v3.25.2
Share-Based Compensation
6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]    
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

NOTE 10 — SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

We have established a Global Share Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) for the purpose of providing share-based compensation as incentives and rewards to employees and consultants. As of June 30, 2025, the Incentive Plan has reserved 44,400,984 shares for share-based awards. The Incentive Plan may issue share-based awards in the form of equity options (“Share Options”), restricted share units (“RSUs”), and restricted share awards (“RSAs”).

Our share-based awards generally vest in accordance with the following schedule:

 

50% at the second anniversary of the grant date

 

25% at the third anniversary of the grant date

 

25% at the fourth anniversary of the grant date

 

Vesting commences on the grant date. Upon termination of employment, unvested share-based awards are subject to forfeiture. The share-based awards are not transferable and may not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred, and grantees are not entitled to vote the restricted shares or receive dividends paid on the restricted shares.

 

Share Options

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we granted 805,889 and 3,539,627 Share Options, respectively, to employees with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $9.49 and $6.55 per option, respectively. We estimated the fair value of the Share Options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following are the significant assumptions used in the model:

 

   For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2025   2024 
Dividend yield   0%   0%
Risk-free interest rate   1.62%   2.26%
Expected volatility(1)   35.50%   60%
Expected term   2.75 years    2.75 years 
(1)Expected volatility of the underlying ordinary shares of the Company was estimated based on the average historical volatility of comparable companies for the period before grant date with time frames equal to the life of the options.

 

A summary of the Share Option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2025 is as follows:

 

   Options   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
           (in Years)     
Outstanding at January 1, 2025   32,490,744   $0.13    5.26   $304,071,390 
Granted   805,889   $0.14           
Exercised   
   $
           
Cancelled/forfeited   (238,868)  $0.13           
Outstanding at June 30, 2025   33,057,765   $0.13    4.87   $390,846,567 
Exercisable at June 30, 2025   27,483,124   $0.13    4.20   $324,936,827 

 

As of June 30, 2025, unrecognized compensation expense related to Share Options was $14,625,203 and expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.18 years.

The following is a summary of the non-vested Share Option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2025:

 

   Options   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2025   6,808,475   $5.21 
Granted   805,889   $9.49 
Vested   (1,914,905)  $3.68 
Exercised   
   $
 
Cancelled/forfeited   (124,823)  $5.61 
Non-vested at June 30, 2025   5,574,636   $6.35 

 

The total fair value of options vested during the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $7,056,266.

 

A summary of the Share Option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2024 is as follows:

 

   Options   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
           (in Years)     
Outstanding at January 1, 2024   30,838,928   $0.14    5.98   $201,186,310 
Granted   3,539,627   $0.14           
Exercised   (436,074)  $0.14           
Cancelled/forfeited   (407,990)  $0.14           
Outstanding at June 30, 2024   33,534,491   $0.13    5.84   $375,712,877 
Exercisable at June 30, 2024   23,620,196   $0.13    4.79   $264,635,351 

 

There were 436,074 options exercised for proceeds of $48,700 during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

As of June 30, 2024, unrecognized compensation expense related to Share Options was $26,786,156 and expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.09 years.

 

The following is a summary of the non-vested Share Option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2024:

 

   Options   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2024   9,700,553   $4.19 
Granted   3,539,627   $6.55 
Vested   (2,779,542)  $3.81 
Exercised   (148,434)  $4.41 
Cancelled/forfeited   (397,909)  $4.66 
Non-vested at June 30, 2024   9,914,295   $5.11 

 

The total fair value of options vested during the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $10,592,175.

Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”)

 

We granted 648,510 and 2,711,130 of RSUs during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We used an independent fair value specialist to assist us with estimating the fair value of our ordinary shares on the grant date. The fair value used for RSUs granted during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was $9.55 and $6.72, respectively.

 

A summary of the Restricted Share Unit activity for the six months ended June 30, 2025, is as follows:

 

   RSUs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2025   7,694,425   $5.21 
Granted   648,510   $9.55 
Cancelled/forfeited   (296,458)  $4.48 
Outstanding at June 30, 2025   8,046,477   $5.59 

 

As of June 30, 2025, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs was $12,528,620 and expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.11 years.

 

A summary of the Restricted Share Unit activity for the six months ended June 30, 2024, is as follows:

 

   RSUs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2024   5,006,247   $4.38 
Granted   2,711,130   $6.72 
Cancelled/forfeited   (38,891)  $6.01 
Outstanding at June 30, 2024   7,678,486   $5.18 

 

As of June 30, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs was $18,340,389 and expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.39 years.

