Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7)

Registration No. 333-273242

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated September 25, 2023)

 

6,876,506 American Depositary Shares

 

 

Opera Limited

 

Representing 13,753,012 Shares

 

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This is an offering of an aggregate of 6,876,506 American Depositary Shares, or ADSs. The selling securityholder identified in this prospectus is offering 6,876,506 ADSs. The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,031,475 additional ADSs from us, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days of the date of this prospectus supplement. Each ADS represents two ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of Opera Limited. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of ADSs by the selling securityholder.

 

The ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “OPRA.” On September 28, 2023, the reported last sale price for the ADSs was $13.04 per ADS.

 

Investing in the ADSs involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and those included in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying the ADSs.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

		Per ADS				Total
Public offering price		$	12.25			$	84,237,199
Underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us(1)(2)		$	0.49			$	505,423
Underwriting discounts and commissions payable by the selling securityholder(1)		$	0.49			$	3,369,488
Proceeds to Opera Limited (before expenses)(2)		$	11.76			$	12,130,146
Proceeds to the selling securityholder (before expenses)		$	11.76			$	80,867,711

 

 

(1)	For a description of compensation payable to the underwriters, see “Underwriting.”

(2)	Assumes exercise in full of the underwriters' option to purchase 1,031,475 additional ADSs from us.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in New York, New York on or about October 4, 2023.

 

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Citigroup		Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
TD Cowen		CICC
	Lake Street

 

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Prospectus Supplement dated September 28, 2023

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT	S-1
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY	S-2
THE OFFERING	S-5
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA	S-6
RISK FACTORS	S-9
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	S-15
USE OF PROCEEDS	S-16
DIVIDEND POLICY	S-17
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER	S-18
CAPITALIZATION	S-19
DILUTION	S-20
TAXATION	S-21
UNDERWRITING	S-27
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	S-33
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE	S-34
LEGAL MATTERS	S-36
EXPERTS	S-37

 

PROSPECTUS 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US	2
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE	3
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	4
OUR COMPANY	6
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS	7
RISK FACTORS	12
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE	13
CAPITALIZATION	14
DILUTION	15
USE OF PROCEEDS	16
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES	17
TAXATION	19
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES	20
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL	21
DESCRIPTION OF ORDINARY SHARES	30
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES	31
DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED SHARES	39
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	40
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	43
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER	46
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	47
LEGAL MATTERS	50
EXPERTS	51
INDEX TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	F-1

 

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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. We and the selling securityholder have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on such different or inconsistent information. We and the selling securityholder are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of the ADSs in any jurisdiction where such offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates thereof. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus constitutes an offer, or an invitation on our behalf or the selling securityholder or the underwriters to subscribe for and purchase, any of the ADSs and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not be applicable to this offering.

 

If the description of the offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

 

In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires,

 

•

“active user” refers to a user, calculated based on device identification, that has accessed one of our mobile browsers, PC browsers or other applications at least once during a given period. A unique user that is active in more than one of our applications is counted as more than one active user;

 

•

“ADSs” refer to American depositary shares, trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “OPRA”, each of which represents two ordinary shares of Opera Limited;

 

•

“ARPU” refers to average revenue per user;

 

•

“China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau;

 

•

“EEA” refers to the European Economic Area consisting of the 27 countries of the European Union plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland;

 

•

“IFRS” refers to International Financial Reporting Standards;

 

•

"Kunlun" refers to Kunlun Tech Co., Ltd., unless otherwise indicated;

 

•

“MAUs” or “monthly active users” refer to the average number of active users of any month (within a given period), calculated as of its final day using a 30-day lookback window;

 

•

“Nasdaq” refers to the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC;

 

•

“PC” means computers running versions of the operating systems Windows, Linux or macOS;

 

•

“principal shareholders” refer to the principal shareholders named in our 2022 Annual Report;

 

•

“shares” or “ordinary shares” refer to our ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share;

 

•

“SEC” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

•

“selling securityholder” refers to the selling securityholder named in this prospectus supplement under the caption “Selling Securityholder;”

 

•

“South Asia” comprises the four distinct markets of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka;

 

•

“Southeast Asia” comprises the six distinct markets of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Myanmar;

 

•

“U.S. Dollars,” “$” and “dollars” refer to the legal currency of the United States; and

 

•

“we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Group,” “our group,” “our” or “Opera” refers to Opera Limited and its subsidiaries, an exempt company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability that is the holding company of our group.

 

All discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are due to rounding.

 

 

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

 

The following summary consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, and summary consolidated statements of financial position data as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 have been derived from our audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus from our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022. The consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS. The consolidated statement of operations data for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, and summary consolidated statement of financial position data as of June 30, 2022 and 2023 have been derived from our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus. The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this “Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Operating Data” section together with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes and our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and the “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” section included in our 2022 Annual Report.

 

Summary Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

		Year ended December 31,																								Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands, except for percentages)		2020								2021								2022								2022								2023
Revenue		$	165,056				100	%		$	250,991				100	%		$	331,037				100	%		$	149,417				100	%		$	181,185				100	%
Other income			11,542				7	%			466				0	%			469				0	%			242				0	%			180				0	%
Operating expenses:
Technology and platform fees			(3,315	)			(2	)%			(4,472	)			(2	)%			(4,104	)			(1	)%			(2,284	)			(2	)%			(1,956	)			(1	)%
Content cost			(4,312	)			(3	)%			(3,712	)			(1	)%			(3,834	)			(1	)%			(2,103	)			(1	)%			(1,983	)			(1	)%
Cost of inventory sold			(700	)			(0	)%			(5,507	)			(2	)%			(46,650	)			(14	)%			(15,504	)			(10	)%			(35,523	)			(20	)%
Personnel expenses including share-based remuneration			(62,103	)			(38	)%			(74,450	)			(30	)%			(74,588	)			(23	)%			(35,499	)			(24	)%			(41,423	)			(23	)%
Marketing and distribution expenses			(47,860	)			(29	)%			(120,944	)			(48	)%			(114,988	)			(35	)%			(59,424	)			(40	)%			(51,393	)			(28	)%
Credit loss expense			(1,849	)			(1	)%			(557	)			(0	)%			(1,387	)			(0	)%			(111	)			(0	)%			(2,446	)			(1	)%
Credit loss expense related to divested joint venture			(10,476	)			(6	)%			-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-
Depreciation and amortization			(20,234	)			(12	)%			(19,600	)			(8	)%			(13,939	)			(4	)%			(7,011	)			(5	)%			(6,735	)			(4	)%
Impairment of non-financial assets			-				-				(5,624	)			(2	)%			(3,194	)			(1	)%			-								-				-
Other expenses			(28,197	)			(17	)%			(22,802	)			(9	)%			(27,015	)			(8	)%			(13,933	)			(9	)%			(13,422	)			(7	)%
Total operating expenses			(179,046	)			(108	)%			(257,668	)			(103	)%			(289,699	)			(88	)%			(135,869	)			(91	)%			(154,880	)			(85	)%
Operating profit (loss)			(2,448	)			(1	)%			(6,211	)			(2	)%			41,808				13	%			13,790				9	%			26,485				15	%
Share of net income (loss) of equity-accounted investees			2,005				1	%			(29,376	)			(12	)%			(6	)			(0	)%			(6	)			(0	)%			-				-
Impairment of equity-accounted investee			-				-				(115,477	)			(46	)%			-				-				-				-				-				-
Fair value gain on investments			24,000				15	%			116,561				46	%			1,500				0	%			-				-				-				-
Net finance income (expense):
Finance income			13,633				8	%			123				0	%			21,454				6	%			2,437				2	%			6,723				4	%
Finance expense			(516	)			(0	)%			(6,912	)			(3	)%			(39,729	)			(12	)%			(26,496	)			(18	)%			(453	)			(0	)%
Foreign exchange gain (loss)			833				1	%			(1,814	)			(1	)%			(1,157	)			(0	)%			(648	)			(0	)%			676				0	%
Net finance income (expense)			13,950				8	%			(8,603	)			(3	)%			(19,432	)			(6	)%			(24,707	)			(17	)%			6,946				4	%
Profit (loss) before income taxes			37,507				23	%			(43,106	)			(17	)%			23,870				7	%			(10,922	)			(7	)%			33,431				18	%
Income tax expense			(75	)			(0	)%			(43	)			(0	)%			(8,835	)			(3	)%			(4,350	)			(3	)%			(1,239	)			(1	)%
Profit (loss) from continuing operations			37,432				23	%			(43,149	)			(17	)%			15,035				5	%			(15,271	)			(10	)%			32,192				18	%
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations			141,742				86	%			(816	)			(0	)%			-				-				-				-				-				-
Net income (loss) attributable to owners of the parent		$	179,174				109	%		$	(43,964	)			(18	)%		$	15,035				5	%		$	(15,271	)			(10	)%		$	32,192				18	%

 

 

Summary Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

		As of December 31,								As of June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2022				2023
Selected Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data:
Total non-current assets		$	551,475			$	624,473			$	555,387
Intangible assets			103,627				99,983				98,781
Goodwill			430,378				429,445				429,836
Total current assets			540,986				340,213				354,546
Cash and cash equivalents			102,876				52,414				98,155
Total assets			1,092,460				964,686				909,933
Total equity			1,013,039				888,213				821,847
Total non-current liabilities			8,635				12,143				5,575
Total current liabilities			70,786				64,330				82,511
Total liabilities			79,421				76,472				88,086
Total equity and liabilities		$	1,092,460			$	964,686			$	909,933

 

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

 

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow from Operations

 

We collect and analyze operating and financial data to evaluate the health of our business and assess our performance. In addition to revenue, net income (loss), net cash flow from operating activities and other financial measures under IFRS, we use adjusted EBITDA and, starting from 2023, adjusted free cash flow from operations, which are described below, to evaluate our business. We use these non-IFRS financial measures for financial and operational decision-making and as means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. While these non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered substitutes for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS, we believe that adjusted EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of recurring core business operating results, and that adjusted free cash flow from operations provides useful information regarding how cash provided by operating activities compares to the investments required to maintain and grow our business.

 

We believe these non-IFRS financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business. Accordingly, we believe that these non-IFRS financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results and liquidity in the same manner as our management team and Board of Directors. Our calculation of these non-IFRS financial measures may differ from similarly-titled non-IFRS measures, if any, reported by our peers. In addition, our non-IFRS financial measures may be limited in their usefulness because they do not present the full economic effect of expenses and cash flows mentioned below. We compensate for these limitations by providing a reconciliation of our non-IFRS financial measures to the most closely related IFRS financial measures. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety, not to rely on any single financial measure and to view adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow from operations in conjunction with net income (loss) and net cash flow from operating activities.

