NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Office Facility and Other Operating Leases

Irvine, California, USA (Company’s Headquarters)

Effective October 29, 2019, to the present, the Company leased office space at 200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92618. As per the Commitment Term of the lease (“Agreement”), this Agreement shall continue on a month-to-month basis (any term after the Commitment Term, also known as “Renewal Term”). The Commitment Term and all subsequent Renewal Terms shall constitute the “Term.” The Company may terminate this Agreement by delivering to the lessor Form (“Exit Form”) at least one (1) whole calendar month before the month in which the Company intends to terminate this Agreement (“Termination Effective Month”). The Company is entitled to use the office and conference space if needed. The new rent payment or membership fee for the Irvine Office is $95 per month , compared to the previous rent payment or membership fee for the New York Office of $890 per month, which covers general and administrative expenses. This agreement is classified as a service contract rather than a lease under ASC 842 - Leases, and payments are accounted for as operating expenses rather than recognizing a Right-of-Use (ROU) asset or lease liability.

Brisbane, Australia (ADS Office)

Effective January 1, 2024, to the present, the Company has leased office space at Level 38, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia. This lease will continue on a month-to-month basis. ADS may terminate this Agreement by delivering to the lessor at least one (1) whole calendar month before the month in which ADS intends to terminate the lease. ADS is entitled to use the office and conference space if needed. The new rent payment or membership fee for the ADS Office is approximately $125 per month and is included as a general and administrative expense. This agreement is classified as a service contract rather than a lease under ASC 842 - Leases, and payments are accounted for as operating expenses rather than recognizing a Right-of-Use (ROU) asset or lease liability.

Limassol, Cyprus Lease (Company’s Executive Rental)

From February 2019 to July 2023, the Company leased office space in Limassol District, Cyprus, from an unrelated party for a year. The office’s monthly rent payment is $1,750, which is included in the general and administrative expenses. From July 2023 to the present, the Company has leased a larger office space in the Limassol District, Cyprus, from an unrelated party for a one-year term. The office’s monthly rent payment is approximately $3,500, which is included in the general and administrative expenses. From July 2023 to the present, the Company has leased office space for its Chief Executive Officer. The office’s monthly rent payment is $3,500, which is included in the general and administrative expenses. The down payment for the lease was approximately $6,300. The lease is for one year and is renewable two months prior to the term’s end in June 2025. This agreement is classified as a residential rental contract rather than a commercial lease and does not create a Right-of-Use (ROU) asset under ASC 842.

Limassol, Cyprus Lease, Europe (ATECH Office)

Effective August 26, 2024, ATECH has entered into a Sublease Agreement for office premises located on the ground floor at 10A-10C Eleftheriou Venizelou Street, Limassol, Cyprus. The sublease is between Aldeon Property Partners Ltd (the “Sublessor”) and AlchemyTech Ltd (the “Sublessee”), with FDCTech, Inc. acting as the Guarantor. The leased premises are designated strictly for office use, and any other usage is explicitly prohibited under the terms of the agreement. The lease term is for twenty-four (24) months, commencing on October 1, 2024, and expiring on September 30, 2026. The lease agreement includes an option to extend the tenancy for up to two additional two-year terms. The rent is subject to a 5% increase for each renewal period. Under the agreement, the Sublessee is obligated to pay a total rent of €192,000 over the lease term, payable in monthly installments of €8,000 (or approximately $8,600) plus VAT. Under ASC 842 - Leases, this agreement qualifies as a lease, and the Company will recognize a Right-of-Use (ROU) asset and corresponding lease liability on its financial statements.

St. Julian, Malta (AML Office)

Effective July 11, 2024, to the present, AML leased office space with Regus Malta at Portomaso Business Centre, Portomaso, St. Julian, PTM01, Malta. As per the lease, this agreement shall continue on a month-to-month basis (any term after the term, also known as “Renewal Term”). The term and all subsequent renewal terms shall constitute the “Term.” AML may terminate this agreement by delivering to Regus Malta at least one (1) whole calendar month before the month in which AML intends to terminate this lease. AML is entitled to use the office and conference space if needed. The rent payment or membership fee for the AML Office is €1,659 per month. This agreement is classified as a service contract rather than a lease under ASC 842 - Leases, and payments are accounted for as operating expenses rather than recognizing a Right-of-Use (ROU) asset or lease liability.

NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

Tel Aviv, Israel (AML Sales Office)

Effective July 1, 2023, AML has entered into a service agreement with Mindspace Ltd. for the use of office space and related services at Menachem Begin 11, Ramat Gan, Israel. The agreement provides access to designated office space, common areas, and various business services, including internet connectivity, printing, and access to conference rooms. The agreement operates on a monthly, automatically renewing basis with a total monthly fee of $4,500 (including VAT). Additionally, an advance deposit of $6,300 was paid as security for the Company’s obligations under the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Mindspace retains full discretion over space allocation and may relocate the Company to a different office within the premises, provided that it gives prior notice. AML does not have exclusive control over a specific office unit, and Mindspace provides shared services across its facilities. The agreement does not create a lease under ASC 842 – Leases and is accounted for as a service contract. As a result, payments under this agreement are classified as operating expenses rather than recognizing a Right-of-Use (ROU) asset or lease liability.

London, United Kingdom (APL Office)

Effective December 20, 2024, APL entered into a lease agreement for office space located on the fifth floor at 142 Central Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1V BAR. Agop Tanielian and Hourig Mercedes Tanielian hold the lease as landlords, and the Company, through its subsidiary Alchemy Prime Limited, is the tenant. The lease has a fixed term of five years, commencing in 2024 and expiring in 2029, with an annual rent of £112,500 (or $12,000 monthly), payable in quarterly installments. APL is also liable for service charges, insurance, rent, and maintenance responsibilities as specified in the agreement. The lease includes an option to terminate (“Break Clause”) on or after 2026, provided that a four-month written notice is given prior. Additionally, the agreement requires APL to restore the premises upon termination, including the removal of any alterations or fixtures made during the lease term. Under ASC 842 - Leases, this agreement qualifies as a lease, and the Company will recognize a Right-of-Use (ROU) asset and corresponding lease liability on its financial statements.

Employment Agreement

The Company gave all salary compensation to key executives as independent contractors, where Eaglstein, Firoz, and Platt commit one hundred percent (100%) of their time to the Company. The Company has not formalized performance bonuses and other incentive plans. Each executive is paid every month at the beginning of the month. From September 2018 to September 30, 2020, the Company will pay its CEO and CFO a monthly compensation of $5,000, with increases each succeeding year, should the agreement be approved annually. Effective October 1, 2020, the Company is expensing $12,000 monthly to its CEO and CFO. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company is expensing $15,000 monthly to its CEO and CFO.

Accrued Interest

At June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024, the cumulative accrued interest for SBA and other loans defined as an accrued non-current was $110,105 and $70,493, respectively.

Pending Litigation

On December 23, 2023, the Company received legal correspondence and supporting documents addressed to APSI Holdings Limited (formerly Alchemy Prime Holdings Limited) and FDCTech, Inc. The nature of the legal claims or disputes has not been fully specified in the received correspondence. The Company is assessing the situation and will respond appropriately. While management cannot predict the outcome of these matters, any adverse resolution could potentially have a material impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. The Company intends to defend its interests vigorously and will provide further updates as material developments arise.

NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

Asher Alkoby, et al. v. FDCTech, Inc.

On December 9, 2024, Asher Alkoby and other former shareholders of Alchemy Markets Ltd. (“AML”), the Company’s Malta-incorporated broker-dealer subsidiary acquired in June 2023, filed a claim against the Company in the London Circuit Commercial Court (Claim No. LM-2024-000330). The claimants seek approximately $1.02 million in amounts they allege are owed under the Share Sale Agreement, together with rectification of the agreement to render it legally enforceable. Following completion of the acquisition, the Company identified anti-money laundering deficiencies at the subsidiary that had resulted in a 2019 administrative fine by the Malta Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (“FIAU”), as well as undisclosed loans taken by the previous shareholders from the subsidiary that had not been repaid, resulting in net capital lower than disclosed during negotiations. Based on these findings, the Company withheld the final payment otherwise due to the sellers. The Company has filed a counterclaim seeking a declaration that the Share Sale Agreement is ineffective and unenforceable and repayment of $915,000 previously paid to the sellers. The Company served its Defense and Counterclaim on May 9, 2025. Subsequent to June 30, 2025, on October 17, 2025, the Court granted the claimants permission to amend their claim to include a third claimant. A Costs and Case Management Conference took place on November 17, 2025, at which directions were given for trial, which is scheduled for November 2026. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and counterclaims and intends to defend the action vigorously. Due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, the Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter with certainty.

