Loaded from persisted store.
Threads
All Filings
SEC Comment Letters
Company Responses
Letter Text
Sea Ltd
Awaiting Response
0 company response(s)
High
Sea Ltd
Response Received
6 company response(s)
High - file number match
↓
Company responded
2020-07-23
Sea Ltd
References: July 9, 2020
Summary
Generating summary...
↓
Company responded
2020-08-06
Sea Ltd
References: July 9,
2020
Summary
Generating summary...
↓
Company responded
2023-12-08
Sea Ltd
References: December 5, 2023
Summary
Generating summary...
↓
Company responded
2024-01-12
Sea Ltd
References: December 5, 2023
Summary
Generating summary...
↓
Company responded
2024-02-08
Sea Ltd
References: January 26, 2024
Summary
Generating summary...
↓
Sea Ltd
Awaiting Response
0 company response(s)
High
Sea Ltd
Awaiting Response
0 company response(s)
High
Sea Ltd
Awaiting Response
0 company response(s)
High
Sea Ltd
Awaiting Response
0 company response(s)
High
Sea Ltd
Awaiting Response
0 company response(s)
High
Sea Ltd
Response Received
4 company response(s)
Medium - date proximity
↓
Company responded
2017-10-06
Sea Ltd
References: September 29, 2017
Summary
Generating summary...
↓
↓
↓
Sea Ltd
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Sea Ltd
Awaiting Response
0 company response(s)
Medium
Sea Ltd
Awaiting Response
0 company response(s)
Medium
Summary
| Date | Type | Company | Location | File No | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-29 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2025-07-18 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2025-07-07 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2024-02-13 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2024-02-08 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2024-01-26 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2024-01-12 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2023-12-08 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2023-12-05 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2020-08-12 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2020-08-06 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2020-07-23 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2020-07-09 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-10-18 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-10-17 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-10-17 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-10-06 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-09-29 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-09-22 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-06-27 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-05-22 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| Date | Type | Company | Location | File No | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-29 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2025-07-07 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2024-02-13 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2024-01-26 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2023-12-05 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | 001-38237 | Read Filing View |
| 2020-08-12 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2020-07-09 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-09-29 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-06-27 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-05-22 | SEC Comment Letter | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| Date | Type | Company | Location | File No | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-18 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2024-02-08 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2024-01-12 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2023-12-08 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2020-08-06 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2020-07-23 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-10-18 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-10-17 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-10-17 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-10-06 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-09-22 | Company Response | Sea Ltd | Cayman Islands | N/A | Read Filing View |
2025-07-29 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd File: 001-38237
<DOCUMENT> <TYPE>TEXT-EXTRACT <SEQUENCE>2 <FILENAME>filename2.txt <TEXT> July 29, 2025 Tony Hou Chief Financial Officer Sea Limited 1 Fusionopolis Place, #17-10, Galaxis Singapore 138522 Re: Sea Limited Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 File No. 001-38237 Dear Tony Hou: We have completed our review of your filing. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Trade & Services </TEXT> </DOCUMENT>
2025-07-18 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm July 18, 2025 BY EDGAR Division of Corporat ion Finance Office of Trade & Services U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20549 Attn: Robert Shapiro Lyn Shenk Re: Sea Limited Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 Filed April 17, 2025 File No. 001-38237 Dear Mr. Shapiro and M r . Shenk: We hereby provide responses to the comments received from the staff (the “ Staff ”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by letter dated July 7, 2025 (the “ Comment Letter ”) with respect to the above-referenced Form 20-F (the “ Form 20-F ”) of Sea Limited (the “ Company ”) . The headings and paragraph numbers in this letter correspond to those contained in the Comment Letter and, to facilitate the Staff’s review, we have reproduced the text of the Staff’s comments in italics below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Form 20-F. Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects A. Operating Results Results of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023, page 97 Securities and Exchange Commission July 18, 2025 Page 2 1. Please revise to quantify factors to which changes are attributed, including the extent to which changes are attributable to changes in prices or to changes in the volume or amount of services or products being sold or to the introduction of new products and services. For example, quantify the impact of growth in GMV on E-Commerce revenue and disclose factors and underlying business reasons for the growth in your credit business. Refer to Item 5 and Item 5.A.1 of Form 20-F. Response We respectfully submit further details regarding factors contributing to the year-on-year growth in our e-commerce service and digital financial services revenues below. In response to the Staff’s comments, in future Form 20-F filings, we will further elaborate, with greater quantification, the main factors to which changes in our businesses are attributed. E-commerce: The 37.8% increase in our e-commerce service revenue, from US$7.9 billion in fiscal year 2023 to US$10.9 billion in fiscal year 2024, was primarily attributable to the growth in Shopee’s gross merchandise value (“ GMV ”) and secondarily attributable to an increase in the rate of monetization on the GMV. Shopee’s GMV grew 28.0% from US$78.5 billion in fiscal year 2023 to US$100.5 billion in fiscal year 2024, as disclosed on page 97 of the Form 20-F. We believe this growth was driven by overall online consumption growth in our markets as well as continual improvements in our service offerings, such as faster delivery, enhanced user engagement with better e-commerce content, and greater efficiency in advertising and search. These improvements also helped to improve the monetization rate of our e-commerce platform, which can be calculated by dividing e-commerce service revenue by GMV. The monetization rate of our e-commerce platform increased by 80 basis points from 10.0% in fiscal year 2023 to 10.8% in fiscal year 2024. As disclosed on pages F-38, 54 and 90 of the Form 20-F, Shopee primarily monetizes by charging sellers and/or buyers (i) commissions on transactions, (ii) fees for value-added services such as logistics services, and (iii) fees for advertising services. Digital Financial Services: The 34.6% increase in our digital financial services revenue, from US$1.8 billion in fiscal year 2023 to US$2.4 billion in fiscal year 2024, was primarily driven by the growth of our loan book. Loans receivable grew 67.4% from US$2.5 billion as at December 31, 2023 to US$4.2 billion as at December 31, 2024, as disclosed on page 97 of the Form 20-F. Approximately 