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Summary of significant accounting policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of significant accounting policies

Note 4. Summary of significant accounting policies

Fiscal Year

The Group’s fiscal year ends on December 31.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SEALSQ Corp and its wholly owned subsidiaries over which the Group has control.

Intercompany income and expenses, including unrealized gross profits from internal group transactions and intercompany receivables, payables and loans, have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe these estimates, judgements and assumptions are reasonable, based upon information available at the time they were made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. To the extent there are differences between these estimates, judgments or assumptions and the actual results, our consolidated financial statements will be affected. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by US GAAP and does not require management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting from available alternatives would not produce a materially different result.

Our most critical accounting estimates include:

Inventory Valuation (see Note 10)

Recoverability of deferred tax assets (see Note 30)

Revenue recognition (see Note 25)

Bonds, mortgages and other long-term debt (see Note 19)

Convertible note payable, noncurrent (see Note 19)

Indebtedness to related parties (see Note 20)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Group’s financial instruments are primarily composed of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities, other liabilities, and debt obligations.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount paid to transfer a liability, also referred to as the “exit price,” in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, as described in Note 6, the fair value measurement classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Management’s assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using public market prices, quotes from financial institutions and other available information. Due to their short-term maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and contract assets, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate their fair values, and management also believes that the carrying values of notes and other receivables and outstanding balances on the Group’s credit and term loan facilities approximate their fair values, based on their specific asset and/or liability characteristics, including having terms consistent with current market conditions. The fair value of convertible note payable is calculated based on the present value of the future cash flows as of the reporting date.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of SEALSQ Corp is USD.

In general, the functional currency of a foreign operation is the local currency. Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss). The Group's reporting currency is USD.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash consists of deposits held at major banks that are readily available. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash and with original maturity dates of three months or less from the date of purchase. The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments.

Accounts Receivable

Receivables represent rights to consideration that are unconditional and consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers, and revenues that have been recognized for accounting purposes but not yet billed to customers. The Group extends credit to customers in the normal course of business and in line with industry practices.

Allowance for Credit losses

We recognize an allowance for credit losses to present the net amount of receivables expected to be collected as of the balance sheet date. The allowance is based on the credit losses expected to arise over the asset’s contractual term taking into account historical loss experience, customer-specific data as well as forward-looking estimates. Expected credit losses are estimated individually.

Accounts receivables are written off when deemed uncollectible and are recognized as a deduction from the allowance for credit losses. Expected recoveries, which are not to exceed the amount previously written off, are considered in determining the allowance balance at the balance sheet date.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs are calculated using standard costs, approximating average costs. Finished goods and work-in-progress inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. The Group records an inventory valuation allowance based on an analysis of physical deterioration, obsolescence or a comparison to the anticipated demand or market value based on a consideration of marketability and product maturity, demand forecasts, historical trends and assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Minimum

Maximum

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives which range from 1 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the lease terms, as appropriate. Property, plant and equipment are periodically reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Those intangible assets that are considered to have a finite useful life are amortized over their useful lives, which generally range from 1 to 10 years. Each period we evaluate the estimated remaining useful lives of intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances require a revision to the remaining periods of amortization or that an impairment review be carried out.

Leases

In line with ASC 842, the Group, as a lessee, recognizes right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities on its balance sheet for all arrangements with terms longer than twelve months, and reviews its leases for classification between operating and finance leases. Obligations recorded under operating and finance leases are identified separately on the balance sheet. Assets under finance leases and their accumulated amortization are disclosed separately in the notes. Operating and finance lease assets and operating and finance lease liabilities are measured initially at an amount equal to the present value of minimum lease payments during the lease term, as at the beginning of the lease term.

The Group has elected the short-term lease practical expedient whereby we do not present short-term leases on the consolidated balance sheet as these leases have a lease term of 12 months or less at lease inception and do not contain purchase options or renewal terms that we are reasonably certain to exercise.

We have also elected the practical expedients related to lease classification of leases that commenced before the effective date of ASC 842.

Revenue Recognition

The Group’s policy is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, the group applies the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation

Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. We typically allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on the basis of the relative standalone selling prices of each distinct good or service promised in the contract. If a standalone price is not observable, we use estimates.

The Group recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over goods or services to a customer. The transfer may be done at a point in time (typically for goods) or over time (typically for services). The amount of revenue recognized is the amount allocated to the satisfied performance obligation. For performance obligations satisfied over time, the revenue is recognized over time, most frequently on a prorata temporis basis as most of the services provided by the Group relate to a set performance period.

If the Group determines that the performance obligation is not satisfied, it will defer recognition of revenue until it is satisfied.

We present revenue net of sales taxes and any similar assessments.

The Group delivers products and records revenue pursuant to commercial agreements with its customers, generally in the form of an approved purchase order or sales contract.

