SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13A-16 OR 15D-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of August 2023

 

Commission File Number: 001-41072

 

Iris Energy Limited

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Level 12, 44 Market Street

Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

+61 2 7906 8301

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐

---

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

Limited recourse equipment financing update

 

On August 11, 2023, Iris Energy Limited (the “Company”) provided an update to the legal proceedings related to its limited recourse equipment financing arrangements.

 

As previously disclosed by the Company, a hearing was held in June 2023 in The Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Court”) in relation to limited recourse equipment financing facilities entered into by two wholly owned special purpose vehicle borrowers (the “Non-Recourse SPVs”).

 

Today the Court issued its ruling affirming the Company’s position that, among other things, the Bitcoin mined by the Company is not collateral securing such facilities and there is no parent guarantee with respect to the equipment financing facilities, and no relief in respect of substantive consolidation was granted.

A copy of the Company’s press release providing the update is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Report on Form 6-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Iris Energy’s future financial or operating performance. For example, forward-looking statements include but are not limited to potential exposure with respect to the legal proceedings relating to the Company’s limited recourse equipment financing. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “may,” “can,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “project,” “strive,” “budget,” “forecast,” “expect,” “intend,” “target”, “will,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “scheduled” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause Iris Energy’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the outcome of the legal proceedings relating to the Company’s limited recourse equipment financing, including the amount of any potential damages, settlement payments or liability that may be incurred by the Company, any of which could be higher than anticipated; the risk that such proceedings result in significant legal and other costs and damage to the Company’s reputation, and distract management’s attention; and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Iris Energy’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on September 13, 2022, and the Company’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in its other filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of Iris Energy’s website at https://investors.irisenergy.co.

¹ Between CAD $4 million and CAD $16 million.

These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this Report on Form 6-K. Any forward-looking statement that Iris Energy makes in this Report on Form 6-K speaks only as of the date of such statement. Except as required by law, Iris Energy disclaims any obligation to update or revise, or to publicly announce any update or revision to, any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

This Report on Form 6-K (other than the information contained in the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 6-K) shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the registration statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-261320, 333-265949, 333-269201 and 333-273071) of Iris Energy Limited and to be a part thereof from the date on which this report is filed to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

 

The information contained in the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 6-K shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

---

Limited recourse equipment financing update

 

As previously disclosed by the Company, a hearing was held in June 2023 in The Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Court”) in relation to limited recourse equipment financing facilities entered into by two wholly owned special purpose vehicle borrowers (the “Non-Recourse SPVs”).

 

Today the Court issued its ruling affirming the Company’s position that, among other things, the Bitcoin mined by the Company is not collateral securing such facilities and there is no parent guarantee with respect to the equipment financing facilities, and no relief in respect of substantive consolidation was granted.

 

 

About Iris Energy

 

Iris Energy is a sustainable Bitcoin mining company that supports the decarbonization of energy markets and the global Bitcoin network.

•	100% renewables: Iris Energy targets markets with low-cost, under-utilized renewable energy, and where the Company can support local communities

•	Long-term security over infrastructure, land and power supply: Iris Energy builds, owns and operates its electrical infrastructure and proprietary data centers, providing long-term security and operational control over its assets

•	Seasoned management team: Iris Energy’s team has an impressive track record of success across energy, infrastructure, renewables, finance, digital assets and data centers with cumulative experience in delivering >$25bn in energy and infrastructure projects globally

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This investor update includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Iris Energy’s future financial or operating performance. For example, forward-looking statements include but are not limited to potential exposure with respect to the legal proceedings relating to the Company’s limited recourse equipment financing. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “may,” “can,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “project,” “strive,” “budget,” “forecast,” “expect,” “intend,” “target”, “will,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “scheduled” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking.

¹ Between CAD $4 million and CAD $16 million.

 

These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this investor update. Any forward-looking statement that Iris Energy makes in this investor update speaks only as of the date of such statement. Except as required by law, Iris Energy disclaims any obligation to update or revise, or to publicly announce any update or revision to, any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts

 

 

---