UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

or

For the transition period from _________________________ to_________________________

Commission File Number: 001-38036

TAKUNG ART CO., LTD

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Room 1105 Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

+852 3158 0977

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x     Yes ¨    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). x    Yes ¨    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨    Yes x     No

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY

PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d)of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. ¨    Yes ¨    No

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

The number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of May 15, 2019 is 11,255,129.

FORM 10-Q

TAKUNG ART CO., LTD

INDEX

PART I –FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

TAKUNG ART CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Stated in U.S. Dollars except Number of Shares) 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

TAKUNG ART CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(Stated in U.S. Dollars except Number of Shares)

(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

TAKUNG ART CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUTIY

(Stated in U.S. Dollars except Number of Shares)

(UNAUDITED)

TAKUNG ART CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Stated in U.S. Dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

TAKUNG ART CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Takung Art Co., Ltd and subsidiaries (“Takung” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation (formerly Cardigant Medical Inc.) through Hong Kong Takung Art Company Limited (formerly Hong Kong Takung Assets and Equity of Artworks Exchange Co., Ltd.), a Hong Kong company (“Hong Kong Takung”) and our wholly owned subsidiary, operates an electronic online platform located at www.takungae.com for artists, art dealers and art investors to offer and trade in valuable artwork.

Hong Kong Takung was incorporated in Hong Kong on September 17, 2012 and operates an electronic online platform for offering, selling and trading artwork. For the period from September 17, 2012 (inception) to December 31, 2012, the company had no operation except for the issuance of shares for subscription receivables. The Company generates revenue from its services in connection with the offering and trading of artwork on its system, primarily consisting of listing fees, trading commissions, and management fees. The Company conducts its business primarily in Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”).

Takung (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (“Shanghai Takung”) is a limited liability company, with a registered capital of $1 million, located in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone. Shanghai Takung was incorporated on July 28, 2015 in the PRC. It is engaged in providing services to its parent company, Hong Kong Takung by receiving deposits from and making payments to online artwork traders of Takung for and on behalf of Takung.

Takung Cultural Development (Tianjin) Co., Ltd (“Tianjin Takung”) is a limited liability company, with a registered capital of $1 million located in the Pilot Free Trade Zone in Tianjin. Tianjin Takung was incorporated on January 27, 2016 and is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong Takung.

Tianjin Takung provides technology development services to Hong Kong Takung and Shanghai Takung and also carries out marketing and promotion activities in mainland China.

Hong Kong Takung Art Holdings Company Limited (“Takung Art Holdings”) was formed in Hong Kong on July 20, 2018 and operates as a holding company to control an online platform for offering, selling and trading whole piece of artwork.

Art Era Internet Technology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd (“Art Era”) was formed in Tianjin on September 7, 2018, is a directly wholly owned subsidiary of Takung Art Holdings, and formed as a limited liability company with a registered capital of $2 million located in the Pilot Free Trade Zone in Tianjin. Art Era mainly focuses on developing our e-commerce platform for art.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2019 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and disclosures, which are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to provide a fair presentation. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, previously filed with the SEC.

This basis of accounting involves the application of accrual accounting and consequently, revenues and gains are recognized when earned, and expenses and losses are recognized when incurred. The Company’s financial statements are expressed in U.S. Dollars.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2019, its consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, as applicable, have been made. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842, Leases, using the modified retrospective method which allows for the application of the transition provisions at the beginning of the period of adoption, rather than at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. As permitted by the guidance, the Company elected to retain the original lease classification and historical accounting for initial direct costs for leases existing prior to the adoption date and did not reassess contracts entered into prior to the adoption date for the existence of a lease. The Company also did not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases, which are leases in existence as of the adoption date with an original term of twelve months or less.

As a result of the adoption of the standard, the Company recognized operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of $0.36 million, on its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019. The assets and liabilities recognized upon application of the transition provisions were primarily associated with existing office and storage leases.

Except for the ASUs issued but not yet adopted disclosed in Note 2 to the financial statements on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, previously filed with the SEC, there is no ASU issued by the FASB that is expected to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption. 

