T3 Defense (DFNS) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q2, 2026
Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Jun 30, 2026, filed Aug 18, 2026
Risk Change Over Time
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1Our officers, directors, employees, and large stockholders may encounter potential conflicts of interests with respect to their positions or interests in certain entities, and other initiatives, which could adversely affect our business and reputation.
We frequently engage with a wide variety of foreign exchange, CFD, payment processing and blockchain industry participants, as well as startups and growth companies. These transactions could create potential conflicts of interests in management decisions that we make. For instance, certain of our officers, directors, and employees are active investors in other growth companies themselves, and may make investment decisions that favor projects that they have personally invested in. Many of our large stockholders also make investments in such businesses. For more information, see the section titled "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions". Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Emil Assentato, and our Chief Operating Officer, Jamal Khurshid, are involved in a number of initiatives related to such businesses and more broadly, which could divert their time and attention from overseeing our business operations and have a negative impact on our business.
- Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results.
We could experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. You should not rely on period-to-period comparisons of our operating results as an indication of our future performance. Factors that may cause fluctuations in our quarterly operating results include, but are not limited to, the following: - a change in the transaction volume of TCM, which agreement is in process of being cancelled, and our core forex and CFD transactions business generally;- a change in the transaction volume of our customers and use of our Platforms;- planned and unplanned increases in marketing, sales and other operating expenses that it may incur to grow and expand our customer base and operations, and to remain competitive;- the success, or lack of success, in new marketing approaches we have recently undertaken or plan to undertake, which have not been previously or fully tested;- the continued market acceptance of our Platforms in a highly competitive environment;- system disruptions, outages and other performance problems or interruptions on our Platforms, or breaches of data or system security, including ransomware or other major cyber-attacks, which, if extended or severe, may harm our credibility and reputation in the market;- our failure to provide adequate customer service;- our ability to successfully, and in a timely manner, continue development, improvement and feature-enhancement of its products and services, including its intellectual property, data analytics, proprietary technology and customer support functions;- the timing and success of new product and service introductions, and new product and service features or enhancements, by Nukkleus and its subsidiaries, or our competitors, or other changes in the competitive landscape of the markets in which we operate;- the success of our expansion into new markets, products and services, or ones in which it is in the early stages;- changes in the adoption and use of blockchain technologies and the public perception of them, including changes in perceptions and demands regarding such technologies as trading vehicles;- changes in the legislative or regulatory environment, scope or focus of regulatory investigations and inquiries, or interpretations of regulatory requirements, or outright prohibition of certain activities;- disputes with our customers, adverse litigation and regulatory judgments, enforcement actions, settlements or other related costs and the reputational impact and public perception of such occurrences, including in emerging industries, or emerging components of industries;- the timing and amount of non-cash expenses, such as stock-based compensation and asset impairment;- fraudulent, unlawful or otherwise inappropriate customer behavior;- development of features or services that may be the subject of regulatory criticism or form the basis for regulatory enforcement action, including regulatory actions to prohibit certain practices or features;- the overall tax rate for our business, which may be affected by new laws affecting the taxation or tax treatment of transactional taxes or other tax treatment for trading in financial markets generally or for unrealized gains in financial services accounts;- changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; and - general economic conditions in either domestic or international markets, including the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our operating results may fall below the expectations of market analysts and investors in some future periods, which could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline substantially.
Risk Highlights Q2, 2026
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 65
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1Our foreign ownership structure may permanently preclude classified U.S. defense programs.
Our foreign ties may exclude us from classified programs representing 40% of defense spending. The National Industrial Security Program requires FOCI mitigation that severely restricts operations. Even with mitigation, we would be excluded from Special Access Programs and the highest-value contracts. Major primes increasingly refuse to work with FOCI-mitigated companies. Our structure may create an insurmountable barrier to 40% of the U.S. defense market.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2The outstanding warrants, convertible preferred stock, and our equity line of credit facility may result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders and depress our stock price.