Where products are sold under warranty, the customer is granted a right of return which, when exercised, may result in either a full or partial refund of any consideration received, or a credit that can be applied against amounts owed, or that will be owed, to the Group. For any amount received or receivable for which we do not expect to be entitled to because the customer has exercised its right of return, we recognize those amounts as a refund liability.

Contract Assets

Contract assets consist of accrued revenue where the Group has fulfilled its performance obligation towards the customer but the corresponding invoice has not yet been issued. Upon invoicing, the asset is reclassified to trade accounts receivable until payment.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue consists of amounts that have been invoiced and paid but have not been recognized as revenue. Deferred revenue that will be realized during the succeeding 12-month period is recorded as current and the remaining deferred revenue recorded as non current. This would relate to multi-year certificates or licenses.

Contract Liability

Contract liability consists of either:

amounts that have been invoiced and not yet paid, nor recognized as revenue. Upon payment, the liability is reclassified to deferred revenue if the amounts still have not been recognized as revenue. Contract liability that will be realized during the succeeding 12-month period is recorded as current and the remaining contract liability recorded as non-current. This would relate to multi-year certificates or licenses.

advances from customers not supported by invoices.

Sales Commissions

Sales commission expenses where revenue is recognized are recorded in the period of revenue recognition.

Cost of Sales and Depreciation of Production Assets

Our cost of sales consists primarily of expenses associated with the delivery and distribution of products. These include expenses related to the license to the Global Cryptographic ROOT Key, the global Certification authorities as well as the digital certificates for people, servers and objects, expenses related to the preparation of our secure elements and the technical support provided on the Group's ongoing production and on the ramp-up phase, including materials, labor, test and assembly suppliers, and subcontractors, freights costs, as well as the amortization of probes, wafers and other items that are used in the production process. This amortization is disclosed separately under depreciation of production assets on the face of the income statement.

Research and Development and Software Development Costs

All research and development costs and software development costs are expensed as incurred.

Advertising Costs

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Pension Plan

In the year 2023, the Group maintained one defined benefit post-retirement plans covering the French employees of SEALSQ France SAS.

In accordance with ASC 715-30, Defined Benefit Plans – Pension, the Group recognizes the funded status of the plan in the balance sheet. Actuarial gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss).

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation costs are recognized in earnings using the fair-value based method for all awards granted. Fair values of options and awards granted are estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model’s input assumptions are determined based on available internal and external data sources. The risk-free rate used in the model is based on the Swiss treasury rate for the expected contractual term. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of SEALSQ Shares.

Compensation costs for unvested stock options and awards are recognized in earnings over the requisite service period based on the fair value of those options and awards at the grant date.

Nonemployee share-based payment transactions are measured by estimating the fair value of the equity instruments that an entity is obligated to issue and the measurement date will be consistent with the measurement date for employee share-based payment awards (i.e., grant date for equity-classified awards).

Litigation and Contingencies

Should legal proceedings and tax matters arise, due to their nature, such legal proceedings and tax matters involve inherent uncertainties including, but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental actions. Management assesses the probability of loss for such contingencies and accrues liability and/or discloses the relevant circumstances, as appropriate.

Income Taxes

Taxes on income are accrued in the same period as the income and expenses to which they relate.

Deferred taxes are calculated on the temporary differences that arise between the tax base of an asset or liability and its carrying value in the balance sheet of our companies prepared for consolidation purposes, with the exception of temporary differences arising on investments in foreign subsidiaries where the Group has plans to permanently reinvest profits into the foreign subsidiaries.

Deferred tax assets on tax loss carry-forwards are only recognized to the extent that it is “more likely than not” that future profits will be available and the tax loss carry-forward can be utilized.

Changes to tax laws or tax rates enacted at the balance sheet date are taken into account in the determination of the applicable tax rate provided that they are likely to be applicable in the period when the deferred tax assets or tax liabilities are realized.

The Group is required to pay income taxes in a number of countries. The Group recognizes the benefit of uncertain tax positions in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities. The benefit recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized on settlement with the tax authority, assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. The Group adjusts its recognition of these uncertain tax benefits in the period in which new information is available impacting either the recognition or measurement of its uncertain tax positions.

Government Assistance - Research Tax Credits

Research tax credits are provided by the French government to give incentives for companies to perform technical and scientific research. SEALSQ France SAS is eligible to receive such tax credits.

These research tax credits are presented as a reduction of research & development expenses in the income statement when companies that have qualifying expenses can receive such grants in the form of a tax credit irrespective of taxes ever paid or ever to be paid, the corresponding research and development efforts have been completed and the supporting documentation is available. The credit is deductible from the entity’s income tax charge for the year or payable in cash the following year, whichever event occurs first. The tax credit is therefore considered to be a refundable R&D tax credit which is s not within the scope of the income tax standard (ASC 740). It is included in current assets under government assistance in the balance sheet in line with ASC 832.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share are calculated using the two-class method required for companies with multiple classes of common stock. The two-class method determines net earnings per common share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in distributed and undistributed earnings or losses. The two-class method requires income available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between each class of common stock based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed.

