Description of Securities of the Registrant

EX-4.1 2 f10k2021ex4-1_microvast.htm DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OF THE REGISTRANT

Exhibit 4.1

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

  

As of December 31, 2021, Microvast Holdings, Inc. (“Microvast,” “us,” “our,” “we,” or the “Company”) had two classes of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): (i) our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) our warrants, exercisable for shares of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.

 

The following description of our capital stock and warrants is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “Charter”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”), the Stockholders’Agreement entered on July 26, 2021, the Registration Rights and Lockup Agreement entered into on July 26, 2021, the Warrant Agreement entered into on March 5, 2019, and the applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), as applicable.

 

Authorized and Outstanding Stock

 

Authorized Stock

 

The Charter authorizes the issuance of 800,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 750,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

Common Stock

 

Voting.    Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. The holders of shares of common stock will vote together as a single class (or, if the holders of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of common stock as a single class, together with the holders of such other series of preferred stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders generally. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, (1) in the case of election of directors, by a plurality and (2), in the case of amendment of the Charter, so long as Mr. Wu maintains beneficial ownership of at least 10% of the total voting power of all the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, by a vote of at least 75%) of the votes entitled to be cast by all stockholders present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of common stock, as such, will have no voting power with respect to, and will not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to the Charter (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of preferred stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Charter (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of preferred stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

 

Dividend Rights.    Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding series of preferred stock or any other outstanding class or series of stock, the holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends or distributions, if any, as may be declared from time-to-time by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) out of funds or assets legally available therefor.

 

Rights upon Liquidation.    In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs, the holders of common stock are entitled to the assets remaining after payment of the Company’s debts and other liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock, then outstanding, if any.

 

 

 

Other Rights.    The holders of common stock have no preemptive, preferential, or similar rights with respect to issuances of shares of stock of the Company. There are no redemption provisions or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock will be subject to those of the holders of any shares of preferred stock the Company may issue in the future.

 

Preferred Stock

 

No shares of preferred stock have been issued. The Charter authorizes the Board to establish one or more series of preferred stock. Unless required by law or any stock exchange, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance without further action by the holders of common stock. The Board has the discretion to determine the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.

 

The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the holders of common stock by restricting dividends on the common stock, diluting the voting power of the common stock or subordinating the liquidation rights of the common stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse impact on the market price of the common stock. At present, we have no plans to issue any preferred stock.

 

Warrants

 

Each public warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (as discussed below). No warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, since a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants was not effective within a specified period following the consummation of the Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose will mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of common stock for the 5 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of exercise. The warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of the Business Combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

The private warrants are identical to the public warrants, except that such warrants will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and will not be redeemable by us so long as they are still held by Tuscan Holdings Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor), or its permitted transferees.

 

We may call the warrants for redemption (excluding the private warrants), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant,

 

at any time,

 

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder,

 

if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the shares of common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders; and

  

if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such warrants.

 

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The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.

 

The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.

 

If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” will mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of common stock for the 5 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants.

 

The warrants were issued in registered form under a Warrant Agreement, dated March 5, 2019, between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The Warrant Agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval, by written consent or vote, of the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants, in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.

 

The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances, including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of shares of common stock at a price below their respective exercise prices.

 

The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of shares of common stock nor do the warrant holders have any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.

 

Under the terms of the Warrant Agreement, we agreed to use our best efforts to have declared effective a prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to keep such prospectus current until the expiration of the warrants. However, we have not been able to do so and cannot assure you that we will be able to do so and, if we do not maintain a current prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders will be unable to exercise their warrants for cash and we will not be required to net cash settle or cash settle the warrant exercise.

 

Warrant holders may elect to be subject to a restriction on the exercise of their warrants such that an electing warrant holder would not be able to exercise their warrants to the extent that, after giving effect to such exercise, such holder would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% of the shares of common stock outstanding.

 

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No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest whole number the number of shares of common stock to be issued to the warrant holder.

 

Dividends

 

We have not paid any cash dividend on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends will be within the discretion of our Board. Our Board is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

 

Stockholders’ Agreement

 

On July 26, 2021, the Company, Mr. Yang Wu and the Sponsor entered into the Stockholders’ Agreement. The Stockholders’ Agreement provides that Mr. Wu will have the right, but not the obligation, to nominate for election to the Board at every meeting of the stockholders of the Company at which directors are elected a number of individuals (rounded up to the nearest whole number) equal to (a) the total number of directors, multiplied by (b) the quotient obtained by dividing the shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Wu by the total number of outstanding shares of common stock (each, a “Wu Director”) less the number of Wu Directors then serving on the Board and whose terms in office are not expiring at such meeting. Mr. Wu, Yanzhuan Zheng, Stanley Whittingham and Arthur Wong were nominated by Mr. Wu as the initial Wu Directors. The Stockholders' Agreement provides that any increase or decrease in the number of directors will require the affirmative vote of the Wu Directors.