Our capital structure includes a significant number of securities that are currently convertible into or exercisable for shares of our Common Stock. As of the date of this report, these include: (i) shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock convertible to an aggregate of 2,044,800 shares of Common Stock; (ii) shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued in the February 2026 Private Placement, initially convertible into 4,6944835 shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.13 per share, with the conversion price subject to further downward adjustment upon stockholder approval or the effectiveness of a registration statement; (iii) 2,357,303 warrants issued in the February 2026 Private Placement, exercisable at $2.13 per share with a cashless exercise option based on Black-Scholes value ; (iv) an aggregate of 9,460,345 warrants to purchase Common Stock; and (v) the Company's equity line of credit agreement under which the Company may sell shares of Common Stock from time to time. The conversion or exercise of all or a significant portion of these securities would result in the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares of Common Stock, which would significantly dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders and could materially depress the market price of our Common Stock.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3The price-based anti-dilution provisions in our convertible preferred stock may create a self-reinforcing cycle of dilution if our stock price declines.
The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the associated warrants issued to the purchaser contain price-based anti-dilution adjustment provisions that automatically reduce the conversion or exercise price - and correspondingly increase the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise - if we issue additional shares or convertible securities at prices below the then-applicable conversion or exercise price (subject to certain exempt issuances). The conversion price of the Series B Preferred Stock is also subject to further downward adjustment upon receipt of stockholder approval to the lower of the then-applicable conversion price and the market price of the Common Stock at the time of the triggering event. These provisions mean that if our stock price declines, the holders will be entitled to convert into or exercise for a greater number of shares than initially contemplated, resulting in additional dilution beyond what was anticipated at the time of the original issuance. This downward price adjustment mechanism may create a self-reinforcing cycle: declining stock prices trigger increased conversion shares, the prospect of which further depresses the stock price, leading to further adjustments and additional dilution. Such "death spiral" dynamics have been observed in other public companies with similar convertible security structures and can result in severe erosion of value for existing common stockholders.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4The substantial overhang of shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock and exercise of outstanding warrants may depress our stock price regardless of our operating performance.
Even if the holders of our convertible preferred stock and warrants do not immediately convert or exercise their securities, the existence of a large number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued in the future creates a significant "overhang" that may depress the trading price of our Common Stock. Market participants may sell existing shares in anticipation of future dilutive issuances, or may be unwilling to purchase shares knowing that a substantial number of additional shares may enter the market at any time. The Star Warrant alone, if fully exercised, would result in the issuance of over 12 million additional shares at $1.50 per share. The Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, if fully converted at their respective current conversion prices, would result in the issuance of additional shares representing a significant percentage of our currently outstanding Common Stock. The aggregate potential dilution from all outstanding convertible securities and warrants is substantial relative to our current public float, and this overhang may discourage new investment, impair our ability to raise capital on favorable terms, and limit the potential appreciation of our stock price, regardless of our operating performance.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5We expect to issue additional shares of Common Stock or other securities in the future to fund acquisitions and operations, which would further dilute existing stockholders.
Our business strategy depends on acquiring and integrating defense companies, which we have historically financed in significant part through the issuance of equity securities. We expect to continue to use our Common Stock as acquisition currency, to fund operations, and to attract and retain employees and consultants. We are also obligated to issue additional shares under existing contractual commitments, including shares issuable to the Tiltan seller based on earn-out provisions, additional shares that may be issuable in connection with the ITS acquisition upon exercise of our option to acquire the remaining 49%, and shares that may be issued under future equity incentive plans that will require stockholder approval under Nasdaq listing rules. Each additional issuance of Common Stock or convertible securities will further dilute the ownership interest and economic value of existing stockholders' shares, may reduce earnings per share, and may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. There can be no assurance that we will be able to issue additional equity securities on terms favorable to us, and any future issuances may be on terms significantly dilutive to existing stockholders.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6Our stock price has been and may continue to be highly volatile, and investors may not be able to resell their shares at or above the price at which they purchased them.
The market price of our Common Stock has been subject to significant volatility since our transition from a financial technology company to a defense holding company. The trading price may continue to fluctuate widely in response to factors including: our ability to successfully execute our defense acquisition strategy and integrate acquired companies; quarterly variations in our results of operations or those of our competitors; changes in defense spending priorities or government budget sequestration; negative publicity regarding the conflict in Israel, changes in U.S.-Israel relations, or BDS campaigns targeting Israeli companies; changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts; sales of Common Stock by insiders, large stockholders, or holders of convertible securities; the exercise of warrants or conversion of preferred stock; draws under the ELOC; announcements of new acquisitions, contracts, or products by us or our competitors; and general market conditions and macroeconomic factors. Our Common Stock has a relatively limited public float and trading volume, which amplifies price movements in response to trading activity. There can be no assurance that the market price of our Common Stock will not decline significantly from current levels.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7Star has the right to require the Company to exchange the Investment Note for all the shares of Star then held by the Company if the Common Stock is delisted.
Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the aggregate consideration paid by the Company for all the shares of Star consisted of: (i) $16,000,000, which was paid to Star 26 by the issuance by the Company of the Investment Note; (ii) $500,000 in cash, representing $5,000,000 less $4,500,000 previously borrowed by Star 26 from the Company; (iii) 4,770,340 Common Shares; (iv) the Warrant to purchase 12,017,648 Warrant Shares at an exercise price of $1.50 per share, exercisable for a period of five years from the Closing Date; (v) the Six-Month Note in the principal amount of $3,000,000, which accrues interest at the rate of 8% per annum and matures on July 12, 2026; and (vi) the Three-Month Note in the principal amount of $3,000,000 (the "Three-Month Note"), which matures on April 12, 2026. The Common Shares, the Warrant, the Six-Month Note and the Three-Month Note were subsequently assigned by Star 26 to the Star shareholders, pro ratably based on their equity ownership in Star 26. The Purchase Agreement provides that if, for a period of 12 months after the closing, the Common Stock is delisted from Nasdaq, Star 26 shall have the right, at its own discretion, to require the Company to exchange the Investment Note for all the shares of Star 26 then held by the Company. In such instance, Star 26 shall retain any cash payments made by the Company to Star 26 and the Company shall retain an equity interest in Star 26 equivalent to all cash payments. Given the current stock price of our Common Stock and the previous reverse stock splits effectuated by the Company, there is a possibility that our Common Stock could be delisted and Star would exercise its right to exchange the Investment Note for the shares of Star owned by the Company.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8Menachem Shalom, our Chief Executive Officer and a director, beneficially owns a substantial percentage of our outstanding Common Stock and, if he exercises his warrants, would control a majority of the voting power of our Common Stock. This will allow him to exert significant control over corporate decisions and may discourage transactions that other stockholders may favor.
As of March 30, 2026, Menachem Shalom, our Chief Executive Officer and a director, beneficially owned 8,260,369 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 19.4% of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. This beneficial ownership includes a five-year warrant to purchase an aggregate of 12,017,648 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. As a result of his current ownership position and his potential to acquire voting control of a majority of our outstanding Common Stock through the exercise of his warrant, Mr. Shalom has, and upon exercise of the warrant would have, the ability to exert significant influence over, or control, substantially all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election and removal of directors, amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, approval of mergers, acquisitions, and other business combinations, and the outcome of any other matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. This concentration of voting power could have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing a change of control of the Company, even if such a transaction would be beneficial to other stockholders, and could deprive other stockholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares. Mr. Shalom's interests may not always be aligned with the interests of other stockholders, and he may exercise his voting power in a manner that advances his own interests to the detriment of other stockholders. In addition, Mr. Shalom involvement in other companies could give rise to conflicts of interest, including with respect to the allocation of business opportunities, corporate resources, and management attention.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9The holder of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has additional voting power as compared to the holders of our Common Stock.
The holder of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is entitled to 10,000 votes per share on matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. If we consummate the second tranche of the investment and receive an additional $10,000,000, the holder of our Series B Convertible Preferred stock will hold 400 shares. This will entitle the holder to no less than 4,000,000 votes, which further concentrates voting power among a limited number of security holders and may limit the ability of holders of Common Stock to influence corporate governance and strategic decisions. The concentration of ownership and voting power may also discourage potential acquirers from attempting to obtain control of the Company and may make it more difficult for other stockholders to effect changes in the composition of our Board of Directors or management, which could adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10Delaware law and our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws contain certain provisions, including anti-takeover provisions that limit the ability of stockholders to take certain actions and could delay or discourage takeover attempts that stockholders may consider favorable.
T3 Defense's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying, or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by the Board and therefore depress the trading price of our Common Stock. Additionally, our foreign ownership structure and defense operations may trigger CFIUS review of certain transactions, potentially limiting strategic alternatives. In addition, as a Delaware corporation, the Company will generally be subject to provisions of Delaware law, including the DGCL. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to take certain actions, including electing directors who are not nominated by the current members of the Board or taking other corporate actions, including effecting changes in management. Such provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in the Board or management. Any provision of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control could limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of the Company's capital stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our Common Stock.
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