Overview

Freedom Holding Corp. is a Nevada corporation (“FRHC”) and was formerly known as BMB Munai, Inc. In 2015, FRHC entered into a Share Exchange and Acquisition Agreement with Timur Turlov (the “Acquisition Agreement”) to acquire several businesses owned by Timur Turlov in exchange for controlling interest in FRHC. As the acquisitions are completed these businesses have become operating subsidiaries of FRHC. FRHC is building an international brokerage, banking, and financial services firm to meet the demand of a growing number of investors in Russia and Kazakhstan that desire financial services integration and greater access to the financial opportunities, relative stability, and integrity of the U.S. securities markets.

Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, FRHC acquired FFIN Securities, Inc., a Nevada corporation, (“FFIN”) from Timur Turlov and controlling interest in FRHC was transferred to him. FFIN was established to create or acquire a registered broker-dealer in the United States. At the same time, FRHC began upgrading the financial reporting capabilities of its foreign acquisition candidates to meet the regulatory standards imposed upon FRHC as an SEC registrant and pursuing the governmental approvals to permit FRHC ownership of the acquisition candidates.

In June 2017, FRHC closed the acquisition of LLC Investment Company Freedom Finance, a Russian limited liability company (“Freedom RU”) as a wholly owned subsidiary, which included three wholly owned operating subsidiaries, including JSC Freedom Finance, a Kazakhstan joint stock company (“Freedom KZ”), LLC First Stock Store, a Russian limited liability company (“Freedom 24”) and LLC FFIN Bank, a Russian limited liability company (“FFIN Bank”). Freedom RU also maintains a representative office in Kazakhstan, referred to herein as “KZ Branch.” In 2017, FFIN decided to delay application for broker-dealer registration in the United States until such time as FRHC completes integration of its foreign operating subsidiaries.

Subsequent to the quarter end, in November 2017, we received final regulatory approval to complete the acquisition of FFINEU Investments Limited, a Cyprus limited company (“Freedom CY”) and closed the acquisition of Freedom CY on November 10, 2017. We also entered into an agreement to acquire LLC Freedom Finance Ukraine, a Ukranian limited liability company (“Freedom UA”), subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals.

Freedom RU provides brokerage and financial services in the capital markets in Russia, including maintaining customer accounts, managing investment portfolios, providing financial consulting and engaging in market making activities. Freedom KZ is licensed to provide brokerage and financial services in the capital markets of Kazakhstan, including the right to maintain customer accounts, manage investment portfolios, provide financial consulting, provide underwriting services and engage in market making activities. Freedom 24 built and manages the first online securities marketplace for retail customers in Russia. Freedom 24 attracts new brokerage clients to Freedom RU through a proprietary platform and internet portal for individual investors in Russia to establish a brokerage account and buy securities. FFIN Bank is licensed to engage in consumer banking operations in the Russian Federation. Freedom CY is licensed in Cyprus to provide brokerage and financial services in Cyprus including receiving, transmitting and executing customer orders, establishing custodial accounts, engaging in foreign currency exchange services and margin lending, and trading its own investment portfolio. Freedom UA is licensed to provide securities brokerage and depository services in Ukraine, but does not engage in proprietary trading activity.

Unless otherwise specifically indicated or as is otherwise contextually required, FRHC, FFIN, Freedom RU, Freedom KZ, FFIN Bank, Freedom 24 and KZ Branch are collectively referred to herein as the “Company”.