 3. PREPAYMENT AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepayment and other current assets consisted of the following:

4. ACCOUNT RECEIVABLES, NET

Account receivables consisted of the following:

5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

Depreciation expense was $156,779 and $228,704 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

6. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYABLES

Accrued expenses and other payables as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consisted of the following:

7. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS

The following is a list of director and related parties to which the Company has transactions with:

(a) Wang Song (“Wang”), the General Manager of Tianjin Takung and Shanghai Takung, and Director of Hong Kong Takung, Tianjin Takung and Shanghai Takung.

(b) Liu Zhenying (“Liu”), the former Vice President of Hong Kong Takung. Liu resigned from the Company on September 30, 2018.

Amount due from a related party consisted of the following as of the years indicated:

Amount due to related party

Amount due to related party consisted of the following as of the years indicated:

On May 16, 2018, Hong Kong Takung entered into an interest-free loan agreement (the "HK Dollar Loan") with Liu that was transferred to Wang on October 18, 2018 for the loan of $6,369,589(HK$50,000,000) to Hong Kong Takung. The purpose of the loan is to provide Hong Kong Takung with sufficient Hong Kong Dollar-denominated currency to meet its working capital requirements with the maturity date of the loan is May 15, 2019. On May 15, 2019, Hong Kong Takung entered into an extension agreement with Wang to extend the HK Dollar Loan with a due date on May 15, 2020.

In the meantime, Tianjin Takung entered into an interest-free loan agreement (the "RMB Loan") with Liu that was transferred to Wang on October 18, 2018 for the loan of $6,052,420 (RMB40,619,000) to Wang with the maturity date of the loan is May 15, 2019. On May 15, 2019, Tianjin Takung entered into an extension agreement with Wang to extend the RMB Loan with a due date on May 15, 2020.

Through an understanding between Wang and the Company, the HK Dollar Loan is "secured" by the RMB Loan. It is the understanding between the parties that the HK Dollar Loan and the RMB Loan will be repaid simultaneously. 

8. INCOME TAXES

Takung was incorporated in the State of Delaware and is subject to United States income tax. Hong Kong Takung was incorporated in Hong Kong S.A.R. People’s Republic of China and is subject to Hong Kong profits tax. Shanghai Takung and Tianjin Takung are PRC corporations and are subject to enterprise taxes in the PRC.

United States of America

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Enacted in 2017

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent; (2) requiring companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries; (3) generally eliminating U.S. federal corporate income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; and (4) providing modification to subpart F provisions and new taxes on certain foreign earnings such as Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI). Except for the one-time transition tax, most of these provisions went into effect starting January 1, 2018.

On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB118”) was issued to provide guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. As of December 22, 2018, the Company has completed the assessment of the income tax effect of the Tax Act and there were no adjustments recorded to the provisional amounts.

The Global Intangible Low-taxed Income (GILTI) is a new provision introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. U.S. shareholders, who are domestic corporations, of controlled foreign corporations (CFCs) are eligible for up to an 80% deemed paid foreign tax credit (FTC) and a 50% deduction of the current year inclusion with the full amount of the Section 78 gross-up subject to limitation. This new provision is effective for tax years of foreign corporations beginning after December 31, 2017. The Company has evaluated whether it has additional provision amount resulted by the GILTI inclusion on current earnings and profits of its foreign controlled corporations. The Company has made an accounting policy choice of treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable amount related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company does not have any aggregated positive tested income; and as such, does not have additional provision amount recorded for GILTI tax.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company in the United States had $248,945 and $1,332,488 in net operating loss carry forwards available to offset future taxable income, respectively. For net operating losses arising after December 31, 2017, the Tax Act limits the Company’s ability to utilize NOL carryforwards to 80% of taxable income and carryforward the NOL indefinitely. Carrybacks are now prohibited. NOLs generated prior to January 1, 2018 will not be subject to the taxable income limitation and will begin to expire in 2033 if not utilized.

