The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2022.
The business of the Glint Pay Ltd group of companies continued unchanged throughout the year under review. Glint Pay Ltd (the "Company") is a 100% parent of Glint Pay UK Ltd (GPUK), Glint Pay Services Ltd (GPS), Glint Pay Aps and Glint Pay Inc., together referred to as the Group/ Glint in this report. The Company is non-trading and its sole purpose is to hold investment in the subsidiary companies.
The group made a loss for the year of £7,796,903 (2021: £6,164,969) and at the year end has net current liabilities of £137,244 (2021: £2,139,350) and net assets of £188,579 (2021: £384,086).
Glint is committed to building a secure and global gold based financial services ecosystem. Alongside fiat currencies such as USD, GBP and EUR, Glint technology makes it possible for physical gold bullion to be used in everyday payments by its account holders via its smartphone app and Mastercard. In doing so it is engaged in issuing electronic money (e-money) and providing payment services. Its proprietary system allows for physical gold bullion to be bought, securely stored as allocated gold at a Brinks vault that is insured by Lloyds of London, converted to e-money in multiple currencies or spent as e-money in payment transactions in any quantity anywhere in the world where Mastercard is accepted at real-time prices, thereby giving gold bullion direct liquidity.
Glint also allows customers to send money, including gold, directly via Peer-to-Peer (“P2P”) to other Glint Clients.
Glint accounts are currently open to applicants from 137 countries via its smartphone app which is run from the UK by subsidiary, Glint Pay Services Ltd, The company issues its Mastercard in the UK and USA which is available to spend anywhere that Mastercard is accepted (currently 190+ countries).
Post balance sheet date
In 2023, Glint launched version 3 of the Glint retail app on both IOS and Android which has delivered increased customer engagement. The new version has enabled the development of new revenue generating features, including the Gains and Losses reports as well as Gold Accumulation Plans which allow customers to buy gold regularly.
As is typical with early stage FinTech companies, Glint continues to rely on equity funding. Glint has raised c£38m to date to fund the development and rollout of its first-of-a-kind global gold payments platform. During 2024, as a part of its latest funding round, the group has raised £1.3m and has further commitments for an additional £2m.
A subsidiary, Glint Pay Services Limited, is funded through a mixture of intercompany loans and equity share capital. The loan is capitalised through the issue of equity instruments to provide Glint Pay Services Limited with sufficient capital to operate. Subsequent to the balance sheet date, additional capital has been injected by the company to ensure the subsidiary has sufficient capital to meet its requirements. For details, see Note 24.
Principal risks and uncertainties
Business risk
The directors consider the group’s principal business risk to be failing to generate sufficient funding required to grow the Business to profitability.
Operational risk
The company’s operations are overseen by management with decades of digital technology and financial markets experience, specifically in running payments, foreign exchange, and gold transactions. The risks to the company in client transactions are minimised by its proprietary Glint Payments Execution System (PES). This, combined with transaction monitoring, ensures accurate completion of all transactions on a 24 hour basis including weekends. In the event of a system failure, the Payments team immediately puts into effect telephone dealing to complete transactions. In relation to infrastructure risks, the Technology team is in place to immediately rectify any system faults.
The operational risks of the regulated subsidiary Glint Pay Services Ltd are underpinned by the Electronic Money Regulations ongoing capital (own funds) requirements. The FCA have also stipulated that, for the protection of client funds, this subsidiary maintains both solvent and insolvent wind up plans.
Card Liquidity risk
To ensure timely execution of client transactions and that client transactions do not fail for reasons of liquidity shortage, the company maintains an appropriate level of liquidity float with Mastercard at all times in the relevant currencies. The company does not foresee that there might be a sudden surge in demand within 24 hours to render the float inadequate; however it maintains at all times a line of credit to avoid such emergencies.
Foreign Exchange risk
The company actively manages its Treasury to ensure that there are at all times available liquidity in Pounds Sterling, US Dollars, and Euros appropriate, to minimise risks to the company from market fluctuations in foreign exchange. The company reports in Pounds Sterling. Revenues earned in other currencies are translated into Sterling at the prevailing exchange rate.
Gold bullion execution and settlement risk
The company is not exposed to execution and settlement risk for client transactions in physical gold bullion per se. Gold transactions are at spot rate and must be prefunded by the client, Glint does not operate on margin. The gold liquidity provider, an LBMA full member, makes available at all times a float of a physical gold bar within an ombudsman account in the Brinks vault specifically for Glint client transactions. Therefore, the logistics of Clients’ purchases and sales of gold take place within the vault. All purchases and sales are at the liquidity providers’ real-time market quote fed through the Glint PES for 24-hour settlement. Client transactions in gold bullion are by definition outside the banking sector.
