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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

 

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in order to conform with the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no impact on the Company’s previously reported net income (loss).

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of six months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances at financial institutions that are insured by the FDIC.As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had approximately $1,458,000 and $2,147,000 in cash. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had approximately $933,000 and $1,682,000 in excess of the FDIC insured limit, respectively.

 

Stablecoins

Stablecoins

 

The Company holds stablecoins, such as USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin), which are crypto assets that are pegged to the value of one U.S. dollar and can be redeemed on demand for one U.S. dollar. Our stablecoins are typically held in secure digital wallets or on crypto asset exchanges. The Company acquires and holds stablecoins primarily to facilitate crypto asset transactions, including, but not limited to, payments to third-party vendors.

 

The Company accounts for its stablecoins as indefinite-lived intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. While not accounted for as cash or cash equivalents, these stablecoins are considered a liquidity resource.

 

Crypto Assets

Crypto Assets

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

The Company’s fair value measurement for its crypto assets is guided by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement. According to ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset in a current sale, assuming an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. It requires the Company to assume that its crypto assets are sold in their principal market or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. In this context, market participants are considered to be independent, knowledgeable, and willing and able to transact.

 

Kraken has been identified as the principal market for the Company’s crypto assets, serving as the Company’s primary cryptocurrency exchange for both purchases and sales. This determination is based on a comprehensive evaluation process that considers various factors, including regulatory compliance, trading activity, and price stability. The Company places significant trust in Kraken’s well-established reliability and robust capabilities.

 

To determine the fair value of its crypto assets, the Company relies primarily on coinmarketcap.com (“CoinMarketCap”) as the principal pricing source. The selection of CoinMarketCap is the result of thorough due diligence, which identified it as the most reliable source for consistently obtaining timely and accurate crypto asset price data, covering all the crypto assets held by the Company. The real-time pricing from CoinMarketCap is notably aligned with the bid/ask quotes observed on the Company’s primary exchange and principal market, Kraken.

 

While Kraken is designated as the primary exchange, the Company maintains the flexibility to engage in cryptocurrency transactions on other exchanges where it maintains accounts. This flexibility allows the Company to adapt to changing market conditions and explore alternative platforms when necessary to ensure cost-effective execution and fair value measurement using the most advantageous market.

 

The determination of Kraken as the principal market reflects the Company’s commitment to making informed decisions based on regulatory compliance, trading activity, and price stability and achieving the most accurate representation of fair value for its crypto assets. The Company regularly reviews and assesses its choice of principal market to ensure it aligns with its objectives and the evolving landscape of the cryptocurrency market.

 

 

BTCS Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Accounting for Crypto Assets

 

The cost basis of the Company’s crypto assets is initially recorded at their fair value using the U.S. dollar spot price of the related crypto asset at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the date of receipt (or “carrying value”).

 

Crypto assets are measured at their fair respective fair market values at each reporting period end on the balance sheets and classified as either ‘Staked Crypto Assets’ or ‘Crypto Assets’ to distinguish their nature within the respective balances. Staked crypto assets are presented as current assets if their lock-up periods are less than 12 months, and as long-term other assets if the lock-up extends beyond one year. The majority of our crypto assets are staked, typically with lock-up periods of less than 21 days, and are considered current assets in accordance with ASC 210-10-20, Balance Sheet, due to the Company’s ability to sell them in a liquid marketplace, as we have a reasonable expectation that they will be realized in cash or sold or consumed during the normal operating cycle of our business to support operations when needed.

 

The classification of purchases and sales in the statements of cash flows is determined based on the nature of the crypto assets, which can be categorized as ‘productive’ (i.e. acquired for purposes of staking) or ‘non-productive’ (e.g. bitcoin). Acquisitions of non-productive crypto assets are treated as operating activities, while acquisitions of productive crypto assets are classified as investing activities in accordance with ASC 230-10-20, Investing activities. Productive crypto assets staked with lock-up periods of less than 12 months are listed as current assets in the ‘Staked Crypto Assets’ line item on the balance sheet. Staked crypto assets with lock-up periods exceeding 12 months are categorized as long-term other assets. Non-productive crypto assets are included in the ‘Crypto Assets’ line item on the balance sheet.

