Alset Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2024

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” or “continue” or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, many of which are not within our control. These factors include but are not limited to economic conditions generally and in the industries in which we may participate, competition within our chosen industry, including competition from much larger competitors, technological advances and failure to successfully develop business relationships.

Business Overview

We are a diversified holding company principally engaged through our subsidiaries in the development of EHome communities and other real estate, financial services, digital transformation technologies, biohealth activities and consumer products with operations in the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, South Korea and the People’s Republic of China. We manage our three principal businesses primarily through our 85.5% owned subsidiary, Alset International, a public company traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Through this subsidiary (and indirectly, through other public and private U.S. and Asian subsidiaries), we are actively developing real estate projects near Houston, Texas in our real estate segment. In our digital transformation technology segment, we focus on serving business-to-business (B2B) needs in e-commerce, collaboration and social networking functions. Our biohealth segment includes the sale of consumer products.

We also have ownership interests outside of Alset International, including a 36.9% equity interest in American Pacific Financial, Inc., formerly known as American Pacific Bancorp Inc. (“APF”), an indirect 13% equity interest in Holista CollTech Limited (“Holista”), a 44.4% equity interest in DSS Inc. (“DSS”), an indirect 48.7% equity interest in Value Exchange International Inc. (“VEII”), a 0.5% equity interest in New Electric CV Corporation (“NECV”, formerly known as “American Wealth Mining Inc.”) and a 33.4% equity interest in Sharing Services Global Corporation (“SHRG”). APF is a financial network holding company. Holista is a public Australian company that produces natural food ingredients (ASX: HCT). DSS is a multinational company operating businesses within nine divisions: product packaging, biotechnology, direct marketing, commercial lending, securities and investment management, alternative trading, digital transformation, secure living, and alternative energy. DSS is listed on the NYSE American (NYSE: DSS). VEII is a provider of information technology services for businesses, and is traded on the OTCQB (OTCQB: VEII). NECV is a publicly traded consumer products company (OTCPK: HIPH). SHRG markets and distributes health and wellness products, as well as member-based travel services, using a direct selling business model. SHRG is traded on the OTCQB (OTCQB: SHRG).

We generally acquire majority and/or control stakes in innovative and promising businesses that are expected to appreciate in value over time. Our emphasis is on building businesses in industries where our management team has in-depth knowledge and experience, or where our management can provide value by advising on new markets and expansion. We have at times provided a range of global capital and management services to these companies in order to gain access to Asian markets. We have historically favored businesses that improve an individual’s quality of life or that improve the efficiency of businesses through technology in various industries. We believe our capital and management services provide us with a competitive advantage in the selection of strategic acquisitions, which creates and adds value for our Company and our stockholders.

Recent Developments

Consummation of the Merger of Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. and HWH International Inc.

On January 9, 2024, two entities affiliated with Alset Inc. completed a previously announced transaction. On September 9, 2022, Alset Capital Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Alset Capital”) entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with our indirect subsidiary HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation (“HWH”) and HWH Merger Sub Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alset Capital (“Merger Sub”). The Company and its 85.5% owned subsidiary Alset International own Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, the sponsor (the “Sponsor”) of Alset Capital.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on January 9, 2024, a Business Combination between Alset Capital and HWH was effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into HWH, with HWH surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Alset Capital (the “Merger”), and Alset Capital changing its name to HWH International Inc. (“New HWH”).

The total consideration paid at the closing of the Merger by New HWH to the HWH shareholders was 12,500,000 shares of New HWH common stock. Alset International owned the majority of the outstanding shares of HWH at the time of the business combination, and received 10,900,000 shares of New HWH as consideration for its shares of HWH.

New HWH currently has 16,223,301 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Of these shares, a total of 13,577,375 shares of New HWH common stock are now owned by the Sponsor and Alset International together. In addition, the Sponsor owns warrants convertible into up to 236,875 shares of New HWH common stock upon exercise.

New HWH is in the midst of implementing the new membership model (the “New Model”), that operates on a yearly subscription basis. New HWH intends to resume membership sales, albeit under the New Model.

