TRA WAIVER AND TERMINATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
This TRA Waiver and Termination Agreement (this “Waiver Agreement”) is dated as of August 21, 2024, and is by and among Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”), each of undersigned Persons under the heading “Holders” on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “Holders”), and Bitfarms
Ltd., a corporation organized under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (“Parent”). Each of the Company, the Holders and Parent are referred to herein, individually, as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company, the Holders and the Agent are parties to that certain Tax Receivable Agreement, dated April 1, 2021, as amended by that certain Joinder to Tax Receivable Agreement effective
as of November 9, 2022, whereby Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx became a party thereto (such joinder, the “Joinder,” and, collectively, the “Tax Receivable Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Parent, Backbone Mining Solutions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and
a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Parent (“BMS”), and HPC & AI Megacorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned, direct subsidiary of BMS, and the Company, dated as of the date hereof (the “Merger Agreement”), the Company and the Holders desire to terminate the Company’s and the Holders’ rights and obligations in respect of the Tax Receivable Agreement, subject to and effective upon the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable
Agreement.
Section 2. Acknowledgment of Change of Control. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement shall constitute a Change of Control, which Change of Control would, but for this Waiver Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), accelerate the Company’s obligations under the Tax Receivable
Agreement in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 3. Waiver of Early Termination Payment; Termination of Tax Receivable Agreement; Release.
(a) Subject to and effective upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Tax Receivable Agreement, (i)
each of the Holders hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally waives in full all or any portion of the Early Termination Payment, which such Early Termination Payment would, but for this Waiver Agreement, be required to be paid by the
Company to such Holder, or any other amounts that may be payable pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, and
(ii) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any successors thereof, shall be required to pay all or any portion of the Early Termination Payment, or any other amounts pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, at
any time. The Parties further agree that, subject to and effective upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement shall be terminated in its entirety, and no party thereto or Parent or
any of their respective successors or Affiliates shall have any further obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement other than those obligations set forth in this Waiver Agreement.
(b) Subject to and effective upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement: (i) each Holder hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally terminates,
waives and releases all of its rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement, (ii) each Holder hereby rescinds, annuls, cancels, repeals and eliminates any and all representations, covenants, agreements, obligations, responsibilities or liabilities of
the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates contained in or existing under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the extent relating to or in favor of such Holder, and (iii) the Company hereby rescinds, annuls, cancels, repeals and eliminates
any and all representations, covenants, agreements, obligations, responsibilities or liabilities of the Holder contained in or existing under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the extent relating to or in favor of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its
Affiliates, in each case, without any continuing liability of any of the Holders, the Company, Parent or any of their respective successors or Affiliates, as applicable. Subject to and effective upon the consummation of the transactions
contemplated in the Merger Agreement, each of the Holders hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally agrees not to bring any claims, directly or indirectly, against the Company, Parent or any of their respective successors or Affiliates
relating to or in respect of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 7.6 of the Tax Receivable Agreement, none of the Holders shall directly or indirectly assign all or any portion of such Holder’s
interest in the Tax Receivable Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Waiver Agreement shall restrict any Holder from exercising its Redemption Right and participating in the Exchanges (as defined in the Merger Agreement) at or
prior to the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
Section 4. Representations and Warranties of the Parties. Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other Parties that:
(a) Power; Organization; Binding Agreement. Such Party has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Waiver Agreement, to perform its
obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (including to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement). The execution and delivery by such Party of this Waiver Agreement, the performance by such Party of its obligations
hereunder and the consummation by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement) have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or similar action on the part of such
Party and no other actions or proceedings on the part of such Party are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by such Party of this Waiver Agreement, the performance by such Party of its obligations hereunder or the consummation by such
Party of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement). If such Party is not a natural person, such Party is duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent such concept is applicable, in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation. This Waiver Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Party, and, assuming this Waiver Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
other Parties, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms.
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(b) No Conflicts. No filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent, or approval of, any governmental authority or other Person is necessary
for the execution and delivery by such Party of this Waiver Agreement, the performance by such Party of its obligations hereunder, and the consummation by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the termination of the Tax
Receivable Agreement). None of the execution and delivery by such Party of this Waiver Agreement, the performance by such Party of its obligations hereunder or the consummation by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the
termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement) will (i) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any third party right of termination,
cancellation, material modification or acceleration) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, loan agreement, bond, mortgage, indenture, commitment, arrangement, understanding or other agreement to which such Party is a party
or by which such Party or any of such Party’s properties or assets may be bound, including any voting agreement or voting trust, (ii) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule or regulation or order applicable to such
Party or (iii) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the constituent or organizational documents of such Party.
