Exhibit 19.1
Insider Trading Policy
Amended June 12, 2024
INTRODUCTION
This Insider Trading Policy (this “Policy”) provides guidelines with respect to purchases, sales, hedges, shorts or any other direct or indirect action taken (collectively, “Transactions”) in the securities of Riot Platforms, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). It also provides guidance on the handling of confidential information about the Company and the companies with which the Company does business. This Policy explains some of the obligations, to the Company and under the law, of persons covered by this Policy, regarding the prevention of actual, or the appearance of, insider trading, which protects our reputation for integrity and ethical conduct.
Additional information about this Policy may be found in Appendix 1, which contains responses to frequently asked questions regarding the Policy. Please read this Policy and its Appendices in their entirety. All employees, officers and directors of the Company will be required to certify to the Company that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Policy by signing and returning to the Company the form of certification attached as Appendix 2.
APPLICABILITY
For purposes of this Policy, “Family Members” means any family members who reside with an Insider (including a spouse, a child, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, siblings and in-laws) and anyone else who lives in the same household as the Insider. Family Members shall include those who do not live in the same household as the Insider but whose Transactions in Company Securities (each as defined below) are directed by the Insider or are subject to the Insider’s influence or control, such as parents or children who consult with the Insider before they trade in Company Securities.
ADMINISTRATION
The Board has designated the Company’s General Counsel as the Compliance Officer for the purposes of this Policy, and in his or her absence, another employee designated by the Compliance Officer shall be responsible for administration of this Policy. All determinations and interpretations by the Compliance Officer shall be final and not subject to further review.
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
Persons subject to this Policy have ethical and legal obligations to maintain the confidentiality of information about the Company and to not engage in Transactions in Company Securities while in possession of Material Non-Public Information. Persons subject to this Policy must not engage in illegal trading and must avoid any appearance of improper trading. Each individual is responsible for making sure that he or she complies with this Policy, and that any Family Member, household member or entity whose Transactions are subject to this Policy, as discussed below, also complies with this Policy. In all cases, the responsibility for determining whether an individual is in possession of Material Non-Public Information rests with that individual, and any action on the part of the Company, the Compliance Officer, or any other employee or director of the Company pursuant to this Policy (or otherwise) does not in any way constitute legal advice or insulate an individual from liability under applicable securities laws. You could be subject to severe legal penalties and disciplinary action by the Company for any conduct prohibited by this Policy or applicable securities laws, as described below in more detail under the heading “Potential Criminal and Civil Liability.”
MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION DEFINED
For purposes of this Policy, “Material Non-Public Information” means any information about or pertaining to the Company in any way which is both “Material” and “Non-Public” as set forth in Appendix 1 hereto. This Policy also applies to Material Non-Public Information relating to other companies, including ones with which the Company is discussing a proposed transaction, and the Company’s distributors, vendors or suppliers (collectively, “Other Companies”). Insiders should treat Material Non-Public Information about Other Companies with the same care as information related directly to the Company.
NOTE: This definition of Material Non-Public Information is illustrative and not limiting. Insiders or anyone who believes they may be in possession of Material Non-Public Information should contact the Compliance Officer before making any Transaction(s) while in possession of such information.
TRADING GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
Do not use Material Non-Public Information to buy or sell Company Securities. It is the policy of the Company that no Insider of the Company, or any other person designated by this Policy or by the
Compliance Officer as subject to this Policy, who is aware of Material Non-Public Information relating to the Company, may, directly or indirectly through Family Members or other persons or entities: (i) engage in Transactions in Company Securities, except as otherwise specified in this Policy under the heading “Exceptions;” (ii) recommend the purchase or sale of any Company Security; (iii) Disclose Material Non-Public Information to persons within the Company whose jobs do not require them to have that information, or outside of the Company to other persons, including, but not limited to, family, friends, business associates, investors and expert consulting firms, unless any such disclosure is made in accordance with the Company’s policies regarding the protection or authorized external disclosure of information regarding the Company; or (iv) assist anyone engaged in the above activities.
The quarterly Black-Out Period is as follows:
The trading window is closed beginning fourteen (14) calendar days before the end of each fiscal quarter and reopens after two (2) Trading Days have occurred after the day on which the information is released to the public.