 

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company has elected to early adopt ASU No. 2023-08, resulting in a material change in accounting principle related to the Company’s accounting treatment of crypto assets. The impacts of the change in accounting principle are discussed further in Note 3.

 

Prior to the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2023-08, the Company accounted for its crypto assets as indefinite-lived intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles –Goodwill and Other. An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. In testing for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that an impairment exists, a quantitative impairment test is not necessary. If the Company concludes otherwise, it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test. To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the asset. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.

 

Prior to the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2023-08, on a quarterly basis, crypto assets were measured at carrying value, net of any impairment losses incurred since receipt. The Company recorded impairment losses as the fair value fell below the carrying value of the crypto assets at any time during the period, as determined using the lowest intraday U.S. dollar spot price of the related crypto asset subsequent to its acquisition. The crypto assets could only be marked down when impaired and not marked up when their value increases. Impairment losses could not be recovered for any subsequent increase in fair value until the sale or disposal of the asset. Such impairment in the value of crypto assets was recorded as a component of costs and expenses in our statements of operations. The Company recorded impairment losses of approximately $0 and $13,349,000 related to crypto assets during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Realized gain (loss) on sale of crypto assets are included in other income (expense) in the statements of operations. The Company recorded realized gains (losses) on crypto assets of approximately ($604,000) and $507,000 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

 

BTCS Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the new revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:

 

  Step 1: Identify the contract with the 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 the Company satisfies a performance obligation

 

Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company generates revenue through staking rewards generated from its blockchain infrastructure operations.

 

The transaction consideration the Company receives - the crypto asset awards and gas fees - are a non-cash consideration, which the Company measures at fair value on the date received. The fair value of the crypto asset award received is determined using the U.S. dollar spot price of the related crypto asset at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the date of receipt.

 

Blockchain Infrastructure

 

The Company engages in network-based smart contracts by running its own crypto asset validator nodes as well as by staking (or “delegating”) crypto assets directly to both its own validator nodes and nodes run by third-party operators. Through these contracts, the Company provides crypto assets to stake to a node for the purpose of validating transactions and adding blocks to a respective blockchain network. The term of a smart contract can vary based on the rules of the respective blockchain and typically last from a few days to several weeks after it is cancelled (or “un-staked”) by the delegator and requires that the crypto assets staked remain locked up during the duration of the smart contract.

 

In exchange for staking the crypto assets and validating transactions on blockchain networks, the Company is entitled to all of the fixed crypto asset award earned from the network when delegating to the Company’s own node and is entitled to a fractional share of the fixed crypto asset award a third-party node operator receives (less crypto asset transaction fees payable to the node operator, which are immaterial and are recorded as a deduction from revenue), for successfully validating or adding a block to the blockchain. The Company’s fractional share of awards received from delegating to a third-party validator node is proportionate to the crypto assets staked by the Company compared to the total crypto assets staked by all Delegators to that node at that time.

 

The provision of validating blockchain transactions is an output of the Company’s ordinary activities. Each separate block creation or validation under a smart contract with a network represents a performance obligation. The satisfaction of the performance obligation for processing and validating blockchain transactions occurs at a point in time when confirmation is received from the network indicating that the validation is complete, and the awards are available for transfer. At that point, revenue is recognized.

 

 

BTCS Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table details the native token rewards and their respective fair market value recognized as revenue during the years ended December 31, 2023. The tables distinguish between token rewards earned from staking to BTCS run Validator nodes as well as delegating to validator nodes operated by unaffiliated third-parties.

 

Crypto assets earned from staking to BTCS validator nodes                  

 

   FY 2022   FY 2022   FY 2023   FY 2023 
Asset  Token Rewards   Revenue ($USD)   Token Rewards   Revenue ($USD) 
Ethereum (ETH)   390   $768,992    358   $639,357 
Cosmos (Atom)   15,200   $214,217    43,268   $408,964 
Kava (KAVA)   49,690   $114,603    53,435   $43,642 
Kusama (KSM)   824   $73,138    820   $21,981 
Mina (MINA)   4,320   $2,594    15,840   $10,959 
Evmos (EVMOS)   -   $-    89,591   $10,807 
Akash (AKT)   6,376   $1,459    11,666   $9,808 
Avalanche (Avax)   1,051   $30,791    664   $9,117 
NEAR Protocol (NEAR)   970   $1,512    5,494   $8,836 
Oasis Network (ROSE)   9,758   $533    98,001   $5,802 
Tezos (XTZ)   3,620   $7,048    2,413   $2,326 
Terra (Luna)   61   $5,401    -   $- 
Algorand (Algo)   98   $115    -   $- 
Total earned from staking to BTCS validator nodes   -   $1,220,403        $1,171,599 