HWH Members get exclusive discounts on HWH Marketplace products, priority invites to product launch events and other parties, and can earn passive income when a member’s referral signs up for membership or makes an initial purchase of the HWH Marketplace products through them.

Purchase of Rental Business from Majority-Owned Subsidiary

On December 9, 2022, Alset Inc. entered into an agreement with Alset EHome Inc. and Alset International pursuant to which Alset Inc. agreed to reorganize the ownership of its home rental business. Previously, Alset Inc. and certain majority-owned subsidiaries collectively owned 132 single-family rental homes in Texas. 112 of these rental homes are owned by subsidiaries of American Home REIT Inc. (“AHR”). Alset Inc. owns 85.4% of Alset International, and Alset International indirectly owns approximately 99.9% of Alset EHome Inc.

The closing of the transaction contemplated by this agreement was completed on January 13, 2023. Pursuant to this agreement, Alset Inc. has become the direct owner of AHR and its subsidiaries that collectively own these 112 homes, instead of such homes being owned indirectly through Alset International’s subsidiaries.

Alset EHome Inc. sold AHR to Alset Inc. for a total consideration of $26,250,933, including the forgiveness of debt in the amount of $13,900,000, a promissory note in the amount of $11,350,933 and a cash payment of $1,000,000. This purchase price represents the book value of AHR as of November 30, 2022.

The closing of this transaction was approved by the shareholders of Alset International and the transaction was closed on January 13, 2023. Certain members of Alset Inc.’s Board of Directors and management are also members of the Board of Directors and management of each of Alset International and Alset EHome Inc.

Public Offering

On February 6, 2023, we entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) in connection with an offering (the “Offering”) of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), with Aegis Capital Corp. (the “Underwriter”) as the underwriter, relating to an underwritten public offering of 1,727,273 shares of Common Stock at a public offering price of $2.20 per share. The Underwriting Agreement provided the Underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 212,863 additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering were approximately $3.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and the payment of other offering expenses associated with the Offering that were payable by the Company.

The Offering closed on February 8, 2023. The Common Stock was being offered pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264234), as well as a prospectus supplement in connection with the Offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Purchase of Travel Business

On June 14, 2023, the Company’s subsidiary completed acquisition of Hapi Travel Limited (“HTL”), an online travel business started in Hong Kong and under common control of the Company. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of the acquired entity from its acquisition date. The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. Accordingly, consideration paid by the Company to complete the acquisition is initially allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The recorded amounts for assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and subject to change during the measurement period, which is up to 12 months from the acquisition date. As a result of the acquisition of HTL, a deemed dividend of $214,174 was generated as a result of the business combination, which represents the purchase price of $214,993 in excess of identifiable equity.

The common control transaction described above resulted in the following basis of accounting for the financial reporting periods:

• The acquisition of HTL was accounted for prospectively as of June 14, 2023 as this did not represent a change in reporting entity.
• The acquisition of HTL was under common control and was consolidated in accordance with ASC 850-50. The condensed consolidated financial statements were not retrospectively adjusted for the acquisition of HTL as of January 1, 2022 for comparative purposes because the historical operations of HTL were deemed to be immaterial to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Purchase of Sentinel Brokers Company Inc. Shares

On May 22, 2023 the Company’s indirect subsidiary, SeD Capital Pte Ltd (“SeD Capital”), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which SeD Capital purchased 39.8 shares (11.6%) of the Common Stock of Sentinel Brokers Company Inc. (“Sentinel”) for the aggregate purchase price of $279,719. Sentinel is a broker-dealer operating primarily as a fiduciary intermediary, facilitating institutional trading of municipal and corporate bonds as well as preferred stock, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), and is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). The Company has significant influence over Sentinel as its CEO holds a director position on Sentinel’s Board of Directors.

Sale of Certain Lots

Sale of 131 Lots

On October 28, 2022, 150 CCM Black Oak Ltd. (the “Seller”), a Texas Limited Partnership and subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Contract for Purchase and Sale and Escrow Instructions (the “Agreement”) with Century Land Holdings of Texas, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “Buyer”). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Seller agreed to sell approximately 242 single-family detached residential lots comprising a residential community in the city of Magnolia, Texas known as the “Lakes at Black Oak.” On November 28, 2022, the parties to the Agreement entered into an amendment to the Agreement (the “Amendment”). Pursuant to the Amendment, the parties agreed that the Buyer would purchase approximately 131 single-family detached residential lots, instead of 242 lots. This transaction closed on April 13, 2023.