Market risk
The company has limited treasury risk exposure. However, it could be exposed to risk in times of unusual extreme fluctuations in foreign exchange markets or the physical gold bullion spot market. Most of these risks are mitigated as described above. The company does not deploy nor have positions in derivative instruments.
Counterparty risk
The company is exposed to failures of its counterparties in foreign exchange and gold bullion. To mitigate the risk of banking counterparty failure, the company maintains its own funds in two separate banks, one of which is short-term A rated or equivalent. Funds from clients resident in the UK, SEPA region and other countries excluding the USA are held in segregated and safeguarded accounts at Lloyds Bank PLC, and are separate from the bank’s capital and from Glint’s own corporate accounts. US client funds are held in segregated accounts at Sutton Bank, separate from Glint’s own corporate accounts, where they are protected up to $250,000 with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance.
| 2022 | 2021 As restated (Note 29) |
Gross Revenue | £83,053,818 | £52,294,672 |
Gold on Platform | $106,026,056 | $68,397,789 |
Fee Income | £1,144,831 | £373,585 |
Fee Income Margin | 64% | 40% |
Operating Loss | £(7,740,703) | £(5,366,350) |
EBITDA | £(6,092,296) | £(3,998,181) |
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The pace of client acquisition and activity on the platform gained speed in 2022 with fee income growth of over 300%. Spending on marketing and introduction of additional revenue streams has resulted in an improved fee income margin along with higher overall Gross Revenue and Gold on Platform, both of which are the highest in the Group’s history.
During 2022 the company scaled up significantly to develop and launch Version 3 of the Glint retail app combined with additional spending on operations and technology resulting in the increase in operating losses for 2022.
Since the successful launch of the v3 later in 2023, the company successfully streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency, reducing costs by 50% while maintaining our high standards and service quality.
The Business continues to innovate and new functionality on the Glint technology platform including Peer-to-Peer (P2P) transfers, a Gold Portal that enables Wealth Managers to buy allocated gold whilst giving their clients unprecedented liquidity on their portfolio.
Decision Making and Governance
The activities of the company are overseen by the Board of Directors, the majority of whom are independent as defined in the UK corporate governance code. Its philosophy and that of the company is to operate in a transparent culture with positive debate and practical challenge, including those of the Board Observers who represent significant capital commitment to the company.
The Board reviews the culture and manner in which management operates, as well as the group and company’s performance, at its regular meetings. All significant management decisions are discussed by the directors for their likely consequences in the long term for the performance of the group and company, and for their impact on the group and company’s long term strategic aims. The Board endeavours to ensure that activities of the group and company stay within the agreed strategy to build the business of the group. The impact that any corporate decision might have on all stakeholders - employees, suppliers and customers - are fully discussed at each meeting. The group and company aims to meet the highest standards of business conduct. This is demonstrated by the Board being informed and monitoring on-going compliance with relevant standards to ensure that management operates and makes informed decisions, acting in ways what promote high standards of business conduct. After weighing up all relevant factors, the Directors consider which course of action best enables delivery of the group and company’s strategy in the long term, taking into consideration the impact on stakeholders and acting fairly between the members of the company.
In addition to the principal risks discussed in the sections above, the Board and the management are very conscious of the risks emanating from increased environmental, social and governance challenges and address any impact that may arise from the company’s operations.
Shareholders
The CEO and members of the Board are in frequent communication with shareholders on the progress of the company both in person and through regular reports sent electronically under confidential cover.
Customers
The company engages with customers through weekly e-mail newsletters and review platforms, providing the forum for suggestions and complaints and customer service is operational six days a week.
Suppliers
The Board seeks to ensure that there is a constructive working relationship with suppliers and service providers and that any contractual arrangements are in line with best practice and that their performance meets the expectation of the Board, the management, the employees and other stakeholders.
Our People
Positive workplace culture attracts talent, drives engagement, impacts happiness and satisfaction, and affects performance. Management is committed to an open culture with weekly staff meetings, while ensuring that a high standard of business conduct is embedded throughout the company. Management has also implemented best practices such as employee surveys and one-on-one meetings in order to measure the pulse of the company culture.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.
The results for the year are set out on page 14.
No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
At 31 December 2022, third party indemnity provision for the benefit of the Company’s directors was in force.