Hong Kong

The two-tier profits tax rates system was introduced under the Inland Revenue (Amendment)(No.3) Ordinance 2018 (“the Ordinance”) of Hong Kong became effective for the assessment year 2018/2019. Under the two-tier profit tax rates regime, the profits tax rate for the first HKD 2 million (approximately $255,180) of assessable profits of a corporation will be subject to the lowered tax rate, 8.25% while the remaining assessable profits will be subject to the legacy tax rate, 16.5%. The Ordinance only allows one entity within a group of “connected entities” is eligible for the two-tier tax rate benefit. An entity is a connected entity of another entity if (1) one of them has control over the other; (2) both of them are under the control (more than 50% of the issued share capital) of the same entity; (3) in the case of the first entity being a natural person carrying on a sole proprietorship business-the other entity is the same person carrying on another sole proprietorship business. Since Hong Kong Takung and Takung Art Holdings are wholly owned and under the control of Takung U.S, both entities are connected entities. Under the Ordinance, it is an entity’s election to nominate the entity that will be subject to the two-tier profits tax rates on its Profits Tax Return. The election is irrevocable. We elected Hong Kong Takung to be subject to the two-tier profits tax rates.

The provision for current income taxes of the subsidiary operating in Hong Kong has been calculated by applying the current rate of taxation of 16.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, if applicable.

PRC

In accordance with the relevant tax laws and regulations of the PRC, a company registered in the PRC is subject to income taxes within the PRC at the applicable tax rate on taxable income. All the PRC subsidiaries were subject to income tax at a rate of 25%.

The income tax provision consists of the following components:

A reconciliation between the Company’s actual provision for income taxes and the provision at the Hong Kong statutory rate is as follows:

The effective tax rate was (1.2)% and 51.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

9. LEASES

The Company has operating leases for its office facilities and artwork storages. The Company's leases have remaining terms of less than one year to approximately six years. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not separate non-lease components from the lease components to which they relate, and instead accounts for each separate lease and non-lease component associated with that lease component as a single lease component for all underlying asset classes.

The following table provides a summary of leases by balance sheet location as of March 31, 2019:

The operating lease expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:

Maturities of operating lease liabilities at March 31, 2019 were as follows:

Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2018 were as follows:

(1) Amounts are based on ASC 840, Leases that was superseded upon our adoption of ASC 842, Lease on January 1, 2019.

. 

10. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock.

Due to the loss from continued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019, approximately 149,323 and 15,000 options and restricted shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share. 

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements, other than the debt settlement disclosed in Note 7, there were no other subsequent events occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements. 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains or may contain forward-looking statements and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, our management as well as estimates and assumptions made by our management. When used in the report the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “future”, “intend”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to us or our management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of our management with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors as they relate to our industry, our operations and results of operations, and any businesses that we may acquire. Should one or more of the events described in these risk factors materialize, or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the U.S. federal securities laws, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform them to actual results unless required by applicable securities regulations or rules. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes filed herein.

Overview

We were incorporated in Delaware under the name Cardigant Medical Inc. on April 17, 2009. Our initial business plan was to focus on the development of novel biologic and peptide based compounds and enhanced methods for local delivery for the treatment of vascular disease including peripheral artery disease and ischemic stroke.

Hong Kong Takung is a limited liability company incorporated on September 17, 2012 under the laws of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China. Although Takung was incorporated in 2012, it did not commence business operations until late 2013.

As a result of the transfer of the excluded assets pursuant to the Contribution Agreement and the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Hong Kong Takung, we are no longer conducting the Cardigant Business and have now assumed Hong Kong Takung’s business operations as it now our only operating wholly-owned subsidiary.

Hong Kong Takung operates an electronic online platform located at http://eng.takungae.com for artists, art dealers and art investors to offer and trade in valuable artwork.

Through Hong Kong Takung, we offer on-line listing and trading services that allow artists/art dealers/owners to access a much bigger art trading market where they can engage with a wide range of investors that they might not encounter without our platform. Our platform also makes investment in high-end and expensive artwork more accessible to ordinary people without substantial financial resources.

We generate revenue from our services in connection with the offering and trading of artwork on our system, primarily consisting of listing fees, trading commissions, management fees and authorized agent subscription.