 

So long as the Sponsor beneficially owns at least 5,481,441 shares of common stock, the Sponsor will have the right, but not the obligation, to nominate for election to the Board at every meeting of the stockholders of the Company at which directors are elected, one individual (the “Sponsor Director”) less the number of Sponsor Directors then serving on the Board and whose terms in office are not expiring at such meeting. Stephen Vogel was nominated by the Sponsor as the initial Sponsor Director.

 

Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement

 

On July 26, 2021, the Company entered into the Registration Rights and Lockup Agreement with stockholders of Microvast prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, the affiliates of certain former investors in our subsidiary Microvast Power System (Houzhou) Co. Ltd., the Sponsor and certain officers and directors of the Company, pursuant to which the Company was obligated to file a registration statement promptly following the closing of the Business Combination to register the resale of certain securities of the Company held by the parties to the Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement. The Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement provides the parties thereto with “piggy-back” registration rights and block trade registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions.

 

In connection with the PIPE Offering, the Company agreed that, within 30 calendar days after the closing of the Business Combination, the Company had to file with the SEC a registration statement registering the resale or transfer of the shares issued to the PIPE investors. The Company must use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the continuous effectiveness of the registration statement until the earliest of: (i) the date on which the shares may be resold without volume or manner of sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144, (ii) the date on which such Shares have actually been sold and (iii) the date which is two years after the closing of the Business Combination.

 

In connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the Company agreed that, as soon as practicable after the closing of the Business Combination, it had to use its best efforts to file, with the SEC, a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The Company must use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement until the expiration of the warrants.

 

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Anti-Takeover Effects of the Charter and the Bylaws

 

Some provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws, which are summarized in the following paragraphs, are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of the Company. However, these provisions may have the effect of rendering more difficult, discouraging, delaying, or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by Mr. Wu or the Board and therefore depress the trading price of the common stock.

 

Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock

 

Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

Classified Board

 

The Charter provides that the Board (other than those directors, if any, elected by the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock) is divided into three classes of directors. The existence of a classified board of directors could discourage a third-party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company, as the classification of the Board makes it more time consuming for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.

 

Number of Directors

 

The Charter provides that the number of directors on the Board will be fixed in the manner set forth in the Bylaws, except that any increase or decrease in the number of directors will require the affirmative vote of the directors appointed by Mr. Wu then in office.

 

Board of Director Vacancies

 

The Charter provides that, with respect to directors elected by the stockholders generally entitled to vote, (i) newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause will be filled solely and exclusively by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and (ii) that any director so elected will hold office until the expiration of the term of office of the director whom he or she has replaced and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on the Board.

 

Directors Removed Only for Cause

 

The Charter provides that any director elected by the stockholders generally entitled to vote may only be removed for cause.

 

Special Meeting of Stockholders

 

The Charter provides that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by: (1) the Board, (2) the chairman of the Board or (3) Mr. Wu, so long as Mr. Wu beneficially owns at least 10% of the total voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors.

 

Action by Written Consent

 

The Charter provides that stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken by consent in lieu of a meeting.

 

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Supermajority Requirement for Amendments of the Charter

 

The DGCL generally provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the shares entitled to vote is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage. The Charter provides that, so long as Mr. Wu owns at least 10% of the total voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company, the Charter may only be amended by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the total voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company. If Mr. Wu ceases to own at least 10% of the total voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company, the Charter may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company. Such requirement for a supermajority to approve amendments to the Charter could enable a minority of the stockholders of the Company to exercise veto power over such amendments.

 

Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

 

The Charter and Bylaws provide advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before the special meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at the special meeting of stockholders. The Bylaws will also specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions might make it more difficult to bring matters before the special meeting.

 

Exclusive Forum Selection

 

The Charter provides that, unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, any (1) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (3) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company (a) action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Charter or the Bylaws or (b) as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (iv) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be solely and exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction. This forum selection provision does not apply to any action asserting claims arising under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act. The forum provision further provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any action asserting claims arising under the Securities Act. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in the Charter. Although the Company believes this provision benefits it by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against Company’s directors and officers.

 

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

 

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of the directors of corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. The Charter includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of this provision is to eliminate the rights of the Company and its stockholders, through stockholders’ derivative suits on the Company’s behalf, to recover monetary damages from a director for a breach of fiduciary duties as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior. However, exculpation does not apply to any director if the director has acted in bad faith or knowingly or intentionally violated the law.

 

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The Charter and the Bylaws provide that the Company must indemnify and advance expenses to directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. The Company is also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. The Company believes that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.

 

The limitation of liability, indemnification and advancement provisions in the Charter and the Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit the Company and its stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent the Company pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. The Company believes that these provisions, liability insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced directors and officers.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to the Company’s directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

Transfer Agent

 

The transfer agent for our securities is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 1 State Street, New York, New York 10004.

 

Listing of Securities

 

Our common stock and warrants are listed on the NASDAQ under the symbols “MVST” and “MVSTW”. As of December 31, 2021, the Company estimates that it has approximately [●] holders of common stock and [two] record holders of the warrants.

 

 

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