The Company may institute other Black-Out Periods and may extend a Black-Out Period to a broader group, when there are developments (including impending developments) that are known to the Company and considered “Material Non-Public Information” under this Policy. Such Black-Out Periods begin as soon as persons subject to this Policy become aware of such a material development or the Company makes an internal announcement that a Black-Out Period has been initiated, and ends after the second (2nd) Trading Day on which public disclosure of such material development has been made (i.e., two (2) Trading Days after the date on which the Company files the Form 8-K report disclosing such material development), or at such time as the material development is no longer considered “Material Non-Public Information” under this Policy.
SPECIFIC GUIDELINES
OTHER SPECIAL AND PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
The Company has determined that there is a heightened legal risk to the Company and Insiders and/or the potential for the appearance of improper or inappropriate conduct if the persons subject to this Policy engage in certain types of Transactions. It therefore is the Company’s policy that any persons covered by this Policy may not engage in any of the following Transactions or otherwise engage in the following activity, except as noted herein:
Mandatory Preclearance Procedures
Directors, executive officers, and key accounting and finance, investor relations and legal department personnel must receive preclearance from the Compliance Officer prior to executing any Transactions in the Company’s Securities permitted by this Policy. Preclearance is not legal advice. Those individuals subject to these procedures, as well as the Family Members and entities that such person influences or controls, may not engage in any Transaction in Company Securities without first obtaining preclearance of the Transaction from the Compliance Officer. A request for preclearance should be submitted to the Compliance Officer at least two (2) Trading Days in advance of the proposed Transaction.
The Compliance Officer is under no obligation to approve a Transaction submitted for preclearance and may determine not to permit the Transaction in his or her sole and absolute discretion. If a person seeks preclearance and permission to engage in the Transaction is granted, then he or she may make the trade at any time, but not after three (3) Trading Days of receipt of preclearance. If the requestor becomes aware of Material Non-Public Information concerning the Company or if a Black-Out Period commences before the trade is executed, the preclearance shall be void and the trade must not be completed. If a person seeks preclearance and permission to engage in the transaction is denied, then he should refrain from initiating any transaction in Company Securities and should not inform any other person of the restriction.
You are responsible for your own conduct. Preclearance in no way relieves you of your own legal obligation to refrain from trading while in possession of material nonpublic information.
EXCEPTIONS
Except as specifically noted in this Policy, and subject to the Mandator Preclearance Procedures established under this Policy, this Policy does not apply in the case of the following Transactions:
The Company has adopted Rule 10b5-1 Plan Guidelines setting forth the Company’s general approval requirements for Rule 10b5-1 Plans (the “Rule 10b5-1 Plan Guidelines”), which may be amended from time to time by the Company at the Board’s discretion. Persons subject to this Policy are advised to contact the Compliance Officer to obtain a current copy of the Rule 10b5-1 Plan Guidelines as early as possible in their Rule 10b5-1 Plan considerations.
Any Rule 10b5-1 Plan proposed by a person subject to this Policy must be approved by the Compliance Officer, prior to the plan’s enactment; provided, however, the Company’s approval of a Rule 10b5-1 Plan may not be relied upon by the person requesting such approval either (i) as the Company’s endorsement of the Rule 10b5-1 Plan or (ii) of its compliance with applicable securities laws. Following approval of a proposed Rule 10b5-1 Plan by the Compliance Officer, Company Securities may be purchased or sold pursuant to such Rule 10b5-1 Plan, without regard to certain insider trading restrictions set forth in this Policy, but only if (A) such plan continuously satisfies the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act at all times while Transactions in Company Securities will occur and (B) the person covered by this Policy associated with such Rule 10b5-1 Plan does not otherwise violate legal prohibitions on Insider Trading with respect to such Transactions in Company Securities pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 Plan.
Unless otherwise approved by the Compliance Officer, persons covered by this Policy may not enter into, modify or terminate a Rule 10b5-1 Plan during a Black-Out Period. Persons with an approved Rule 10b5-1 Plan are also required to notify the Compliance Officer of the termination of a Rule 10b5-1 Plan. When a Rule 10b5-1 Plan is in effect, the applicable person is prohibited from trading in the Company’s securities outside of the Rule 10b5-1 Plan.