95% of our loans receivable as of December 31, 2024 were attributable to consumer and SME loans as provided on page F-48 of the Form 20-F. We believe this growth was mainly driven by a few factors including growth of our e-commerce platform, deepening penetration of our consumer lending activities on the platform, and expansion of our credit product offerings off our e-commerce platform. Securities and Exchange Commission July 18, 2025 Page 3 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 21. Segment Reporting, page F-74 2. Please disclose how your CODM uses the reported measure of segment profit or loss in assessing performance and allocating resources. Refer to ASC 280-10-50-29f and ASC 280-10-55-47bb. Response We respectfully submit that the CODM evaluates each segment’s financial performance by reviewing revenue, significant operating expenses, and segment operating income or loss. To allocate resources for each segment, the CODM evaluates these results, along with certain key operating metrics of each segment. This assessment is done regularly by monitoring each segment’s actual financial and operating performance against projections as part of the Company’s business planning and budgeting process. We will supplement future Form 20-F filings with this information. 3. Please tell us how you considered the requirement to disclose the amount of revenues generated from Singapore, your country of domicile. Refer to ASC 280-10-50-41a. Response We respectfully submit that the Company is inc orporated in the Cayman Islands, and its revenues generated from the Cayman Islands have been negligible for all years since the Company’s inception. In response to the Staff’s comment, we respectfully advise that revenues generated from Singapore were US$659.1 million, US$506.5 million, and US$507.8 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, and we will also include the amount of revenues generated from Singapore in future Form 20-F filings. * * * * * Securities and Exchange Commission July 18, 2025 Page 4 Please contact Dwight S. Yoo at (212)-735-2573 or Dwight.Yoo@skadden.com if the Staff has any questions or requires additional information. Very truly yours, /s/ Tony Tianyu Hou cc: Yanjun Wang, Sea Limited Dwight S. Yoo, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
2025-07-07 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd File: 001-38237
<DOCUMENT> <TYPE>TEXT-EXTRACT <SEQUENCE>2 <FILENAME>filename2.txt <TEXT> July 7, 2025 Tony Hou Chief Financial Officer Sea Limited 1 Fusionopolis Place, #17-10, Galaxis Singapore 138522 Re: Sea Limited Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 File No. 001-38237 Dear Tony Hou: We have limited our review of your filing to the financial statements and related disclosures and have the following comment(s). Please respond to this letter within ten business days by providing the requested information or advise us as soon as possible when you will respond. If you do not believe a comment applies to your facts and circumstances, please tell us why in your response. After reviewing your response to this letter, we may have additional comments. Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Results of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023 Revenue, page 97 1. Please revise to quantify factors to which changes are attributed, including the extent to which changes are attributable to changes in prices or to changes in the volume or amount of services or products being sold or to the introduction of new products and services. For example, quantify the impact of growth in GMV on E-Commerce revenue and disclose factors and underlying business reasons for the growth in your credit business. Refer to Item 5 and Item 5.A.1 of Form 20-F. July 7, 2025 Page 2 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 21. Segment Reporting, page F-74 2. Please disclose how your CODM uses the reported measure of segment profit or loss in assessing performance and allocating resources. Refer to ASC 280-10-50-29f and ASC 280-10-55-47bb. 3. Please tell us how you considered the requirement to disclose the amount of revenues generated from Singapore, your country of domicile. Refer to ASC 280-10-50-41a. In closing, we remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Please contact Robert Shapiro at 202-551-3273 or Lyn Shenk at 202-551-3380 with any questions. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Trade & Services </TEXT> </DOCUMENT>
2024-02-13 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd File: 001-38237
United States securities and exchange commission logo
February 13, 2024
Tony Tianyu Hou
Chief Financial Officer
Sea Limited
1 Fusionopolis Place, #17-10
Galaxis Singapore 138522
Re:Sea Limited
Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Filed April 6, 2023
File No. 001-38237
Dear Tony Tianyu Hou:
We have completed our review of your filing. We remind you that the company and its
management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding
any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff.
Sincerely,
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Trade & Services
2024-02-08 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP
1
filename1.htm
February 8, 2024
BY EDGAR
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Trade & Services
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Attn:
Amy Geddes
Doug Jones
Re:
Sea Limited
Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Filed April 6, 2023
File No. 001-38237
Dear Ms. Geddes and Mr. Jones:
We hereby provide responses to the comments received from the staff (the “Staff”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by letter dated January 26, 2024 (the “Comment
Letter”) with respect to the above-referenced Form 20-F (the “Form 20-F”) of Sea Limited.
The headings and paragraph numbers in this letter correspond to those contained in the Comment Letter and, to facilitate the Staff’s review, we have reproduced the text of the
Staff’s comments in italics below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Form 20-F.
Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A. Operating Results
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021, page 97
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 8, 2024
Page 2
1.
Your response to prior comment 1 cites the presentation of certain metrics outside of this section. It appears some of these metrics are presented only for periods within fiscal 2022. To the
extent these metrics are used as part of your comparative discussion and analysis of results of operations, please present these metrics for each period discussed. Further, you have represented that in future filings you will either repeat or
cross-reference certain metrics cited in your response. Please include any metrics cited as part of your discussion as opposed to cross-referencing here or in other portions of this section referred to in your responses for the reader’s
convenience. Note the introductory paragraph of Item 5 of Form 20-F states the “discussion must include other statistical data that the company believes will enhance a reader’s understanding ...”
Response
In response to the Staff’s comment, in future 20-F filings, we will present the metrics used as part of our comparative discussion and analysis of results of operations for each period discussed and
include such metrics in Item 5 of Form 20-F.
2.
Refer to your response to prior comment 3. Please disclose the impact digital financial services had on gross profit and gross margin, as digital financial services appears to be a material
component of your “e-commerce and other services” category. Additionally, information in your response regarding margins of the respective revenue sources noted appears to be useful information for investors to better understand your
operations; please consider disclosing this.
Response
In response to the Staff’s comment, in future 20-F filings including in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, which will be filed later this year, in the Selected
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data section of Item 5, we will separately present gross profit and gross margin for Digital Financial Services for each period discussed. We will also include information regarding margins of the respective
revenue sources.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows and Working Capital
Operating Activities, page 102
3.
