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Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments and contingencies

Note 15. Commitments and contingencies

 

ABTC Bitmain Purchase Agreement

 

In August 2025, the Company entered into the ABTC Bitmain Purchase Agreement which includes the following financial commitments: a Bitcoin redemption option, recognized as a derivative asset under ASC 815, measured at fair value at each reporting period, a Miner purchase liability representing a commitment to settle the obligation in cash if the redemption right is exercised before expiration, and a derecognition of Digital assets – pledged for miner purchase if the redemption right is not exercised. See Note 5 for further information on the ABTC Bitmain Purchase Agreement.

 

Legal and regulatory matters

 

The Company is subject at times to various claims, lawsuits, and governmental proceedings relating to the Company’s business and transactions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company cannot predict the final outcome of such proceedings. Where appropriate, the Company vigorously defends such claims, lawsuits, and proceedings. Some of these claims, lawsuits, and proceedings seek damages, including consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, in amounts that could, if awarded, be significant. Certain of the claims, lawsuits, and proceedings arising in ordinary course of business are covered by the Company’s insurance program. The Company maintains property and various types of liability insurance in an effort to protect the Company from such claims. In terms of any matters where there is no insurance coverage available to the Company, or where coverage is available and the Company maintains a retention or deductible associated with such insurance or elects not to purchase such insurance, the Company may establish an accrual for such loss, retention, or deductible based on current available information. In accordance with accounting guidance, if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred as of the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable, then an accrual for the cost to resolve or settle these claims is recorded by the Company in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed and Combined Balance Sheets. If it is reasonably possible that an asset may be impaired as of the date of the financial statement, then the Company discloses the range of possible loss. Expenses related to the defense of such claims are recorded by the Company as incurred and included in the accompanying Condensed and Combined Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Management, with the assistance of outside counsel, may from time to time adjust such accruals according to new developments in the matter, court rulings, or changes in the strategy affecting the Company’s defense of such matters. The Company has established an accrued liability for certain legal and regulatory proceedings. The possible loss or range of loss resulting from such litigation and regulatory proceedings, if any, in excess of the amounts accrued is inherently unpredictable and uncertain. Consequently, no reasonable estimate can be made of any possible loss or range of loss in excess of the accrual.

 

PPP Loan

On April 21, 2020, Gryphon obtained a loan in the principal aggregate amount of $2.2 million (the “PPP Loan”) pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program under the CARES Act, which was forgiven in full, by the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”), on September 3, 2021.

On February 5, 2024, Gryphon received a letter, dated January 25, 2024, from the SBA, on behalf of Key Bank, in which the SBA indicated that, notwithstanding its prior notification of forgiveness, in full, of repayment of the PPP Loan, it was reviewing its prior determination of forgiveness for potential reversal. Specifically, the SBA indicated that based on its preliminary findings, the SBA is considering a full denial of the previously received forgiven amount based on the purported ineligibility of Gryphon to have received the PPP Loan under the SBA loan programs because Gryphon, operating as Akerna at the time of the PPP Loan, provided software support to the cannabis industry. Gryphon responded to the SBA on February 6, 2024, providing reasons as to why it believes it was eligible for the PPP Loan, but has not received any further correspondence from the SBA since that date and the SBA has not made any financial demands. The Company plans to continue to cooperate with any further inquiry from the SBA.

In January 2024, Gryphon received a civil investigative demand from the Department of Justice seeking information and documents about the PPP Loan. The Company is cooperating with the inquiry. At this time, there has been no formal demand for return of the PPP Loan proceeds, and no formal claim or lawsuit has been initiated against the Company.

Former CEO Litigation

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Robby Chang was terminated as Chief Executive Officer and President of Gryphon for cause, with immediate effect, by Gryphon’s Board of Directors. Mr. Chang remained a member of the Gryphon Board of Directors until the closing of the Business Combination on September 3, 2025.

On October 21, 2024, Gryphon received notice that both it and its wholly owned direct subsidiary, Ivy Crypto, Inc., had been named as defendants in a complaint filed by Mr. Chang in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada, alleging wrongful termination.

On October 22, 2024, Gryphon’s Board of Directors created a special committee to oversee Gryphon’s handling of the claim made by Mr. Chang. Gryphon and Ivy Crypto, Inc. served their Statement of Defense, and the parties agreed to proceed with a mediation of the dispute that was held on May 5, 2025. The mediation was unsuccessful, and the litigation remains unresolved. Although the potential outcome cannot be determined at this time, the Company intends to defend this matter vigorously.