Agreement to Sell 110 Lots

On March 16, 2023, 150 CCM Black Oak Ltd. (the “Seller”) entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with Rausch Coleman Homes Houston, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Rausch Coleman”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Seller has agreed to sell approximately 110 single-family detached residential lots which comprise a section of the Lakes at Black Oak. The transaction closed on May 15, 2023.

Agreement to Sell 189 Lots

On March 17, 2023, 150 CCM Black Oak Ltd. (the “Seller”) entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with Davidson Homes, LLC, an Alabama limited liability company (“Davidson”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Seller had agreed to sell approximately 189 single-family detached residential lots developed within section 2 of Lakes at Black Oak project. The sale of the first 94 lots closed on May 30, 2023. The sale of remaining lots closed on January 4, 2024.

Agreement to Sell 142 Lots and 63 Lots

On November 13, 2023, 150 CCM Black Oak Ltd. (the “Seller”), a Texas Limited Partnership, entered into two Contracts for Purchase and Sale and Escrow Instructions (each an “Agreement,” collectively, the “Agreements”) with Century Land Holdings of Texas, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “Buyer”). Pursuant to the terms of one of the aforementioned Agreements, the Seller has agreed to sell approximately 142 single-family detached residential lots comprising a section of a residential community in the city of Magnolia, Texas known as the “Lakes at Black Oak.” The selling price of these lots is anticipated to equal approximately $7.4 million. On July 1, 2024, the Seller closed the sale of 70 of the lots contemplated by the Agreement, generating approximately $3.8 million. Pursuant to the other Agreement, the Seller has agreed to sell 63 single-family detached residential lots in the city of Magnolia, Texas. In 2021, our subsidiary Alset EHome Inc. acquired approximately 19.5 acres of partially developed land near Houston, Texas which was used to develop a community named Alset Villas (“Alset Villas”). Alset EHome was in the process of developing the 63 lots at Alset Villas in 2023. The selling price of these lots is anticipated to equal approximately $3.3 million. The closing of the transactions described above depends on the satisfaction of certain conditions. The sale of the first 70 lots closed on July 1, 2024 generating approximately $3.8 million.

Issuance of Convertible Loans to Value Exchange International, Inc.

On January 27, 2023, Hapi Metaverse and New Electric CV Corporation (together with the Company, the “Lenders”) entered into a Convertible Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with VEII. The Credit Agreement provides VEII with a maximum credit line of $1,500,000 with simple interest accrued on any advances of the money under the Credit Agreement at 8%. The Credit Agreement grants conversion rights to each Lender. Each Advance shall be convertible, in whole or in part, into shares of VEII’s Common Stock at the option of the Lender who made that Advance (being referred to as a “Conversion”), at any time and from time to time, at a price per share equal the “Conversion Price”. In the event that a Lender elects to convert any portion of an Advance into shares of VEII Common Stock in lieu of cash payment in satisfaction of that Advance, then VEII would issue to the Lender five (5) detachable warrants for each share of VEII’s Common Stock issued in a Conversion (“Warrants”). Each Warrant will entitle the Lender to purchase one (1) share of Common Stock at a per-share exercise price equal to the Conversion Price. The exercise period of each Warrant will be five (5) years from date of issuance of the Warrant. On February 23, 2023, Hapi Metaverse loaned VEII $1,400,000 (the “Loan Amount”). The Loan Amount can be converted into shares of VEII pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement for a period of three years. There is no fixed price for the derivative security until Hapi Metaverse converts the Loan Amount into shares of VEII Common Stock.

On September 6, 2023, Hapi Metaverse converted $1,300,000 of the principal amount loaned to VEII into 7,344,632 shares of VEII’s Common Stock. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, Hapi Metaverse received Warrants to purchase a maximum of 36,723,160 shares of VEII’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.1770 per share. Such warrants expire five (5) years from date of their issuance.