 

We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) excluding (i) profit (loss) from discontinued operations, (ii) income tax (expense) benefit, (iii) net finance income (expense), (iv) share of net income (loss) of equity-accounted investees, (v) impairment of equity-accounted investees, (vi) fair value gain (loss) on investments, (vii) depreciation and amortization, (viii) impairment of non-financial assets, (ix) share-based remuneration, (x) credit loss expense related to divested joint venture, (xi) non-recurring expenses, and (xii) other operating income.

 

We define adjusted free cash flow from operations as net cash flows from (used in) operating activities less (i) purchases of fixed and intangible assets, (ii) development expenditure and (iii) payment of lease liabilities.

 

 

The table below reconciles net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA:

 

		Year ended December 31,												Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2020				2021				2022				2022				2023
Net income (loss)		$	179,174			$	(43,964	)		$	15,035			$	(15,271	)		$	32,192
Add (deduct):
(Profit) loss from discontinued operations			(141,742	)			816				-				-				-
Income tax expense (benefit)			75				43				8,835				4,350				1,239
Net finance expense (income)			(13,950	)			8,603				19,432				23,498				(6,946	)
Share of net loss (income) of equity-accounted investees			(2,005	)			29,376				6				6				-
Impairment of equity-accounted investee			-				115,477				-				-				-
Fair value loss (gain) on investments			(24,000	)			(116,561	)			(1,500	)			-				-
Depreciation and amortization			20,234				19,600				13,939				7,011				6,735
Impairment of non-financial assets			-				5,624				3,194				-				-
Share-based remuneration			4,706				10,466				9,304				3,359				9,163
Credit loss expense related to divested joint venture			10,476				-				-				-				-
Non-recurring expenses			3,543				-				308				1,208				-
Other operating income			(11,542	)			(466	)			(469	)			(242	)			(180	)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	24,971			$	29,013			$	68,084			$	23,918			$	42,204

 

The table below reconciles net cash flow from operating activities to adjusted free cash flow from operations:

 

		Year ended December 31,												Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2020				2021				2022				2022				2023
Net cash flow from operating activities		$	93,324			$	26,564			$	56,662			$	15,088			$	41,244
Deduct:
Purchase of equipment			(2,484	)			(1,060	)			(3,187	)			(2,593	)			(537	)
Purchase of intangible assets			(2,286	)			-				-				-				-
Development expenditure			(6,553	)			(4,836	)			(6,789	)			(2,923	)			(2,114	)
Payment of lease liabilities			(4,202	)			(5,119	)			(3,837	)			(2,036	)			(2,059	)
Adjusted Free cash flow from operations		$	77,799			$	15,549			$	42,849				7,536			$	36,534

 

 

RISK FACTORS 

 

An investment in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should consider carefully all of the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the risks outlined under the heading “Risk Factors” in our 2022 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein, and the other documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and the risks and uncertainties described below, before making an investment in the ADSs. The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The value of the ADSs could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. In addition, please read "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in this prospectus supplement where we describe additional uncertainties associated with our business and the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

 

Potential issues raised by the use of AI technologies in our products and services may result in reputational harm or liability, adversely affecting our business, financial condition, and operating results.

 

In January 2017, we launched the Opera News service, which is our AI-powered personalized news discovery and aggregation service. In June 2023, we launched Opera One that comes packaged with an AI-powered chatbot called Aria. Aria uses an AI language model to understand a user’s question, process it and then respond using natural language. It also helps users by providing real-time information not limited to historical data, reworking text-based content and generating ideas. As with many developing technologies, AI technologies presents risks and challenges that could affect its further development, adoption, and use, and therefore our business. Our products and services based on AI may not be adopted by our users or customers. In addition, AI algorithms may be flawed. Datasets may be insufficient or contain biased information, and our algorithms could produce discriminatory or unexpected results or behaviors. Inappropriate or controversial data could impair the acceptance of our AI solutions and harm our reputation, business, customers, or stakeholders. Moreover, AI generated content may result in copyright and other legal issues and our AI generated content may not be able to compete against that of our competitors. These deficiencies could undermine the decisions, predictions, or analysis that our AI technologies produce, subjecting us to legal liability, and brand or reputational harm. In addition, some AI scenarios present ethical issues. If we enable or offer AI solutions that are controversial because of their purported or actual impact on human rights, privacy, employment, or other social or political issues, we may experience brand or reputational harm, adversely affecting our business and operating results.

 

Risks Related to the ADSs and this Offering

 

The trading price of ADSs has been and may continue to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

 

The trading price of ADSs can be volatile and fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors such as but not limited to concerns over the health of the global economy and geopolitical concerns.

 

In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for the ADSs may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:

 

•

variations in our quarterly or annual revenue, earnings and cash flow;

 

•

announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors;

 

•

announcements of new products, services and expansions by us or our competitors;

 

•

changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

 

•

detrimental adverse publicity about us, our platforms or our industries;

 

•

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

•

short seller reports that make allegations against us or our affiliates, even if unfounded;

 

•

release of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities;

 

•

potential litigation or regulatory investigations; and

 

•

other risk factors mentioned in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

 

Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which the ADSs will trade.

 

In the past, class action lawyers have often sought to bring securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. Such class action suits have in the past and may in the future divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and have in the past and may in the future require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for the ADSs will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

 

Your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on the combination of future dividend payments and the price appreciation of the ADSs.

 

On June 13, 2023, our Board of Directors adopted a recurring semi-annual cash dividend program with the first semi-annual dividend under the program being $0.40 per ADS for holders of Opera’s ordinary shares as well as ADSs, each representing two ordinary shares, paid to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2023. We intend to pay regular semi-annual dividends, with each payment subject to the approval of our Board of Directors. The form, frequency and amount of future dividends will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

Our Board of Directors has complete discretion as to whether to continue, reduce or even cease distributing dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Any dividends paid to ADS holders will be paid net of fees and expenses as provided under the deposit agreement.

 

The return on your investment in the ADSs will also likely depend upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no assurance that the ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.

 

Kunlun, our parent company, and James Yahui Zhou, our chairman of the board and chief executive officer, have control over our company and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.

 

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, Kunlun, a Chinese public company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, indirectly owns 72.0% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. As such, we are a consolidated subsidiary of Kunlun. In addition, Mr. Zhou, our chairman of the board and chief executive officer, directly owns an additional 7.7% of our shares and is also a controlling shareholder of Kunlun. With his own holdings, as well as those of Kunlun, Mr. Zhou effectively controls 79.7% of our voting power. Following the completion of this offering, Mr. Zhou will effectively control 72.0% of our voting power.

 

As a result of the foregoing, Kunlun and Mr. Zhou have the ability to control or exert significant influence over important corporate matters and investors may be prevented from affecting important corporate matters involving our company that require approval of shareholders, including:

         

● the composition of our Board of Directors and, through it, any determinations with respect to our operations, business direction and policies, including the appointment and removal of officers;

● any determinations with respect to mergers or other business combinations;         

● our disposition of substantially all of our assets; and         

● any change in control.

 

These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders, including the holders of the ADSs. Furthermore, this concentration of ownership may also discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the dual effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and reducing the price of the ADSs. As a result of the foregoing, the value of your investment could be materially reduced.

 

In addition, the significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs due to investors’ perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise. For more information regarding our principal shareholders and their affiliated entities, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—E. Share Ownership” of our 2022 Annual Report. We have in the past, and likely will continue to enter into related party transactions involving entities directly or indirectly controlled by Kunlun or Mr. Zhou. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions” of our 2022 Annual Report for details. Such related party transactions, while reviewed and approved by our Board’s Audit Committee consisting solely of independent directors, may indirectly benefit Kunlun or Mr. Zhou personally, by virtue of their interest in the related party.

 

As a “controlled company” under the rules of the Nasdaq, we may be exempt from certain corporate governance requirements that could adversely affect our public shareholders.

 

Due to the shareholding of our chairman and chief executive officer, James Yahui Zhou, and because Kunlun is the beneficial owner of a majority of the voting power of our issued and outstanding share capital, we are qualified as a “controlled company” under the rules of the Nasdaq. Under these rules a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirement that a majority of our directors be independent, as defined in the Nasdaq rules, and the requirement that our compensation and corporate governance and nominating committees consist entirely of independent directors. We rely on certain corporate governance exemptions as described in Item 16G (Corporate Governance) of our 2022 Annual Report. So long as we remain a controlled company relying on any of such exemptions and during any transition period following the time when we are no longer a controlled company, you would not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements.

 

If a United States person is treated as owning at least 10% of the ADSs or ordinary shares, such person may be subject to adverse United States federal income tax consequences. 

 

If a United States person is treated as owning (directly, indirectly or constructively) at least 10% of the value or voting power of the ADSs or ordinary shares, such person may be treated as a “United States shareholder” with respect to each “controlled foreign corporation,” or CFC, in our group. Because our group includes one or more United States subsidiaries, that are corporations for United States federal income tax purposes, in certain circumstances we could be treated as a CFC and certain of our non-United States subsidiary corporations could be treated as CFCs (regardless of whether or not we are treated as a CFC).

 

 

A United States shareholder of a CFC may be required to annually report and include in its United States taxable income its pro rata share of “subpart F income,” “global intangible low-taxed income” and investments in United States property by CFCs, whether or not we make any distributions. An individual who is a United States shareholder with respect to a CFC generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a corporation that is a United States shareholder. A failure to comply with these reporting obligations may subject a United States shareholder to significant monetary penalties and may prevent starting of the statute of limitations with respect to such shareholder’s United States federal income tax return for the year for which reporting was due. We do not intend to monitor whether we are or any of our non-United States subsidiaries is treated as a CFC or whether any investor is treated as a United States shareholder with respect to us or any of our CFC subsidiaries or to furnish to any United States shareholders information that may be necessary to comply with the aforementioned reporting and tax paying obligations. A United States investor should consult its tax advisor regarding the potential application of these rules in its particular circumstances.

 

We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to United States Holders of the ADSs or ordinary shares.

 

We will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if, applying applicable look-through rules, either (i) at least 75% of our gross income for such year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of our assets (generally determined based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether we are a PFIC for that year and involves extensive factual investigation, including ascertaining the fair market value of all of our assets on a quarterly basis and the character of each item of income that we earn, and is subject to uncertainty in several respects. Based on the market price of the ADSs, the value of our assets and the nature and composition of our income and assets, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2022, and we do not expect to become a PFIC for our current taxable year, although there can be no assurances in this regard. Moreover, we cannot assure you that the United States Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will agree with any position that we take. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year or that the IRS will not take a position contrary to any position that we take.

 

Changes in the nature or composition of our income or assets, including as a result of our investment in new businesses, products, services and technologies, may cause us to be or become a PFIC. In addition, the determination of whether we will be a PFIC for any taxable year may also depend in part upon the value of our goodwill and other unrecorded intangibles not reflected on our balance sheet (which may depend upon the market price of the ADSs or ordinary shares from time to time, which may fluctuate significantly) and also may be affected by if, how, and how quickly, we spend our liquid assets and the cash we generate from our operations and raise in any offering. In estimating the value of our goodwill and other unrecorded intangibles, we have taken into account our market capitalization. Among other matters, if our market capitalization declines, we may be or become a PFIC for the current or future taxable years because our liquid assets and cash (which are for this purpose considered assets that produce passive income) may then represent a greater percentage of the value of our overall assets. Further, while we believe our classification methodology and valuation approach are reasonable, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification or valuation of our goodwill and other unrecorded intangibles, which may result in our being or becoming a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2022, the current taxable year or one or more future taxable years.

