Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, the company grew revenue by 9% to $71.2 million, driven by a 16% increase in wealth revenue and a 21% increase in payments revenue [6][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for the full year was $6.7 million, above the midpoint of the increased guidance [7][46] - The company ended the year with $49.1 million in cash, marketable securities, and investments, up from $36.2 million in Q3 [7][48] - Positive net income was reported at $10.4 million compared to $8.5 million in the prior period [46] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wealth assets under management grew 22% year-over-year, reaching $428 million [7] - Wealth revenue reached a $12 million annual run rate, with a 19% increase in Q4 [8][45] - Payments revenue grew 21% in 2024, reaching $8.6 million, with total payments volume processing increasing 16% year-over-year to $11.5 billion [9][41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The payments business, Carta Worldwide, saw a 14% year-over-year increase in payments volume to $3.2 billion in Q4, with revenue growing at a higher rate of 27% to $2.4 million [41] - The company anticipates 20% to 25% growth in wealth for 2025 and mid to high teens growth for payments [46][51] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on high-margin areas by exiting its institutional brokerage operations to streamline its business [10][49] - There is a significant opportunity in wealth management driven by AI, with a focus on scaling wealth and payments in a disciplined manner [10][34] - The company aims to transform the wealth management industry by applying first principles thinking and leveraging AI to align its business model with investor success [15][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed a cautious approach to lending due to economic uncertainties, particularly regarding U.S.-Canadian tariff disputes [52][66] - The company is prioritizing growth and investment in its key areas, with a focus on delivering better performance and lower costs through AI-driven platforms [35][54] - Management believes that the future of investing will be won by platforms that deliver the best results rather than those with the most features [29][36] Other Important Information - The company has monetized portions of its investment portfolio, including a stake in Canadian Crypto Exchange WonderFi, providing flexibility for future capital requirements [42][48] - The decision to exit the institutional brokerage business was made to eliminate distractions and focus on core objectives [60] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timing on the decision to leave the institutional brokerage business - Management indicated that the institutional brokerage business was a legacy operation that was never core to their strategy and was volatile, making it a distraction [58][60] Question: Potential acquisitions to scale wealth and payments - Management stated that while acquisitions are not a priority at the moment, they remain open to opportunities that align with their growth strategy [62] Question: Pulling back in the lending business - Management confirmed that the decision to be cautious in lending is proactive, influenced by macroeconomic uncertainties, particularly regarding tariffs [66]

Group 1: Bitcoin's Mainstream Acceptance - Bitcoin has gained legitimacy and mainstream status, with the SEC acknowledging it through spot Bitcoin ETFs like iShares Bitcoin Trust by BlackRock [1] - Companies like MicroStrategy have successfully used Bitcoin to enhance shareholder value, with its stock soaring 20x since 2020 [1] Group 2: Companies Embracing Bitcoin - More companies outside the tech sector are replacing cash reserves with Bitcoin or investing in it [3] - Alliance Resource Partners, the largest coal producer in the Eastern U.S., is diversifying into Bitcoin mining, having mined over $30 million worth of Bitcoin by April 2024 [6][11] - Semler Scientific adopted Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset in May 2024, leading to a significant increase in its stock price from $26 to a peak of $81.56 [15] - Mogo Inc. approved an initial investment of up to $5 million in Bitcoin and Bitcoin ETFs, which initially boosted its stock price [21] Group 3: Financial Performance and Outlook - Alliance Resource Partners reported a revenue of $2.4 billion and net income of $360.9 million for the full year 2024, with a forecast of coal sales volumes between 32.25 million to 34.25 million tons for 2025 [7][8] - Semler Scientific holds 3,192 Bitcoins valued at an average price of $87,854 each, with a market capitalization growth of over 200% since adopting Bitcoin [19][20] - Mogo's Q3 2024 revenues rose 8.28% YoY to $12.69 million, with significant growth in its payment solutions business [22][23]