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Future FinTech Responds to Inquiry of CEO

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Future Fintech Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FTFT) announced the establishment of an independent committee to review and investigate allegations made by the SEC against its CEO for manipulative trading and failing to disclose beneficial ownership of the Company stock. The Board imposed restrictions on the CEO's stock trading and will provide training to officers, directors, and employees on appropriate trading practices. The civil litigation against the CEO has had no impact on the Company's operations, according to the Board.
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  • The allegations made by the SEC against the CEO may lead to a negative impact on the company's reputation and trust in the investment community.

The establishment of an independent committee by Future FinTech's Board to investigate SEC allegations against the CEO is a proactive measure that demonstrates the company's commitment to corporate governance and regulatory compliance. This move is likely to be seen positively by investors who value transparency and accountability. However, the initiation of such an investigation can also signal potential risks associated with the company's executive management, which could affect investor confidence.

Imposing restrictions on the CEO's ability to trade company stock is a standard precaution in such situations, aimed at preventing any perception of impropriety or insider trading. This is particularly relevant given the nature of the allegations, which involve manipulative trading practices. Training for officers, directors and employees on appropriate trading practices is a remedial step that could enhance the company's compliance culture and mitigate future legal and reputational risks.

The Board's assertion that the litigation will not impact Future FinTech's operations could be an attempt to reassure investors and stabilize the stock price. However, the market often reacts to uncertainty and legal challenges involving senior executives can lead to volatility in the company's stock. Investors will likely monitor the situation closely and seek further clarity on the potential financial implications, including legal costs and any impact on the company's strategic direction.

While the Board's communication strategy aims to maintain shareholder trust, the effectiveness of this approach will depend on the transparency and frequency of updates provided. The company's ability to navigate this legal challenge without operational disruption will be critical in maintaining investor confidence and preserving market value.

In the broader context of the fintech industry, regulatory scrutiny is not uncommon, given the intersection of finance and technology and the rapid innovation in this sector. The allegations against Future FinTech's CEO could have a chilling effect on similar companies in the fintech space, as investors and regulators may increase their vigilance. The outcome of this investigation could set a precedent for how regulatory issues are handled within the industry, potentially affecting the practices of other fintech firms.

Investor sentiment in the fintech industry is sensitive to regulatory news and this situation with Future FinTech could influence perceptions of risk in the sector. The company's response and the resolution of the allegations will be closely watched by industry stakeholders for broader implications on regulatory compliance and corporate governance standards within fintech.

NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Future Fintech Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FTFT), (hereinafter referred to as "Future FinTech", "FTFT" or the "Company"), a comprehensive financial and digital technology service provider, announced today its Board of Directors (the "Board") held a meeting on January 15, 2024 to respond to allegations made to its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Board agreed to establish an independent committee to review and investigate the allegations made by SEC. The Board also imposed restrictions on the CEO to trade in the Company's stock during the pendency of the litigation. In addition, the Board decided to provide training to Company officers, directors and employees as to appropriate trading practices under the insider trading policy of the Company.

As background, on January 11, 2024, the SEC filed a civil lawsuit alleging civil violations of the federal securities laws against Mr. Shanchun Huang, the Company's CEO throughout the period at issue in the Complaint, for manipulative trading in the Company's stock shortly before he became its CEO in 2020. The SEC also charged Mr. Hung with failing to disclose his beneficial ownership of the Company stock as well as transactions in such stock. Mr. Huang, through his attorney, Jacob Frenkel, Chair of the Securities Enforcement and Government Investigations Practice at the law firm, Dickinson Wright, PLLC, has responded to these allegations and has asserted Mr. Huang's innocence.

The Board asserted that the civil litigation against the CEO has had no impact upon the Company's operations and it does not anticipate that it will in the future. The Board indicated that it values its shareholders and will continue to communicate with the investment community as relevant information related to this event becomes available.

About Future Fintech Group Inc.

Future FinTech Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FTFT) is a comprehensive financial and digital technology service provider. The Company, through its subsidiaries, conducts asset management, brokerage and investment banking services in Hong Kong, operates a cross-border payment business in the United Kingdom, provides cryptocurrency trading data information services in the United Arab Emirates, and engages in supply chain trading and finance businesses in China. In addition, the Company provides digital asset computing power custody services in Paraguay and has initiated digital asset mining farm operations in the United States. FTFT adheres to the concept of improving financial services with digital and internet technology, and provides its business and individual customers with stable, safe and efficient digital financial services. For more information, please visit www.ftft.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain of the statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning and protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the actual results, performance, capital, ownership or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "assume," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "point to," "project," "could," "intend," "target" and other similar words and expressions of the future.

 All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our other reports and filings with SEC. Such reports are available upon request from the Company, or from the Securities and Exchange Commission, including through the SEC's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date hereof, or after the respective dates on which any such statements otherwise are made.

 

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SOURCE Future FinTech Group Inc.

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for Future Fintech Group Inc.?

The ticker symbol for Future Fintech Group Inc. is FTFT.

What allegations were made against the CEO by the SEC?

The SEC filed a civil lawsuit alleging civil violations of the federal securities laws against Mr. Shanchun Huang, the Company's CEO, for manipulative trading in the Company's stock and failing to disclose his beneficial ownership of the Company stock as well as transactions in such stock.

What actions did the Board take in response to the allegations?

The Board established an independent committee to review and investigate the allegations, imposed restrictions on the CEO's stock trading, and decided to provide training to Company officers, directors, and employees on appropriate trading practices.

Has the civil litigation against the CEO impacted the Company's operations?

According to the Board, the civil litigation against the CEO has had no impact on the Company's operations.

Who responded to the allegations on behalf of the CEO?

Mr. Huang's attorney, Jacob Frenkel, Chair of the Securities Enforcement and Government Investigations Practice at the law firm, Dickinson Wright, PLLC, has responded to the allegations and asserted Mr. Huang's innocence.

Future FinTech Group Inc.

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About FTFT

ftftex is a professional global crypto data aggregation platform, a subsidiary platform of nasdaq-listed future fintech company (nasdaq: ftft). ftftex provides institutional and individual investors with real-time, high-quality, reliable digital currency market data, such as bitcoin, ethereum, eos, litecoin, tron, and other digital currencies. ftftx aggregates global digital currency platforms' currency and transaction data, conducting multi-dimensional and all-round analysis, delivering the most valuable information to users.