(c) Reliance by Xxxxxx. In the case of the Holders and the Company, such Party understands and acknowledges that Parent is entering into the Merger
Agreement in reliance upon such Party’s execution and delivery of this Waiver Agreement. Such Party has been represented by or had the opportunity to be represented by, independent counsel of its own choosing, and it has had the full right and
opportunity to consult with its attorney and its tax advisor, that to the extent, if any, that it desired, it availed itself of this right and opportunity, that it or its authorized officers (as the case may be) have carefully read and fully
understand this Waiver Agreement and have had it fully explained to them by counsel (including tax counsel), that it is fully aware of the contents thereof and its meaning, intent and legal and tax effect, and that it or its authorized officers (as
the case may be) is competent to execute this Waiver Agreement and has executed this Waiver Agreement free from coercion, duress and undue influence.
(d) Rights in Tax Receivable Agreement. In the case of a Holder, such Holder is a party to the Tax Receivable Agreement, and other than pursuant to
the Joinder, such Holder has not assigned or otherwise transferred any of its rights or interests pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement.
(e) No Proceeding. As of the date hereof, there is no proceeding pending against, or threatened in writing against, such Party that would prevent,
materially delay, or materially impair the ability of such Party with respect to, the performance by such Party of its obligations under this Waiver Agreement.
Section 5. Entire Agreement; Supersedure. This Waiver Agreement (together with any other documents and instruments executed pursuant
hereto) constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior contracts, agreements or understandings, whether written or oral, between or among the Parties in respect of such subject
matter hereof (including but not limited to the Tax Receivable Agreement, except as otherwise set forth herein).
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Section 6. Governing Law. This Waiver Agreement and any claim, cause of action or Proceeding (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
(whether at law, in contract or in tort) that may directly or indirectly be based upon, relate to or arise out of this Waiver Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, or the negotiation, execution or performance hereunder shall be governed
by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
Section 7. Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties (i)
irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the personal jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or, if jurisdiction is not then available in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, then any Delaware state
court) (the “Chosen Courts”), in connection with any claim, action, proceeding or other Proceeding (as defined in the Merger Agreement) between the
Parties (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) that arises out of or relating to this Waiver Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) expressly waives any claim of lack of personal jurisdiction or improper venue and any claims
that such courts are an inconvenient forum with respect to such a claim, (iii) agrees that it shall not bring any claim, action or proceeding against any other Parties arising out of or relating to this Waiver Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby in any court other than the Chosen Courts and that a final judgment in any legal proceeding in the Chosen Courts will be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by applicable law, and (iv) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from the Chosen Courts. Each Party hereby irrevocably consents to the service of process of any
of the aforementioned courts in any such suit, action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail or by overnight courier service, postage prepaid, to its address set forth in Section 14.
Section 8. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY ARISE PURSUANT TO THIS WAIVER AGREEMENT
IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM,
ACTION OR PROCEEDING (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS WAIVER AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF
ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS WAIVER AGREEMENT, BY, AMONG
OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8, (III) UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, AND (IV) MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY.
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Section 9. Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage, for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy,
would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Waiver Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached by the Parties. Prior to the termination of this Waiver Agreement pursuant to Section
13, it is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, or any other appropriate form of specific performance or equitable relief, to prevent breaches of this Waiver Agreement and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of competent jurisdiction, in each case in accordance with this Section 9, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under the terms of this Waiver
Agreement at law or in equity. Each Party accordingly agrees (a) the non-breaching Party will be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief, without proof of actual damages; and (b) the alleged breaching Party will not raise any objections
to the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance to prevent or restrain breaches or threatened breaches of, or to enforce compliance with, the covenants and obligations of such Party under this Waiver Agreement and will not plead
in defense thereto that there are adequate remedies at Law (as defined in the Merger Agreement), all in accordance with the terms of this Section 9. Each Party further agrees that no other Party or any other Person shall be required to
obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this Section 9, and each Party irrevocably waives any right it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing
or posting of any such bond or similar instrument.