On July 28, 2015, Hong Kong Takung incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Takung (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Takung”), in Shanghai Free-Trade Zone (SFTZ) in Shanghai, China, with a registered capital of $1 million. Shanghai Takung assists in Hong Kong Takung’s operations by receiving deposits from and making payments to online artwork traders in mainland China on behalf of Hong Kong Takung. On January 27, 2016, Hong Kong Takung incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Takung Cultural Development (Tianjin) Co., Ltd (“Tianjin Takung”) in the Tianjin Free Trade Zone (TJFTZ) in Tianjin, China with a registered capital of $1 million. Tianjin Takung provides technology development services to Hong Kong Takung and Shanghai Takung, and also carries out marketing and promotion activities in mainland China. Management has recently determined to merge the operations of Shanghai Takung with Tianjin Takung’s and eventually dissolve Shanghai Takung in order to save costs.

Hong Kong Takung Art Holdings Company Limited (“Takung Art Holdings”) was incorporated in Hong Kong on July 20, 2018 and operates as a holding company to operate an e-commerce platform for offering, selling and trading whole pieces of artwork instead of units of artwork.

Art Era Internet Technology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd (“Art Era”) was incorporated in Tianjin, China on September 7, 2018, and is a directly wholly-owned subsidiary of Takung Art Holdings. It is a limited liability company with a registered capital of $2 million located in the Pilot Free Trade Zone in Tianjin. Art Era will focus on developing our e-commerce platform.

Our headquarters are located in Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China and we conduct our business primarily in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tianjin. Recently, we set up a new office in Hangzhou to conduct technology development. Our principal executive offices are located at Room 1105 Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Our common stock began trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “TKAT” on March 22, 2017.

Results of Operation of Takung

Hong Kong Takung operates a platform for offering and trading artwork. We generate revenue from our services in connection with the offering and trading of artwork ownership units on our system, primarily consisting of listing fees, trading commissions, and management fees. 

THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 COMPARED TO THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2018

The following tables set forth our condensed consolidated statements of income data with a percentage:

Revenue

Beginning January 1, 2018, we adopted the modified retrospective approach under Topic 606 to all uncompleted contracts as of that date. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are accounted for and presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with Topic 605. The Company assessed the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, primarily related to the accounting for rebating commission earned from the transaction to the relevant referrer, including both traders and service agents. The Company recorded the rebate as a reduction of revenue under ASC 605, while under the new standard, the Company records the rebate as a cost of revenue. As this is a classification between revenue and cost of revenue, it would have no impact on the opening balances for the year beginning January 1, 2018. The discussion of our adoption of ASC606 contained in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, previously filed with the SEC, is incorporated herein by reference.

The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated revenue by revenue source:

As of March 31, 2019, a total of 285 sets of artwork were listed for trade on our platform —comprising 60 sets of paintings and calligraphies from famous Chinese, Russian and Mongolian artists, with a total listing value of $25,758,348 (HK$202,100,000); 35 pieces of jewelry with a total listing value of $9,260,770 (HK$72,660,000); 134 pieces of precious stones with a total listing value of $16,828,957 (HK$132,040,000); 29 pieces of amber with a total listing value of $12,108,081 (HK$95,000,000); 4 pieces of antique mammoth ivory carvings with a total listing value of $662,758 (HK$5,200,000); 2 pieces of porcelain pastel paintings with a total listing value of $331,379 (HK$2,600,000); 7 pieces of porcelains with a total listing value of $1,083,355 (HK$8,500,000); 6 sets of Unit+ products with a total listing value of $1,314,555 (HK$10,314,000); 1 piece of Yixing collectable with a listing value of $127,453 (HK$1,000,000); and 7 pieces of Sports memorabilia with a listing value of $1,084,553 (HK$8,509,400), of which 22.5%-48% (for 60 sets of paintings), 24%-48.5% (for the 134 pieces of precious stones), 29%-48% (for the 35 pieces of jewelry), 47%-48.5% (for 4 piece of antique mammoth ivory carvings), 32%-48% (for the 29 pieces of amber), 45%-46% (for the 2 pieces of porcelain pastel paintings), 25%-48% (for the 7 pieces of porcelains), 30.25%-45% (for the 6 sets of Unit+ products), 45% (1 piece of Yixing collectable) and 45% (for the 7 pieces of Sports memorabilia) of the listed values were charged as listing fees, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, there were 6 sets of paintings listed on our platform. Their total listing values were $1,147,081 (HK$9,000,000) for the paintings, of which 22.9%-28% (for the paintings) of the listed values were charged as listing fees.