On December 14, 2023, Hapi Metaverse entered into a Convertible Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with VEII. On December 15, 2023, Hapi Metaverse loaned VEII $1,000,000. The Credit Agreement was amended pursuant to an agreement dated December 19, 2023. Under the Credit Agreement, as amended, this amount can be converted into VEII’s Common Shares pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement for a period of three years. In the event that Hapi Metaverse converts this loan into shares of VEII’s Common Stock, the conversion price shall be $0.045 per share. In the event that Hapi Metaverse elects to convert any portion of the loan into shares of VEII’s Common Stock in lieu of cash payment in satisfaction of that loan, then VEII will issue to Hapi Metaverse five (5) detachable warrants for each share of VEII’s Common Stock issued in a conversion (“Warrants”). Each Warrant will entitle Hapi Metaverse to purchase one (1) share of VEII’s Common Stock at a per-share exercise price equal to the Conversion Price. The exercise period of each Warrant will be five (5) years from date of issuance of the Warrant. At the time of this filing, Hapi Metaverse has not converted the Loan Amount.

The Company currently owns a total of 21,179,275 shares (representing approximately 48.7%) of VEII.

Our founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chan Heng Fai, and another member of the Board of Directors of Hapi Metaverse, Lum Kan Fai Vincent, are both members of the Board of Directors of VEII. In addition to Mr. Chan, two other members of the Board of Directors of Alset Inc. are also members of the Board of Directors of VEII (Wong Shui Yeung and Wong Tat Keung).

SHRG Shares Dividend Received from DSS

On May 4, 2023, DSS distributed approximately 280 million shares of SHRG beneficially held by DSS and its subsidiaries in the form of a dividend to the shareholders of DSS common stock. As a result of this distribution, the Company directly received 70,426,832 shares of SHRG, and through its majority-owned subsidiary Alset International, and certain subsidiaries of Alset International, indirectly received additional 55,197,696 shares of SHRG. The Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries now collectively own 125,624,528 shares of SHRG, representing 33.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of SHRG Common Stock (such number of SHRG shares held and ownership percentage do not include any shares held by affiliates of the Company which we do not hold a majority interest in). Our CEO, Chan Heng Fai, directly and indirectly is the owner of an additional 37,947,756 shares of SHRG and is a beneficial owner of approximately 43.5% of SHRG shares (including those shares owned by Alset Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries).

Issuance of Convertible Loans to Sharing Services Global Corp.

On January 17, 2024, the Company received a Convertible Promissory Note (the “Convertible Note”) from SHRG, in exchange for a $250,000 loan made by the Company to SHRG. The Company may convert a portion or all of the outstanding balance due under the Convertible Note into shares of SHRG’s common stock at the average closing market price of SHRG stock within the last three (3) days from the date of conversion notice. The Convertible Note bears a 10% interest rate and has a scheduled maturity six (6) months from the date of the Convertible Note, or July 17, 2024. The maturity date was subsequently extended.

On March 20, 2024, HWH International Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“HWH”), entered into a securities purchase agreement with SHRG, pursuant to which HWH purchased from SHRG a (i) Convertible Promissory Note in the amount of $250,000, convertible into 208,333,333 shares of SHRG’s common stock at the option of HWH, and (ii) certain warrants exercisable into 208,333,333 shares of SHRG’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.0012 per share, the exercise period of the warrant being five (5) years from the date of the securities purchase agreement, for an aggregate purchase price of $250,000. At the time of this filing, HWH has not converted any of the debt contemplated by the Convertible Note nor exercised any of the warrants.

On May 9, 2024, HWH entered into a securities purchase agreement with SHRG, pursuant to which HWH purchased from SHRG a Convertible Promissory Note (the “Convertible Note”) in the amount of $250,000, convertible into 125,000,000 shares of SHRG’s common stock at the option of HWH for an aggregate purchase price of $250,000. The Convertible Note bears an 8% interest rate and has a scheduled maturity three years from the date of the Convertible Note. Additionally, upon signing the Convertible Note, SHRG owns the Company commitment fee of 8% of the principal amount, which will be paid either in cash or in common stock of SHRG, at the discretion of the Company.