Section 10. Severability. The provisions of this Waiver Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Waiver Agreement, or the application of such provision to any Person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable
and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Waiver Agreement and the application of such
provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application of such provision,
in any other jurisdiction.
Section 11. Further Assurances. In connection with this Waiver Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and without further
consideration, each Party shall execute and deliver all such future instruments and take such other and further action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Waiver Agreement and the intention of the
Parties as expressed herein.
Section 12. Amendment. Subject to the provisions of applicable Law (as defined in the Merger Agreement), this Waiver Agreement may
be amended, modified or waived if, and only if, such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment or modification by each of the Company, the Holders and Parent, or in the case of a waiver, by the Party
against whom the waiver is to be effective.
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Section 13. Effectiveness; Termination. The waivers and releases set forth in Section 3 shall be subject to and effective upon the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. This Waiver Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder, shall terminate and shall have no further force or effect as of such date and time as the Merger
Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Article VIII thereof, if applicable.
Section 14. Notices. All notices, requests, instructions or other communications or documents to be given or made hereunder by any Party
to the other Parties to this Waiver Agreement shall be in writing and (a) served by personal delivery by hand upon the Party for whom it is intended, (b) served by an internationally‑recognized overnight courier service upon the Party for whom it
is intended, (c) delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or (d) sent by email:
If to the Company, to:
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
New York, New York 10022
Attention: General Counsel
Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice or service of process) to:
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Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
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Attention:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
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E-mail:
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xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
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and
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Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
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Attention:
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D. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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E-mail:
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xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
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If to Parent to:
Bitfarms Ltd.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention: Xxx Xxxxxx
Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice or service of process) to:
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP
One Manhattan West
New York, New York 10001
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Attention:
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Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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E-mail:
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xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
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If to the Holders to, to the contact information set forth on such Xxxxxx’s signature page hereto.
or to such other Person or addressees as has or have been designated in writing by the Party to receive such notice provided above. Any notice, request, instruction or other communications or document given as
provided above shall be deemed given to the receiving Party (w) upon actual receipt, if delivered personally, (x) on the next Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier, if sent by an overnight courier, (y) three Business Days after
deposit in the mail, if sent by registered or certified mail or (z) upon confirmation of transmission if sent by email. Copies to outside counsel are for convenience only and failure to provide a copy to outside counsel does not alter the
effectiveness of any notice, request, instruction or other communication otherwise given in accordance with this Section 13. Rejection or other refusal to accept, or the inability to deliver because of changed address or other details of
which no notice is given, will be deemed to be receipt of any notice pursuant to this Section 13 as of the date of rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.
Section 15. Binding Effect. This Waiver Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective
heirs, permitted successors, permitted assigns, permitted distributes, and legal representatives. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Waiver Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any Person other than the Parties and Parent and
their respective permitted successors and assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under, in or in respect of this Waiver Agreement or any provision herein contained. No Party may assign any of its rights or obligations under this
Waiver Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Parties; provided that, the Company may assign its rights or obligations to Parent or any of its Affiliates but shall remain liable in respect of such obligations except to the extent
performed by Parent or such Affiliate.
Section 16. Headings. The headings contained in this Waiver Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Waiver Agreement.
Section 17. Counterparts. This Waiver Agreement and any amendments to this Waiver Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts shall together constitute the same agreement and will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to
the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Waiver Agreement by facsimile transmission or by email of a .pdf attachment shall be
effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Waiver Agreement.
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Section 18. Conflict. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement (other than with respect to the
defined terms set forth therein, which defined terms shall control) and the terms of this Waiver Agreement, the terms of this Waiver Agreement shall control.
[Signature pages follow.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Waiver Agreement as of the date set forth above.
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COMPANY:
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Title: SVP & General Counsel
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[Signature Page to TRA Waiver and Termination Agreement]
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PARENT:
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BITFARMS LTD.
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to TRA Waiver and Termination Agreement]
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HOLDERS:
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Q POWER LLC
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Title: Authorized Person
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Address for notices to Holder pursuant to Section 14:
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
[Signature Page to TRA Waiver and Termination Agreement]
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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Address for notices to Holder pursuant to Section 14:
xxxxxx
xxxxxx
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