The listing fees charged decreased to $289,072 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $1,978,667 for the same period ended March 31, 2018. During the second quarter of 2018, we announced the temporary suspension of all new listings of artwork on our platform because of a decrease in trading volume and customer deposits, leading indicators of available cash from our traders for investment in new offerings. We attribute this depressed market sentiment to the recent under-performance of financial stock markets in China as well as the fall-out from the P2P (peer-to-peer) lending market. We have since resumed new listings in January 2019 with six new listings in the first quarter of 2019.

We generate commission fee from non-VIP traders and selected traders as follows:

For non-VIP traders, the commission revenue was calculated based on a percentage of transaction value of artworks, where we charge trading commissions for the purchase and sale of the ownership shares of the artworks. The commission is typically 0.3% of the total amount of each transaction, but as an initial promotion, we currently charge a reduced fee of 0.2% (resulting in an aggregate of 0.4% for both buy and sell transactions) of the total transaction amount with the minimum charge of $0.13 (HK$1). The commission is accounted for as revenue and immediately deducted from the proceeds from the sales of artwork units when a transaction is completed. On November 7, 2018 we lowered the minimum charge to $0.0013 (HK$1).

For selected traders, starting from April 1, 2016, we charged a predetermined monthly fee (unlimited trades for specific artworks) for specific artworks. These traders are selected by authorized agents and reviewed by us. After review, we negotiate individually with each one of them to determine a fixed monthly fee. Different traders may have different rates but once negotiated and agreed to, the monthly fee is fixed. Using the output method, we recognize the monthly commission revenue when the selected traders receive access to our trading platform to make unlimited trades for specific artwork.

We define traders as “inactive” if they meet the following criteria;

Once an inactive trader has been assessed and identified, his/her contract will be reassessed pursuant to ASC 606-10-25-5 because there has been a significant change in fact and circumstances and pursuant to ASC 606-10-25-1)e), his/her contract will not be deemed to exist and revenue will not be recognized until consideration is received in accordance with ASC 606-10-25-7(a) as we would have already performed our obligations ahead of receiving consideration.

Commission rebate programs are offered to traders and service agents. We pay to existing traders 5% of the commission earned from the transactions of new traders referred by them. The rebate was adjusted from 15% to 5%, starting January 1, 2017. For service agents, we rebate a total of 40% to 75% of the commission earned from transactions with new traders to the service agents when they bring in an agreed number of traders to the trading platform. For service agents who have individual referrers referring traders to us, we will, after rebating such individual referrers 5% of the commission earned from the transactions of new traders they referred, deduct such 5% of the commission from the rebates payable to the service agents to which such individual referrers relate. The commission rebate is recognized as reduction of the commission revenue prior to January 1, 2018 under Topic 605. Starting January 1, 2018, we account for the commission rebate as cost of revenue under Topic 606.  

The rebates and discounts are recognized in the same period the related revenue is recognized.

Our trading volume and transaction value amounts increased significantly from 2016 when we commenced operations in Shanghai and consequently added a significant number of traders from mainland China as they could now settle their trades in Renminbi. This trend continued into 2017. However, there was a decrease in our trading volume and transaction value amounts during the second half of 2018 because of the deteriorating economy in China due to the under-performance of its financial stock markets as well as the fall-out from the P2P (peer-to-peer) lending market.

Total commission revenue decreased by $1,457,159 or 89% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $178,358 compared to $1,635,517 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 primarily because of the suspension of new listings of artwork and decreased trading activity on our platform.  