 

Crypto assets earned from staking to third-party validator nodes                  

 

   FY 2022   FY 2022   FY 2023   FY 2023 
Asset  Token Rewards   Revenue ($USD)   Token Rewards   Revenue ($USD) 
Axie Infinity (AXS)   17,392   $385,101    18,522   $127,691 
Polygon (Matic)   31,395   $27,826    24,878   $20,613 
Solana (SOL)   407   $20,428    474   $11,592 
Polkadot (DOT)   2,989   $35,658    1,371   $7,358 
Cardano (ADA)   5,102   $3,038    2,394   $775 
Total earned from staking to third-party validator nodes       $472,051        $168,029 
Total       $1,692,454        $1,339,628 

 

Cost of Revenue

Cost of Revenue

 

The Company’s cost of revenue related to its blockchain infrastructure operations primarily includes direct production costs associated with transaction validation on the network, cloud-based server hosting expenses related to our validator nodes, and allocated employee salaries dedicated to node maintenance and support. Additionally, the cost of revenue encompasses fees, including equity compensation stock-based fees paid to third parties for their assistance in software maintenance and node operations. These costs directly related to production of revenues are collectively summarized as “Validator expenses” in the statements of operations.

 

 

BTCS Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Internally Developed Software

Internally Developed Software

 

Internally developed software consists of the core technology of the Company’s StakeSeeker platform, which is being designed to allow users to track, monitor and analyze their aggregate cryptocurrency portfolio holdings by connecting their crypto exchanges and digital wallets as well as providing a non-custodial delegation process to earn staking rewards on crypto asset holdings. For internally developed software, the Company uses both its own employees as well as the services of external vendors and independent contractors. The Company accounts for computer software used in the business in accordance with ASC 985-20 and ASC 350.

 

ASC 985-20, Software-Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed, requires that software development costs incurred in conjunction with product development be charged to research and development expense until technological feasibility is established. Thereafter, until the product is released for sale, software development costs must be capitalized and reported at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value of the related product. Some companies use a “tested working model” approach to establishing technological feasibility (i.e., beta version). Under this approach, software under development will pass the technological feasibility milestone when the Company has completed a version that contains essentially all the functionality and features of the final version and has tested the version to ensure that it works as expected.

 

ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, requires computer software costs associated with internal use software to be charged to operations as incurred until certain capitalization criteria are met. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage and the post-implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Certain qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized as property, equipment and software. These costs generally consist of internal labor during configuration, coding, and testing activities. Capitalization begins when (i) the preliminary project stage is complete, (ii) management with the relevant authority authorizes and commits to the funding of the software project, and (iii) it is probable both that the project will be completed and that the software will be used to perform the function intended.

 

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consist of computer, equipment and office furniture and fixtures, all of which are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are recorded using the straight-line method over the respective useful lives of the assets ranging from three to five years. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable.

 

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. The Company’s significant estimates and assumptions include the recoverability and useful lives of indefinite life intangible assets, stock-based compensation, and the valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax assets. Certain of the Company’s estimates, including the carrying amount of the indefinite life intangible assets, could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company and general economic conditions. It is reasonably possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and could cause actual results to differ from those estimates and assumptions.

 

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

 

The Company recognizes income taxes on an accrual basis based on tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its tax returns. A tax position is defined as a position in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax filing that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Tax positions are recognized only when it is more likely than not (i.e., likelihood of greater than 50%), based on technical merits, that the position would be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold are measured using a probability-weighted approach as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if all, or some portion, of such assets will more than likely not be realized. Should they occur, the Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties related to tax positions as income tax expense. Since the Company’s inception, no such interest or penalties have been incurred.

 

 

BTCS Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Accounting for Warrants

Accounting for Warrants

 

The Company accounts for the issuance of Common Stock purchase warrants issued in connection with the equity offerings in accordance with the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The Company classifies as equity any contracts that (i) require physical settlement or net-share settlement or (ii) gives the Company a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). The Company classifies as assets or liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net-cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) gives the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). In addition, Under ASC 815, registered Common Stock warrants that require the issuance of registered shares upon exercise and do not expressly preclude an implied right to cash settlement are accounted for as derivative liabilities. The Company classifies these derivative warrant liabilities on the balance sheets as a current liability.