On June 6, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with SHRG, pursuant to which HWH purchased from SHRG a Convertible Promissory Note (the “Convertible Note”) in the amount of $250,000, convertible into 125,000,000 shares of SHRG’s common stock at the option of HWH for an aggregate purchase price of $250,000. The Convertible Note bears an 8% interest rate and has a scheduled maturity three years from the date of the Convertible Note. Additionally, upon signing the Convertible Note, SHRG owns the Company commitment fee of 8% of the principal amount $20,000 in total, which will be paid either in cash or in common stock of SHRG, at the discretion of the Company. At the time of this filing, HWH has not converted any of the debt contemplated by the Convertible Note.

Resignation of Chief Operating Officer

On March 10, 2024, Anthony S. Chan resigned as Chief Operating Officer of Alset Inc., effective immediately, due to personal reasons. Mr. Chan’s resignation is not the result of any disagreement with the Company.

Purchase of DSS Shares

On May 21, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “DSS Securities Purchase Agreement”) with the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chan Heng Fai, and Heng Fai Holdings Limited, a company wholly owned by Mr. Chan. Pursuant to the DSS Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company will purchase 982,303 shares of DSS Inc., a NYSE-listed company. These shares include 979,325 shares of DSS common stock to be acquired from Mr. Chan and 2,978 shares to be acquired from Heng Fai Holdings Limited (collectively, the “Shares”). The Shares represent approximately 13.9% of the total issued and outstanding shares of DSS as of the date hereof. As consideration for the Shares, the Company will issue a total of 3,316,488 shares of its common stock to Mr. Chan and Heng Fai Holdings Limited. The consideration to be paid for the Shares is based on the relevant market closing price of DSS common stock and the Company’s common stock as of May 3, 2024.

Approval of the transactions described herein was granted by the Board of Directors of the Company (“the Board”) during a meeting of the Board held on May 6, 2024. Mr. Chan and Chan Tung Moe, another member of the Board and the son of Mr. Chan, recused themselves from discussion and voting on the approval of such transaction and the acquisition of the DSS Shares.

The closing of the transactions contemplated by the DSS Securities Purchase Agreement remains subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders and no objection from the Nasdaq.

Matters that May or Are Currently Affecting Our Business

In addition to the matters described above, the primary challenges and trends that could affect or are affecting our financial results include:

• Our ability to improve our revenue through cross-selling and revenue-sharing arrangements among our diverse group of companies;
• Our ability to identify complementary businesses for acquisition, obtain additional financing for these acquisitions, if and when needed, and profitably integrate them into our existing operations;
• Our ability to attract competent and skilled technical and sales personnel for each of our businesses at acceptable compensation levels to manage our overhead;
• Our ability to control our operating expenses as we expand each of our businesses and product and service offerings; and
• The effects of public health issues such as a major epidemic or pandemic, including the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and our business.

Results of Operations

Summary of Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

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Revenue

The following tables set forth period-over-period changes in revenue for each of our reporting segments:

Revenue was $1,127,046 and $19,153,848 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Revenue was $7,213,253 and $20,080,784 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in property sales from the Lakes at Black Oak Project in the first half of 2024 contributed to lower revenue in this period.

The Company plans to continue its near-term focus on lot sales to regional and national builders. Funds from such lot sales will substantially improve the Company’s liquidity, strengthen its financial position and meet is working capital requirements.

Revenue from rental business was $705,011 and $690,967 in the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Revenue from rental business was $1,425,505 and $1,324,778 in the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company expects that the revenue from this business will continue to increase as we acquire more rental houses and successfully rent them.

In May 2023, the Company entered into lease agreement for one of its model houses located in Montgomery County, Texas. The revenue from the lease was $6,300 and $12,600 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The revenue from the lease was $4,200 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.