POST-TERMINATION TRANSACTIONS
This Policy continues to apply to Transactions in Company Securities even after termination of service to the Company. If an individual is in possession of Material Non-Public Information when his or her service terminates, that individual may not trade in Company Securities until that information has become public or is no longer material according to this Policy. The Mandatory Preclearance Procedures provided herein, however, will cease to apply to Transactions in Company Securities upon the expiration of any Blackout Period or other Company-imposed trading restrictions applicable at the time of the termination of service.
POTENTIAL CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LIABILITY
INQUIRIES
Inquiries regarding this Policy should be directed to the Compliance Officer.
Amendment effective June 12, 2024, as adopted by the of the Board of Directors of Riot Platforms, Inc.
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RIOT PLATFORMS, INC.
INSIDER TRADING POLICY
APPENDIX 1
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:Why did the Company adopt this Policy?
A: | The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted this Policy to promote compliance with federal, state and foreign securities laws that prohibit certain persons who are aware of Material Non-Public Information (defined below) about or pertaining to the Company from: (i) trading in securities of the Company; or (ii) providing Material Non-Public Information to other persons who may trade on the basis of that information. |
Q:What information is considered “material” for purposes of this Policy?
A: | Information is considered “material” if a reasonable investor would consider that information important in deciding to buy, hold or sell securities. Any information that could be expected to affect a company’s stock price, whether it is positive or negative, should be considered material. Any information that could reasonably be expected to affect the price of the security is material. There is no bright-line standard for assessing materiality; rather, materiality is based on an assessment of all of the facts and circumstances and is often evaluated by enforcement authorities with the benefit of hindsight. Material information includes both favorable and unfavorable information. |
While it is not possible to define all categories of material information, some examples of information that ordinarily would be regarded as material are:
| ● | Projections of future earnings or losses, or other earnings guidance; |
| ● | Changes to previously announced earnings guidance, or the decision to suspend earnings guidance; |
| ● | Execution or termination of significant contracts; |
| ● | A patent or other intellectual property milestone; |
| ● | A pending or proposed merger, acquisition or tender offer; |
| ● | A pending or proposed acquisition or disposition of a significant asset; |
| ● | A pending or proposed joint venture; |
| ● | A Company restructuring; |
| ● | Significant related party Transactions; |
| ● | A change in dividend policy, the declaration of a stock split or an offering of additional securities; |
| ● | Bank borrowings or other financing Transactions out of the ordinary course; |
| ● | The establishment of a repurchase program for Company Securities; |
| ● | A change in management; |
| ● | A change in auditors or notification that the auditor’s reports may no longer be relied upon; |
| ● | Development of a significant new product, process or service; |
| ● | Pending or threatened significant litigation or the resolution of such litigation; |
| ● | Impending bankruptcy or the existence of severe liquidity problems; |
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| ● | The gain or loss of a significant customer or supplier; |
| ● | A significant cybersecurity incident, such as a data breach, or any other significant disruption in the company’s operations or loss, potential loss, breach or unauthorized access of its property or assets, whether at its facilities or through its information technology infrastructure; or |
| ● | The imposition of an event-specific restriction on trading in Company Securities or the securities of another company or the extension or termination of such restriction. |
Q:What is “Non-Public Information” for purposes of this Policy?
A: | For purposes of this Policy, information is generally considered “non-public” if it has not been disclosed to the public. Information may cease to be “non-public” if it has been “widely disseminated.” Information generally would be considered “widely disseminated” if it has been disclosed through newswire services, a broadcast on widely available radio or television programs, publication in a widely available newspaper, magazine or news website, or public disclosure documents filed with the SEC that are available on the SEC’s website. By contrast, for purposes of this Policy, information would not be considered widely disseminated if it is available only to Insiders or their Family Members, or if it is only available to a select group of analysts, brokers and institutional investors. Once information has become “widely disseminated,” it is still necessary to provide the investing public with sufficient time to absorb the information. As a general rule, information should not be considered fully absorbed by the marketplace until two Trading Days have occurred after the day on which the information is released to the public; thereafter, unless otherwise determined by the Company, the information will no longer be considered Material Non-Public Information for purposes of this Policy. For example, if the Company were to make an announcement of Material Non-Public Information on a Monday (post-market), an Insider should consider such information Material Non-Public Information subject to this Policy until close of market on Wednesday (provided there are no intervening non-Trading Days). Depending on the particular circumstances, the Company may determine that a longer period should apply to the release of specific Material Non-Public Information. |
Q: | What if I can’t tell whether information is material or non-public? |
A: | If you are unsure whether information of which you are aware is material or non-public, you should consult with the Compliance Officer prior to trading. If you are an Insider, you must always consult with the Compliance Officer before trading, as outlined in this policy. |
Q:Whose Transactions may be attributable to me?