We charge traders a management fee to cover the costs of insurance, storage, and transportation for artwork and trading management of artwork units, which are calculated at $0.0013 (HK$0.01) per 100 artwork units per day. On November 7, 2018 we lowered the minimum charge to $0.0013 (HK$1). The management fee is deducted from proceeds from the sale of artwork units.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, management fee revenue decreased by $100,044, from $168,315 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $68,271, due to the decrease in trading transactions in the current quarter.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, there is no annual fee revenue, compared to $162 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, there is no authorized agent subscription revenue, compared to $191,623 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018

Revenue by customer type

The following table presents our revenue by customer type:

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 was $267,279 and $933,593, respectively. The decrease in cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to March 31, 2018, was mainly due to the decrease in the commission rebates to service agents by $551,575. Management was focused on resuscitating interest in the listed artwork and only listed six new artwork the first quarter of 2019.Besides the decrease in commission rebates, the decrease in cost of revenue was also due to a decrease in the depreciation and amortization of hardware and software on our trading platform by $37,105 as a result of the suspension of e-commence and impairment of all online software development assets in 2018, the decrease in internet services charges by $41,764 due to the termination of two network lines between Macau and Hong Kong, the decrease in artwork insurance by $41,732 due to a negotiated discount in our new insurance contract for 2019, offset by an increase in artwork storage costs by $5,660.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $268,422 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $3,040,691 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was due to the decrease in total revenue.

Listing fees contributed 54% of the total revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 compared to 49.8% in the corresponding period in 2018, while commission revenue contributed 33.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 compared to 41.2% in the corresponding period in 2018. Compared to the same period in 2018, there was a significant decrease in listing fee revenue and commission revenue. Consequently, we posted a gross profit margin of 50.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to 76.5% for the same period in 2018.

Operating Expenses

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $1,274,585 compared to $3,008,885 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The significant plunge in general and administrative expense by $1,734,300 was attributed a decrease in salary and welfare by $960,040 due to redundancies since July 2018, a decrease in insurance and rental expenses by $236,998 due to the relocation of our Hong Kong office to a non-central district, a decrease in legal and professional fees by $99,924, a decrease in traveling and accommodation expenses by $302,179 as a result of fewer marketing events, a decrease in non-deductible input VAT by $114,923, a decrease in consultancy fees by $21,080, share-based compensation by $68,398, depreciation by $34,819 and also other expenses by $23,003. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is offset by an increase in the following expense items: research and development expenses by $50,540 and bad debt expenses by $76,524.

The following table sets forth the main components of the Company’s general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

Other income

Other income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was $336,744, compared to other income of $1,077,515 for the same period in 2018. There was a significant decrease in exchange gain by $634,161, arising from the appreciation of Renminbi against US dollar.

Income tax expenses

The Company’s effective tax rate varies due to its multiple jurisdictions in which the pretax book incomes or losses incur. The Company was subject to a U.S. income tax rate of 21% (34 % prior to January 1, 2018), Hong Kong profits tax rate at 8.25% for the first HKD 2 million (approximately $254,907) assessable profits and at 16.5% for assessable profits above HKD 2 million (approximately $254,907) (16.5% prior to January 1, 2018) and PRC enterprise income tax rate at 25%.

The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were (1.2)% and 51.1%, respectively.  

Income taxes expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were $8,562 and $442,440, respectively.

Net (Loss) Income

We had a net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 of $708,793 compared to net income of $423,290 for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The decrease in net income during this current period was predominately due to a fall in revenue by $3,438,583, an increase cost-cutting on operating expenses by $1,947,079 and an increase of exchange losses by $634,161.

We announced on August 13, 2018 the suspension of new listings of artwork. We were on the downside of a downturn in the online fine art and collectibles platform space, a by-product of a downturn in A-shares on the Chinese markets tightening of liquidity in China, declines in both the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges and the fallout from increased peer-to-peer (P2P) loan defaults. We slowly resumed new listings in January 2019 but there is no guarantee that we will never suspend them again.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following tables set forth our consolidated statements of cash flow:

Sources of Liquidity

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, net cash generated from operating activities totaled $6,175,680, which resulted from the implementation of ASU2016-18 since the beginning of 2018. In fact, there was an increase in client deposits by $5,823,253 placed by the customers for upcoming transactions which influenced the increased amounts due to clients simultaneously. The Company assessed and evaluated that it was really a presentation issue and there should be no actual impact to the operating activities. Net cash generated from investing activities totaled $2,416,019. Net cash used in financing activities totaled $2,499,500. The resulting change in cash for the period was an increase of $5,589,080. The cash balance at the beginning of the period was $12,524,086. The cash balance on March 31, 2019 was $18,113,166.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, net cash generated from operating activities totaled $3,039,614. Net cash generated from investing activities totaled $7,878. No cash was generated from financing activities during the period. The resulting change in cash for the period was an increase of $3,773,847. The cash balance at the beginning of the period was $37,140,582. The cash balance on March 31, 2018 was $40,914,429.