Alchemy Markets Ltd. v. Il-Korp għall-Analizi ta’ Informazzjoni Finanzjarja (Ref: 104/2023)

On October 19, 2023, AML filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction) in Malta challenging an administrative penalty of €419,997 and a follow-up directive imposed by the FIAU on September 23, 2023. The FIAU penalty was based on a compliance examination conducted between November 25, 2019, and December 5, 2019, before the Company acquired AML and under the different ownership and control of the subsidiary. The appeal challenges the decision-making process leading to the penalty and the law on which it was based, asserts that the penalty is arbitrary and excessive, and contends that certain aspects of the decision are unfounded in law and fact. The case is in the evidentiary production stage pertaining to the Company as appellant. Subsequent to June 30, 2025, a hearing was held on October 24, 2025, for the Company to continue presenting evidence. The Court has scheduled an additional hearing for February 2, 2026, for the FIAU to cross-examine the Company’s witnesses, following which the matter will be adjourned for final legal submissions. The Company believes it has meritorious grounds for the appeal and intends to pursue it vigorously.

Alchemy Markets Ltd. v. L-Avukat tal-Istat u Il-Korp għall-Analizi ta’ Informazzjoni Finanzjarja (Ref: 159/2024)

On April 2, 2024, AML filed a constitutional challenge before the First Hall Civil Court (Constitutional Jurisdiction) in Malta relating to the same September 23, 2023, FIAU decision described above. The application challenges (i) the composition of the FIAU and its enabling law; (ii) the FIAU’s decision-making processes as allegedly breaching the Company’s fundamental right to a fair hearing; and (iii) the imposition of an administrative penalty of a penal nature without adjudication by an independent court, in alleged breach of the Constitution of Malta. The Company seeks to have the FIAU decision set aside in its entirety. A first procedural hearing took place on May 7, 2024, and the Company has presented its evidence in support of the claim. The First Hall Civil Court (Constitutional Jurisdiction) has, in prior judgments involving other subject persons, characterized FIAU administrative penalties as more akin to penal sanctions and quashed FIAU decisions on that basis, although certain of those judgments have been overturned on appeal. The Company considers that the principles underpinning such prior judgments are applicable to its case.

FDCTech, Inc. v. Intelligenceline.com, Fintelegram.com, et al.

Subsequent to June 30, 2025, the Company filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, against the operators of the websites Intelligenceline.com, Fintelegram.com, and Criticalintel.com. The complaint alleges that the defendants published false and defamatory statements accusing the Company of fraud, illegal conduct, and regulatory violations, causing reputational and financial harm, including lost business opportunities, and engaged in an extortion scheme by demanding payment for the removal of defamatory content. The complaint asserts claims for defamation per se, defamation per quod, trade libel, and false light, and seeks damages and injunctive relief. As of the date of this filing, the complaint had not yet been served. A hearing took place on December 15, 2025, on the Company’s motion, following which the court instructed the Company to investigate as to the beneficial owner of Intelligenceline.com. The Company is the plaintiff in this matter.

The Company records a liability for loss contingencies when management, in consultation with legal counsel, determines that a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. As of June 30, 2025, no amounts have been accrued for the matters described above, as management has determined, in consultation with counsel, that a loss is not probable or, where reasonably possible, cannot be reasonably estimated. The Company is unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, if any, in excess of amounts accrued for the matters described above. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and counterclaims in the matters in which it is a defendant and intends to defend them vigorously; however, litigation is inherently uncertain, and the Company cannot predict the outcomes with certainty.

Other than the matters described above, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to, nor is any of their property the subject of, any material pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business.

Tax Compliance Matters

From its inception to the present, the Company’s officers have been paid as independent contractors. As of June 30, 2025, the Company believes its payroll tax liabilities are not yet estimated. The Company’s federal taxes are acceptable to the Internal Revenue Service.