 

The Company assessed the classification of Common Stock purchase warrants as of the date of each offering and determined that such instruments originally met the criteria for equity classification; however, as a result of the Company no longer being in control of whether the warrants may be cash settled, the instruments no longer qualify for equity classification. Accordingly, the Company classified the warrants as a liability at their fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until the warrants are exercised or expired, and any change in fair value is recognized as “change in the fair value of warrant liabilities” in the statements of operations. The fair value of the warrants has been estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model (see Note 4).

 

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. ASC 718 addresses all forms of share-based payment awards including shares issued under employee stock purchase plans and stock incentive shares. Under ASC 718, awards result in a cost that is measured at fair value on the awards’ grant date, based on the estimated number of awards that are expected to vest and will result in a charge to operations.

 

Share-based payment awards exchanged for services are accounted for at the fair value of the award on the estimated grant date.

 

Options

 

Stock options issued under the Company’s long-term incentive plans are granted with an exercise price equal to no less than the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant and expire up to ten years from the date of grant.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent management’s best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment.

 

 

BTCS Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)

 

For awards vesting upon the achievement of a service condition, compensation cost measured on the grant date will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense for the market-based restricted stock units with explicit service conditions is recognized on a straight-line basis over the longer of the derived service period or the explicit service period, regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied. However, in the event that the explicit service period is not met, previously recognized compensation cost would be reversed. Market-based restricted stock units subject to market-based performance targets require achievement of the performance target as well as a service condition in order for these RSUs to vest.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of market-based RSUs as of the grant date and expected derived term using a Monte Carlo simulation that incorporates pricing inputs covering the period from the grant date through the end of the derived service period.

 

Dividends

Dividends

 

Effective January 27, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved the issuance of a newly designated Series V Preferred Stock (“Series V”) on a one-for-one basis to the Company’s shareholders (including restricted stock unit holders and warrant holders who were entitled to such distribution). The distribution of Series V shares was approved and completed on June 2, 2023 to shareholders as of the record date of May 12, 2023. The Series V: (i) is non-convertible, (ii) has a 20% liquidation preference over the shares of common stock, (iii) is non-voting and (iv) has certain rights to dividends and distributions (at the discretion of the Board). A total of 14,542,803 shares of Series V Preferred Stock were distributed to shareholders on June 2, 2023.

 

On January 5, 2022, the Board declared a non-recurring special dividend of $0.05 for each outstanding share of Common Stock of the Company, payable to holders of record as of the close of business on March 17, 2022. The dividend distributions were considered a return of capital as the distributions were in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. The return of capital distribution reduces the Company’s additional paid in capital balance. Dividend distributions amounted to $0 and $631,000 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

The Company will evaluate the appropriateness of potential future dividends as the Company continues to grow its operations.

 

Advertising Expense

Advertising Expense

 

Advertisement costs are expensed as incurred and included in marketing expenses. Advertising and marketing expenses amounted to approximately $12,000 and $78,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share

 

Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income or loss applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the Company’s restricted stock units, options and warrants. Diluted loss per share excludes the shares issuable upon the conversion of preferred stock, notes and warrants from the calculation of net loss per share if their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

The following financial instruments were not included in the diluted loss per share calculation as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 because their effect was anti-dilutive:

 

   2023   2022 
   As of December 31, 
   2023   2022 
Warrants to purchase common stock   712,500    912,500 
Options   1,200,000    1,150,000 
Non-vested restricted stock awards units   1,606,373    1,590,553 
Total   3,518,873    3,653,053 

 

 

BTCS Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60), which is intended to improve the accounting for and disclosure of crypto assets. The ASU requires entities to subsequently measure crypto assets that meet specific criteria at fair value, with changes recognized in net income each reporting period. The ASU also the requires specific presentation of cash receipts arising from crypto assets that are received as noncash consideration in the ordinary course of business and are converted nearly immediately into cash. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2023-08 effective January 1, 2023, which had a material impact to its financial statement and related disclosures, which are further discussed in Note 3.

 

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.