 

The following is a summary of the non-vested Restricted Share Unit activity for the six months ended June 30, 2025:

 

   RSUs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2025   4,211,661   $5.97 
Granted   648,510   $9.55 
Vested   (473,761)  $5.07 
Cancelled/forfeited   (70,965)  $6.13 
Non-vested at June 30, 2025   4,315,445   $6.60 

 

The total fair value of RSUs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2025, was $2,404,036.

The following is a summary of the non-vested Restricted Share Unit activity for the six months ended June 30, 2024:

 

   RSUs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2024   3,668,839   $4.86 
Granted   2,711,130   $6.72 
Vested   (941,877)  $5.21 
Cancelled/forfeited   (38,891)  $6.01 
Non-vested at June 30, 2024   5,399,201   $5.69 

 

The total fair value of RSUs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $4,907,179.

 

Restricted Share Award (“RSAs”)

 

On January 1, 2024, we granted 496,219 immediately vested RSAs with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $6.66. We granted 2,401,884 RSAs with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $9.61 during the six months ended June 30, 2025. A summary of the Restricted Share Award activity for the six months ended June 30, 2025, is as follows:

 

   RSAs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2025   5,678,012   $3.18 
Granted   2,401,884   $9.61 
Cancelled/forfeited   
   $
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2025   8,079,896   $5.09 

 

As of June 30, 2025, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to RSAs.

 

A summary of the Restricted Share Award activity for the six months ended June 30, 2024, is as follows:

 

   RSAs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2024   5,181,794   $2.85 
Granted   496,219   $6.66 
Cancelled/forfeited   
   $
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2024   5,678,013   $3.19 

 

As of June 30, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSAs was $779,439 and expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.67 years.

A summary of the non-vested Restricted Share Award activity for the six months ended June 30, 2025, is as follows:

 

   RSAs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2025   1,295,450   $2.85 
Granted   2,401,884   $9.61 
Vested   (3,697,334)  $7.24 
Cancelled/forfeited   
   $
 
Non-vested at June 30, 2025   
   $
 

 

The total fair value of RSAs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $26,768,054.

 

A summary of the non-vested Restricted Share Award activity for the six months ended June 30, 2024, is as follows:

 

   RSAs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2024   2,590,904   $2.85 
Granted   496,219   $6.66 
Vested   (1,791,669)  $3.91 
Cancelled/forfeited   
   $
 
Non-vested at June 30, 2024   1,295,454   $2.85 

 

The total fair value of RSAs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $7,000,507.

 

Compensation Expense Allocation

 

We recognized compensation expense from share-based awards in the amount of $26,969,402 and $35,038,447 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we recognized compensation expense from share-based awards in the amount of $8,474,119 and 20,610,934, respectively. We use the graded vesting method of attribution, and we account for forfeitures as they occur. The compensation expense was recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 as follows:

 

   For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2025   2024   2025   2024 
General and administrative  $24,802,131   $5,751,079   $31,062,124   $15,124,647 
Technology and development   1,586,014    2,225,770    3,084,857    4,462,998 
Marketing and branding   581,257    497,270    891,466    1,023,289 
Total  $26,969,402   $8,474,119   $35,038,447   $20,610,934 

 

We did not recognize a tax benefit related to share-based compensation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.

NOTE 18 — SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

We have established a Global Share Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) for the purpose of providing share-based compensation as incentives and rewards to employees and consultants. As of December 31, 2024, the Incentive Plan has reserved 49,567,006 shares for share-based awards. The Incentive Plan may issue share-based awards in the form of equity options (“Share Options”), restricted share units (“RSUs”), and restricted share awards (“RSAs”).

 

Our share-based awards generally vest in accordance with the following schedule:

 

  50% at the second anniversary of the grant date
     
  25% at the third anniversary of the grant date
     
  25% at the fourth anniversary of the grant date

 

Vesting commences on the grant date. Upon termination of employment, unvested share-based awards are subject to forfeiture. The share-based awards are not transferable and may not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred, and grantees are not entitled to vote the restricted shares or receive dividends paid on the restricted shares.