 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a United States Holder (as defined in “Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations”) holds the ADSs or ordinary shares, certain adverse United States federal income tax consequences would generally apply to such United States Holder. See “Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

 

Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs.

 

Our memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our Board of Directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares and the ADSs representing our ordinary shares or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our Board of Directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of the ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

 

 

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

 

We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties owed by our directors under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

 

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than such companies’ memorandum and articles of association, any special resolutions and the register of mortgages and charges) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Under Cayman Islands law, the names of our current directors can be obtained from a search conducted at the Registrar of Companies. Our directors have discretion under our memorandum and articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder resolution or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

 

Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. We rely on certain corporate governance exemptions as described in Item 16G (Corporate Governance) of our 2022 Annual Report which permit us to follow our home country practices. Consequently, our shareholders may be afforded less or different protections than they otherwise would under the rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

 

As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the Board of Directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.

 

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

 

We are a Cayman Islands company, and the majority of our assets are located, and the majority of our operations are conducted outside of the United States. In addition, a majority of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of Norway may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers.

 

With effect from the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, we will no longer be an emerging growth company, and we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided by the JOBS Act.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for so long as we are an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion; (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of our initial public offering in July 2018; (c) the date on which we have, during the preceding three-year period, issued more than $1.07 billion in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. As a result of our current status as an emerging growth company, our investors may not have access to certain information that they may deem important. We expect to lose our "emerging growth company" status as of December 31, 2023, and we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided by the JOBS Act. In particular, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Therefore, after we are no longer an "emerging growth company," we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management time and effort toward ensuring compliance with all requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices for corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the corporate governance listing standards.

 

As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, we are subject to Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. However, Nasdaq listing rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow certain corporate governance practices of its home country. Corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. For instance, we are not required to: (i) have a majority of the board be independent; or (ii) have a compensation committee consisting entirely of independent directors. We rely on certain corporate governance exemptions as described in Item 16G (Corporate Governance) of our 2022 Annual Report. To the extent we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would otherwise enjoy under the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

 

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.

 

Because we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

 

•

the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC;

 

•

the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;

 

•

the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

 

•

the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.

 

We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to continue to publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC is less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information, which would be made available to you, were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

 

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to vote with respect to the ordinary shares.

 

As a holder of ADSs, you will only be able to exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you must vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying shares unless you cancel the ADSs and withdraw the shares. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required for convening a general meeting is seven days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs to allow you to vote with respect to any specific matter. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

 

ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

 

The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our ordinary shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial for any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.

 

If we or the depositary were to oppose a jury trial based on this waiver, the court would have to determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of the case in accordance with applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, or by a federal or state court in the City of New York, which has non-exclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this would be the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.

 

 

If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have, including outcomes that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

 

Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or the ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

You may not receive dividends or other distributions on our ordinary shares, and you may not receive any value for them if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.

 

The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on the ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying your ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses and any taxes or other governmental charges. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, in accordance with the limitations set forth in the deposit agreement, it may be unlawful or impractical to make a distribution other than cash available to holders of ADSs. We have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that you may not receive distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of the ADSs.

 

You may experience dilution of your holdings due to inability to participate in rights offerings.

 

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Sections of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including statements incorporated by reference herein) entitled “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” among others, discuss factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance.

 

In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements about:

 

•

our goals and strategies;

 

•

our expected development and launch, and market acceptance, of our products and services;

 

•

our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;

 

•

the expected growth in, and market size of, the global internet industry;

 

•

expected changes in our revenue, costs or expenditures;

 

•

our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our brand, platforms and services;

 

•

our expectations regarding growth in our user base and level of engagement, including MAUs;

 

•

our ability to attract, retain and monetize users;

 

•

our ability to continue to develop new technologies and/or upgrade our existing technologies;

 

•

our expectation regarding the use of proceeds from this offering;

 

•

growth of and trends of competition in our industry;

 

•

government policies and regulations relating to our industry and the geographic markets in which we have business operations; and

 

•

general economic and business conditions in the markets we have businesses.

 

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or the information incorporated by reference herein relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in such document. Except as required by U.S. federal securities law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein, along with any exhibits thereto, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Other sections of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information known to us as of the date of this prospectus supplement, and although we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted a thorough inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein may also contain estimates, projections and statistical data that we obtained from industry publications and reports generated by government or third-party providers of market intelligence. Although we have not independently verified the data, we believe that the publications and reports are reliable. However, the statistical data and estimates in these publications and reports are based on a number of assumptions and if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. In addition, due to the rapidly evolving nature of the online content consumption and e-commerce industries, projections or estimates about our business and financial prospects involve significant risks and uncertainties.

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of ADSs by the selling securityholder.

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of up to 1,031,475 additional ADSs offered by us in this offering will be approximately $11.9 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase such additional ADSs in full, based on the public offering price per ADS of $12.25, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, primarily for general corporate purposes.

 

Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to hold our net proceeds, if any, in demand deposits.

 

The amounts and timing of any expenditures will vary depending on the amount of cash generated by our operations, and the rate of growth, if any, of our business, and our plans and business conditions. The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering, if any. Our management will have significant flexibility in applying discretion to apply the net proceeds of the offering, if any. If an unforeseen event occurs or business conditions change, we may use the proceeds of this offering, if any, differently than as described in this prospectus.

 

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

On June 13, 2023, our Board of Directors has adopted a recurring semi-annual cash dividend program with the first semi-annual dividend under the program being $0.40 per ADS for holders of Opera’s ordinary shares as well as ADSs, each representing two ordinary shares, paid to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2023. We intend to pay regular semi-annual dividends, with each payment subject to the approval of our Board of Directors. The form, frequency and amount of future dividends will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

Our Board of Directors has discretion as to whether to continue, reduce or even cease distributing dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. When we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders who will receive payment to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Description of American Depositary Shares.” Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. Dollars.

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. For our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders, we rely upon payments from our operating entities. We rely on a combination of dividend payments from our subsidiaries in markets we operate such as Norway. Regulations in Norway where we utilize dividend payments may restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us.

 

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the ADSs and this Offering—Your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on the combination of future dividend payments and the price appreciation of the ADSs."

 

 

SELLING SECURITYHOLDER

 

The following table and accompanying footnotes set forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of September 26, 2023 by the selling securityholder, before and after giving effect to this offering. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

Based on information supplied by the selling securityholder, we believe that, except as may otherwise be indicated in the footnotes to the table below, the selling securityholder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities reported as beneficially owned by it.

 

Securities Beneficially Owned prior to this Offering

Securities Beneficially Owned after this Offering

Name of Selling Securityholder

Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned

Percentage(1)

Ordinary Shares Offered in this Offering

Percentage(1)

Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned

Percentage

Keeneyes Future Holding Inc. (2)

13,753,012

7.7%

13,753,012

7.7%

-

-

 

(1)	Based on 177,577,676 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of September 26, 2023.
(2)	Represents 6,876,506 ADSs held by Keeneyes Future Holding Inc., an exempted company established in the Cayman Islands. Keeneyes Future Holding Inc. is wholly owned by Perfect Fortune Consultancy Limited, a company limited by shares incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Perfect Fortune Consultancy Limited is controlled by The Prosperity Trust, with Trident Trust Company (HK) Limited as the trustee and Mr. Zhou as the settlor and beneficiary.

 

 

CAPITALIZATION 

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2023. Because we will not be receiving any proceeds pursuant to the sale of this offering by the selling securityholder, our capitalization table is only as adjusted to give effect to our issuance and sale of 1,031,475 ordinary shares represented by ADSs in this offering at the public offering price of $12.25 per ADS, assuming the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us of $1.1 million in aggregate.

 

You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our 2022 Annual Report, as well as the management's discussion and analysis thereon, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

		As of June 30, 2023
		Actual				As adjusted
		(in $ thousands)
Long-term borrowings:
Interest bearing loans			-				-
Total long-term borrowings (including current portion)			-				-
Equity:
Share capital			18				18
Other paid-in capital			824,832				837,402
Treasury shares			(208,584	)			(208,584	)
Retained earnings			210,134				209,507
Foreign currency translation reserve			(4,553	)			(4,553	)
Total equity			821,847				833,790
Total capitalization			821,847				833,790

 

 

---

 

The discussion and table above exclude exercise of any outstanding restricted share units pursuant to our share incentive plans after June 30, 2023.

 

 

DILUTION 

 

Assuming the underwriters exercise their option to purchase from us additional ADSs in full, if you invest in the ADSs your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price of $12.25 per ADS and our net tangible book value of $3.17 per ADS after the offering of additional ADSs made by us. Dilution results from the fact that the public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding shares.

 

Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2023 was $285.0 million, or $1.58 per ordinary share and $3.17 per ADS. We calculate net tangible book value per ordinary shares by dividing our total tangible assets less our total liabilities by the number of our ordinary shares outstanding. As of June 30, 2023, we had 179,826,936 ordinary shares (or 89,913,468 ADSs in equivalent) issued and outstanding. Dilution is determined by subtracting as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share, after giving effect to the additional proceeds we will receive from this offering, from the public offering price per ordinary share.

 

Without taking into account any other changes in such net tangible book value after June 30, 2023, other than to give effect to the issuance and sale of 1,031,475 additional ADSs made by us in this offering at a public offering price of $12.25 per ADS, assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase the aggregate 1,031,475 additional ADSs is exercised in full and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, calculated based on the offering price of $12.25 per ADS, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2023 would have been $1.63 per outstanding ordinary share, including ordinary shares underlying our outstanding ADSs, or $3.26 per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.05 per ordinary share, or $0.09 per ADS, to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $4.49 per ordinary share, or $8.99 per ADS, to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering. The as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. The following table illustrates such dilution:

 

		Per Ordinary Share				Per ADS
Public offering price		$	6.13			$	12.25
Net tangible book value as of June 30, 2023			1.58				3.17
Increase in net tangible book value attributable to the offering of additional ADSs made by us in this offering			0.05				0.09
As adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to the offering of additional ADSs made by us in this offering as of June 30, 2023			1.63				3.26
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value to new investors in the offering of additional ADSs made by us in this offering			4.49				8.99

 

 

TAXATION 

 

The following summary of Cayman Islands, Norway and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws, or tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, Norway, and the United States. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Norwegian tax law, it represents the opinion of Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS, our counsel as to Norway law.