. 

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had $17,520,565 in total current liabilities, which comprised of $569,754 in accrued expense and other payables, $10,372,455 in customers’ deposits, $13,376 in advance from customer, $6,369,589 in amount due to related party, $181,126 in lease liabilities and $14,265 in tax payables. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $14,099,778 in total current liabilities, which included $641,692 in accrued expenses and other payables $8,995 in advance from customers, $4,549,202 in customers’ deposits, $2,499,500 in short-term borrowings from third parties, $6,385,288 in amount due to related party, and $15,101 in VAT payable.

The Company is aware of events or uncertainties which may affect its future liquidity because of capital controls in the PRC. The RMB is only currently convertible under the "current account," which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the "capital account," which includes foreign direct investment and loans, including loans we may secure from our onshore subsidiaries or variable interest entities. Currently, our PRC subsidiaries, which are wholly-foreign owned enterprises, may purchase foreign currency for settlement of "current account transactions," including payment of dividends to us, without the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase foreign currencies in the future for current account transactions. The existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside of the PRC or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our stockholders, including holders of our shares of common stock. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account remain subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities. This could affect our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing for our PRC subsidiaries.

Applicable PRC law permits payment of dividends to us by our operating subsidiaries in China only out of their net income, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Our operating subsidiaries in China are also required to set aside a portion of their net income, if any, each year to fund general reserves for appropriations until such reserves have reached 50% of the subsidiary's registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. In addition, registered share capital and capital reserve accounts are also restricted from withdrawal in the PRC, up to the amount of net assets held in each operating subsidiary. In contrast, there is no foreign exchange control or restrictions on capital flows into and out of Hong Kong. Hence, our Hong Kong operating subsidiary is able to transfer cash without any limitation to the U.S. under normal circumstances.

If our operating subsidiaries were to incur additional debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict the ability of our operating subsidiaries to transfer cash to our U.S. investors.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, including arrangements that would affect our liquidity, capital resources, market risk support, and credit risk support or other benefits.

Future Financings

Although we are suffering downside business including a decrease in trading volume and customer deposits, we are also undergoing a company restructuring, including re-evaluating the company’s Unit business and a downsize of the workforce. Our management forecasts that we have sufficient cash from our operations to fund our business organically. However, we may conduct equity sales of our common shares in order to fund further expansion and growth of our business. Issuances of additional shares will result in dilution to existing stockholders. There is no assurance that we will achieve any sales of the equity securities to fund expansion and other activities, and if we are able to, there is no guarantee that existing shareholders will not be substantially diluted. In essence, we do not need to rely on equity sales to fund our business operations.

Critical Accounting Policies

We regularly evaluate the accounting policies and estimates that we use to make budgetary and financial statement assumptions. A complete summary of these policies is included in the notes to our financial statements. In general, management's estimates are based on historical experience, on information from third party professionals, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the facts and circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates made by management.

See Note 2 to the financial statements included herewith and Note 2 to the financial statements on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, previously filed with the SEC. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to the financial statements included herewith and Note 2 to the financial statements on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, previously filed with the SEC.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, which presently comprises our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chun Hin Leslie Chow and our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Jehn Ming Lim. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2019 were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits.

Copies of the following documents are included as exhibits to this report pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

(1)       Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on August 16, 2011.

(2)       Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 7, 2013.

(3)       Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 22, 2014.

(4)       Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 6, 2014.

*Filed herewith.

**Furnished herewith.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Chun Hin Leslie Chow, certify that:

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Jehn Ming Lim, certify that:

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S. C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Takung Art Co., Ltd (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Chun Hin Leslie Chow, Chief Executive Officer, and Jehn Ming Lim, Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to our knowledge: