately $22 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to nil for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was mainly due to the interest income earned from the loan to a third party.

Loss from Continuing Operations

As a result of the foregoing, loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was approximately $4.1 million, an increase of approximately 89,948.5%, from loss from continuing operations of $4,617 for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net Loss

The Company’s net loss increased by approximately $4.1 million, or 19,410.7%, to approximately $4.2 million net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $21,309 net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was mainly due to the combined impact of (i) the expansion of our administrative associated personnel cost, (ii) increase in operating and lease expenses for offices and (iii) increase in researching and development about our artificial intelligence based digital human application.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company prepares its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that can significantly impact the amounts the Company reports as assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and the related disclosures. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The Company’s actual results could differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. The Company has identified the following key accounting estimates:

Convertible Notes Receivable

The Company evaluated the terms of the DigiTrax Convertible Notes and the Liquid Convertible Notes (as defined in Note 12 of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements) according to ASC 320 “Investments — Debt Securities” and concluded that the convertible notes should be classified as an available-for-sale security and measured at fair value. To evaluate the fair value of the available-for-sale security, the Company used the valuation methodology of income approach, which is determined by the future cash flow forecast. The fair value changes of these notes were recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended as of the reporting period.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company’s determination of whether or not an indication of impairment exists at the cash generating unit level requires significant management judgment pertaining to intangible assets, including a copyright of a broadcast game (the “Tribal Light”) and 55 digital humans, which are used for online living-stream, as well as the operating Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, including the offices of the Company. Management considers both external and internal sources of information in assessing whether there are any indications that the Company’s intangible assets and ROU assets are impaired.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2021-08), which clarifies that an acquirer of a business should recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments, with early adoption permitted. The Company has evaluated and concluded that there’s no impact of the new guidance on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted ASU 2021-08 since January 1, 2024.

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions”, which clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. This guidance also requires certain disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. The new guidance is required to be applied prospectively with any adjustments from the adoption of the amendments recognized in earnings and disclosed on the date of adoption. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after 15 December 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has evaluated and concluded that there’s no impact of the new guidance on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted ASU 2022-03 since January 1, 2024.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires disclosure of incremental income tax information within the rate reconciliation and expanded disclosures of income taxes paid, among other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s management does not believe the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have a material impact on its financial statements and disclosures.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The purpose of the amendment is to enable investors to better understand an entity’s overall performance and assess potential future cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company will begin providing the enhanced reportable segment financial disclosures effective with its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2024.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-08, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60): Accounting for and Disclosure of Crypto Assets, which establishes accounting guidance for crypto assets meeting certain criteria. Bitcoin meets this criteria. The amendments require crypto assets meeting the criteria to be recognized at fair value with changes recognized in net income each reporting period. Upon adoption, a cumulative-effect adjustment is made to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the annual reporting period of adoption. ASU 2023-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has evaluated and concluded that there’s no impact of the new guidance on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted ASU 2022-08 since January 1, 2024.

We do not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive loss and statements of cash flows.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has funded working capital and other capital requirements primarily by equity contributions. Cash is required to repay debts and pay salaries, office expenses and other operating expenses. As of March 31, 2024, our net working capital was approximately $5.6 million.

We believe that current levels of cash and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs for at least the next twelve months from the date the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements to be issued. However, it may need additional cash resources in the future if it experiences changed business conditions or other developments, and may also need additional cash resources in the future if it wishes to pursue opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation or other similar actions. If it is determined that the cash requirements exceed the Company’s amounts of cash and cash equivalents on hand, the Company may seek to issue debt or equity securities or obtain additional credit facility.

The following summarizes the key components of the Company’s cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had cash in the amount of $486,201 and $5,175,518, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $44,377 and $211,222 were deposited with one financial institution located in the PRC, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $441,824 and $4,964,296 were deposited with one financial institution located in the United States, respectively.

Operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to approximately $0.4 million net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was approximately $4.2 million, as compared to approximately $21 thousands for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities increased by approximately $0.3 million, mainly due to the increased amortization of intangible assets and right - of - use assets, and changes in operating assets and liabilities increased approximately $0.6 million.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to nil for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net cash used in investing activities was increased by approximately $1.9 million, due to the increase of the loan to a third party.

Financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to nil net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net cash provided by financing activities was mainly due to approximately $0.8 million proceeds from the issuance of common stock.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is one of the most significant risks for the Company’s business.

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable. Cash held at major financial institutions located in the PRC are not insured by the government. While we believe that these financial institutions are of high credit quality, it also continually monitors their credit worthiness.

Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and derived from revenue earned from customers, thereby exposed to credit risk. Credit risk is controlled by the application of credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. The Company manages credit risk through in-house research and analysis of the Chinese economy and the underlying obligors and transaction structures. To minimize credit risk, the Company normally require prepayment from the customers prior to begin production or delivery products. The Company identifies credit risk collectively based on industry, geography and customer type. This information is monitored regularly by management.

In measuring the credit risk of our sales to our customers, the Company mainly reflects the “probability of default” by the customer on its contractual obligations and considers the current financial position of the customer and the exposures to the customer and its likely future development.

Liquidity Risk

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

Inflation Risk

The Company is also exposed to inflation risk. Inflationary factors, such as increases in raw material and overhead costs, could impair our operating results. Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, a high rate of inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on our ability to maintain current levels of gross margin and operating expenses as a percentage of sales revenue if the selling prices of our products do not increase with such increased costs.

Foreign Currency Risk

A majority of the Company’s operating activities and a significant portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities are denominated in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions take place either through the Peoples’ Bank of China (“PBOC”) or other authorized financial institutions at exchange rates quoted by PBOC. Approval of foreign currency payments by the PBOC or other regulatory institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with suppliers’ invoices and signed contracts. The value of RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer (the “Certifying Officers”), we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on the foregoing, our Certifying Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Certifying Officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 before making an investment in our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects could be materially and adversely affected if any of these risks occurs, and as a result, the market price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. There are no material changes to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth below.