Reflecting the Directors' views that Bitcoin provides a means to preserve value over time and serve as a hedge against inflation, The Smarter Web Company is pioneering the adoption of a Bitcoin Treasury Policy. This policy aligns with the Company's belief that Bitcoin represents an important innovation.
Since 2023 The Smarter Web Company has adopted a policy of accepting payment in Bitcoin as a form of payment for its services. The Company firmly believes that Bitcoin plays a fundamental role in the evolving landscape of global finance and will be a significant asset within the financial system. By integrating Bitcoin into its payment options, the Company demonstrates its commitment to innovation and adoption of emerging technologies.
As part of its strategy for growth, The Smarter Web Company will actively explore opportunities for expansion through both organic development and corporate acquisitions. The Company will allocate its capital strategically, maintaining a treasury consisting of both traditional cash reserves and Bitcoin.
The Smarter Web Company is committed to transparency regarding its financial strategy and will provide regular updates to the market regarding any significant changes to its treasury holdings. These updates will be included as part of the Company’s standard market communications on its core business activities.
Important Notice: The Smarter Web Company Plc (the Company) holds treasury reserves and surplus cash in Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency or cryptoasset. Whilst the Board of Directors of the Company considers holding Bitcoin to be in the best interests of the Company, the Board remains aware that the financial regulator in the UK (the Financial Conduct Authority or FCA) considers investment in Bitcoin to be high risk. At the outset, it is important to note that an investment in the Company is not an investment in Bitcoin, either directly or by proxy. However, the Board of Directors of the Company consider Bitcoin to be an appropriate store of value and growth for the Company’s reserves and, accordingly, the Company is materially exposed to Bitcoin. Such an approach is innovative, and the Board of Directors of the Company wish to be clear and transparent with prospective and actual investors in the Company on the Company’s position in this regard. The Company is neither authorised nor regulated by the FCA. And cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin) are unregulated in the UK. As with most other investments, the value of Bitcoin can go down as well as up, and therefore the value of the Company’s Bitcoin holdings can fluctuate. The Company may not be able to realise its Bitcoin exposure for the same as it paid in the first place or even for the value the Company ascribes to its Bitcoin positions due to these market movements. And because Bitcoin is unregulated, the Company is not protected by the UK’s Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors of the Company has taken the decision to invest in Bitcoin, and in doing so is mindful of the special risks Bitcoin presents to the Company’s financial position. These risks include (but are not limited to): (i) the value of Bitcoin can be highly volatile, with value dropping as quickly as it can rise. Investors in Bitcoin must be prepared to lose all money invested in Bitcoin; (ii) the Bitcoin market is largely unregulated. There is a risk of losing money due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and counterparty failure; (iii) the Company may not be able to sell its Bitcoin at will. The ability to sell Bitcoin depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at the relevant time. Operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and comingling of funds could cause unwanted delay; and (iv) cryptoassets are characterised in some quarters by high degrees of fraud, money laundering and financial crime. In addition, there is a perception in some quarters that cyber-attacks are prominent which can lead to theft of holdings or ransom demands. The Board of Directors of the Company does not subscribe to such a negative view, especially in relation to Bitcoin. However, prospective investors in the Company are encouraged to do your own research before investing.