In January 2024, the Company entered into lease agreement for another model house located in Montgomery County, Texas. The revenue from the lease was $6,603 and $13,205 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

In recent years, the Company expanded its biohealth segment to the South Korean market through one of the subsidiaries of HWH International Inc., HWH World Inc (“HWH World”). HWH World operates based on a direct sale model of health supplements. HWH World recognized $0 and $0 in revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. HWH World recognized $0 and $12,587 in revenue in the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The category described as “Other” includes corporate and financial services, food and beverage business, digital transformation technology, as it was minimal in 2024, and new venture businesses. “Other” includes certain costs that are not allocated to the reportable segments, primarily consisting of unallocated corporate overhead costs, including administrative functions not allocated to the reportable segments from global functional expenses.

The financial services, food and beverage businesses and new venture businesses are small and diversified, and accordingly they are not separately addressed as one independent category. In the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the revenue from other businesses was $422,035 and $271,931, respectively. In the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the revenue from other businesses was $755,248 and $552,270, respectively, generated by Korean, Singaporean and Chinese café shops and restaurants.

Cost of Revenues and Operating Expenses

The following tables sets forth period-over-period changes in cost of revenues for each of our reporting segments:

Cost of revenues decreased from $11,738,493 in the three months ended June 30, 2023 to $829,958 in the three months ended June 30, 2024. Cost of revenues decreased from $12,427,774 in the six months ended June 30, 2023 to $5,488,325 in the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease is a result of the decrease in sales in the Lakes at Black Oak project. Capitalized construction expenses, finance costs and land costs are allocated to sales. We anticipate the total cost of revenues to increase as revenue increases.

The gross margin decreased from $7,415,355 to $297,088 in the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The gross margin decreased from $7,653,010 to $1,724,928 in the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The decrease of gross margin was caused by the decrease in sales in the Black Oak Project.

The following tables sets forth period-over-period changes in operating expenses for each of our reporting segments.

The increase of operating expenses in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023 was mostly caused by recording of goodwill and investment.

Other Income (Expense)

In the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company had other income of $1,659,507 compared to other expenses of $10,922,902 in the three months ended June 30, 2023. In the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company had other expenses of $3,387,772 compared to other expenses of $13,156,354 in the six months ended June 30, 2023. The loss on sale of securities and loss on consolidation of subsidiary are the primary reason for the volatility in these two periods. Realized loss on security investment was $344,673 in the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $10,688,542 loss in the six months ended June 30, 2023. Loss on consolidation of subsidiary was $0 the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to a loss of $21,657,036 in the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Net Loss

In the three months ended June 30, 2024 the Company had net loss of $1,149,965 compared to net loss of $5,813,406 in the three months ended June 30, 2023. In the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company had net loss of $8,463,756 compared to net loss of $10,136,588 in the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our real estate assets have decreased to $40,741,895 as of June 30, 2024 from $42,137,152 as of December 31, 2023. This decrease primarily reflects the sale of properties in the Lakes at Black Oak project.

Our cash has decreased from $26,921,727 as of December 31, 2023 to $18,932,861 as of June 30, 2024. Our liabilities decreased from $9,066,700 at December 31, 2023 to $5,764,618 at June 30, 2024. Our total assets have decreased to $93,460,821 as of June 30, 2024 from $126,314,028 as of December 31, 2023 mainly due to decrease in cash held in Trust Account after shareholders of HWH International Inc. redeemed their shares.

On April 17, 2019, SeD Maryland Development LLC entered into a Development Loan Agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T Bank”) in the principal amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the sum of $8,000,000, with a cumulative loan advance amount of $18,500,000. The line of credit bore interest rate on LIBOR plus 375 basis points. SeD Maryland Development LLC was also provided with a Letter of Credit (“L/C”) Facility in an aggregate amount of up to $900,000. The L/C commission is 1.5% per annum on the face amount of the L/C. Other standard lender fees apply in the event the L/C is drawn down. The loan is a revolving line of credit. The L/C Facility is not a revolving loan, and amounts advanced and repaid may not be re-borrowed. Repayment of the Loan Agreement is secured by a $2,600,000 collateral fund and a Deed of Trust issued to the Lender on the property owned by SeD Maryland. On March 15, 2022, approximately $2,300,000 was released from collateral, leaving approximately $300,000 as collateral for outstanding letters of credit. On December 14, 2023 approximately $201,751 was released from collateral, leaving approximately $100,000 as collateral for outstanding letters of credit.