For SEALSQ, the dividend rights of the holders of ordinary shares and F shares (collectively, the “common stock”) differ. The dividend rights of an F share are five times greater than the dividend rights of an ordinary share. Undistributed earnings are allocated to the classes of common stock proportionately to their dividend rights and the resulting net results per share will, therefore, vary for each class of common stock. In line with ASC 260-10-45, the Group has presented the net earnings attributed to its common stock for each class of common stock. The earnings per share calculation is based on the weighted average number of shares in issue of each class.

When the effects are not antidilutive, diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted-average outstanding common shares and the dilutive effect of stock options as determined under the treasury stock method.

Segment Reporting

Our chief operating decision maker, who is also our Chief Executive Officer, regularly reviews information related to one operating segment, secure microcontrollers, for purposes of allocating resources and assessing budgets and performance. We report our financial performance based on this segment structure in Note 31.

Comprehensive Income / (Loss)

Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income ("OCI"). Other comprehensive income consists of revenues, expenses, gains, and losses to be included in comprehensive income but excluded from net income as listed in ASC 220-10-45-10A.

In line with ASC 220 (Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income), we have elected to report comprehensive income in a single continuous financial statement with two sections: net income and other comprehensive income.

We present each of the components of other comprehensive income separately, based on their nature, in the statement of comprehensive income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of new FASB Accounting Standard in the current year – Prior-Year Financial Statements not restated:

As of January 1, 2023, the Group adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2021-08, Business Combinations (topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers.

ASU 2021-08 amends ASC 805 to “require acquiring entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination.” Under current GAAP, an acquirer generally recognizes such items at fair value on the acquisition date. ASU 2021-08 requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606 (meaning the acquirer should assume it has entered the original contract at the same date and using the same terms as the acquiree). This new ASU applies to contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination and to other contracts that directly/indirectly apply the requirements of ASC 606.

There was no impact on the Group's results upon adoption of the standard.

The group also adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2022-02, Financial instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) Troubled Debt Restructuring and Vintage Disclosures.

ASU 2022-02 eliminates troubled debt restructuring guidance for organizations that adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-13 while providing for additional disclosures for loan modifications. It eliminates guidance for troubled debt restructuring by creditors. In addition to the elimination of TDR guidance, an entity that has adopted ASU 2022-02 no longer considers renewals, modifications, and extensions that result from reasonably expected TDRs in their calculation of the allowance for credit losses in accordance with ASC 326-20. Additionally, ASU 2022-02 enhances disclosure requirements for certain loan modifications by creditors for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. ASU 2022-02 also amends the vintage disclosure guidance for public business entities.

There was no impact on the Group's results upon adoption of the standard.

New FASB Accounting Standard to be adopted in the future:

In March 2023, The FASB issued ASU No. 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements, which requires all companies to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the asset’s useful life to the common control group regardless of the lease term.

Summary: The amendments allow a private company to elect to account for a common control leasing arrangement using the written terms and conditions without having to determine if those terms and conditions are legally enforceable. If the terms of the arrangement are not in writing, then the entity would apply existing guidance to determine the legally enforceable terms and conditions of the arrangement. The amendments also require leasehold improvements associated with leases between entities under common control to be amortized over the useful life of the improvements until the lessee ceases to control the use of the underlying asset through a lease, at which time the remaining value of the leasehold improvement would be accounted for as a transfer between entities under common control.

Effective Date: ASU 2023-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity should apply the amendments prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective dates. Early adoption is permitted.

The Group expects to adopt all the aforementioned guidance when effective. Management is assessing the impact of the aforementioned guidance on its consolidated financial statements but does not expect it to have a material impact.

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU No 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative, which amends the disclosure or presentation requirements related to various subtopics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”).

Summary: This amendment represents a change to clarify or improve disclosure and presentation requirements of a variety of topics. Also, the amendments align the requirements in the codification with the SEC’s regulations.

Effective Date: ASU 2023-06 effective date for entities subject to SEC disclosure requirements will be the same as the SEC’s effective date to remove the related disclosure from Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K. Each amendment will be effective for all other entities two years later. Entities must adopt all amendments prospectively, and early adoption is prohibited. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the existing disclosure requirement from Regulations S-X or S-K, the corresponding disclosure pending requirement will be removed from the Codification and will not become effective.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which enhances current segment disclosures and requires additional disclosures of significant segment expenses.

Summary: The amendments improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. In addition, the amendments enhance interim disclosure requirements, clarify circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, provide new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and contain other disclosure requirements.

Effective Date: ASU 2023-07 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which establishes new income tax disclosure requirements in addition to modifying and eliminating certain existing requirements.

Summary: The intent of this standard is to enhance the decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The standard applies to all entities subject to ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. In addition, entities will be required to disclose the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes. They will also disclose the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid is equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid. The standard also outlines additional disclosure requirements for all entities and specific updates for public business entities.

Effective Date: ASU 2023-09 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted.