Exhibit 10.5
IONIC DIGITAL INC.
OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Article I.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Ionic Digital Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (this “Plan”) is to promote the success of the Company’s business for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals cash and stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain, and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. This Plan is effective as of the date set forth in Article XIV.
Article II.
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
2.1 “Affiliate” means a corporation or other entity controlled by, controlling, or under common control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.
2.2 “Applicable Law” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards and the related shares under U.S. state corporate law, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares are listed or quoted, and any other applicable laws, including tax laws, of any U.S. or non-U.S. jurisdictions where Awards are, or will be, granted under this Plan.
2.3 “Award” means any award under this Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award, or Cash Award. All Awards shall be evidenced by and subject to the terms of an Award Agreement.
2.4 “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement, contract, certificate, or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.
2.5 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.6 “Cash Award” means an Award granted to an Eligible Individual pursuant to Section 9.3 of this Plan and payable in cash at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
2.7 “Cause” means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Service, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, offer letter, consulting agreement, change in control agreement, or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such agreement in effect but it does not define “cause” (or words of like import)), the Participant’s (i) willful neglect in the performance of the Participant’s duties to the Company or willful or repeated failure or refusal to perform such duties, (ii) engagement in conduct in connection with the Participant’s employment or services for the Company, which results, or could reasonably be expected to result in, material harm to the business or reputation of the Company or an Affiliate, (iii) conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to (A) any felony or (B) any other crime that results, or could reasonably be expected to result in, material harm to the business or reputation of the Company or an Affiliate, (iv) material violation of the written policies of the Company, including but not limited to those relating to sexual harassment or the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in the manuals or statements of policy of the Company, (v) fraud or misappropriation, embezzlement, or misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company or an Affiliate, (vi) act of personal dishonesty that involves personal profit in connection with the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate, or (vii) any breach of any non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire, or confidentiality covenant between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement, offer letter, consulting agreement, change in control agreement, or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import), “cause” as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “cause” only applies on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “cause” shall not apply until a change in control (as defined in such agreement) actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter.
2.8 “Change in Control” means and includes each of the following, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement with a Participant approved by the Committee:
(a) any Person (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company), becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding for purposes herein, acquisitions pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) that does not constitute a Change in Control as defined in Section 2.8(b);
(b) a merger, reorganization, or consolidation of the Company or in which equity securities of the Company are issued (each, a “Business Combination”), other than a merger, reorganization or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its direct or indirect parent) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity (or, as applicable, a direct or indirect parent of the Company or such surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger, reorganization or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger, reorganization or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person (other than those covered by the exceptions in Section 2.8(a)) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control;
(c) during the period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2.8(a) or (b)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
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(d) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Person or Persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is characterized as “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be considered to be a Change in Control under this Plan for purposes of payment of such Award unless
such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
2.9 “Change in Control Price” means the highest price per Share paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
2.10 “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any guidance and treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.
2.11 “Committee” means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer this Plan; provided, however, that unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board who are each (a) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b), and (b) “independent” under the listing standards or rules of the securities exchange upon which the Common Stock is traded, but only to the extent such independence is required in order to take the action at issue pursuant to such standards or rules. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer this Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board for all purposes under this Plan. The Board may abolish any Committee or re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority from time to time, and will retain the right to exercise the authority of the Committee to the extent consistent with Applicable Law.
2.12 “Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, of the Company.
2.13 “Company” means Ionic Digital Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.
2.14 “Consultant” means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant or other service provider to the Company or any of its Affiliates.
2.15 “Detrimental Conduct” means, as determined by the Company, a Participant’s serious misconduct or unethical behavior, including any of the following: (a) any violation by the Participant of a restrictive covenant agreement that the Participant has entered into with the Company or an Affiliate (covering, for example, confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, etc.); (b) any conduct by the Participant that could result in the Participant’s Termination of Service for Cause; (c) the commission of a criminal act by the Participant, whether or not performed in the workplace, that subjects, or if generally known would subject, the Company or an Affiliate to public ridicule or embarrassment, or other improper or intentional conduct by the Participant causing reputational harm to the Company, an Affiliate, or a client or former client of the Company or an Affiliate; (d) the Participant’s breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company or an Affiliate or a client or former client of the Company or an Affiliate; (e) the Participant’s intentional violation, or grossly negligent disregard, of the Company’s or an Affiliate’s policies, rules, or procedures; or (f) the Participant taking or maintaining trading positions that result in a need to restate financial results in a subsequent reporting period or that result in a significant financial loss to the Company or an Affiliate.
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2.16 “Disability” means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Service, any physical or mental disability or infirmity of a Participant that prevents the performance of the Participant’s duties for a period of (a) 90 consecutive days or (b) 120 non-consecutive days during any 12-month period. Any question as to the existence, extent, or potentiality of a Participant’s Disability upon which the Participant and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician mutually selected by the Company and the Participant or the Participant’s representative (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). The determination of any such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Plan.
2.17 “Dividend Equivalent Rights” means a right granted to a Participant under this Plan to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares.
2.18 “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan as defined in Article XIV.
2.19 “Eligible Employee” means each employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates. An employee on a leave of absence may be an Eligible Employee.
2.20 “Eligible Individual” means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director, or Consultant who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Awards subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2.21 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.
2.22 “Fair Market Value” means, for purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below, the last sales price reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted or (b) if the Common Stock is not traded, listed, or otherwise reported or quoted, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate, taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of the grant of any Award, the applicable date shall be the trading day immediately prior to the date on which the Award is granted. For purposes of the exercise of any Award, the applicable date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a date on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is open. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award granted on the pricing date of the Company’s initial public offering, the Fair Market Value shall mean the initial public offering price of a Share as set forth in the Company’s final prospectus relating to its initial public offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.23 “Family Member” means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(a)(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8.
2.24 “Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option granted to an Eligible Employee who is an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries under this Plan and that is intended to be, and is designated as, an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
2.25 “Non-Employee Director” means a director on the Board who is not an employee of the Company.
2.26 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option granted under this Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
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2.27 “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted under Article IX of this Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is payable in or otherwise based on, Shares, but may be settled in the form of Shares or cash.
2.28 “Participant” means an Eligible Individual to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to this Plan.
2.29 “Performance Award” means an Award granted under Article VIII of this Plan contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals.
2.30 “Performance Goals” means goals established by the Committee as contingencies for Awards to vest and/or become exercisable or distributable.
2.31 “Performance Period” means the designated period during which the Performance Goals must be satisfied with respect to the Award to which the Performance Goals relate.
2.32 “Person” means any “person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.
2.33 “Restricted Stock” means an Award of Shares granted under Article VII of this Plan.
2.34 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Committee to be of equal value as of such settlement date, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.
2.35 “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.
2.36 “Section 409A of the Code” means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations and other official guidance thereunder.
2.37 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Securities Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.
2.38 “Shares” means shares of Common Stock.
2.39 “Stock Appreciation Right” means a stock appreciation right granted under Article VI of this Plan.
2.40 “Stock Option” or “Option” means any option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Article VI of this Plan.
2.41 “Subsidiary” means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
2.42 “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a Person owning stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
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2.43 “Termination of Service” means the termination of the applicable Participant’s employment with, or performance of services for, the Company and its Affiliates. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, (a) if a Participant’s employment or services with the Company and its Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity, such change in status shall not be deemed a Termination of Service with the Company and its Affiliates and (b) a Participant employed by, or performing services for an Affiliate that ceases to be an Affiliate shall also be deemed to have incurred a Termination of Service provided the Participant does not immediately thereafter become an employee of the Company or another Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, with respect to any Award that constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, a Participant shall not be considered to have experienced a “Termination of Service” unless the Participant has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
Article III.
ADMINISTRATION
3.1 Authority of the Committee. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the terms of this Plan and Applicable Law, the Committee shall have full authority to grant Awards to Eligible Individuals under this Plan. In particular, the Committee shall have the authority to:
(a) determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Individuals;
(b) determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(c) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the Shares, if any, relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);
(d) determine the amount of cash to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(e) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under this Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of this Plan;
(f) determine whether and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in cash, Shares, other property, or a combination of the foregoing;
(g) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant;
(h) modify, waive, amend, or adjust the terms and conditions of any Award, at any time or from time to time, including but not limited to Performance Goals;
(i) determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;
(j) determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such Award or Shares; and
(k) modify, extend, or renew an Award, subject to Article XI and Section 6.8(g) of this Plan.
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3.2 Guidelines. Subject to Article XI of this Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter, and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines, and practices governing this Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan and any Award issued under this Plan (and any agreements or sub-plans relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of this Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of this Plan. The Committee may adopt special rules, sub-plans, guidelines, and provisions for persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes of any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to satisfy or accommodate applicable foreign laws or to qualify for preferred tax treatment of such domestic or foreign jurisdictions.
3.3 Decisions Final. Any decision, interpretation, or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board, or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with this Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding, and conclusive on the Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.
3.4 Designation of Consultants/Liability; Delegation of Authority.
(a) The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants, and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of this Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel, consultant, or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members, and any person designated pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award granted under it.
(b) The Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under this Plan to a subcommittee of directors or to any officer of the Company, including the power to perform administrative functions (including executing agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee) and grant Awards; provided that, such delegation does not (i) violate Applicable Law, or (ii) result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company. Upon any such delegation, all references in this Plan to the “Committee,” shall be deemed to include any subcommittee or officer of the Company to whom such powers have been delegated by the Committee. Any such delegation shall not limit the right of such subcommittee members or such an officer to receive Awards; provided, however, that such subcommittee members and any such officer may not grant Awards to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate. The Committee may also designate employees or professional advisors who are not executive officers of the Company or members of the Board to assist in administering this Plan, provided, however, that such individuals may not be delegated the authority to grant or modify any Awards that will, or may, be settled in Shares.
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3.5 Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law and to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such person, each current and former officer or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of this Plan, except to the extent arising out of such officer’s, employee’s, member’s, or former member’s own fraud or bad faith. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any right of indemnification that the current or former employee, officer or member may have under Applicable Law or under the by-laws of the Company or any of its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual with regard to Awards granted to such individual under this Plan.
Article IV.
SHARE LIMITATION BRACKET THE EVERGREEN SECTION
4.1 Shares. The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to this Plan shall not exceed 4,317,960 Shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to this Article IV), which may be either authorized and unissued Shares or Shares held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both. The number of Shares that may be issued or used under this Plan shall be subject to an annual increase on January 1 of each calendar year beginning in 2025, and ending and including 2034, equal to the lesser of (a) 4% of the aggregate number of Shares outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year and (b) such smaller number of Shares as is determined by the Board. The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued or used with respect to any Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed 4,317,960 Shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.1). Any Award under this Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations. Any Shares subject to an Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, or terminated without issuance of the full number of Shares to which the Award related will again be available for issuance under this Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Shares subject to an Award under this Plan shall again be made available for issuance or delivery under this Plan if such Shares are (i) Shares tendered in payment of an Option, (ii) Shares delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, (iii) Shares covered by a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Awards that were not issued upon the settlement of the Award, or (iv) Shares subject to an Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, or terminated without issuance of the full number of Shares to which the Award related.
4.2 Substitute Awards. In connection with an entity’s merger or consolidation with the Company or the Company’s acquisition of an entity’s property or stock, the Committee may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted before such merger or consolidation by such entity or its affiliate (“Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Committee deems appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in this Plan. Substitute Awards will not count against the Shares authorized for grant under this Plan (nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the Shares available for Awards under this Plan as provided under Section 4. 1 above), except that Shares acquired by exercise of substitute Incentive Stock Options will count against the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options under this Plan, as set forth in Section 4.1 above. Additionally, in the event that a Person acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grants pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under this Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under this Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under this Plan as provided under Section 4.1 above); provided that, Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Eligible Employees or Non-Employee Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.
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4.3 Adjustments.
(a) The existence of this Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization, or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, or preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Shares, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate, or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 10.1:
(i) If the Company at any time subdivides (by any split, recapitalization or otherwise) the outstanding Shares into a greater number of Shares, or combines (by reverse split, combination, or otherwise) its outstanding Shares into a lesser number of Shares, then the respective exercise prices for outstanding Awards that provide for a Participant-elected exercise and the number of Shares covered by outstanding Awards shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under this Plan; provided that, the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine whether an adjustment is appropriate.
(ii) Excepting transactions covered by Section 4.3(b)(i), if the Company effects any merger, consolidation, statutory exchange, spin-off, reorganization, sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets or business, or other corporate transaction or event in such a manner that the Company’s outstanding Shares are converted into the right to receive (or the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive in exchange therefor), either immediately or upon liquidation of the Company, securities or other property of the Company or other entity, then, subject to the provisions of Section 10.1: (A) the aggregate number or kind of securities that thereafter may be issued under this Plan; (B) the number or kind of securities or other property (including cash) to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan (including as a result of the assumption of this Plan and the obligations hereunder by a successor entity, as applicable); or (C) the exercise or purchase price thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under this Plan; provided that, the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine whether an adjustment is appropriate.
(iii) If there shall occur any change in the capital structure of the Company other than those covered by Section 4.3(b)(i) or 4. 3(b)(ii), any conversion, any adjustment, or any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or exercisable for, any class of equity securities of the Company, then the Committee shall adjust any Award and make such other adjustments to this Plan to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under this Plan; provided that, the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine whether an adjustment is appropriate.
(iv) In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other extraordinary transaction or change affecting the Shares or the Share price, including any securities offering or other similar transaction, for administrative convenience, the Committee may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award for up to 60 days before or after such transaction.
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(v) The Committee may adjust the Performance Goals applicable to any Awards to reflect any unusual or non-recurring events and other extraordinary items, impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and the cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by generally accepted accounting principles or as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, or other Company public filing.
(vi) Any such adjustment determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) shall be final, binding, and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and permitted assigns. Any adjustment to, or assumption or substitution of, an Award under this Section 4.3(b) shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 (and any amendments thereto), to the extent applicable. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4.3 or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no additional rights under this Plan by reason of any transaction or event described in this Section 4.3.
4.4 Annual Limit on Non-Employee Director Compensation. In each calendar year during any part of which this Plan is in effect, a Non-Employee Director may not receive Awards for such individual’s service on the Board that, taken together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during such calendar year for such individual’s service on the Board, have a value in excess of $1,000,000 (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes); provided that, (a) the Committee may make exceptions to this limit, except that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation or in other contemporaneous decisions involving compensation for Non-Employee Directors and (b) for the calendar year in which the pricing date of the Company’s initial public offering occurs or for any calendar year in which a Non-Employee Director (i) first commences service on the Board, (ii) serves on a special committee of the Board, or (iii) serves as lead director or non-executive chair of the Board, additional compensation may be provided to such Non-Employee Director in excess of such limit.
Article V.
ELIGIBILITY
5.1 General Eligibility. All current and prospective Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Awards. Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual participation in this Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. No Eligible Individual will automatically be granted any Award under this Plan.
5.2 Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees who are employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under this Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and actual participation in this Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
5.3 General Requirement. The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective Eligible Individual are conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee, Consultant, or Non-Employee Director, as applicable.
Article VI.
STOCK OPTIONS; STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
6.1 General. Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. Each Stock Option granted under this Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and subject to the terms, conditions and limitations in this Plan, including any limitations applicable to Incentive Stock Options.
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6.2 Grants. The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any Eligible Individual one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, and/or Stock Appreciation Rights; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to an Eligible Employee who is an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.
6.3 Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant; provided that, the per share exercise price of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per Share for such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided that, such exercise price is determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code.
6.4 Term. The term of each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee; provided that, no Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable more than ten years (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, five years) after the date on which the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted.
6.5 Exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.5, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right within the permitted time periods is prohibited because such exercise would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other Applicable Law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, the Company’s insider trading policy (including any blackout periods) or a “lock-up” agreement entered into in connection with the issuance of securities by the Company, then the expiration of such Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be extended until the date that is 30 days after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right would be in violation of such registration requirement or other Applicable Law or rules, blackout period or lock-up agreement, as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that in no event shall any such extension result in any Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right remaining exercisable after the ten-year term of the applicable Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
6.6 Method of Exercise. Subject to any applicable waiting period or exercisability provisions under Section 6.5, to the extent vested, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term of the applicable Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, by giving written notice of exercise (which may be electronic) to the Company specifying the number of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, as applicable, being exercised. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price (which shall equal the product of such number of Shares to be purchased multiplied by the applicable exercise price). The exercise price for the Stock Options may be paid upon such terms and conditions as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may establish payment terms for the exercise of Stock Options pursuant to which the Company may withhold a number of Shares that otherwise would be issued to the Participant in connection with the exercise of the Stock Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price, or that permit the Participant to deliver cash or Shares with a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price on the date of payment, or through a simultaneous sale through a broker of Shares acquired on exercise, all as permitted by Applicable Law. No Shares shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or provided for. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Shares (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date that the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date that the right was awarded to the Participant.
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6.7 Non-Transferability. No Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not transferable pursuant to this Section 6.7 is transferable to a Family Member of the Participant in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A Non-Qualified Stock Option that is transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (a) may not be subsequently transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (b) remains subject to the terms of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Any Shares acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
6.8 Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement and this Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason, Stock Appreciation Rights may remain exercisable following a Participant’s Termination of Service as follows:
(a) Termination by Death or Disability. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, or otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is by reason of death or Disability, all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant (or in the case of the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one year from the date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights; provided, however, that, in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of Disability, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights.
(b) Involuntary Termination Without Cause. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is by involuntary termination by the Company without Cause, all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of 90 days from the date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
(c) Voluntary Resignation. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.8(d) hereof), all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of 30 days from the date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
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(d) Termination for Cause. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service (i) is for Cause or (ii) is a voluntary Termination of Service (as provided in Section 6.8(c)) after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination of Service for Cause, all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon immediately terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.
(e) Unvested Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not vested as of the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.
(f) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any calendar year under this Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company or any Subsidiary exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the Company or any Subsidiary at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by Applicable Law), such Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of this Plan not be necessary in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend this Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.
(g) Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options. The Committee may (i) modify, extend, or renew outstanding Stock Options granted under this Plan (provided that, the rights of a Participant are not reduced without such Participant’s consent and provided, further, that such action does not subject the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an outstanding Option may not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof nor may a new Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Option (other than adjustments or substitutions in accordance with Article IV), unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.
6.9 Automatic Exercise. The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right if the Participant has failed to exercise the Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the exercise price of such Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right on the date of expiration of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, subject to Section 13.4.
6.10 Other Terms and Conditions. As the Committee shall deem appropriate, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be subject to additional terms and conditions or other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of this Plan.
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Article VII.
RESTRICTED STOCK; RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
7.1 Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units shall be made, the number of shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 7.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards. The Committee shall determine and set forth in the Award Agreement the terms and conditions for each Award of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in this Plan, including any vesting or forfeiture conditions.
The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals or such other factor as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.
7.2 Awards and Certificates. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:
(a) Restricted Stock.
(i) Purchase Price. The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the Committee. The purchase price for shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, and, to the extent not so permitted, such purchase price may not be less than par value.
(ii) Legend. Each Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock, unless the Committee elects to use another system, such as book entries by the Company’s transfer agent, as evidencing ownership of shares of Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and shall, in addition to such legends required by Applicable Law, bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.
(iii) Custody. If stock certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed stock power or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of the shares subject to the Award of Restricted Stock in the event that such Award is forfeited in whole or part.
(iv) Rights as a Stockholder. Except as provided in Section 7.3(a) and this Section 7.2(a) or as otherwise determined by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, the right to vote such shares, and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock, the right to tender such shares; provided that, the Award Agreement shall specify on what terms and conditions the applicable Participant shall be entitled to dividends payable on the Shares.
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(v) Lapse of Restrictions. If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, the certificates for such Shares shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by Applicable Law or other limitations imposed by the Committee.
(b) Restricted Stock Units.
(i) Settlement. The Committee may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practical after the Restricted Stock Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election, in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
(ii) Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant will have no rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any Restricted Stock Unit unless and until Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Stock Units.
(iii) Dividend Equivalent Rights. If the Committee so provides, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalent Rights. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, settled in cash or Shares, and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the Dividend Equivalent Rights are granted and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement.
7.3 Restrictions and Conditions.
(a) Restriction Period. The Participant shall not be permitted to transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded under this Plan or vest in Restricted Stock Units during the period or periods set by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”) commencing on the date of such Award, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule and any event that would accelerate vesting of the Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units. Within these limits, based on service, attainment of Performance Goals pursuant to Section 7.3(a), and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, the Committee may condition the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments in whole or in part, or may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units and/or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of any Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.
(b) Termination. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units still subject to restriction will be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or thereafter.
Article VIII.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
The Committee may grant a Performance Award to a Participant payable upon the attainment of specific Performance Goals either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. The Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Performance Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
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Article IX.
OTHER STOCK-BASED AND CASH AWARDS
9.1 Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Individuals Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Shares, including but not limited to, Shares awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, Shares in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, stock equivalent units, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Shares. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under this Plan.
Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall have authority to determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be made, the number of Shares to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The Committee may also provide for the grant of Shares under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period. The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion.
9.2 Terms and Conditions. Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article IX shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:
(a) Non-Transferability. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and this Plan, Shares subject to Other Stock-Based Awards may not be transferred prior to the date on which the Shares are issued or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance, or deferral period lapses.
(b) Dividends. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of an Other Stock-Based Award, subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement and this Plan, the recipient of an Other Stock-Based Award shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights in respect of the number of Shares covered by the Other Stock-Based Award.
(c) Vesting. Any Other Stock-Based Award and any Shares covered by any such Other Stock- Based Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided in the Award Agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
(d) Price. Shares under this Article IX may be issued for no cash consideration. Shares purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded pursuant to an Other Stock-Based Award shall be priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
9.3 Cash Awards. The Committee may from time to time grant Cash Awards to Eligible Individuals in such amounts, on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, including no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by Applicable Law, as it shall determine in its sole discretion. Cash Awards may be granted subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions or may be awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, and if subject to vesting conditions, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of such Awards at any time in its sole discretion. The grant of a Cash Award shall not require a segregation of any of the Company’s assets for satisfaction of the Company’s payment obligation thereunder.
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Article X.
CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS
10.1 Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or any applicable employment agreement, offer letter, consulting agreement, change in control agreement, or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant, a Participant’s unvested Awards shall not vest automatically and a Participant’s Awards shall be treated in accordance with one or more of the following methods as determined by the Committee:
(a) Awards, whether or not then vested, shall be continued, be assumed, or have new rights substituted therefor, as determined by the Committee in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and restrictions to which shares of Restricted Stock or any other Award granted prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon a Change in Control and the Restricted Stock or other Award shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the Committee, receive the same distribution as other Shares on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that, the Committee may decide to award additional Restricted Stock or other Awards in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1 (and any amendment thereto).
(b) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the Company for an amount of cash equal to the excess (if any) of the Change in Control Price of the Shares covered by such Awards, over the aggregate exercise price of such Awards; provided, however, that if the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the Change in Control Price, such Award may be cancelled for no consideration.
(c) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or any Other Stock-Based Award that provides for a Participant-elected exercise, effective as of the date of the Change in Control, by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least 20 days prior to the date of consummation of the Change in Control, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the consummation of the Change in Control, each such Participant shall have the right to exercise in full all of such Participant’s Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award Agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the occurrence of the Change in Control; provided that, if the Change in Control does not take place within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions, of an Award at any time.
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Article XI.
TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Board or the Committee may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of this Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any Applicable Law), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by Applicable Law or specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension, or termination may not be materially impaired without the consent of such Participant and, provided, further, that without the approval of the holders of the Shares entitled to vote in accordance with Applicable Law, no amendment may be made that would: (a) increase the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under this Plan (except by operation of Section 4.1); (b) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Awards under this Plan; (c) reduce the exercise price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; (d) grant any new Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or other award in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right that has the effect of reducing the exercise price thereof; (e) exchange any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right for Common Stock, cash, or other consideration when the exercise price per Share under such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the Fair Market Value of a Share; or (f) take any action that would be considered a “repricing” of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right under the applicable listing standards of the national exchange on which the Common Stock is listed (if any). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board or the Committee may amend this Plan or any Award Agreement at any time without a Participant’s consent to comply with Applicable Law, including Section 409A of the Code. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall materially impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant’s consent.
Article XII.
UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN
This Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payment as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which is not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any right that is greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.
Article XIII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 Lock-Up; Legend. The Committee may require each person receiving Shares pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under this Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the Shares without a view to distribution thereof. The Company may, in connection with registering the offering of any Company securities under the Securities Act, prohibit Participants from, directly or indirectly, selling or otherwise transferring any Shares or other Company securities during any period determined by the underwriter or the Company. In addition to any legend required by this Plan, the certificates for such Shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer. All certificates for Shares delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, and any Applicable Law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. If the Shares are held in book-entry form, then the book-entry will indicate any restrictions on such Shares.
13.2 Other Plans. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
13.3 No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy. Neither this Plan nor the grant of any Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate such employment, consultancy, or directorship at any time.
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13.4 Withholding of Taxes. A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or one of its Affiliates, as applicable, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any income tax, social insurance contribution or other applicable taxes that are required to be withheld in respect of an Award. The Committee may (but is not obligated to), in its sole discretion, permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or any portion of the applicable taxes that are required to be withheld with respect to an Award by: (a) the delivery of Shares (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) that have been both held by the Participant and vested for at least six months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment under applicable accounting standards) having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability (or portion thereof); (b) having the Company withhold from the Shares otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, the Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting, or settlement of the Award, as applicable, a number of Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such withholding liability; or (c) by any other means specified in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee.
13.5 Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards, or other securities or property shall be used or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited, or otherwise eliminated.
13.6 No Assignment of Benefits. No Award or other benefit payable under this Plan shall, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or under Applicable Law or permitted by the Committee, be transferable in any manner, and any attempt to transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements, or torts of any person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such person.
13.7 Clawbacks; Detrimental Conduct.
(a) Clawbacks. All awards, amounts, or benefits received or outstanding under this Plan will be subject to clawback, cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback, reduction, or other similar action in accordance with any Company clawback or similar policy or any Applicable Law related to such actions. A Participant’s acceptance of an Award will constitute the Participant’s acknowledgement of and consent to the Company’s application, implementation, and enforcement of any applicable Company clawback or similar policy that may apply to the Participant, whether adopted before or after the Effective Date, and any Applicable Law relating to clawback, cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback, or reduction of compensation, and the Participant’s agreement that the Company may take any actions that may be necessary to effectuate any such policy or Applicable Law, without further consideration or action.
(b) Detrimental Conduct. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Plan, if a Participant engages in Detrimental Conduct, whether during or after the Participant’s service, in addition to any other penalties or restrictions that may apply under this Plan, Applicable Law or otherwise, the Participant must forfeit or pay to the Company the following:
(i) any and all outstanding Awards granted to the Participant, including Awards that have become vested or exercisable;
(ii) any cash or Shares received by the Participant in connection with this Plan within the 36-month period immediately before the date the Company determines the Participant has engaged in Detrimental Conduct; and
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(iii) the profit realized by the Participant from the sale, or other disposition for consideration, of any Shares received by the Participant under this Plan within the 36-month period immediately before the date the Company determines the Participant has engaged in Detrimental Conduct.
13.8 Listing and Other Conditions.
(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the issuance of Shares pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such Shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such Shares unless and until such Shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such Shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.
(b) If at any time counsel to the Company advises the Company that any sale or delivery of Shares pursuant to an Award is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under Applicable Law, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to Shares or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, based on the advice of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.
(c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 13.8, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all Shares available before such suspension and as to Shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Award.
(d) A Participant shall be required to supply the Company with certificates, representations, and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent, or approval that the Company deems necessary or appropriate.
13.9 Governing Law. This Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.
13.10 Construction. Wherever any words are used in this Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.
13.11 Other Benefits. No Award granted or paid out under this Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates or affect any benefit or compensation under any other plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.
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13.12 Costs. The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering this Plan, including expenses of issuing Shares pursuant to Awards hereunder.
13.13 No Right to Same Benefits. The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.
13.14 Death/Disability. The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of an Award. The Committee may also require the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan.
13.15 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. It is the intent of the Company that this Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of this Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 13.15, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.
13.16 Deferral of Awards. The Committee may establish one or more programs under this Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of Shares or other consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, Shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules, and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.
13.17 Section 409A of the Code. This Plan and Awards are intended to comply with or be exempt from the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed, and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in this Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and, to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith or be exempt therefrom, such provision shall be null and void. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee or the Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under this Plan becomes subject to penalties under Section 409A of the Code, responsibility for payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected Participants and not with the Company. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) that are otherwise required to be made under this Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) as a result of such employee’s separation from service (other than a payment that is not subject to Section 409A of the Code) shall be delayed for the first six months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, until the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award Agreement) upon expiration of such delay period.
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13.18 Data Privacy. As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 13.18 by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates, for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan. In furtherance of such implementation, administration, and management, the Company and its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), information regarding any securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and details of all Awards (the “Data”). In addition to transferring the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan, the Company and its Affiliates may each transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan. Recipients of the Data may be located in the Participant’s country or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country and any given recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant, or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel the Participant’s eligibility to participate in this Plan, and in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
13.19 Successor and Assigns. This Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator, or trustee of such estate.
13.20 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.
13.21 Headings and Captions. The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of this Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of this Plan.
Article XIV.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan’s effective date (the “Effective Date”) is the date following entry of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”) with respect to the Company’s voluntary Chapter 11 case filed on July 13, 2022, on which the plan of reorganization of the Company becomes effective in accordance with its terms, with such approval of such Bankruptcy Court being in lieu of initial approval by stockholders of the Company.
Article XV.
TERM OF PLAN
No Award shall be granted pursuant to this Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date that this Plan is adopted or the date of stockholder approval, but Awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date.
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IONIC DIGITAL INC.
OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE
Ionic Digital Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (the “Participant”), an award of restricted stock units (“Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs”). Each vested Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive, in accordance with the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), one Common Share (“Share”). This award of Restricted Stock Units is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Agreement and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and the Agreement.