 

Cayman Islands Tax Considerations

 

As advised by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel with regards to Cayman Island tax matters, the Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within, the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties which are applicable to any payments made by or to our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

 

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares or the ADSs will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares or the ADSs, as the case may be, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares or the ADSs be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax. The Cayman Islands currently have no income, corporation or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.

 

 

No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of our ordinary shares or the ADSs or on an instrument of transfer in respect of our ordinary shares or the ADSs.

 

Norway Tax Considerations

 

Below is a summary of the primary tax issue in Norway for Norwegian corporate holders of the ADSs, based on the opinion of Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS, our counsel with regards to Norwegian tax matters.

 

The ADS is a financial instrument with shares in Opera Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability, as the underlying object. For Norwegian tax purposes, the ADSs will not be covered by the participation exemption since the underlying object is an entity in a low tax jurisdiction outside the EU/EEA. For limited liability companies (and certain similar entities) resident in Norway for tax purposes, dividends from the ADSs will be considered as taxable income. Gains on realization (including sales) of the ADSs will also be considered as taxable income for limited liability companies (and certain similar entities) resident in Norway for tax purposes. The ordinary Norwegian tax rate for 2023 for limited liability companies (and certain similar entities) is currently 22%.

 

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following discussion describes the material United States federal income tax consequences to a United States Holder (as defined below), under current law, of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares. This discussion is based on the federal income tax laws of the United States as of the date of this prospectus supplement, including the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority, published administrative positions of the United States Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, and other applicable authorities, all as of the date of this prospectus supplement. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could significantly affect the tax consequences described below. We have not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following discussion and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with our statements and conclusions.

 

This discussion applies only to a United States Holder (as defined below) that holds ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). The discussion neither addresses the tax consequences to any particular investor nor describes all of the tax consequences applicable to persons in special tax situations, such as:

 

●

banks and certain other financial institutions;

 

●

insurance companies;

 

●

regulated investment companies;

 

●

real estate investment trusts;

 

●

brokers or dealers in stocks and securities, or currencies;

 

●

persons who use or are required to use a mark-to-market method of accounting;

 

●

certain former citizens or residents of the United States subject to Section 877 of the Code;

 

●

entities subject to the United States anti-inversion rules;

 

●

tax-exempt organizations and entities;

 

●

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code;

 

 

●

persons whose functional currency is other than the United States dollar;

 

●

persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction;

 

●

persons that actually or constructively own ADSs or ordinary shares representing 10% or more of our voting power or value;

 

●

persons who acquired ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of an employee equity grant or otherwise as compensation;

 

●

partnerships or other pass-through entities, or persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through such entities;

 

●

persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement; or

 

●

persons that held, directly, indirectly or by attribution, ADSs or ordinary shares or other ownership interests in us prior to this offering.

 

This discussion does not address the United States federal estate, gift, Medicare, and alternative minimum tax considerations, or any state, local and non-United States tax considerations, relating to the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares.

 

This discussion does not address any tax consequences or reporting obligations that may be applicable to persons holding the ADSs or ordinary shares through a bank, financial institution or other entity, or a branch thereof, located, organized or resident outside the United States, and does not describe any tax consequences arising in respect of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA regime.

 

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds the ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership or partner in a partnership holding the ADSs or ordinary shares should consult its tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of investing in and holding the ADSs or ordinary shares.

 

THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING AND ADVICE. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-UNITED STATES TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

 

For purposes of the discussion below, a “United States Holder” is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

●

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

●

a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

●

an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

●

a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (ii) in the case of a trust that was treated as a domestic trust under the law in effect before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury regulations to treat such trust as a domestic trust.

 

The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement and any related agreement are true and that the obligations in such agreements will be complied with in accordance with their terms.

 

ADSs

 

If you own the ADSs, then you should be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs should not be subject to United States federal income tax.

 

 

Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Our Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, the gross amount of any distribution that we make to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares (including any amounts withheld to reflect withholding taxes) will be taxable as a dividend, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income (including any withheld taxes) will be includable in your gross income on the day actually or constructively received by you, if you own our ordinary shares, or by the depositary, if you own the ADSs. If a distribution exceeds the amount of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as so determined under United States federal income tax principles, the excess will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the United States Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs, and thereafter as capital gain, which will be either long-term or short-term capital gain depending on whether the United States Holder held the ordinary shares or ADSs for more than one year.

 

Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of United States federal income tax principles, any distribution paid generally will be reported as a “dividend” for United States federal income tax purposes. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to qualifying corporations under the Code.

 

Dividends received by a non-corporate United States Holder may qualify for the lower rates of tax applicable to “qualified dividend income,” if the dividends are paid by a “qualified foreign corporation” and other conditions discussed below are met. A non-United States corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation (i) with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares (or ADSs backed by such shares) that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) if such non-United States corporation is eligible for the benefits of a qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program. We do not expect to be eligible for the benefits of such an income tax treaty. In addition, a non-United States corporation will not be treated as a qualified foreign corporation if it is a PFIC in the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year.

 

Under a published IRS Notice, common or ordinary shares, or ADSs representing such shares (such as the ADSs), are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, as the ADSs are (but not our ordinary shares). Based on existing guidance, it is unclear whether the ordinary shares will be considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, because only the ADSs, and not the underlying ordinary shares, are listed on a securities market in the United States. We believe, but we cannot assure you, that dividends we pay on the ordinary shares that are represented by the ADSs, but not on the ordinary shares that are not so represented, will, subject to applicable limitations, be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation applicable to “qualified dividend income.”

 

Even if dividends would be treated as paid by a qualified foreign corporation, a non-corporate United States Holder will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation if it does not hold the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date (disregarding certain periods of ownership while the United States Holder’s risk of loss is diminished) or if such United States Holder elects to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends of a qualified foreign corporation if the non-corporate United States Holder receiving the dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.

 

You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income for any dividends that we pay with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as the effect of any change in applicable law after the date of this prospectus supplement.

 

Any non-United States withholding taxes imposed on dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for deduction or credit against your United States federal income tax liability, subject to the various limitations and disallowance rules that apply to foreign tax credits generally (including that the election to deduct or credit foreign taxes applies to all of your other applicable foreign taxes for a particular tax year). For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation, dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and generally will constitute passive category income, or in certain cases, general category income. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, U.S. regulations have imposed additional requirements that must be met for a foreign tax to be creditable, including requirements that the withholding tax constitutes a “covered withholding tax” imposed on nonresidents in lieu of a generally applicable tax that satisfies the regulatory definition of an “income tax,” which may be unclear or difficult to determine (although a recent IRS notice provides temporary relief from certain of these requirements through 2023 if the notice is applied consistently to all foreign taxes paid during the relevant taxable year). You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit in your particular circumstances.

 

Disposition of the ADSs or Our Ordinary Shares

 

You will recognize gain or loss on a sale or exchange of the ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and your tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares. Subject to the discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company” below, such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of a non-corporate United States Holder, including an individual that has held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year currently are eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

 

Any gain or loss that you recognize on a disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as United States-source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Under U.S. regulations discussed above, non-United States withholding tax imposed on such U.S. source gain may not constitute a creditable tax, You should consult your tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of gain or loss, as well as the availability of a foreign tax credit, in your particular circumstances.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company

 

Based on the market price of the ADSs, the value of our assets and the nature and composition of our income and assets, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2022, and we do not expect to become a PFIC for our current taxable year, although there can be no assurances in this regard. The determination of PFIC status is based on an annual determination that cannot be made until the close of a taxable year, involves extensive factual investigation, including ascertaining the fair market value of all of our assets on a quarterly basis and the character of each item of income that we earn, and is subject to uncertainty in several respects. Moreover, we cannot assure you that the IRS will agree with any position that we take. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year or that the IRS will not take a contrary position to any determination we make.

 

We will be treated as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if, applying applicable look-through rules, either:

 

●

at least 75% of our gross income for such year is passive income; or

 

●

at least 50% of the value of our assets (generally determined based on a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income.

 

For this purpose, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties and rents (other than certain royalties and rents derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person). We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% by value of the stock.

 

Changes in the nature or composition of our income or assets, including as a result of our investment in new businesses, products, services and technologies, may cause us to be or become a PFIC. The determination of whether we will be a PFIC for any taxable year may depend in part upon the value of our goodwill and other unrecorded intangibles not reflected on our balance sheet (which may depend upon the market value of the ADSs or ordinary shares from time to time, which may be volatile) and also may be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend our liquid assets and the cash we generate from our operations and raise in any offering. In estimating the value of our goodwill and other unrecorded intangibles, we have taken into account our market capitalization. Among other matters, if our market capitalization declines, we may be or become a PFIC for the current or future taxable years because our liquid assets and cash (which are for this purpose considered assets that produce passive income) may then represent a greater percentage of the value of our overall assets. Further, while we believe our classification methodology and valuation approach are reasonable, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification or valuation of our goodwill and other unrecorded intangibles, which may result in our being or becoming a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2022, the current taxable year or one or more future taxable years.

 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to you for all succeeding years during which you hold the ADSs or ordinary shares, unless we were to cease to be a PFIC and you make a “deemed sale” election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares. If such election is made, you will be deemed to have sold the ADSs or ordinary shares you hold at their fair market value and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described in the following two paragraphs. After the deemed sale election, so long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, such ADSs or ordinary shares with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC and, as a result, you will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any “excess distribution” you receive from us or any gain from a sale or other taxable disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisors as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale election if we are and then cease to be a PFIC and such an election becomes available to you.

 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares, then, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election (as discussed below), you generally will be subject to special and adverse tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive from us and any gain that you recognize from a sale or other disposition, including a pledge, of the ADSs or ordinary shares. For this purpose, distributions that you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions that you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these rules:

 

●

the excess distribution or recognized gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares;

 

●

the amount of the excess distribution or recognized gain allocated to the taxable year of distribution or gain, and to any taxable years in your holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we were treated as a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and

 

●

the amount of the excess distribution or recognized gain allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as applicable, for each such year and the resulting tax will be subject to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax.

 

 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our non-United States subsidiaries that are corporations (or other corporations in which we directly or indirectly own equity interests) is also a PFIC, you would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each such non-United States corporation classified as a PFIC (each such corporation, a lower-tier PFIC) for purposes of the application of these rules. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our lower-tier PFICs.

 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares, then in lieu of being subject to the tax and interest-charge rules discussed above, you may make an election to include gain on the ADSs or ordinary shares as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that such ADSs or ordinary shares constitute “marketable stock.” Marketable stock is stock that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable Treasury regulations. The ADSs, but not our ordinary shares, are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which is a qualified exchange or other market for these purposes. Consequently, as long as the ADSs remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and are regularly traded, and you are a holder of such ADSs, we expect that the mark-to-market election would be available to you if we were a PFIC, but no assurances are given in this regard.