Refer to your response to prior comment 5. You refer to announcements in earnings calls during fiscal 2022 regarding overall cost saving initiatives and G&A and R&D expense patterns
occurring in fiscal 2022. However, it does not appear that such discussion is included in the analysis of the change in operating cash flows for fiscal 2022 in the Form 20-F. This information appears to describe circumstances directly
impacting operating cash that is useful to investors that should be disclosed. Your response also mentions the decrease in accrued expenses and other payables negatively impacted operating cash flows yet you state the reason for the decreased
accruals was due to cost saving initiatives the suggests increased operating cash flow. We remind you that citing changes in working capital items, among other items, reported in the statement of cash flows may not provide a sufficient basis
to understand why the amount of reported operating cash changed between periods. In this regard, refer to section III.D of Release No. 33-6835, section IV.B.1 of Release No.33-8350 and Release No. 33-10890 for guidance.
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 8, 2024
Page 3
Response
In response to the Staff’s comment, in future 20-F filings, we will include narrative discussion that would be useful to investors to understand our operating cash flows. We also
acknowledge the Staff’s comment to provide disclosure that provides a sufficient basis to understand why the amount of reported operating cash changed between periods.
E. Critical Accounting Estimates, page 107
4.
Refer to your response to prior comment 7. In your response you refer to disclosure contained in the notes to the financial statements that is applicable to your disclosure here. Please note
your disclosure here should supplement, not duplicate, the description of accounting policies in the notes to the financial statements pursuant to the first paragraph of Item 5.E of Form 20-F. Please revise your disclosure here to include
insight into the quality, sensitivity and variability regarding the material factors, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties that have materially affected or may materially affect amounts reported for the critical estimate items disclosed.
Response
In response to the Staff’s comment, in future 20-F filings, we will revise our disclosure to include insight into the quality, sensitivity and variability regarding the materials
factors, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties that have materially affected or may materially affect amounts reported for the critical estimate items disclosed. We acknowledge the Staff’s comment to supplement, and not duplicate where
practicable, the description of the accounting policies in the notes to the financial statements.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(o) Revenue recognition
(i) Digital entertainment revenue, page F-36
5.
Refer to your response to prior comment 9. Once funds for escrow payables and advances from customers are transferred to deferred revenue, please explain to us and disclose the basis of how
amounts are reclassified from deferred revenue to revenue. Refer to ASC 606-10-50-9 and 10.
Response
We respectfully advise the Staff that revenue is reclassified from deferred revenue into revenue in accordance
with the timing of satisfaction of our performance obligation. This may be based on the users’ playing behavior which we recognize over the average playing period of paying users as services are rendered, or based on the consumption pattern of
virtual items which could be instantaneous for consumables or over the estimated average lifespan of the items for the rest.
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 8, 2024
Page 4
(iii) Digital financial services, page F-38
6.
Refer to prior comment 8. Regarding loans granted to consumer customers, please consider disclosing in an appropriate place in your filing their nature, purpose and terms, including length,
repayment and interest rates. We did not notice disclosure in this regard in your filing. As loans receivables with consumer customers is one of your largest assets, providing further information about it appears to be useful information to
investors to better understand your business.
Response
In response to the Staff’s comment, in future 20-F filings, we will include additional disclosure regarding our loans receivables deemed to be useful information for investors to
better understand our business.
Note 21. Segment Reporting, page F-72
7.
Refer to your response to prior comment 14. Please revise your disclosure to specifically state you do not allocate assets to reporting segments. Refer to ASC 280-10-50-26.
Response
In response to the Staff’s comment, in future 20-F filings, we will specifically state that we do not allocate assets to reporting segments.
* * * * *
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 8, 2024
Page 5
Please contact Dwight S. Yoo at (212)-735-2573 or Dwight.Yoo@skadden.com if the Staff has any questions or requires additional information.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Tony Tianyu Hou
cc:
Yanjun Wang, Sea Limited
Dwight S. Yoo, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
2024-01-26 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd File: 001-38237
United States securities and exchange commission logo
January 26, 2024
Tony Tianyu Hou
Chief Financial Officer
Sea Limited
1 Fusionopolis Place, #17-10
Galaxis Singapore 138522
Re:Sea Limited
Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Filed April 6, 2023
File No. 001-38237
Dear Tony Tianyu Hou:
We have reviewed your January 12, 2024 response to our comment letter and have the
following comments.
Please respond to this letter within ten business days by providing the requested
information or advise us as soon as possible when you will respond. If you do not believe a
comment applies to your facts and circumstances, please tell us why in your response.
After reviewing your response to this letter, we may have additional comments. Unless
we note otherwise, any references to prior comments are to comments in our December 11, 2023
letter.
Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A. Operating Results
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021, page 97
1.Your response to prior comment 1 cites the presentation of certain metrics outside of this
section. It appears some of these metrics are presented only for periods within fiscal 2022.
To the extent these metrics are used as part of your comparative discussion and analysis of
results of operations, please present these metrics for each period discussed. Further, you
have represented that in future filings you will either repeat or cross-reference certain
metrics cited in your response. Please include any metrics cited as part of your discussion
as opposed to cross-referencing here or in other portions of this section referred to in your
responses for the reader's convenience. Note the introductory paragraph of Item 5 of Form
FirstName LastNameTony Tianyu Hou
Comapany NameSea Limited
January 26, 2024 Page 2
FirstName LastNameTony Tianyu Hou
Sea Limited
January 26, 2024
Page 2
20-F states the "discussion must include other statistical data that the company believes
will enhance a reader's understanding ..."
2.Refer to your response to prior comment 3. Please disclose the impact digital financial
services had on gross profit and gross margin, as digital financial services appears to be a
material component of your "e-commerce and other services" category. Additionally,
information in your response regarding margins of the respective revenue sources noted
appears to be useful information for investors to better understand your operations; please
consider disclosing this.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows and Working Capital
Operating Activities, page 102
3.Refer to your response to prior comment 5. You refer to announcements in earnings calls
during fiscal 2022 regarding overall cost saving initiatives and G&A and R&D
expense patterns occurring in fiscal 2022. However, it does not appear that such
discussion is included in the analysis of the change in operating cash flows for fiscal 2022
in the Form 20-F. This information appears to describe circumstances directly
impacting operating cash that is useful to investors that should be disclosed. Your
response also mentions the decrease in accrued expenses and other payables negatively
impacted operating cash flows yet you state the reason for the decreased accruals was due
to cost saving initiatives the suggests increased operating cash flow. We remind you that
citing changes in working capital items, among other items, reported in the statement of
cash flows may not provide a sufficient basis to understand why the amount of reported
operating cash changed between periods. In this regard, refer to section III.D of Release
No. 33-6835, section IV.B.1 of Release No.33-8350 and Release No. 33-10890 for
guidance.