Under the Government’s R&D tax relief scheme the group has successfully made claims in respect of previous accounting periods of £375,089 (2021 - £nil) which have been credited to the taxation line.
It is intended that a claim in respect of 2022 will be prepared and submitted shortly after these accounts have been approved by the board.
The nature of the group’s activities resulted in a significant investment of £1,490,963 (2021: £856,627) in R&D projects in the year. No R&D expenditure related to the research phase.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Moore Kingston Smith LLP be reappointed as auditor of the group will be put at a General Meeting.
As the company has not consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period, it qualifies as a low energy user under these regulations and is not required to report on its emissions, energy consumption or energy efficiency activities.
The group made a loss for the year of £7,796,903 (2021: £6,164,969) and at the year end has net current liabilities of £137,244 (2021: £2,139,350) and net assets of £188,579 (2021: £384,086).
The directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements. In adopting the going concern basis, the directors are required to consider whether the group and parent company can continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In making this assessment, management have prepared, and the directors have approved the following matters:
· The group and parent company current performance and planned growth;
· The group and parent company cashflow forecasts for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements, as well as a base case forecast; and,
· The company’s track record of successful fundraising from shareholders and other investors, as evidenced in previous periods and the period subsequent to the reporting date, and the current financing options that are on offer under the financing round already subscribed.
The directors believe that the group and parent company is well placed to manage its business risks, raise sufficient additional funding and achieve its growth potential, and therefore have a reasonable expectation that the group and parent company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months following the date of approval of the financial statements. In addition, following the successful launch of version 3 of the Glint pay app in 2023, the group has streamlined its operations and enhanced efficiency, reducing fixed costs by 50% while maintaining high standards and service quality. In common with similar businesses at this stage of development, the group is dependent on this financing being made available to it from its existing and/or new shareholders or other providers of finance. Such funding will enable the group to execute its business plan, realise the significant commercial opportunities available to it, and meet its liabilities as they fall due. In addition, the repayment date of the loan balance of £2.5m owed to a third party and shareholder has again been extended to September 2025.
However, in the base case scenario, which is considered as severe but plausible scenario, the lack of additional funding will result in insufficient liquidity in the business for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. The legal and physical structures in place ensure that the gold is protected and remains the property of customers, even in the event of the group ceasing operations, at all times. The gold is not included on the group's balance sheet, ensuring that it is segregated and safeguarded from any claims that might be made by the group's creditors. The combination of secure storage, full insurance and legal allocation provides robust protection for client gold holdings.
The directors continue to take steps to raise additional capital. Having considered all known factors, the directors are comfortable that the base case forecast supports the going concern assumption. However, the directors recognise the potential impact of a lack of funding and additional capital to achieve these, which represent a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt upon the group and parent company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the company was unable to continue as a going concern.
We have audited the financial statements of Glint Pay Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2022 which comprise the Group Profit And Loss Account, the Group Balance Sheet, the Company Balance Sheet, the Group Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity, the Group Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Material uncertainty relating to going concern
We draw attention to note 1.3 to the financial statements, which indicates that a reasonably plausible downside scenario could result in the Group, and parent company, running out of liquid resources unless the company raises additional funding. As stated in note 1.3, these events or conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the group and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the company.
Our approach was as follows:
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the company and considered that the most significant are the Companies Act 2006, UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council, and UK taxation legislation.
We obtained an understanding of how the company complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.
Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the group's or the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the group or the parent company to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including
fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities,
including fraud is detailed below.
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the company.
Our approach was as follows:
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the company and considered that the most significant are the Companies Act 2006, UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council, and UK taxation legislation.
We obtained an understanding of how the company complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of noncompliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken for no purpose other than to draw to the attention of the company’s members those matters we are required to include in an auditor's report addressed to them. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The notes on pages 20 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 20 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s loss for the year was £1,704,275 (2021 - £1,156,516 loss).
The notes on pages 20 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 20 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 20 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
Glint Pay Ltd (“the company”) is a private limited company by shares domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Kemp House, 124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX.
The group consists of Glint Pay Ltd and all of its subsidiaries.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
Section 26 ‘Share based Payment’: Share-based payment expense charged to profit or loss, reconciliation of opening and closing number and weighted average exercise price of share options, how the fair value of options granted was measured, measurement and carrying amount of liabilities for cash-settled share-based payments, explanation of modifications to arrangements;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings made up to 31 December 2022. A subsidiary is an entity that is controlled by the parent. The results of subsidiary undertakings are included in the consolidated profit and loss account from the date that control commences until the date control ceases. Control is established when the Company has the power to govern the operating and financial policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, the Group takes into consideration potential voting rights that are currently exercisable.