Participant:
Andy Stewart
Grant Date:
November 17, 2025
Total Number of RSUs:
186,875
Vesting Schedule:
The RSUs will vest over a five (5) year period in equal annual installments, with one-fifth (1/5th) of the RSUs vesting on each of the first five (5) anniversaries of the Grant Date, subject in each case to the Participant’s continuous employment with the Company through each such vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control that occurs within the first twelve (12) months of your employment with the Company, (i) if the Valuation of the Company is less than $2.5 billion in connection with such Change in Control, then all outstanding RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement will vest immediately upon such a Change in Control; and (ii) if the Valuation of the Company is more than $2.5 billion in connection with such Change in Control, then one-half (1/2) of the RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement will vest immediately upon such Change in Control, in each case, subject to Participant’s continuous employment through the date of such Change in Control. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Participant experiences a termination without Cause within the three-month period prior to the consummation of a Change in Control, he shall be entitled to accelerated vesting as if he was employed through the date of such Change in Control.
For the purposes of these Restricted Stock Units, “Valuation” means the fair market value of the Company, determined as of the applicable valuation date, without giving effect to any minority, illiquidity, or similar discounts. The Company Valuation shall be calculated based on the aggregate value of all outstanding equity interests in the Company, including all classes of stock and other securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity interests, and shall be reduced by (i) all outstanding indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company (whether current, long-term, contingent, or otherwise), (ii) all accrued but unpaid expenses, and (iii) any other amounts that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), should be deducted to determine the net value distributable to equity holders upon a sale, liquidation, or similar transaction. The determination of Valuation shall be made in good faith by the Board of Directors (or its designee), whose decision shall be final and binding.
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Termination:
If the Participant experiences a termination of employment for any or no reason, all RSUs that have not become vested on or prior to the date of such termination of service will thereupon be automatically forfeited by the Participant without payment of any consideration therefor.
By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee (referred to herein and in the Agreement as the “Administrator”) upon any questions arising under the Plan, the Agreement or this Grant Notice. In addition, by signing below, the Participant also agrees that the Company, in its sole discretion, may satisfy any withholding obligations in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Agreement and the Plan. The Participant’s acceptance of this Agreement constitutes his or her instruction and authorization to the Company and any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on Participant’s behalf shares of Common Stock from those Shares issuable to Participant as the Company determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy Participant’s tax withholding obligation.
IONIC DIGITAL INC.:
PARTICIPANT:
By:
By:
Print Name:
Print Name:
Title:
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Exhibit A
TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Ionic Digital Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant the number of restricted stock units (“Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs”) set forth in the Grant Notice under the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”). Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one Share upon vesting.
Article I.
GENERAL
1.1 Defined Terms. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and the Grant Notice.
1.2 Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.
Article II.
GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
2.1 Grant of RSUs. Pursuant to the Grant Notice and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice, the Company hereby grants to the Participant an award of RSUs under the Plan in consideration of the Participant’s past or continued service to the Company or any Subsidiaries and for other good and valuable consideration.
2.2 Unsecured Obligation to RSUs. Unless and until the RSUs have vested in the manner set forth in Article 2 hereof, the Participant will have no right to receive Shares under any such RSUs. Prior to actual payment of any vested RSUs, such RSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.
2.3 Vesting Schedule. Subject to Section 2.5 hereof, the RSUs shall vest and become nonforfeitable with respect to the applicable portion thereof according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice (rounding down to the nearest whole Share).
2.4 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the award of RSUs pursuant hereto, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary.
2.5 Forfeiture, Termination and Cancellation upon Termination of Service. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement or the Plan, upon the Participant’s termination of service with the Company or its Subsidiaries for any or no reason, all Restricted Stock Units which have not vested prior to or in connection with such termination of service shall thereupon automatically be forfeited, terminated and cancelled as of the applicable termination date without payment of any consideration by the Company, and the Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary or personal representative, as the case may be, shall have no further rights hereunder with respect to such forfeited RSUs. No portion of the RSUs which has not become vested as of the date on which the Participant incurs a termination of service with the Company or its Subsidiaries shall thereafter become vested, except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant.
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2.6 Issuance of Shares upon Vesting.
(a) As soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of any Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, but in no event later than 30 days after such vesting date (for the avoidance of doubt, this deadline is intended to comply with the “short term deferral” exemption from Section 409A of the Code), the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or any transferee permitted under Section 3.2 hereof) a number of Shares equal to the number of RSUs subject to this Award that vest on the applicable vesting date.
(b) As set forth in Section 13.4 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the Restricted Stock Units. Additionally, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any withholding obligations relating to Participant’s RSUs by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the RSUs, (ii) instructing a broker on the Participant’s behalf to sell shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the RSUs sufficient to generate net proceeds sufficient to satisfy the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations with respect to the income recognized by the Participant upon the vesting of the RSUs (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for all tax purposes, including payroll and social security taxes, that are applicable to such income) and the net proceeds of such sale shall be submitted to the Company, (iii) requiring Participant to make a payment in cash to the Company, or (iv) using any other method approved by the Company, and to the extent required by applicable laws or the Plan, approved by the Administrator. Until determined otherwise by the Company, clause (ii) will be the method by which such withholding obligations are satisfied, unless the Participant choses to satisfy his or her withholding obligation in accordance with clause (iii) at any time not less than five (5) business days before any withholding obligation arises. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative unless and until the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable to the taxable income of the Participant resulting from the grant or vesting of the Restricted Stock Units or the issuance of Shares.
(c) Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 13.4 of the Plan, Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company, the ultimate liability for all income tax, social security and other tax-related items related to Participant's participation in the Plan and the RSUs and legally applicable to Participant or deemed by the Company, the Board in its discretion to be an appropriate charge to Participant even if legally applicable to the Company, Board (to the extent lawful) (collectively, “Tax-Related Items”) is and remains Participant's responsibility and may exceed the amount (if any) withheld by the Company, the Board, and Participant hereby covenants to pay any such Tax-Related Items, as and when requested by the Company, the Board, any Affiliate or any tax authority. Participant further acknowledges that (i) neither the Company or the Board make any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSUs including, without limitation, the grant or vesting of the RSUs or the subsequent sale/disposal of the RSUs; and (ii) the Company, the Board does not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the RSUs to reduce or eliminate Participant's liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if Participant is subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction between the date on which the RSUs are granted and the date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant acknowledges that the Company, the Board may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
2.7 Conditions to Delivery of Shares. The Shares deliverable hereunder may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue Shares deliverable hereunder prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 13.8 of the Plan.