 

Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, if we were a PFIC for any taxable year, a United States Holder that makes a mark-to-market election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares may continue to be subject to the tax and interest charges under the general PFIC rules with respect to such United States Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

In certain circumstances, a United States Holder of shares in a PFIC may avoid the adverse tax and interest-charge regime described above by making a “qualified electing fund” election to include in income its share of the corporation’s income on a current basis. However, you may make a qualified electing fund election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares only if we agree to furnish you annually with a PFIC annual information statement as specified in the applicable Treasury regulations. We currently do not intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election.

 

A United States Holder that holds the ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC will be required to file an annual report containing such information as the United States Treasury Department may require. In addition, under certain circumstances, regulations also require a “United States person” (as such term is defined in the Code) that owns an interest in a PFIC as an indirect shareholder through one or more United States persons to file an annual report for any taxable year during which such indirect shareholder is treated as receiving an excess distribution in connection with the ownership or disposition of such interest, or reports income pursuant to a mark-to-market election.

 

You should consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your ownership and disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares and the availability, application and consequences of the elections discussed above.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Information reporting to the IRS and backup withholding generally will apply to dividends in respect of the ADSs or ordinary shares, and the proceeds from the sale or exchange of the ADSs or ordinary shares, that are paid to you within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless you furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and make any other required certification, generally on IRS Form W-9, or you otherwise establish an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding generally are allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability, and you may be entitled to obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules if you timely file an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnish any required information in a timely manner. United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules.

 

Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets

 

United States Holders who are individuals (and certain entities closely held by individuals) generally will be required to report our name, address and such information relating to an interest in the ADSs or ordinary shares as is necessary to identify the class or issue of which the ADSs or ordinary shares are a part. These requirements are subject to exceptions, including an exception for ADSs or ordinary shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions and an exception applicable if the aggregate value of all “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in the Code) does not exceed $50,000 (and in some circumstances, a higher threshold).

 

United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these information reporting rules.

 

 

UNDERWRITING 

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated September 28, 2023, the underwriters named below, for whom Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as representatives, have severally and not jointly agreed to purchase, and the selling securityholder has agreed to sell to them, severally, ordinary shares represented by the indicated numbers of ADSs below.

 

Name of Underwriters		Number of ADSs
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.			2,819,367
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC			2,441,160
Cowen and Company, LLC			653,268
China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited			653,268
Lake Street Capital Markets LLC			309,443
Total			6,876,506

 

The underwriters and the representatives are collectively referred to as the “underwriters” and the “representatives,” respectively. The underwriters are offering the ADSs subject to their acceptance of the ADSs from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the ADSs offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business and the receipt of certain certificates, opinions and letters from us, our counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm. The underwriters are obligated, severally and not jointly, to take and pay for all of the ADSs offered by this prospectus supplement if any such ADSs are taken. The underwriters are not required, however, to take or pay for the ADSs covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs described below. Any offers or sales of the ADSs in the United States will be conducted by registered broker-dealers in the United States. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and reject orders in whole or in part.

 

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the ADSs directly to the public at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $0.2940 per ADS under the public offering price. After the initial offering of the ADSs, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.

 

Certain of the underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both inside and outside the United States through their respective selling agents. Any offers or sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and, to the extent that its conduct may be deemed to involve participation in offers or sales of ADSs in the United States, those offers or sales will be made through one or more SEC-registered broker-dealers in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,031,475 additional ADSs at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus supplement less underwriting discounts and commissions. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional ADSs as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of ADSs listed in the preceding table. If the underwriters’ option is exercised in full, the total price to the public would be $84.2 million, based on the public offering price of $12.25 per ADS, the total underwriters’ discounts and commissions would be $3.9 million and the total proceeds to us (before expenses) would be $12.1 million.

 

The table below shows the underwriting discounts and commissions per ADS and total underwriting discounts and commissions that the selling securityholder, and, upon exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional ADSs, we will pay to the underwriters. The underwriting discounts and commissions are determined by negotiations among us and the underwriters and are a percentage of the offering price to the public. Among the factors considered in determining the discounts and commissions are the size of the offering, the nature of the security to be offered and the discounts and commissions charged in comparable transactions.

 

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions		No Exercise				Full Exercise
Per ADS		$	0.49			$	0.49
Total paid by the selling securityholder		$	3,369,488			$	3,369,488
Total paid by us			-			$	505,423

 

 

The total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $0.63 million. Expenses include the SEC and printing, legal, accounting and miscellaneous expenses.

 

The ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “OPRA.”

 

We have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representatives, subject to certain exceptions, we and they will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement:

 

●

offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs;

 

●

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs; or

 

●

file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any ordinary shares, ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs,

 

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares, ADSs, or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

Our directors, officers and our principal shareholders have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representatives, such foregoing persons, subject to certain exceptions, will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement:

 

●

offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs; or

 

●

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs,

 

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares, ADSs, or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In addition, we and each such person agrees that, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, we or such other person will not, during the restricted period, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any ordinary shares, ADSs, or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs.

 

Subject to compliance with the notification requirements under FINRA Rule 5131 applicable to lock-up agreements with our directors or officers, if the representatives, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up agreement for an officer or a director of us and provides us with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, we agree to announce the impending release or waiver by issuing a press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Currently, there are no agreements, understandings or intentions, tacit or explicit, to release any of the securities from the lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the corresponding period.

 

To facilitate this offering of the ADSs, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the ADSs. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more ADSs than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of ADSs available for purchase by the underwriters under the option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising their option to purchase additional ADSs or purchasing ADSs in the open market. In determining the source of ADSs to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of ADSs compared to the price available under their option to purchase additional ADSs. The underwriters may also sell ADSs in excess of their option to purchase additional ADSs, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. In addition, to stabilize the price of the ADSs, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, ADSs in the open market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the ADSs in this offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed ADSs to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the ADSs. Any of these activities may raise or maintain the market price of the ADSs above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the ADSs. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

 

 

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

 

In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments. We and the selling securityholder have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. If we and the selling securityholder are unable to provide this indemnification, we and the selling securityholder will contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

 

The address of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, United States. The address of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282.

 

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares

 

A prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of ADSs to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, ADSs may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell ADSs to online brokerage account holders. Other than the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s or selling group member’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by any underwriter or selling group member is not part of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

Selling Restrictions

 

No action may be taken in any jurisdiction other than the United States that would permit a public offering of the ADSs or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the ADSs may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither the prospectus supplement nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the ADSs may be distributed or published in or from any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

 

Australia. This prospectus supplement has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus supplement in Australia:

 

(a)

you confirm and warrant that you are either:

 

(i)

“sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or the Corporations Act;

 

(ii)

“sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

 

(iii)

person associated with the company under section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

 

(iv)

“professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

 

and to the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act, any offer made to you under this prospectus supplement is void and incapable of acceptance;

 

(b)

you warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the ADSs issued to you pursuant to this prospectus supplement for resale in Australia within 12 months of those ADSs being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

 

 

Canada. The ADSs may be sold in Canada only to purchasers resident or located in the Provinces of Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia, purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the ADSs must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

 

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

 

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts, or NI 33-105, the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

Cayman Islands. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an invitation or offer to the public in the Cayman Islands of the ADSs, whether by way of sale or subscription. The underwriters have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any ADSs in the Cayman Islands.

 

European Economic Area. In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant State”), no ADSs have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the ADSs which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of ADSs may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

(a)

to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;

 

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters named above for any such offer; or

 

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation;

 

provided that no such offer of ADSs shall require the Company or any underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation. Neither we nor the representatives of the underwriters named above have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of ADSs in circumstances in which an obligation arises for us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

 

Each person in a Relevant State who initially acquires any ADSs or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the Company and the representatives of the underwriters named above that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

 

In the case of any ADSs being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the ADSs acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of ADSs to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters named above has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

 

The Company, the underwriters and their respective affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

 

United Kingdom. No ADSs have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the ADSs which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that ADSs may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:

 

(a)

to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;

 

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters named above for any such offer; or

 

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the “FSMA”);

 

 

provided that no such offer of ADSs shall require the Company or any underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to section 85 of the FSMA or a supplemental prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation. Neither we nor the representatives of the underwriters named above have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of ADSs in circumstances in which an obligation arises for us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer pursuant to section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

 

Each person in the United Kingdom who initially acquires any ADSs or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the Company and the representatives of the underwriters named above that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

 

In the case of any ADSs being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the ADSs acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of ADSs to the public other than their offer or resale in the United Kingdom to qualified investors (as defined in the UK Prospectus Regulation) or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters named above has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

 

The Company, the underwriters and their respective affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

 

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this prospectus supplement is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the UK Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Order"), and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This prospectus supplement must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

 

Switzerland. The ADSs may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (the “SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

 

Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the issuer, the ADSs have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus supplement will not be filed with, and the offer of ADSs will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (the “FINMA”), and the offer of ADSs has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (the “CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of ADSs.

 

Dubai International Financial Centre. This prospectus supplement relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the “DFSA”). This prospectus supplement is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this prospectus supplement. The ADSs to which this prospectus supplement relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ADSs. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

 

Israel.  In the State of Israel this prospectus shall not be regarded as an offer to the public to purchase shares of common stock under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968, which requires a prospectus to be published and authorized by the Israel Securities Authority, if it complies with certain provisions of Section 15 of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728–1968, including, inter alia, if: (i) the offer is made, distributed or directed to not more than 35 investors, subject to certain conditions (the “Addressed Investors”); or (ii) the offer is made, distributed or directed to certain qualified investors defined in the First Addendum of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968, subject to certain conditions (the “Qualified Investors”).  The Qualified Investors shall not be taken into account in the count of the Addressed Investors and may be offered to purchase securities in addition to the 35 Addressed Investors.  The company has not and will not take any action that would require it to publish a prospectus in accordance with and subject to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968.  We have not and will not distribute this prospectus or make, distribute or direct an offer to subscribe for our common stock to any person within the State of Israel, other than to Qualified Investors and up to 35 Addressed Investors.

 

 

Qualified Investors may have to submit written evidence that they meet the definitions set out in of the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968.  In particular, we may request, as a condition to be offered common stock, that Qualified Investors will each represent, warrant and certify to us and/or to anyone acting on our behalf: (i) that it is an investor falling within one of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968; (ii) which of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968 regarding Qualified Investors is applicable to it; (iii) that it will abide by all provisions set forth in the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968 and the regulations promulgated thereunder in connection with the offer to be issued common stock; (iv) that the shares of common stock that it will be issued are, subject to exemptions available under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968: (a) for its own account; (b) for investment purposes only; and (c) not issued with a view to resale within the State of Israel, other than in accordance with the provisions of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968; and (v) that it is willing to provide further evidence of its Qualified Investor status.  Addressed Investors may have to submit written evidence in respect of their identity and may have to sign and submit a declaration containing, inter alia, the Addressed Investor’s name, address and passport number or Israeli identification number.