E. Critical Accounting Estimates, page 107
4.Refer to your response to prior comment 7. In your response you refer to disclosure
contained in the notes to the financial statements that is applicable to your disclosure
here. Please note your disclosure here should supplement, not duplicate, the description of
accounting policies in the notes to the financial statements pursuant to the first paragraph
of Item 5.E of Form 20-F. Please revise your disclosure here to include insight into the
quality, sensitivity and variability regarding the material factors, assumptions, judgments
and uncertainties that have materially affected or may materially affect amounts reported
for the critical estimate items disclosed.
FirstName LastNameTony Tianyu Hou
Comapany NameSea Limited
January 26, 2024 Page 3
FirstName LastName
Tony Tianyu Hou
Sea Limited
January 26, 2024
Page 3
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(o) Revenue recognition
(i) Digital entertainment revenue, page F-36
5.Refer to your response to prior comment 9. Once funds for escrow payables and advances
from customers are transferred to deferred revenue, please explain to us and disclose the
basis of how amounts are reclassified from deferred revenue to revenue. Refer to ASC
606-10-50-9 and 10.
(iii) Digital financial services, page F-38
6.Refer to prior comment 8. Regarding loans granted to consumer customers, please
consider disclosing in an appropriate place in your filing their nature, purpose and terms,
including length, repayment and interest rates. We did not notice disclosure in this regard
in your filing. As loans receivables with consumer customers is one of your
largest assets, providing further information about it appears to be useful information to
investors to better understand your business.
Note 21. Segment Reporting, page F-72, page F-72
7.Refer to your response to prior comment 14. Please revise your disclosure to specifically
state you do not allocate assets to reporting segments. Refer to ASC 280-10-50-26.
Please contact Amy Geddes at 202-551-3304 or Doug Jones at 202-551-3309 if you have
questions regarding comments on the financial statements and related matters.
Sincerely,
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Trade & Services
2024-01-12 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP
1
filename1.htm
January 12, 2024
BY EDGAR
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Trade & Services
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Attn:
Amy Geddes
Doug Jones
Re:
Sea Limited
Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Filed April 6, 2023
File No. 001-38237
Dear Ms. Geddes and Mr. Jones:
We hereby provide responses to the comments received from the staff (the “Staff”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by letter dated December 5, 2023 (the “Comment
Letter”) with respect to the above-referenced Form 20-F (the “Form 20-F”) of Sea Limited.
The headings and paragraph numbers in this letter correspond to those contained in the Comment Letter and, to facilitate the Staff’s review, we have reproduced the text of the
Staff’s comments in italics below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Form 20-F.
Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A. Operating Results
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021, page 97
Securities and Exchange Commission
January 12, 2024
Page 2
1.
Please revise your discussion of year over year changes in operating results to include more fulsome information supporting your explanations for each change. For example, you state the
decrease in revenue in Digital Entertainment for fiscal 2022 is due to ongoing moderation in user engagement and monetization, but you do not provide any metrics on an annual basis (such as number of users, new accounts per month, active
users or average digital purchase dollars per user) or other relevant information to understand the reason for the decrease. Similarly, you state the increase in revenue in Ecommerce and other services for fiscal 2022 is due to improved
monetization in your ecommerce business and the growth of your credit business, but do not provide information such as average transaction value, quantification of the growth in your credit business, changes in interest rates, number of
loans outstanding, average value per loan outstanding or other relevant information to understand the reason for the increase. Refer to the guidance in the appropriate sections of Item 5 and related instructions thereto of Form 20-F. Please
note material variances in other line items presented should be similarly analyzed.
Response
We respectfully advise the Staff that we disclosed information supporting our explanations for the year-over-year changes and overall trends in the Form 20-F. In response to the Staff’s comment, in future 20-F
filings, for easier reference by investors, we will repeat or cross-reference to, and as appropriate supplement, this information in the applicable place in Item 5, as described in additional detail below.
With respect to ongoing moderation in user engagement and monetization in our digital entertainment business, we disclosed bookings, the aggregate number of active users (“Game QAU”) and the aggregate number
of paying users (“Game QPU”) during each quarterly period in the year on page 53 of the Form 20-F. In future 20-F filings, we will repeat or cross-reference to this information in Item 5.
With respect to improved monetization in our marketplace e-commerce business, Shopee (“Shopee”), we disclosed gross merchandise value (“GMV”) and orders on page 49 and revenue data on page 92 of the
Form 20-F. Average order value on Shopee can be readily calculated by dividing GMV by orders, and was approximately US$10 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Similarly, monetization, which can be derived by taking our e-commerce business revenue
as disclosed on page 100 of Form 20-F divided by GMV, improved from 8.2% in the year ended December 31, 2021 to 9.9% in the year ended December 31, 2022. In future 20-F filings, we will repeat or cross-reference to this information, and supplement
this information with these mathematical calculations, in Item 5.
With respect to the growth of our credit business, our loans receivable grew from US$1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021 to US$2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, as disclosed in our
consolidated balance sheets in the Form 20-F. As disclosed on page 54 of the Form 20-F, for the fiscal year 2022, we provided credit offerings primarily to select Shopee users including Shopee buyers and sellers. As disclosed on page 136 in the
Form 20-F, the dollar amount per individual loan receivable is relatively small. Based on our total loan balance outstanding and number of loans outstanding as of December 31, 2022, our average loan size was approximately US$20. The tenure of such
loans is short, generally in the range of 3 to 12 months, as publicly displayed on our websites or in our Shopee app, where such loans are offered. Please see our response to Comment 8 below for more information.
Securities and Exchange Commission
January 12, 2024
Page 3
We will continue to monitor the year-over-year changes in our business and disclose and discuss any material updates.
2.