Under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 of the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own profit and loss account.
In the parent financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are carried at cost less impairment.
The group made a loss for the year of £7,796,903 (2021: £6,164,969) and at the year end has net current liabilities of £137,244 (2021: £2,139,350) and net assets of £188,579 (2021: £384,086).
The directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements. In adopting the going concern basis, the directors are required to consider whether the group and parent company can continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In making this assessment, management have prepared, and the directors have approved the following matters:
· The group and parent company current performance and planned growth;
· The group and parent company cashflow forecasts for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements, as well as a base case forecast; and,
· The company’s track record of successful fundraising from shareholders and other investors, as evidenced in previous periods and the period subsequent to the reporting date, and the current financing options that are on offer under the financing round already subscribed.
The directors believe that the group and parent company is well placed to manage its business risks, raise sufficient additional funding and achieve its growth potential, and therefore have a reasonable expectation that the group and parent company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months following the date of approval of the financial statements. In addition, following the successful launch of version 3 of the Glint pay app in 2023, the group has streamlined its operations and enhanced efficiency, reducing fixed costs by 50% while maintaining high standards and service quality. In common with similar businesses at this stage of development, the group is dependent on this financing being made available to it from its existing and/or new shareholders or other providers of finance. Such funding will enable the group to execute its business plan, realise the significant commercial opportunities available to it, and meet its liabilities as they fall due. In addition, the repayment date of the loan balance of £2.5m owed to a third party and shareholder has again been extended to September 2025.
However, in the base case scenario, which is considered as severe but plausible scenario, the lack of additional funding will result in insufficient liquidity in the business for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. The legal and physical structures in place ensure that the gold is protected and remains the property of customers, even in the event of the group ceasing operations, at all times. The gold is not included on the group's balance sheet, ensuring that it is segregated and safeguarded from any claims that might be made by the group's creditors. The combination of secure storage, full insurance and legal allocation provides robust protection for client gold holdings.
The directors continue to take steps to raise additional capital. Having considered all known factors, the directors are comfortable that the base case forecast supports the going concern assumption. However, the directors recognise the potential impact of a lack of funding and additional capital to achieve these, which represent a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt upon the group and parent company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the company was unable to continue as a going concern.
Turnover consists of fees charged to clients on transactions made during the year and gold sold to clients and our liquidity provider. Turnover is recognised at the time a transaction takes place.
Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extent that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted using the Black Scholes model. The fair value determined at the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the estimate of shares that will eventually vest. A corresponding adjustment is made to equity.
When the terms and conditions of equity-settled share-based payments at the time they were granted are subsequently modified, the fair value of the share-based payment under the original terms and conditions and under the modified terms and conditions are both determined at the date of the modification. Any excess of the modified fair value over the original fair value is recognised over the remaining vesting period in addition to the grant date fair value of the original share-based payment. The share-based payment expense is not adjusted if the modified fair value is less than the original fair value.
Cancellations or settlements (including those resulting from employee redundancies) are treated as an acceleration of vesting and the amount that would have been recognised over the remaining vesting period is recognised immediately.
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the date of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation are included in the profit and loss account for the period.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Share Based payment transactions (Note 21)
The group uses the Black Scholes model to determine the fair value of options granted to employees. The calculation requires the use of estimates and assumptions. A change in these estimates or assumptions may affect charges to the profit and loss account over the vesting period of the options.
Amortisation and impairment
Intangible assets are amortised over their deemed useful economic lives taking into account residual values, where appropriate. This period has been determined via a review of the asset considering historic and future factors. The actual lives of the assets and, where applicable, residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In assessing the asset lives, factors such as technological innovation, product life cycles and maintenance programmes are taken into account. The directors believe that the period over which the assets are amortised reflects the estimated useful economic life of the assets.
The directors have considered impairment of the recognised intangible assets and consider that the market for the group’s services will continue to grow, driving profitability and resulting positive cash flows, and that no impairment is appropriate at this time.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 1 (2021 - 1).
In addition to the amounts noted above, one of the directors received interest payments of £23,200 (2021 - £nil) in respect of a loan made to the company, and consultancy fees of £18,000 (2021 - £21,000). See note 25.
The actual (credit)/charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected credit for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The tax assessed for the period is higher (2021: higher) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The difference is explained above.
Factors that may affect future tax charge
The company has estimated unrecognised tax losses in the region of £6.742m available for carry forward against future trading profits. The credit of £375,089 (2021: £nil) shown in corporation tax represents the tax credit received, which arose from the R&D claim made during the year in relation to R&D costs incurred in the previous year.
R&D Tax Credits
Under the Government’s R&D tax relief scheme the group has successfully made claims in respect of previous accounting periods of £375,089 (2021 - £nil) which have been credited to the taxation line.
It is intended that a claim in respect of 2022 will be prepared and submitted shortly after these accounts have been approved by the board.
In line United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, development costs have been capitalised as the technical and commercial feasibility of the assets has been established, and it can be demonstrated that these will generate future economic benefits for the group.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2022 are as follows:
Other creditors includes a £2,500,000 Loan from Stockford Limited. During the year, an amendment to the loan terms was agreed and the repayment date was extended to April 2021, and subsequently to October 2022 then March 2024. During 2024, the repayment date was extended to September 2025.
For the period of extension to September 2025, interest will be payable at a rate of interest of 18% per annum.
The group’s assets are subject to a fixed and floating charge in favour of Stockford Limited, a minority shareholder in the group.
The company's subsidiary, Glint Pay Services Ltd, sought independent professional advice in relation to a VAT assessment of £448,198 raised by HMRC due to the status of its supplies. The matter was subject to a judicial review which was heard by the High Court in June 2023. The claim was unsuccessful so the amount is now disclosed within taxation and social security.
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.
The Company operates a share options scheme which is currently open to key permanent employees, offering share in Glint Pay Limited. The employees are employed by Glint Pay UK Limited. During the year, 10,725,129 (2021: 7,777,352) options over new Ordinary Shares of £0.00001 were granted. The weighted average exercise price per option for the 2022 options was £0.08. No share options have been exercised during the year.
The conditions for vesting vary for directors and for the rest of the employees. For directors, options vest upon specific events specified in their contract, whereas for employees the options vest 25% annually commencing from their employment start date and also upon specific events specified in the options contracts. All options must be exercised within ten years of the date of grant. Options are forfeited if the individual leaves the Company before the options vest.
The fair value of services received is measured in reference to the fair value of share options granted and is based on recent market transactions, discounted for lack of marketability and lack of control.
The expected volatility is wholly based on the historic volatility adjusted for any unexpected changes to future volatility due to publicly available information. The risk free interest rate used is that of a 10 year yield UK treasury bond.
During the year the company recognised a share-based payment charge of £257,920 (2021 - £234,506) which related to equity settled share based payment transactions.
During the year 88,152,528 ordinary shares were issued at a premium ranging between £0.06788 and £0.08489 per share for cash.
Share premium account
Includes only premiums received on issue of share capital. Any transactions costs associated with issuing of shares are deducted from share premium.
Equity reserve
Includes all share based payment expenses for options granted. In addition, the reserve includes the equity element of the convertible loan notes issued during the year.
Profit and loss account
Includes all current and prior year retained profits and losses.
In 2023, Glint launched version 3 of the Glint retail app on both IOS and Android which has delivered increased customer engagement. The new version has enabled the development of new revenue generating features, including the Gains and Losses reports as well as Gold Accumulation Plans which allow customers to buy gold regularly.
As is typical with early stage FinTech companies, Glint continues to rely on equity funding. Glint has raised c£38m to date to fund the development and rollout of its first-of-a-kind global gold payments platform. During 2024, as a part of its latest funding round, the group has raised £1.3m and has further commitments for an additional £2m.
A subsidiary, Glint Pay Services Limited, is funded by the company through a mixture of intercompany loans and equity share capital. The loan is capitalised through the issue of equity instruments to provide Glint Pay Services Limited with sufficient capital to operate. Subsequent to the balance sheet date, additional capital has been injected by the company to ensure the subsidiary has sufficient capital to meet its requirements.
On 31 January 2023 10,854,942 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 28 February 2023 1,084,596 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 21 March 2023 1,285,714 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 3 April 2023 2,214, 285 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 5 April 2023 4,199,532 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 25 April 2023 2,500,001 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 26 May 2023 2,980,591 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 30 June 2023 1,433,755 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 25 July 2023 3,870,927 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 31 October 2023 9,662,870 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
On 29 February 2024 9,036,307 Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a premium of £0.13999 per share.
Group
Transactions with key management personnel
Total compensation of key management personnel (who are the directors) in the year amounted to £174,513 (2021: £114,323).
A director of the company provided a short-term loan to the group during the year, on which interest payments of £23,200 (2021 - £nil) were paid. This loan was settled during the period.