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2.8 Rights as Shareholder. The holder of the RSUs shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to dividends, in respect of the RSUs and any Shares underlying the RSUs and deliverable hereunder unless and until such Shares shall have been issued by the Company and held of record by such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Sections 4.3 or 10.1 of the Plan.
Article III..
OTHER PROVISIONS
3.1 Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Administrator or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the RSUs.
3.2 Transferability. The RSUs shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Plan.
3.3 Tax Consultation. The Participant understands that the Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences in connection with the RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement (and the Shares issuable with respect thereto). The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted with any tax consultants the Participant deems advisable in connection with the RSUs and the issuance of Shares with respect thereto and that the Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
3.4 Binding Agreement. Subject to the limitation on the transferability of the RSUs contained herein, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
3.5 Adjustments Upon Specified Events. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of the RSUs in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. The Participant acknowledges that the RSUs are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Sections 13 and 14 of the Plan.
3.6 Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 3.6, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.
3.7 Participant’s Representations. If the Shares issuable hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time of such issuance, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with such issuance, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company or its counsel.
3.8 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
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3.9 Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.
3.10 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any other Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the RSUs are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.
3.11 Amendment, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board; provided, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the RSUs in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.
3.12 Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 3.2 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
3.13 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then the Plan, the RSUs and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
3.14 Service.
(a) This Agreement does not confer upon the Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate and shall not interfere with the ability of the Participant’s employer from time to time (the “Employer”) to terminate the Participant’s service at any time, with or without cause, subject to Applicable Law.
(b) The Plan is established voluntarily by the Company. It is discretionary in nature and it may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, unless otherwise provided in the Plan and this Agreement. The grant of the RSUs is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of Awards, or benefits in lieu of Awards, even if Awards have been granted repeatedly in the past. All decisions with respect to future grants of Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. The RSUs are extraordinary items that do not constitute compensation of any kind for service of any kind rendered to the Company or Affiliate, and which are outside the scope of your employment contract, if any and are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service options, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments.
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3.15 Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto, if any) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, provided that the RSUs shall be subject to any accelerated vesting provisions in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Company plan pursuant to which the Participant participates, in each case, in accordance with the terms therein.
3.16 Section 409A. This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify Participant or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
3.17 Limitation on Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the RSUs, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to RSUs, as and when payable hereunder.
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IONIC DIGITAL INC.
OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE
Ionic Digital Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (the “Participant”), an award of performance restricted stock units (“Performance Restricted Stock Units” or “PRSUs”). Each vested Performance Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive, in accordance with the Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), one Common Share (“Share”). This award of Performance Restricted Stock Units is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Agreement and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and the Agreement.
Participant:
Andy Stewart
Grant Date:
November 17, 2025
Total Number of PRSUs:
560,625
Vesting Criteria:
The PRSUs shall vest upon a Change in Control, subject in each case to the Participant’s continued employment through the date of such Change in Control and achievement of the following performance thresholds:
● One-third (1/3) of the PRSUs shall vest upon a Change in Control in which the Company has a Valuation that equals or exceeds $2.5 billion;
● One-third (1/3) of the PRSUs shall vest upon a Change in Control in which the Company has a Valuation that equals or exceeds $3.75 billion; and
One-third (1/3) of the PRSUs shall vest upon a Change in Control in which the Company has a Valuation that equals or exceeds $5 billion.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the PRSUs shall also be eligible to vest upon achievement of the following performance metrics, subject to Participant’s continued employment with the Company through achievement of such metric, and for a period of six (6) months thereafter:
● One-third (1/3) of the PRSUs shall vest if the Company’s average daily weighted stock price over 60 calendar days creates a Valuation that equals or exceeds $2.5 billion;
● One-third (1/3) of the PRSUs shall vest if the Company’s average daily weighted stock price over 60 calendar days creates a Valuation that equals or exceeds $3.75 billion; and
● One-third (1/3) of the PRSUs shall vest if the Company’s average daily weighted stock price over 60 calendar days creates a Valuation that equals or exceeds $5 billion
For the purposes of these Performance Restricted Stock Units, “Valuation” means the fair market value of the Company, determined as of the applicable valuation date, without giving effect to any minority, illiquidity, or similar discounts. The Company Valuation shall be calculated based on the aggregate value of all outstanding equity interests in the Company, including all classes of stock and other securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity interests, and shall be reduced by (i) all outstanding indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company (whether current, long-term, contingent, or otherwise), (ii) all accrued but unpaid expenses, and (iii) any other amounts that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), should be deducted to determine the net value distributable to equity holders upon a sale, liquidation, or similar transaction. The determination of Valuation shall be made in good faith by the Board of Directors (or its designee), whose decision shall be final and binding.
Termination:
If the Participant experiences a termination of employment for any or no reason, all PRSUs that have not become vested on or prior to the date of such termination of service will thereupon be automatically forfeited by the Participant without payment of any consideration therefor.
By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee (referred to herein and in the Agreement as the “Administrator”) upon any questions arising under the Plan, the Agreement or this Grant Notice. In addition, by signing below, the Participant also agrees that the Company, in its sole discretion, may satisfy any withholding obligations in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Agreement and the Plan. The Participant’s acceptance of this Agreement constitutes his or her instruction and authorization to the Company and any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on Participant’s behalf shares of Common Stock from those Shares issuable to Participant as the Company determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy Participant’s tax withholding obligation.
IONIC DIGITAL INC.:
PARTICIPANT:
By:
By:
Print Name:
Print Name:
Title:
Exhibit A
TO PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Ionic Digital Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant the number of Performance Restricted Stock Units (“Performance Restricted Stock Units” or “PRSUs”) set forth in the Grant Notice under the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”). Each Performance Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one Share upon vesting.
Article I.
GENERAL
1.1 Defined Terms.Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and the Grant Notice.
1.2 Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The PRSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.
Article II.
GRANT OF PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
2.1 Grant of PRSUs. Pursuant to the Grant Notice and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice, the Company hereby grants to the Participant an award of PRSUs under the Plan in consideration of the Participant’s past or continued service to the Company or any Subsidiaries and for other good and valuable consideration.
2.2 Unsecured Obligation to PRSUs. Unless and until the PRSUs have vested in the manner set forth in Article 2 hereof, the Participant will have no right to receive Shares under any such PRSUs. Prior to actual payment of any vested PRSUs, such PRSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.
2.3 Vesting Schedule. Subject to Section 2.5 hereof, the PRSUs shall vest and become nonforfeitable with respect to the applicable portion thereof according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice (rounding down to the nearest whole Share).
2.4 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the award of PRSUs pursuant hereto, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary.
2.5 Forfeiture, Termination and Cancellation upon Termination of Service. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement or the Plan, upon the Participant’s termination of service with the Company or its Subsidiaries for any or no reason, all Performance Restricted Stock Units which have not vested prior to or in connection with such termination of service shall thereupon automatically be forfeited, terminated and cancelled as of the applicable termination date without payment of any consideration by the Company, and the Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary or personal representative, as the case may be, shall have no further rights hereunder with respect to such forfeited PRSUs. No portion of the PRSUs which has not become vested as of the date on which the Participant incurs a termination of service with the Company or its Subsidiaries shall thereafter become vested, except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant.
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2.6 Issuance of Shares upon Vesting.
(a) As soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of any Performance Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, but in no event later than 30 days after such vesting date (for the avoidance of doubt, this deadline is intended to comply with the “short term deferral” exemption from Section 409A of the Code), the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or any transferee permitted under Section 3.2 hereof) a number of Shares equal to the number of PRSUs subject to this Award that vest on the applicable vesting date.
(b) As set forth in Section 13.4 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the Performance Restricted Stock Units. Additionally, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any withholding obligations relating to Participant’s PRSUs by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the PRSUs, (ii) instructing a broker on the Participant’s behalf to sell shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the PRSUs sufficient to generate net proceeds sufficient to satisfy the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations with respect to the income recognized by the Participant upon the vesting of the PRSUs (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for all tax purposes, including payroll and social security taxes, that are applicable to such income) and the net proceeds of such sale shall be submitted to the Company, (iii) requiring Participant to make a payment in cash to the Company, or (iv) using any other method approved by the Company, and to the extent required by applicable laws or the Plan, approved by the Administrator. Until determined otherwise by the Company, clause (ii) will be the method by which such withholding obligations are satisfied, unless the Participant choses to satisfy his or her withholding obligation in accordance with clause (iii) at any time not less than five (5) business days before any withholding obligation arises. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative unless and until the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable to the taxable income of the Participant resulting from the grant or vesting of the Performance Restricted Stock Units or the issuance of Shares.
(c) Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 13.4 of the Plan, Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company, the ultimate liability for all income tax, social security and other tax-related items related to Participant's participation in the Plan and the PRSUs and legally applicable to Participant or deemed by the Company, the Board in its discretion to be an appropriate charge to Participant even if legally applicable to the Company, Board (to the extent lawful) (collectively, “Tax-Related Items”) is and remains Participant's responsibility and may exceed the amount (if any) withheld by the Company, the Board, and Participant hereby covenants to pay any such Tax-Related Items, as and when requested by the Company, the Board, any Affiliate or any tax authority. Participant further acknowledges that (i) neither the Company or the Board make any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the PRSUs including, without limitation, the grant or vesting of the PRSUs or the subsequent sale/disposal of the PRSUs; and (ii) the Company, the Board does not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the PRSUs to reduce or eliminate Participant's liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if Participant is subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction between the date on which the PRSUs are granted and the date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant acknowledges that the Company, the Board may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
2.7 Conditions to Delivery of Shares. The Shares deliverable hereunder may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue Shares deliverable hereunder prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 13.8 of the Plan.
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2.8 Rights as Shareholder. The holder of the PRSUs shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to dividends, in respect of the PRSUs and any Shares underlying the PRSUs and deliverable hereunder unless and until such Shares shall have been issued by the Company and held of record by such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Sections 4.3 or 10.1 of the Plan.
Article III.
OTHER PROVISIONS
3.1 Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Administrator or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the PRSUs.
3.2 Transferability. The PRSUs shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Plan.
3.3 Tax Consultation. The Participant understands that the Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences in connection with the PRSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement (and the Shares issuable with respect thereto). The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted with any tax consultants the Participant deems advisable in connection with the PRSUs and the issuance of Shares with respect thereto and that the Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
3.4 Binding Agreement. Subject to the limitation on the transferability of the PRSUs contained herein, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
3.5 Adjustments Upon Specified Events. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of the PRSUs in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. The Participant acknowledges that the PRSUs are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Sections 13 and 14 of the Plan.
3.6 Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 3.6, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.
3.7 Participant’s Representations. If the Shares issuable hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time of such issuance, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with such issuance, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company or its counsel.
3.8 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
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3.9 Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.
3.10 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any other Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the PRSUs are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.
3.11 Amendment, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board; provided, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the PRSUs in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.
3.12 Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 3.2 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
3.13 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then the Plan, the PRSUs and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
3.14 Service.
(a) This Agreement does not confer upon the Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate and shall not interfere with the ability of the Participant’s employer from time to time (the “Employer”) to terminate the Participant’s service at any time, with or without cause, subject to Applicable Law.
(b) The Plan is established voluntarily by the Company. It is discretionary in nature and it may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, unless otherwise provided in the Plan and this Agreement. The grant of the PRSUs is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of Awards, or benefits in lieu of Awards, even if Awards have been granted repeatedly in the past. All decisions with respect to future grants of Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. The PRSUs are extraordinary items that do not constitute compensation of any kind for service of any kind rendered to the Company or Affiliate, and which are outside the scope of your employment contract, if any and are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service options, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments.
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3.15 Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto, if any) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, provided that the PRSUs shall be subject to any accelerated vesting provisions in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Company plan pursuant to which the Participant participates, in each case, in accordance with the terms therein.
3.16 Section 409A.This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify Participant or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
3.17 Limitation on Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the PRSUs, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to PRSUs, as and when payable hereunder.
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