Please explain to us and reconcile the amounts presented for “E-commerce and other services” and “Sales of goods” on page 96 to the amounts
presented for “E-commerce,” “Digital Financial Services” and “Other Services” presented on pages 100 and 101. In connection with this, it appears revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit of “Digital Financial Services” are included in
the respective amounts for “E-commerce and other services” but appears material for fiscal 2022 for
separate presentation and analysis. Please consider separate presentation on this basis so that investors may better understand your operations.
Response
We respectfully advise the Staff that as shown in the “Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations Data” table on page 96 of the Form 20-F, for the year ended December 31, 2022, service revenue for e-commerce and
other services was US$7,463,173 and sales of goods was US$1,109,369, which totals US$8,572,542. This amount reconciles to the sum of revenue for E-commerce (US$7,288,677), Digital Financial Services (US$1,221,996) and Other Services (US$61,869) as
shown in the table at the bottom of page 100 of the Form 20-F (amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars in this paragraph).
In response to the Staff’s comment, we will provide the individual breakdown of our revenue by type and operating segment in future 20-F filings in Item 5.
3.
Please explain to us and consider disclosing as appropriate the basis for the level of the gross margins for each of digital entertainment,
e-commerce and other services and sales of goods reported on pages 97 and 99 and the reason for the variation in the gross margins between these operations so that investors may have a better understanding of the contribution of each of
these operations to your results.
Response
We respectfully submit that the basis for gross margin for each of our business segments and the reason for the variations in the gross margins are mainly due to the different nature of our businesses. As disclosed
on page 97 of the Form 20-F, our group gross profit was US$3.9 billion in the fiscal year 2021 and US$5.2 billion in fiscal year 2022 and our group gross margins were 39.1% and 41.6% in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, respectively. Our digital
entertainment segment had gross margins of 71.5% and 72.2% in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, respectively. Service revenue pertaining to our e-commerce and other services segment had gross margins of 16.2% and 30.4% in fiscal years 2021 and 2022,
respectively. Sales of goods had gross margins of 6.3% and 10.5% in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Securities and Exchange Commission
January 12, 2024
Page 4
As disclosed on page 93 of the Form 20-F, we generate revenue from our digital entertainment business primarily by selling in-game items to our online game players. Gross margins in our digital entertainment segment
are relatively high mainly because of the digital nature of the production and sale of the virtual items in our games. By comparison, e-commerce and other services involve more significant physical operations, including logistics which includes
costs associated with the storage and delivery of the goods sold by sellers on Shopee. As such, our e-commerce and other services have lower gross margins compared to our digital entertainment business. Sales of physical goods, by comparison,
involves the cost of purchasing products from manufacturers or third parties and, accordingly, reflects even lower gross margins.
4.
You disclose the provision for credit losses increased 337.5% for fiscal 2022 primarily driven by increases in the growth in your loan book. However, your gross loans receivable balance
only increased 42% as of December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021. Please tell us whether there were specific changes in borrower characteristics or standards leading to this increase in default, and/or whether this increase was
related to specific unusual events or circumstances.
Response
We respectfully advise the Staff that the 337.5% increase represented the year-over-year change in the aggregate credit loss provisioning expense recognized on the income statement during the course of fiscal year
2022, while the 42% increase represented the growth in the loans receivable balance recorded on the balance sheet at year-end 2022.
Given the short tenure of our loans, as discussed in our responses to Comments 1 and 8, our loan cycle is generally less than one year. Short tenure loans that are disbursed and repaid during the course of the fiscal
year increase our total loan book subject to potential credit loss provisioning, but will not be reflected in the loans receivable balance at fiscal year-end. An increase in our lending activity will therefore generally increase our annual credit
loss provisioning expense during the year at a higher rate than our outstanding gross loans receivable balance at year-end.
We respectfully advise the Staff that the increase in the provision for credit losses, as indicated in our disclosures, was driven primarily by growth in the loan book. As identified on page 29 of the Form 20-F, the
allowance for credit losses is based on our historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the receivables and economic environment, and the allowance we make for credit losses are calculated on an aggregate
basis for various customer segments that are considered to have similar credit characteristics and risk of loss. We respectfully submit that there were no material changes in borrower characteristics or standards leading to the increase in credit
provisioning, and this increase was not related to any material unusual events or circumstances.
Securities and Exchange Commission
January 12, 2024
Page 5
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows and Working Capital
Operating Activities, page 102
5.
You state the decrease in the change in escrow payables and advances from customers for fiscal 2022 is in line with GMV growth. Please disclose how these two items correlate to impact your
operating cash flows and the extent thereof between fiscal 2022 and 2021. You also refer to a decrease in the change in accrued expenses and other payables as a factor in the change in operating cash flows between fiscal 2022 and 2021, but
it is not clear how the change in these accrued balances between the respective year end dates impacts the amount of operating cash expended for the noted marketing and welfare expenses for the entirety of fiscal 2022 relative to the
entirety of fiscal 2021. It also appears from the significant increases in general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses in fiscal 2022 relative to fiscal 2021 reported in the statements of operations that cash
expended for these in each year may have impacted the amount of the change in operating cash flows between these years. Note merely citing changes in results, working capital items and noncash items reported in the statement of cash flows
may not provide a sufficient basis to understand why the amount of operating cash changed between periods. Refer to Item 5 of Form 20-F (as directed by Form F-1), in particular the introductory paragraph thereof and instructions 1 and 9 of
instructions to Item 5, section III.D of Release No. 33-6835, section IV.B.1 of Release No. 33-8350 and Release No. 33-10890 for guidance.
Response
We respectfully advise the Staff that Shopee operates as a marketplace whereby we hold payments made by customers in certain designated accounts held by us until the ordered products are received or deemed to have
been received by the customer, which is recorded as escrow payables and advances from customers until they are withdrawn by the sellers, as disclosed on page 51 of the Form 20-F under Item 4.B.
Based on information disclosed in our Form 20-Fs for the three years ended December 31, 2022, our e-commerce business GMV increased by approximately 77% in fiscal year 2021 and 18% in fiscal year 2022. Thus, the GMV
growth rate declined by approximately 77% in fiscal year 2022. Meanwhile, the change in escrow payables and advances from customers’ cash flow declined by approximately 74% in fiscal year 2022.
We respectfully advise the Staff that, as announced in our third quarter 2022 earnings conference call, we “shifted our mindset and focus from growth to achieving self-sufficiency and profitability,” “accelerated
cost saving initiatives in our business operations” and “[a]cross all businesses and markets, we reviewed and reduced headcount, decreased existing spending and future investment commitments on office space and logistics facilities, and tightened
travel and entertainment policies.” This is in comparison to the beginning of 2022, when we were “focus[ed] on strong execution with balanced growth and efficiency” as shared on our first quarter 2022 earnings conference call.
Securities and Exchange Commission
January 12, 2024
Page 6
In line with these cost saving initiatives announced in our third quarter 2022 earnings conference call, there was a decrease in change in accrued expenses and other payables relating to marketing and welfare
expenses in fiscal year 2022. The decrease in the accrued expenses and other payables balances as of December 31, 2022 negatively impacted operating cash flow.
Despite the cost saving initiatives mentioned above, as the Staff observed, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses, however, still increased overall for fiscal year 2022. This was
primarily because of spending that took place earlier in the year, in line with what was announced on our f
2023-12-08 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP
1
filename1.htm
December 8, 2023
BY EDGAR
Division of Corporate Finance
Office of Trade & Services
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Attn:
Amy Geddes
Doug Jones
Re:
Sea Limited
Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Filed April 6, 2023
File No. 001-38237
Dear Ms. Geddes and Mr. Jones:
Sea Limited (the “Company”) confirms that it has received the letter
dated December 5, 2023 (the “Comment Letter”) from the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to the above-referenced Form 20-F. The Company respectfully requests an extension and expects to respond to the comments in the Comment Letter on or before Friday, January 12, 2024.
Please contact Dwight S. Yoo at (212) 735-2573 or Dwight.Yoo@skadden.com if the Staff has any questions or requires additional information.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Tony Tianyu Hou
cc:
Yanjun Wang, Sea Limited
Dwight S. Yoo, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
2023-12-05 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd File: 001-38237
United States securities and exchange commission logo
December 5, 2023
Tony Tianyu Hou
Chief Financial Officer
Sea Limited
1 Fusionopolis Place, #17-10
Galaxis Singapore 138522
Re:Sea Limited
Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Filed April 6, 2023
File No. 001-38237
Dear Tony Tianyu Hou:
We have limited our review of your filing to the financial statements and related
disclosures and have the following comments.
Please respond to this letter within ten business days by providing the requested
information or advise us as soon as possible when you will respond. If you do not believe a
comment applies to your facts and circumstances, please tell us why in your response.
After reviewing your response to this letter, we may have additional comments.
Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A. Operating Results
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021, page 97
1.Please revise your discussion of year over year changes in operating results to include
more fulsome information supporting your explanations for each change. For example,
you state the decrease in revenue in Digital Entertainment for fiscal 2022 is due to
ongoing moderation in user engagement and monetization, but you do not provide any
metrics on an annual basis (such as number of users, new accounts per month, active
users or average digital purchase dollars per user) or other relevant information to
understand the reason for the decrease. Similarly, you state the increase in revenue in E-
commerce and other services for fiscal 2022 is due to improved monetization in your e-
commerce business and the growth of your credit business, but do not provide information
such as average transaction value, quantification of the growth in your credit business,
FirstName LastNameTony Tianyu Hou
Comapany NameSea Limited
December 5, 2023 Page 2
FirstName LastNameTony Tianyu Hou
Sea Limited
December 5, 2023
Page 2
changes in interest rates, number of loans outstanding, average value per loan outstanding
or other relevant information to understand the reason for the increase. Refer to the
guidance in the appropriate sections of Item 5 and related instructions thereto of Form 20-
F. Please note material variances in other line items presented should be similarly
analyzed.
2.Please explain to us and reconcile the amounts presented for "E-commerce and other
services" and "Sales of goods" on page 96 to the amounts presented for "E-commerce,"
"Digital Financial Services" and "Other Services" presented on pages 100 and 101. In
connection with this, it appears revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit of "Digital
Financial Services" are included in the respective amounts for "E-commerce and other
services" but appears material for fiscal 2022 for separate presentation and
analysis. Please consider separate presentation on this basis so that investors may better
understand your operations.
3.Please explain to us and consider disclosing as appropriate the basis for the level of the
gross margins for each of digital entertainment, e-commerce and other services and sales
of goods reported on pages 97 and 99 and the reason for the variation in the gross margins
between these operations so that investors may have a better understanding of the
contribution of each of these operations to your results.
4.You disclose the provision for credit losses increased 337.5% for fiscal 2022 primarily
driven by increases in the growth in your loan book. However, your gross loans receivable
balance only increased 42% as of December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021.
Please tell us whether there were specific changes in borrower characteristics or standards
leading to this increase in default, and/or whether this increase was related to specific
unusual events or circumstances.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows and Working Capital
Operating Activities, page 102
5.You state the decrease in the change in escrow payables and advances from customers for
fiscal 2022 is in line with GMV growth. Please disclose how these two items correlate to
impact your operating cash flows and the extent thereof between fiscal 2022 and 2021.
You also refer to a decrease in the change in accrued expenses and other payables as a
factor in the change in operating cash flows between fiscal 2022 and 2021, but it is not
clear how the change in these accrued balances between the respective year end dates
impacts the amount of operating cash expended for the noted marketing and welfare
expenses for the entirety of fiscal 2022 relative to the entirety of fiscal 2021. It also
appears from the significant increases in general and administrative expenses and research
and development expenses in fiscal 2022 relative to fiscal 2021 reported in the statements
of operations that cash expended for these in each year may have impacted the amount of
the change in operating cash flows between these years. Note merely citing changes in
results, working capital items and noncash items reported in the statement of cash flows
FirstName LastNameTony Tianyu Hou
Comapany NameSea Limited
December 5, 2023 Page 3
FirstName LastNameTony Tianyu Hou
Sea Limited
December 5, 2023
Page 3
may not provide a sufficient basis to understand why the amount of operating cash
changed between periods. Refer to Item 5 of Form 20-F (as directed by Form F-1), in
particular the introductory paragraph thereof and instructions 1 and 9 of instructions to
Item 5, section III.D of Release No. 33-6835, section IV.B.1 of Release No. 33-8350 and
Release No. 33-10890 for guidance.
6.Please discuss the operational reasons for the negative operating cash flows for fiscal 2022
and explain how you intend to meet your cash requirements and maintain operations.