 

Hong Kong. The ADSs may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (1) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (2) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (3) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

 

Japan. The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, and ADSs will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to any exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

 

People’s Republic of China. This prospectus supplement has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and ADSs may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.

 

Singapore. This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the ADSs may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or SFA, (2) to a relevant person or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (3) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.

 

Where the ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor; shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ADSs under Section 275 of the SFA, except: (1) to an institutional investor (for corporations under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than $200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or (3) where the transfer is by operation of law.

 

Notification under Section 309B(1)(c) of the SFA: We have determined that the ADSs shall be (A) prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and (B) Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-273242), including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with, or incorporated by reference in, such registration statement, under the Securities Act with respect to underlying shares represented by the ADSs, to be sold in this offering. We have also filed with the SEC a related registration statement on F-6 (Registration No. 333-226171) to register the ADSs. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which constitute a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read the registration statement on Form F-3 and its exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and the ADSs.

 

We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing, among other things, the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, and Section 16 short swing profit reporting for our executive officers and directors and for holders of more than 10% of our ordinary shares. We are required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All information filed with the SEC can be obtained over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC website for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms.

 

 

 

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such documents shall not create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date thereof or that the information contained therein is current as of any time subsequent to its date. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.

 

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

●

Our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 20, 2023, or the “2022 Annual Report.”

 

●

All subsequent reports on Form 20-F and any report on Form 6-K that so indicates it is being incorporated by reference, in each case, that we file with the SEC on or after the date hereof and until the termination or completion of the offering under this prospectus supplement.

 

Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specially incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:

 

Opera Norway

Attn: Matthew Wolfson

Vitaminveien 4, 0485 Oslo, Norway

investor-relations@opera.com

+47 2369-2400

 

 

You should rely only on the information that we incorporate by reference or provide in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making any offer of these shares in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the ADSs and certain other legal matters with respect to U.S. federal and New York State law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Milbank LLP. Certain legal matters with respect to U.S. federal and New York State law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., New York, New York. The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering and other certain legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP. Legal matters as to Norway law will be passed upon for us by Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS. Milbank LLP may rely upon Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law, Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS with respect to matters governed by Norway law.

 

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Opera Limited as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG AS, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. 

 

Prospectus

 

 

Opera Limited

 

 

Up to US$300,000,000 of

Ordinary Shares
Preferred Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants

and

Up to 141,773,298 Ordinary Shares or Equivalent ADSs Offered by the Selling Securityholders  

 

We may offer and sell from time to time ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by American depositary shares or ADSs (each representing two ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share as of the date of this prospectus), preferred shares, debt securities and warrants of Opera Limited in any combination from time to time in one or more offerings, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities offered by us in this prospectus will have an aggregate offering price of up to US$300,000,000. The preferred shares, debt securities and warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or other securities.

 

In addition, selling securityholders named in this prospectus may from time to time, offer and sell up to 141,773,298 of our ordinary shares or equivalent ADSs in one or more offerings. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our securities by the selling securityholders, but we may pay certain registration and offering fees and expenses associated with the registration and sale of those securities. See “Selling Securityholders.”

 

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we or the selling securityholders may offer. We will provide the specific terms of the securities offered in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference, before you invest in any of our securities. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We or the selling securityholders may sell the securities independently or together with any other securities registered hereunder through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods, on a continuous or delayed basis. See “Plan of Distribution.” If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangements between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

Our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “OPRA.” On September 22, 2023, the closing price for our ADSs on Nasdaq was $12.95 per ADS. 

 

As of September 22, 2023, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the closing price for our ADSs on Nasdaq on September 22, 2023 at $6.475 per share, was approximately $233.1 million, based on 177,780,616 outstanding ordinary shares as of such date, of which 36,007,318 ordinary shares were held by non-affiliates. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on this registration statement of which any prospectus supplement forms a part in a public primary offering with a value exceeding one-third of our outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates (the “public float”) in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus, we have not sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3.

 

We are a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. Kunlun Tech Co., Ltd., our principal shareholder, holds more than 50% of the shareholder voting power of our outstanding share capital, and can exert substantial influence over matters such as electing directors and approving material mergers, acquisitions, strategic collaborations or other business combination transactions. For so long as we remain a controlled company as defined under that rule, we are exempt from, and our shareholders generally are not provided with the benefits of, some of the Nasdaq Stock Market corporate governance requirements, including the requirement that a majority of our directors be independent, as defined in the Nasdaq rules, and the requirement that our compensation and corporate governance and nominating committees consist entirely of independent directors.

 

We are a “foreign private issuer” and we are currently an “emerging growth company” under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements. Subject to any other conditions as prescribed in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 or the JOBS Act, we will no longer be an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act effect from the last day of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See the “Risk Factors” section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before investing in our securities.

 

This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the disclosures in this prospectus, including any prospectus supplement and documents incorporated by reference. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is September 25, 2023

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US	2
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE	3
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	4
OUR COMPANY	6
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS	7
RISK FACTORS	12
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE	13
CAPITALIZATION	14
DILUTION	15
USE OF PROCEEDS	16
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES	17
TAXATION	19
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES	20
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL	21
DESCRIPTION OF ORDINARY SHARES	30
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES	31
DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED SHARES	39
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	40
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	43
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER	46
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	47
LEGAL MATTERS	50
EXPERTS	51
INDEX TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	F-1

 

 

 

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information About Us” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference.”

 

In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires,

 

•

“ADSs” refer to American depositary shares, each of which represents two ordinary shares;

 

•

“shares” or “ordinary shares” refer to our ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share;

 

•

“US$,” “U.S. Dollars,” “$” and “dollars” refer to the legal currency of the United States; and

 

•

“we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Group,” “our group,” “our” or “Opera” refers to Opera Limited, an exempt company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability that is the holding company of our group.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process permitted under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell our shares, debt securities and warrants or any combination of any of the foregoing having an aggregate initial offering price of up to US$300,000,000 from time to time in one or more offerings and the selling securityholders referred to in this prospectus and identified in supplements to this prospectus may sell up to an aggregate amount of 141,773,298 ordinary shares or equivalent ADSs in one or more offerings on a continuous or delayed basis. This prospectus only provides you with a summary description of these securities. Each time we sell the securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and the specific terms of that offering. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any of the securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information About Us” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

       

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US 

 

We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from, among other things, the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, and Section 16 short swing profit reporting for our officers and directors and for holders of more than 10% of our ordinary shares. All information filed with the SEC can be obtained over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC website for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms.

 

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement omit some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information on us and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.

 

Our website address is www.opera.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

 

 

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such documents shall not create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date thereof or that the information contained therein is current as of any time subsequent to its date. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information contained in this prospectus and information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.

 

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

•

our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 20, 2023, or the 2022 Annual Report; and

 

•

with respect to each offering of the securities under this prospectus, all our subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F and any report on Form 6-K that indicates that it is being incorporated by reference that we file or furnish with the SEC on or after the date on which the registration statement is first filed with the SEC and until the termination or completion of the offering by means of this prospectus.

 

Our 2022 Annual Report contains a description of our business and audited consolidated financial statements with a report by an independent registered public accounting firm. The consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS.

 

Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:

 

Opera Norway

Attn: Matthew Wolfson

Vitaminveien 4, 0485 Oslo, Norway

investor-relations@opera.com

+47 2369-2400

 

You should rely only on the information that we incorporate by reference or provide in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making any offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

 

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference herein may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Sections of this prospectus and any prospectus supplement (including statements incorporated by reference herein) entitled “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” among others, discuss factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance.

 

In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements about:

 

•

our goals and strategies;

 

•

our expected development and launch, and market acceptance, of our products and services;

 

•

our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;

 

•

the expected growth in, and market size of, the global internet industry;

 

•

expected changes in our revenue, costs or expenditures;

 

•

our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our brand, platforms and services;

 

•

our expectations regarding growth in our user base and level of engagement;

 

•

our ability to attract, retain and monetize users;

 

•

our ability to continue to develop new technologies and/or upgrade our existing technologies;

 

•

growth of and trends of competition in our industry;

 

•

government policies and regulations relating to our industry and the geographic markets in which we have business operations; and

 

•

general economic and business conditions in the markets we have businesses.

 

 

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, or the information incorporated by reference herein relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in such document. Except as required by U.S. federal securities law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference herein, along with any exhibits thereto, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Other sections of this prospectus, prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. 

 

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference herein may also contain estimates, projections and statistical data that we obtained from industry publications and reports generated by government or third-party providers of market intelligence. Although we have not independently verified the data, we believe that the publications and reports are reliable. However, the statistical data and estimates in these publications and reports are based on a number of assumptions and if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. In addition, due to the rapidly evolving nature of the online content consumption, digital advertising and e-commerce industries, projections or estimates about our business and financial prospects involve significant risks and uncertainties.

 

 

OUR COMPANY 

 

Overview

 

Opera is a leading global internet brand with a large, engaged and growing base reaching over 324 million average monthly active users in 2022. Building on over 27 years of innovation, starting with our browser products, we are increasingly leveraging our brand as well as our massive and engaged user base in order to expand our offerings and our business. Today, we offer users around the globe a range of products and services that include a variety of PC and mobile browsers, our Opera gaming portals and development tools, our Opera news content recommendation products, our audience extension product (namely the Opera Ads platform) and a number of Web3 and e-commerce products and services.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at Vitaminveien 4, 0485 Oslo, Norway. Our telephone number at this address is +47 2369-2400. 

 

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth a summary, for the periods indicated, of our consolidated results of operations. The summary consolidated results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 have been derived from our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. This information should be read together with the financial statements and related notes. Our historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. 

 

Subsequent to the announcement of our second quarter and first half results on August 24, 2023, we have obtained new information on the likelihood of future tax payment deductions relating to share-based remuneration expenses both in the current and previous periods. This resulted in the recognition of a deferred tax asset of $5.4 million as of June 30, 2023, in the condensed interim financial consolidated statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Because the amount of future tax deductions exceeds the amount of related cumulative share-based remuneration expenses, $2.2 million of the deferred tax associated with the excess was recognized against equity. The remaining tax benefit of $3.2 million was recognized as a reduction of the income tax expense.

 

		Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2022				2023
Revenue		$	149,417			$	181,185
Other operating income			242				180
Operating expenses:
Technology and platform fees			(2,284	)			(1,956	)
Content cost			(2,103	)			(1,983	)
Cost of inventory sold			(15,504	)			(35,523	)
Personnel expenses, including share-based remuneration			(35,499	)			(41,423	)
Marketing and distribution expenses			(59,424	)			(51,393	)
Credit loss expense			(111	)			(2,446	)
Depreciation and amortization			(7,011	)			(6,735	)
Other operating expenses			(13,933	)			(13,422	)
Total operating expenses			(135,869	)			(154,880	)
Operating profit			13,790				26,485
Share of net loss of equity-accounted investees			(6	)			-
Net finance income (expense):
Finance income			2,437				6,723
Finance expense			(26,496	)			(453	)
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)			(648	)			676
Net finance income (loss)			(24,707	)			6,946
Net income (loss) before income taxes			(10,922	)			33,431
Income tax (expense) benefit			(4,350	)			(1,239	)
Net income (loss)		$	(15,271	)		$	32,192

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2023, Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

 

Revenue increased to $181.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, from $149.4 million in the same period in 2022, representing an increase of 21%.

 

•

Advertising revenue was $102.3 million in the first half of 2023, marking a 26% increase from the $81.5 million reported for the same period in 2022. Our advertising revenue growth has been fueled by the Opera Ads audience extension platform, as well as ongoing monetization growth for mobile and GX browsers.

 

•

Search revenue reached $76.6 million in the first half of 2023, marking a 17% increase from the $65.8 million recorded during the same period in 2022. Our search revenue growth follows our focus on cultivating user engagement with the highest monetization potential in developed markets.

 

•

Technology licensing and other revenue was $2.2 million, relatively flat compared to $2.1 million during the first half of 2022.

 

 

Operating expenses were $154.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, up 14% from $135.9 million in the same period in 2022.

 

•

Technology and platform fees were $2.0 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $2.3 million in the first half of 2022, representing a decrease of 14%.

 

•

Content cost was $2.0 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $2.1 million in the first half of 2022, representing a decrease of 6%.

 

•

Cost of inventory sold was $35.5 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $15.5 million in the first half of 2022, representing an increase of 129%. The increase follows our successful scaling of the Opera Ads audience extension platform, as well as certain collaborations where we advertise on third party properties relating to our mobile browsers in emerging markets.

 

•

Personnel expenses, including share-based remuneration, were $41.4 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $35.5 million in the first half of 2022, representing an increase of 17%. This expense consisted of a cash-based compensation expense of $32.3 million, which, with an expense of $32.1 million in the first half of 2022, was flat year-over-year, and a share-based remuneration expense of $9.2 million, which was up from $3.4 million in the first half of 2022. Share-based remuneration expense includes Kunlun equity awards made by Kunlun to Opera employees, which represents an expense of $2.7 million in the first half of 2023 compared to zero in the same period in 2022. Opera does not have any obligation to settle the awards granted by Kunlun and such grants do not lead to dilution for Opera’s shareholders. The remaining increase of share-based remuneration expense was driven by new Opera grants issued during the first half of 2023, with vesting over 2023-2026.

 

•

Marketing and distribution expenses were $51.4 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $59.4 million in the first half of 2022, representing a decrease of 14%, primarily due to reduced marketing spend in lower monetizing markets and our plans to shift more marketing activities into the second half of 2023 following our mid-year product launches and updates.

 

•

Credit loss expense was $2.4 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $0.1 million in the first half of 2022, representing an increase of 2,104%, primarily due to one specific provision related to an ongoing payment dispute with a local advertiser in an emerging market.

 

•

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $6.7 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $7.0 million in the first half of 2022, representing a decrease of 4%. This decline can be attributed primarily to the scheduled retirement of hosting servers at the conclusion of their operational life cycle.

 

•

Other operating expenses were $13.4 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $13.9 million in the first half of 2022, representing a slight decrease of 4% as a result of reduced expenses within audit, legal and other advisory services as well as rent and other office expenses.

 

Operating profit for the six months ending June 30, 2023 stood at $26.5 million, reflecting an operating margin of 15%, as compared to $13.8 million with a 9% margin during the first half of 2022.

 

 

Net finance income was $6.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to net finance expense of $24.7 million in the first half of 2022. The volatility within finance items mainly arose from our former investment program in marketable securities, which was terminated in February 2023.

 

Income tax expense was $1.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $4.4 million in the first half of 2022. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was 4%, compared to negative 40% for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2023 reflected the benefit from the recognition of deferred tax assets relating to share based remuneration expenses both in the current and previous periods where we have obtained new information on the likelihood of future tax payment deductions. The negative tax rate in the comparative period of 2022 was predominantly caused by the net loss from our former investment program, which was non-deductible for tax purposes.

 

Net income was $32.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to a net loss of $15.3 million in the first half of 2022.

 

Contribution by Segment

 

Our operating segments are based on our main categories of products and services, namely Browser and News and Other. The following tables presents contribution from these segments, which represents revenue from the segment, less the sum of (i) technology and platform fees, (ii) content cost, (iii) cost of inventory sold, (iv) marketing and distribution expenses, and (v) credit loss expense attributed to that segment.

 

Browser and News

 

		Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2022				2023
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Advertising		$	81,521			$	102,303
Search			65,760				76,644
Technology licensing and other revenue			646				1,891
Total revenue			147,927				180,838
Direct expenses:
Technology and platform fees			(2,284	)			(1,953	)
Content cost			(2,103	)			(1,983	)
Cost of inventory sold			(15,504	)			(35,523	)
Marketing and distribution expenses			(59,238	)			(51,387	)
Credit loss expense			(114	)			(2,441	)
Total direct expenses			(79,242	)			(93,288	)
Contribution by segment		$	68,685			$	87,550

 

Browser and News contributed $87.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, corresponding to 48% of segment revenue, compared to $68.7 million or 46% of segment revenue in the same period in 2022. The segment revenue increase of $32.9 million was partially offset by an increase in segment expenses of $14.0 million.

 

Other

 

		Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2022				2023
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Advertising		$	14			$	45
Technology licensing and other revenue			1,476				303
Total revenue			1,490				347
Direct expenses:
Technology and platform fees			-				(2	)
Marketing and distribution expenses			(187	)			(5	)
Credit loss expense			3				(5	)
Total direct expenses			(184	)			(13	)
Contribution by segment		$	1,306			$	335

 

 

The Other segment, which mainly includes licensing of our proprietary technology and professional services, contributed $0.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, or 97% of segment revenue, compared to $1.3 million or 88% of segment revenue in the same period in 2022.

 

Cash Flows and Working Capital

 

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

		Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2022				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit (loss) before income taxes		$	(10,922	)		$	33,431
Adjustments to reconcile profit (loss) before income taxes to net cash flow:
Share-based payment expense			3,487				7,174
Depreciation and amortization			7,011				6,735
Share of net loss of equity-accounted investees			6				-
Net finance expense (income)			23,498				(6,946	)
Other adjustments			(747	)			209
Changes in working capital:
Change in trade and other receivables			(5,316	)			2,385
Change in prepayments			550				(414	)
Change in inventories			(699	)			(349	)
Change in trade and other payables			374				305
Change in deferred revenue			776				3,850
Change in other liabilities			(3,160	)			(1,584	)
Income taxes paid			230				(3,552	)
Net cash flow from operating activities			15,088				41,244
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of equipment			(2,593	)			(537	)
Development expenditure			(2,923	)			(2,114	)
Proceeds from sale of shares in associate			32,879				-
Net sale of listed equity instruments			7,044				23,414
Interest income received			33				1,433
Net cash flow from investing activities			34,441				22,194
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of share options			-				394
Acquisition of treasury shares			(9,868	)			(2,464	)
Dividends paid			-				(12,273	)
Interests on loans and borrowings			(103	)			(151	)
Repayment of loans and borrowings			(184	)			(158	)
Payment of lease liabilities			(2,036	)			(2,059	)
Net cash flow used in financing activities			(12,192	)			(16,711	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			37,338				46,728
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			102,876				52,414
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(815	)			(987	)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	139,400			$	98,155

 

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $41.2 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $15.1 million in the first half of 2022. Operating profit of $26.5 million in the first half of 2023, adjusted for non-cash items such as depreciation, amortization and share-based payment of $14.1 million, contributed a total of $40.6 million, while changes in items of working capital such as trade receivables and payables contributed $4.2 million. Income taxes paid in the first half of 2023 amounted to $3.6 million.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash flow provided by investing activities was $22.2 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $34.4 million in the first half of 2022. Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities of $23.4 million was the primary source of cash from investing activities. Purchases of equipment and development expenditure amounted to $2.7 million, while interest income received on deposits with banks was $1.4 million.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash flow used in financing activities was $16.7 million in the first half of 2023, compared to $12.2 million in the first half of 2022, which was attributable to $12.3 million in cash dividends paid, $2.5 million used to repurchase ADSs and $2.4 million in payment of lease liabilities, loans and borrowings and interest on such liabilities.

 

 

RISK FACTORS 

 

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors and uncertainties described under the heading “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in our most recently filed annual report on Form 20-F, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if applicable, in any accompanying prospectus supplement before investing in any of the securities that may be offered or sold pursuant to this prospectus. These risks and uncertainties could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition and cause the value of our securities to decline. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information About Us” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference.”

 

 

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

We may from time to time, offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus (as may be detailed in a prospectus supplement) up to a total amount of US$300,000,000 in one or more offerings. The selling securityholders may sell from time to time pursuant to this prospectus up to 141,773,298 ordinary shares or equivalent ADSs. The securities offered under this prospectus may be offered separately, together, or in separate series, and in amounts, at prices, and on terms to be determined at the time of sale. See “Plan of Distribution.” We will keep the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part effective until such time as all of the securities covered by this prospectus have been disposed of pursuant to and in accordance with such registration statement.

 

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

Our capitalization will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a report on Form 6-K subsequently furnished to the SEC and specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

 

DILUTION

 

If required and as applicable, we will set forth in a prospectus supplement the following information regarding any material dilution of the equity interests of investors purchasing securities in an offering under this prospectus:

 

●

the net tangible book value per share of our equity securities before and after the offering;

 

●

the amount of the increase in such net tangible book value per share attributable to the cash payments made by purchasers in the offering; and

 

●

the amount of the immediate dilution from the public offering price which will be absorbed by such purchasers.

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS 

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities we offer as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any securities by the selling securityholders. The selling securityholders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered by them under this prospectus. The selling securityholders will bear any underwriting discounts and commission and expenses incurred by them for brokerage, accounting, tax, legal services or any other expenses incurred by the selling securityholders in disposing of these securities. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the securities covered by this prospectus.

 

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES 

 

We are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands because of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands company, such as political and economic stability, an effective judicial system, a favorable tax system, the absence of foreign exchange control or currency restrictions and the availability of professional and support services. However, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection for investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies do not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.

 

Our memorandum and articles of association does not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our executive officers, directors and shareholders, be subject to arbitration.

 

Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, most of our directors and executive officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and substantially all of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons, or to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against us or them, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. It may also be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our executive officers and directors.

 

We have appointed Cogency Global Inc. as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with this offering under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any State in the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York in connection with this offering under the securities laws of the State of New York.

 

Cayman Islands

 

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or executive officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States, or (ii) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against us or our directors or executive officers that are predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP has informed us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a competent foreign court with jurisdiction to give the judgment, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (c) is final and conclusive, (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and (e) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. Because such a determination has not yet been made by a court of the Cayman Islands, it is uncertain whether such civil liability judgments from U.S. courts would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.

 

 

Norway

 

Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS, our counsel as to Norwegian law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether courts in Norway will enforce judgments obtained in other jurisdictions, including the United States, against us or our directors and officers under the securities laws of those jurisdictions or entertain actions in Norway against our directors and officers under the securities laws of other jurisdictions. The United States and Norway do not currently have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements (other than arbitral awards) in civil and commercial matters.

 

A final, non-appealable, conclusive and enforceable judgment issued by (i) a court of a member state of the Lugano Convention of 30 October 2007 or (ii) a court the respective parties in a particular civil matter have submitted in writing to the exclusive jurisdiction of, would be recognized and enforceable in the courts of Norway according to applicable procedures; subject to (a) the enforcement not being in conflict with decency, Norwegian mandatory law or public policy (“ordre public,”) (b) the judgment not concerning the constitution, dissolution of companies or other persons, or the validity of the resolutions of their decision-making bodies, or (c) any Norwegian debt settlement negotiations, bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, enforcement or similar proceedings.

 

In addition, awards of punitive damages in actions brought in the United States or elsewhere may not be enforceable in Norway.

 

 

TAXATION

 

Material income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering of those securities.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES

 

We may issue, offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, the following securities:

 

•

ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs;

 

•

preferred shares;

 

•

debt securities; and

 

•

warrants to purchase ordinary shares, preferred shares or ADSs.

 

In addition, selling securityholders named in this prospectus may from time to time, offer and sell up to 141,773,298 of our ordinary shares or equivalent ADSs in one or more offerings.

 

The following is a description of the terms and provisions of our shares, preferred shares, debt securities and warrants to purchase shares, preferred shares or debt securities. These summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of the preferred shares, warrants, and, in certain cases, the ordinary shares (including ordinary shares represented by ADSs) that may be offered under this prospectus. The terms of the offering of securities, the initial offering price and the net proceeds to us, as applicable, will be contained in the prospectus supplement and other offering material relating to such offering. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for each security. You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

We are a Cayman Islands company and our affairs are governed by our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or the Second M&A and the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, or Companies Act, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital consists of US$50,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each. As of the date of this prospectus, there are 177,780,616 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

 

The following are summaries of material provisions of our Second M&A and the Companies Act as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

 

Exempted Company

 

We are an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary resident company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:

 

•

an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;

 

•

an exempted company is not required to open its register of members for inspection;

 

•

an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

 

•

an exempted company may issue no par value, negotiable or bearer shares;

 

•

an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

 

•

an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

 

•

an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and

 

•

an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.

 

“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

 

Ordinary Shares

 

General

 

All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary shares. Our Second M&A prohibit us from issuing bearer or negotiable shares. Our company will issue only non-negotiable shares in registered form, which will be issued when registered in our register of members.

 

 

Dividends

 

The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to our Second M&A and the Companies Act. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, dividends may be paid only out of profits, which include net earnings and retained earnings undistributed in prior years, and out of share premium, a concept analogous to paid-in surplus in the United States. No dividend may be declared and paid unless our directors determine that, immediately after the payment, we will be able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business and we have funds lawfully available for such purpose.

 

On June 13, 2023, our Board of Directors has adopted a recurring semi-annual cash dividend program with the first semi-annual dividend under the program being US$0.40 per ADS for holders of Opera’s ordinary shares as well as ADSs, each representing two ordinary shares. We intend to pay regular semi-annual dividends, with each payment subject to the approval of our Board of Directors. The form, frequency and amount of future dividends will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

Register of Members

 

Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and there must be entered therein:

 

•

the names and addresses of our members, together with a statement of the shares held by each member (including the amount paid, or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member, confirmation of the number and category of shares held by each member, and confirmation of whether each relevant category of shares held by each member carries voting rights under our articles of association, and if so, whether such voting rights are conditional);

 

•

the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and

 

•

the date on which any person ceased to be a member.

 

Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e. the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members will be deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon the completion of this offering, our register of members will be immediately updated to record and give effect to the issue of ordinary shares by us to Bank of New York Mellon, as the depositary (or its custodian or nominee). Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members shall be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name.

 

If the name of any person is, without sufficient cause, entered in or omitted from the register of members, or if default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member, the person or member aggrieved or any member or the company itself may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of our ordinary shares have the right to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of our company. At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the chairman or one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote and who together hold not less than 10% of all paid up voting share capital of our company. An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes cast in a general meeting. A special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast in a general meeting. Both ordinary resolutions and special resolutions may also be passed by a unanimous written resolution signed by all the shareholders of our company, as permitted by the Companies Act and our Second M&A. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association.

 

General Meetings and Shareholder Proposals

 

As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our Second M&A provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we will specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting will be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors. We, however, will hold an annual shareholders’ meeting within one year of the end of each fiscal year following listing, as required by the Listing Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

 

 

Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put a proposal before a general meeting. However, our Second M&A allow two or more shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition shares which carry in aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of all votes attaching to all issued and outstanding shares of the Company that as at the date of the deposit carry the right to vote at general meetings of the Company to requisition a special meeting of the shareholders, in which case the directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. Our Second M&A, however, do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.

 

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of one or more shareholders holding, in aggregate, not less than one-third of the votes attaching to all paid up share capital of our company present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. Advance notice of at least seven calendar days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other shareholders’ meetings.

 

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the restrictions in our Second M&A as set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board.

 

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:

 

•

the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

•

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;

 

•

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

 

•

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four; or

 

•

the ordinary shares transferred are free of any lien in favor of us.

 

If our directors refuse to register a transfer they are obligated to, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal. The registration of transfers of shares or of any class of shares may, after compliance with any notice requirement of the designated stock exchange, be suspended at such times and for such periods (not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in any year) as our board of directors may determine.

 

 

Issuance of Additional Shares

 

Our Second M&A authorize our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares. Our Second M&A also authorize our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preference shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preference shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:

 

•

the designation of the series;

 

•

the number of shares of the series;

 

•

the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and

 

•

the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

 

Our board of directors may issue preference shares without further action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.

 

Liquidation

 

On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them. We are a “limited liability” company incorporated under the Companies Act, and under the Companies Act, the liability of our members is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them. Our Second M&A contain a declaration that the liability of our members is so limited.

 

Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares

 

Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least fourteen calendar days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid on the specified time are subject to forfeiture.

 

Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Ordinary Shares

 

We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders thereof, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issue of such shares, by our board of directors or by a special resolution of our shareholders. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares provided that the manner and terms of such purchase have been approved by our board of directors or by ordinary resolution of our shareholders, or are otherwise authorized by our Second M&A. Under the Companies Act, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our company’s profits or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if the company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Act no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares issued and outstanding, or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.

 

Variations of Rights of Shares

 

If at any time the share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class of shares may, unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of or the rights attaching to that class, be varied either with the unanimous written consent of the holders of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

 

 

Inspection of Books and Records

 

Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records (other than copies of our memorandum and articles of association, our register of mortgages and charges, and any special resolutions passed by our shareholders). Under Cayman Islands law, the names of our current directors can be obtained from a search conducted at the Registrar of Companies. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can Find More Information About Us.”

 

Changes in Capital

 

Our shareholders may from time to time by ordinary resolutions:

 

•

increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution prescribes;

 

•

consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing convert all or any of its paid up shares into stock and reconvert the stock into paid up shares of any denomination;

 

•

sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount than that fixed by our Second M&A; provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share will be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; and

 

•

cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so canceled.

 

Our shareholders may by special resolution, subject to confirmation by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on an application by our company for an order confirming such reduction, reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorized by law.

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

The Companies Act is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England, but does not follow recent English law statutory enactments, and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Act and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to Delaware corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to Delaware corporations and their shareholders.

 

Mergers and Similar Arrangements

 

The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertakings, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company and (b) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertakings, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a declaration as to the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

 

 

Separate from the statutory provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Act also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

•

the statutory provisions as to the due majority vote have been met;

 

•

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

 

•

the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

 

•

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act.

 

The Companies Act also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the “squeeze out” of dissentient minority shareholders upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected (within four months), the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

 

If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, or a tender offer is made and accepted, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

 

Shareholders’ Suits

 

In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff in any action or proceedings to be brought in respect of a wrong committed against us, and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands court can be expected to apply and follow the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) which permit a minority shareholder to commence a class action against, or a derivative action in the name of, a company to challenge the following acts in the following circumstances:

 

•

a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires;

 

 

•

the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and

 

•

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

 

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components, the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director must act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation.

 

A director must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

 

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company, and therefore he or she owes the following duties to the company — a duty to act in good faith in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a personal profit out of his or her position as director (unless the company permits him or her to do so), a duty not to put himself or herself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interests or his or her duty to a third-party and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, there are indications that the English and commonwealth courts are moving towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

 

Under our Second M&A, directors who are in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company must declare the nature of their interest at a meeting of the board of directors. Subject to Listing Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market and disqualification by the chairman of the relevant board meeting, a director may vote in respect of any contract, proposed contract, arrangement or transaction notwithstanding his interest.

 

Shareholder Action by Written Resolution

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. The Companies Act and our Second M&A provide that shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.

 

 

Cumulative Voting

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled for a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but our Second M&A do not provide for cumulative voting.

 

Removal of Directors

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation may be removed with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our Second M&A, directors can be removed by an ordinary resolution. In addition, a director’s office shall be vacated if the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iii) resigns by notice in writing to the company; (iv) without special leave of absence from our board of directors, is absent from three consecutive meetings of the board and the board resolves that his office be vacated; (v) is prohibited by law from being a director; or (vi) is removed pursuant to our Second M&A.

 

Transactions with Interested Shareholders

 

The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date on which such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is one which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting shares within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquiror to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware public corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

 

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions entered into must be bona fide in the best interests of the company, for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of perpetrating a fraud on the minority shareholders.

 

Dissolution and Winding Up

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. The Delaware General Corporation Law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board of directors. Under the Companies Act, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution, or by an ordinary resolution on the basis that our company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due.

 

Variation of Rights of Shares

 

If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our Second M&A and as permitted by the Companies Act, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class either with the unanimous written consent of the holders of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

 

 

Amendment of Governing Documents

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As required by the Companies Act, our Second M&A may only be amended by a special resolution of our shareholders.

 

Inspection of Books and Records

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, any shareholder of a corporation may for any proper purpose inspect or make copies of the corporation’s stock ledger, list of shareholders and other books and records.

 

Holders of our shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records (other than copies of the memorandum and articles of association, the register of mortgages and charges, and any special resolutions passed by the shareholders). Under Cayman Islands law, the names of our current directors can be obtained from a search conducted at the Registrar of Companies. However, we intend to provide our shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements.

 

Anti-takeover Provisions

 

Some provisions of our Second M&A may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including a provision that authorizes our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.

 

However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our Second M&A for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

 

Rights of Non-re