A: | As discussed elsewhere in this Policy, this Policy applies to you, any Family Member and any other person who has a relationship with you (legal, personal, or otherwise) that might reasonably result in that person’s Transactions being attributable to you. This includes any legal entities that are influenced or controlled by you or other persons who have a relationship with you and are subject to this Policy, such any corporations, partnerships, or trusts. You may also be responsible for Transactions by other persons with whom you share a residence or who consult with you before they trade in securities where those persons’ Transactions might reasonably be attributable to you. In all cases, you must ensure that persons whose trading activities you directly or indirectly influence, or those whose trading activities would reasonably be perceived by others to be under your influence, comply with the terms of this Policy. |
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Q: | What are the reasons for maintaining confidentiality? |
A: | Your failure to maintain the confidentiality of material non-public information could greatly harm our ability to conduct business. In addition, you could be exposed to significant civil and criminal penalties and legal action. Federal securities laws strictly prohibit any person who obtains material inside information and who has a duty not to disclose it from using the information in connection with the purchase and sale of Company Securities. It does not matter how that information has been obtained, whether in the course of employment or Board service, from friends, relatives, acquaintances, or strangers, or from overhearing the conversations of others. Congress enacted this prohibition because the integrity of the securities markets would be seriously undermined if the “deck were stacked” against persons who are not privy to this information. |
Q: | What are some of the consequences of violating this Policy? |
A: | Federal and state laws prohibit the purchase or sale of securities while aware of material non-public information, or the disclosure of material non-public information to others who then trade in Company Securities. The SEC, US Attorneys and state and foreign enforcement authorities vigorously pursue insider trading violations. Punishment for insider trading violations is severe and could include significant fines and imprisonment. |
Individuals also may be prohibited from serving as directors or officers of the Company or any other public company. Keep in mind that there are no limits on the size of a Transaction that will trigger insider trading liability; relatively small trades have in the past occasioned SEC investigations and lawsuits. The federal securities laws also impose potential liability on companies and other “controlling persons” who fail to take appropriate steps to prevent illegal trading. Directors, officers, and certain managerial personnel could become controlling persons subject to liability if they knew of, or recklessly disregarded, a likely insider trading violation by an employee or other personnel under their control.
In addition to the possible imposition of civil damages and criminal penalties on violators and their controlling persons, any appearance of impropriety could not only damage our reputation for integrity and ethical conduct but also impair investor confidence in us. For this reason, if you violate this Policy, then we may take disciplinary action against you, including dismissal or removal for cause. Thus, even if the SEC does not prosecute a case, involvement in an investigation (by the SEC or us) can tarnish your reputation and damage your career.
Q:What should I do to safeguard Material Non-Public Information?
A: | So long as Material Non-Public Information relating to us or our business is unavailable to the general public, it must be kept in strict confidence. Accordingly, you should discuss this information only with persons who have a “need to know;” it should be confined to as small a group as possible, and it should be disclosed only in a setting in which confidentiality can be maintained. |
You are expected to exercise utmost care and circumspection at all times and limit conversations in public places (such as elevators, restaurants, and airplanes) to topics that do not involve sensitive or confidential information. Use care in discussing sensitive or confidential information on cell phones, video chats and other internet-based communication platforms. As set forth in the Company’s Social Media Policy, you are not permitted to post information about the Company on your social media platforms, except as specifically authorized by the Company. Any unauthorized social media posts containing Material Non-Public Information are a violation of this Policy, and you may be subject you to consequences for such violation, as outlined above. In addition, all
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emails containing sensitive or confidential information should be encrypted before being sent, and consideration should be given to making these emails non-copyable and non-forwardable.
To protect our confidences to the maximum extent possible, no individuals other than specifically authorized personnel may release material information to the public or respond to inquiries about material information from the media, analysts, or others outside the Company’s Social Media Policy and other communications policies.
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RIOT PLATFORMS, INC.
INSIDER TRADING POLICY
APPENDIX 2
CERTIFICATION
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned individual, hereby certify and confirm that:
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Policy.
(Signature)(Date)
(Print Name)
(Company)(Primary Office)
(Position Title)
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