Share Options

 

During 2024, 2023 and 2022, we granted 3,549,705, 3,301,855 and 4,469,078 Share Options, respectively, to employees with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $6.56, $4.14 and $6.08 per option, respectively. We estimated the fair value of the Share Options on the date of grant with the assistance of an independent third-party valuation specialist. The fair value of the Share Options was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The following are the weighted average of significant assumptions used in the model:

 

   2024   2023   2022 
Dividend yield   0%   0%   0%
Risk-free interest rate   2.3%   3.8%   1.5%
Expected volatility(1)   59.8%   50.0%   38.1%
Expected term   2.75 years    2.75 years    10 years 

 

(1)Expected volatility of the underlying ordinary shares of the Company was estimated based on the average historical volatility of comparable companies for the period before grant date with time frames equal to the life of the options.

 

A summary of the Share Option activity for the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows:

 

   Options   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
           (in Years)     
Outstanding at January 1, 2024   30,838,928   $0.14    5.98   $201,186,310 
Granted   3,549,705   $0.14           
Exercised   (438,173)  $0.14           
Cancelled/forfeited   (1,459,716)  $0.14           
Outstanding at December 31, 2024   32,490,744   $0.13    5.26   $304,071,390 
                     
Exercisable at December 31, 2024   25,682,265   $0.13    4.53   $240,352,826 

 

There were 438,173 options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2024 with an aggregate intrinsic value of $4,099,990. Cash proceeds received were $48,991. There were no options exercised in 2023 or 2022.

 

As of December 31, 2024, unrecognized compensation expense related to Share Options was $15,649,655 and expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.25 years.

 

The following is a summary of the non-vested Share Option activity for the year ended December 31, 2024:

 

   Options   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2024   9,700,553   $4.19 
Granted   3,549,705   $6.56 
Vested   (4,847,631)  $4.18 
Exercised   (148,434)  $4.18 
Cancelled/forfeited   (1,445,718)  $5.23 
Non-vested at December 31, 2024   6,808,475   $5.21 

 

The total fair value of options vested during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $20,258,735.

Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”)

 

We granted 2,862,298, 1,685,864 and 2,195,040 of RSUs during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We used an independent fair value specialist to assist us with estimating the fair value of our ordinary shares on the grant date. The fair value used for RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $6.75, $4.32 and $6.30, respectively.

 

A summary of the Restricted Share Unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2024, is as follows:

 

   RSUs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2024   5,006,247   $4.38 
Granted   2,862,298   $6.75 
Cancelled/forfeited   (174,120)  $5.60 
Outstanding at December 31, 2024   7,694,425   $5.21 

 

As of December 31, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs was $12,506,740 and expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.31 years.

  

The following is a summary of the non-vested Restricted Share Unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2024:

 

   RSUs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2024   3,668,839   $4.86 
Granted   2,862,298   $6.75 
Vested   (2,145,356)  $5.06 
Cancelled/forfeited   (174,120)  $5.60 
Non-vested at December 31, 2024   4,211,661   $5.97 

 

The total fair value of RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $10,849,348.

 

Restricted Share Award (“RSAs”)

 

We granted 496,218 RSAs during the year ended December 31, 2024. We did not grant any RSAs during 2023 or 2022. A summary of the Restricted Share Award activity for the year ended December 31, 2024, is as follows:

 

   RSAs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2024   5,181,794   $2.85 
Granted   496,218   $6.66 
Cancelled/forfeited   
   $
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2024   5,678,012   $3.19 

 

As of December 31, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSAs was $310,237 and expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.42 years.

A summary of the non-vested Restricted Share Award activity for the year ended December 31, 2024, is as follows:

 

   RSAs   Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2024   2,590,900   $2.85 
Granted   496,219   $6.66 
Vested   (1,791,669)  $3.91 
Cancelled/forfeited   
   $
 
Non-vested at December 31, 2024   1,295,450   $2.85 

 

The total fair value of RSAs vested during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $7,000,507.

 

Compensation Expense Allocation

 

We recognized compensation expense from share-based awards in the amount of $32,587,611, $29,411,885 and $30,022,321 for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, using the graded vesting method of attribution. We account for forfeitures as they occur. The compensation expense was recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income as follows:

 

   2024   2023   2022 
General and administrative  $22,269,185   $19,963,974   $19,854,253 
Technology and development   8,290,375    7,748,683    7,281,599 
Marketing and branding   2,028,051    1,699,228    2,886,469 
Total  $32,587,611   $29,411,885   $30,022,321 

 

We did not recognize a tax benefit related to share-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.