The future development timeline of Lakes at Black Oak will be based on multiple conditions, including the amount of funds which may be raised from capital markets, the loans we may secure from third party financial institutions, and government reimbursements which may be received. The development will be step by step and expenses will be contingent on the amount of funding we will receive.

On November 13, 2023, 150 CCM Black Oak Ltd. (the “Seller”), a Texas Limited Partnership, entered into two Contracts for Purchase and Sale and Escrow Instructions (each an “Agreement,” collectively, the “Agreements”) with Century Land Holdings of Texas, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “Buyer”). Pursuant to the terms of one of the aforementioned Agreements, the Seller has agreed to sell approximately 142 single-family detached residential lots (the “Section 4 Agreement”) comprising a section of a residential community in the city of Magnolia, Texas known as the “Lakes at Black Oak.” The selling price of these lots is anticipated to equal approximately $7.4 million. Pursuant to the other Agreement, the Seller has agreed to sell 63 single-family detached residential lots (the “Alset Villas Agreement”) in the city of Magnolia, Texas. In 2021, our subsidiary Alset EHome Inc. acquired approximately 19.5 acres of partially developed land near Houston, Texas which was used to develop a community named Alset Villas (“Alset Villas”). Alset EHome was in the process of developing the 63 lots at Alset Villas in 2023. The selling price of these lots is anticipated to equal approximately $3.3 million. The closing of the transactions described above depends on the satisfaction of certain conditions. The sale of the first 70 lots closed on July 1, 2024 generating approximately $3.8 million. In addition, the Company will be entitled to receive certain reimbursements in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2025.

The management believes that the available cash in bank accounts and favorable cash revenue from real estate projects are sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months.

Summary of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

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Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $5,897,249 in the first six months of 2024, as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $7,409,770 in the same period of 2023. Property sales from the Black Oak project in 2023 were the main reason for the cash provided by operating activities in 2023.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was $19,616,855 in the first six months of 2024, as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $606,983 in the same period of 2023. In the six months ended June 30, 2024 issued $1,118,864 in loans to related parties and $577,285 in loans receivable. At the same time, we received $101,096 from repayment of related party loan and withdrew cash from trust account of $21,102,871 for redemption of HWH’s shares. In the six months ended June 30, 2023 we invested $692,219 in marketable securities, issued $1,628,010 in loans to related parties and received $2,674,653 from repayment of related party notes receivable.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $21,351,570 in the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to net cash provided of $3,416,971 in the six months ended June 30, 2023. The cash used in financing activities in the first six months of 2024 is caused by repayment of $378,960 of note payable and repayment of HWH’s shares of $21,102,871. In that same period, the Company borrowed $130,261 from commercial loan. The cash provided by financing activities in the first six months of 2023 is caused by the proceeds from stock issuance of $3,433,921.

Impact of Inflation

We believe that inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023. We cannot assure you that future inflation will not have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.

Impact of Foreign Exchange Rates

The effect of foreign exchange rate changes on the intercompany loans (under ASC 830), which mostly consist of loans from Singapore to the United States and which were approximately $37 million and $23 million on June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, are the reason for the significant fluctuation of foreign currency transaction Gain or Loss on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss. Because the intercompany loan balances between Singapore and United States will remain at approximately $23 million over the next year, we expect this fluctuation of foreign exchange rates to still significantly impact the results of operations in 2024, especially given that the foreign exchange rate may and is expected to be volatile. If the amount of intercompany loan is lowered in the future, the effect will be reduced. However, at this moment, we do not expect to repay the intercompany loans in the short term.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of these exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company or until we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of this exemption.

Seasonality

The real estate business is subject to seasonal shifts in costs as certain work is more likely to be performed at certain times of the year. This may impact the expenses of our subsidiary Alset EHome Inc. from time to time. In addition, should we commence building homes, we are likely to experience periodic spikes in sales as we commence the sales process at a particular location.

As a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers, 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective as of June 30, 2024 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in the Company’s Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.