Refer to instruction 1 to "Instructions to Item 5" in Form 20-F and section IV.B.1 of
Release No. 33-8350. Also discuss if this condition is a known trend pursuant to Item 5.D
of Form 20-F and your expectations concerning this condition.
E. Critical Accounting Estimates, page 107
7.Please revise your discussion to include insight into the quality, sensitivity and variability
regarding the material factors, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties that have
materially affected or may materially affect amounts reported. To the extent practicable
and material, provide quantitative disclosure, with sensitivity analysis of how your results
may differ under different factors, assumptions, and judgments you considered. Refer to
Item 5.E of Form 20-F and Section V of Release No. 33-8350 for guidance. Consider
expanding your discussion in this regard concerning: (i) determination of the estimated
service period for revenue recognition and its impact on the amount of revenue defer and
subsequently recognize, (ii) fair value and impairment evaluation of investments in equity
securities, (iii) computation of share-based compensation, (iv) determination of the
amount of uncertain tax positions and deferred taxes, and (v) impairment of long lived
assets in the E-commerce segment.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, page F-15
8.You present the change in "loans receivable" as an investing activity. At December 31,
2022, the predominant majority of the balance of loans receivable is reported as a current
asset and is for consumers. Please explain to us in sufficient detail the nature and purpose
of loans receivable with consumers, including how they originate, and the basis for your
presentation in the statements of cash flows.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(o) Revenue recognition
(i) Digital entertainment revenue, page F-36
9.You disclose proceeds from the sales are initially recognized as escrow payables and
advances from customers and subsequently reclassified to deferred revenue when the
users make in game purchases of virtual goods within the games. Please explain to us and
FirstName LastNameTony Tianyu Hou
Comapany NameSea Limited
December 5, 2023 Page 4
FirstName LastName
Tony Tianyu Hou
Sea Limited
December 5, 2023
Page 4
disclose as appropriate what "sales" have occurred when proceeds are initially recognized
as escrow payables and advances from customers, how this amount is initially determined
and how the proceeds are received by you.
(b) User-based revenue model, page F-37
10.Please explain to us and disclose as appropriate when this model is applicable and the
basis for the amount of revenue recognized.
(iii) Digital financial services, page F-39
11.Please explain to us and disclose as appropriate the basis for granting loans to customers,
in particular those for consumers, and the typical general terms and conditions associated
with such loans, such as but not limited to length of time, interest rate, repayment, and
determination of associated fees.
Note 4. Goodwill and Acquisitions, page F-46
12.Please revise your disclosure to include the goodwill disclosures required by ASC 350-20-
50-1 for each of your reportable segments as well as in total.
Note 14. Share-Based Compensation, page F-61
13.Please explain to us why you believe using the simplified method to determine the
expected term is appropriate in your circumstances. We note you have reported historical
exercise data since fiscal 2017. Refer to Question 6 of SAB Topic 14.D.2.
Note 21. Segment Reporting, page F-72
14.Please disclose the amount of assets for each reportable segment and provide a
reconciliation to your consolidated total assets. Refer to the guidance in ASC 280-10-50-
22 and 30(c).
In closing, we remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the
accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or
absence of action by the staff.
Please contact Amy Geddes at 202-551-3304 or Doug Jones at 202-551-3309 with any
questions.
Sincerely,
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Trade & Services
2020-08-12 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd
United States securities and exchange commission logo
August 11, 2020
Forrest Xiaodong Li
Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer
Sea Ltd
1 Fusionopolis Place, #17-10 , Galaxis
Singapore 138522
Re:Sea Ltd
Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
Filed April 14, 2020
File No. 001-38237
Dear Mr. Li:
We have completed our review of your filing. We remind you that the company and its
management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding
any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff.
Sincerely,
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Trade & Services
2020-08-06 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP
1
filename1.htm
August 6, 2020
BY EDGAR
Division of Corporate Finance
Office of Trade & Services
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Attn:
Patrick Kuhn
Doug Jones
Re:
Sea Limited
Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
Filed April 14, 2020
File No. 001-38237
Form 6-K Furnished May 18, 2020
File No. 001-38237
Dear Messrs. Kuhn and Jones:
We hereby provide responses to the comments
received from the staff (the “Staff”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by letter dated July 9,
2020 (the “Comment Letter”) with respect to the above-referenced Form 20-F (the “Form 20-F”)
and Form 6-K of Sea Limited (“Sea”).
The headings and paragraph numbers in this
letter correspond to those contained in the Comment Letter and, to facilitate the Staff’s review, we have reproduced the
text of the Staff’s comments in italics below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them
in the Form 20-F.
Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows and Working Capital
Operating Activities, page 96
Securities and Exchange Commission
August 6, 2020
Page 2
1. The discussion appears to focus on how the amount was derived in each period rather than
a comparative analysis of a material change in net cash of operating activities between comparable periods. For example, an analysis
should be on why net cash of operating activities went from usage of US$495.2 million in 2018 to generated by of US$69.9 million
in 2019. The analysis should address the significant drivers underlying the change and how they impact operating cash. Refer to
section III.D of Release No. 33-6835 and section IV.B.1 of Release No. 33-8350 for guidance.
Response
In response to the Staff’s comment, we will revise our
disclosure in future filings to include a comparative analysis of material changes in net cash of operating activities between
comparable periods, which will address significant drivers underlying the changes and how they impact operating cash flows, beginning
with our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2020.
Had we included these revisions in our Annual Report on Form
20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, the disclosure would have read as follows in relevant part:
“Net cash generated from operating activities was US$69.9
million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to net cash used in operating activities of US$495.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 2018. The principal driver of our operating cash flows is cash received from sales of our products and
services, including proceeds from our sales of in-game virtual items in our digital entertainment business, fees collected from
sellers in our e-commerce business, cash collected from end customers for logistic services, advertising fees collected from sellers,
commissions from merchants in our digital financial services business, and proceeds from direct sales of products through our digital
financial services platform and our Shopee platform. Operating cash flows turned from negative in 2018 to positive in 2019 principally
due to changes in our working capital, primarily driven by an increase in cash generated from sales of in-game virtual items in
our digital entertainment business (a change in deferred revenue of US$433.0 million), which was largely attributable to our self-developed
game Free Fire, and a decrease in inventories (a change of US$40.2 million) due to inventory management efforts. Operating
cash flows were also positively affected by a decrease in net loss (after adjusting for non-cash items) by US$155.8 million. The
increase in operating cash flows was partially offset by an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets, which was primarily
attributable to higher receivables due from payment collection channels in our e-commerce business and higher channel costs in
our digital entertainment business, and an increase in accounts receivables, which was primarily attributable to higher receivables
from our game distribution channels.”
Securities and Exchange Commission
August 6, 2020
Page 3
Form 6-K Furnished May 18, 2020
Exhibit 99.1
Non-GAAP Financial Measures, page 9
2. It appears “adjusted revenue” substitutes tailored revenue recognition and
measurement for those of GAAP revenue in violation of Rule 100(b) of Regulation G. Refer to Question 100.04 of the staff’s
Compliance & Discussion Interpretations “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Please remove these non-GAAP measures as
appropriate.
Response
In response to the Staff’s comment, we plan to remove
all references to “adjusted revenue” beginning with our earnings release for the quarter ending September 30, 2020 (“Q3
2020”).
To mitigate investor confusion, we respectfully request to
include the prior convention that refers to adjusted revenue one final time in our earnings release for the quarter ended
June 30, 2020 as transitional disclosure, and inform investors in that same release that we will no longer be providing
“adjusted revenue” in the future.
Digital Entertainment
Consistent with the practice of many companies in the online
and mobile game industry, we will present “bookings” as an operating metric for our digital entertainment business
beginning with our Q3 2020 earnings release. Bookings will be a supplemental measure that will provide investors a supplemental
way to evaluate our digital entertainment business performance, user engagement and monetization in a given period. Bookings will
be defined as our digital entertainment segment revenue plus change in our digital entertainment deferred revenue.
Our game business model is a “freemium” model that
allows our users to download and play fully functional games for free. We generate proceeds in our digital entertainment business
primarily by selling to our users in-game points or virtual items. As disclosed under “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review
and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Critical Accounting Policies—Digital Entertainment” of
the Form 20-F, under GAAP, proceeds from sales to our users are initially recognized as “advances from customers” and
are subsequently reclassified as “deferred revenue” when both the users purchase in-game points or virtual items within
the games that we operate and such in-game purchases are no longer refundable.
E-commerce, Digital Financial Services and Other Services
For our e-commerce, digital financial services and our other
services segments, we will discontinue reporting adjusted revenue beginning with our Q3 2020 earnings release and not provide a
corresponding metric.
* * * * *
Securities and Exchange Commission
August 6, 2020
Page 4
Please contact Dwight S. Yoo at (212)-735-2573
or Dwight.Yoo@skadden.com if the Staff has any questions or requires additional information.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Forrest Xiaodong Li
cc:
Yanjun Wang, Sea Limited
Dwight S. Yoo, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
2020-07-23 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm July 23, 2020 BY EDGAR Division of Corporate Finance Office of Trade & Services U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20549 Attn: Patrick Kuhn Doug Jones Re: Sea Limited Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019 Filed April 14, 2020 File No. 001-38237 Form 6-K Furnished May 18, 2020 File No. 001-38237 Dear Messrs. Kuhn and Jones: Sea Limited (the “Company”) confirms that it has received the letter dated July 9, 2020 (the “Comment Letter”) from the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the above-referenced Form 20-F and Form 6-K. The Company respectfully requests a ten business day extension and expects to respond to the comments in the Comment Letter on or before August 6, 2020. Please contact Dwight S. Yoo at (212) 735-2573 or Dwight.Yoo@skadden.com if the Staff has any questions or requires additional information. Very truly yours, /s/ Forrest Xiaodong Li cc: Yanjun Wang, Sea Limited Dwight S. Yoo, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
2020-07-09 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd
United States securities and exchange commission logo
July 9, 2020
Forrest Xiaodong Li
Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer
Sea Ltd
1 Fusionopolis Place, #17-10 , Galaxis
Singapore 138522
Re:Sea Ltd
Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
Filed April 14, 2020
File No. 001-38237
Form 6-K Furnished May 18, 2020
File No. 001-38237
Dear Mr. Li:
We have limited our review of your filing to the financial statements and related
disclosures and have the following comments. In some of our comments, we may ask you to
provide us with information so we may better understand your disclosure.
Please respond to these comments within ten business days by providing the requested
information or advise us as soon as possible when you will respond. If you do not believe our
comments apply to your facts and circumstances, please tell us why in your response.
After reviewing your response to these comments, we may have additional comments.
Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows and Working Capital
Operating Activities, page 96
1.The discussion appears to focus on how the amount was derived in each period rather than
a comparative analysis of a material change in net cash of operating activities between
comparable periods. For example, an analysis should be on why net cash of operating
activities went from usage of US$495.2 million in 2018 to generated by of US$69.9
million in 2019. The analysis should address the significant drivers underlying the
change and how they impact operating cash. Refer to section III.D of Release No. 33-
6835 and section IV.B.1 of Release No. 33-8350 for guidance.
FirstName LastNameForrest Xiaodong Li
Comapany NameSea Ltd
July 9, 2020 Page 2
FirstName LastName
Forrest Xiaodong Li
Sea Ltd
July 9, 2020
Page 2
Form 6-K Furnished May 18, 2020
Exhibit 99.1
Non-GAAP Financial Measures, page 9
2.It appears "adjusted revenue" substitutes tailored revenue recognition and measurement
for those of GAAP revenue in violation of Rule 100(b) of Regulation G. Refer
to Question 100.04 of the staff’s Compliance & Discussion Interpretations "Non-GAAP
Financial Measures." Please remove these non-GAAP measures as appropriate.
In closing, we remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the
accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or
absence of action by the staff.
You may contact Patrick Kuhn at (202) 551-3308 or Doug Jones at (202) 551-3309 with
any questions.
Sincerely,
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Trade & Services
2017-10-18 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP
1
filename1.htm
CORRESP
26th Floor, Gloucester Tower
The Landmark
15 Queen’s Road
Central
Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 3761 3300
Facsimile: +852 3761 3301
www.kirkland.com
David Zhang
To Call Writer Directly
+852 3761
3318
david.zhang@kirkland.com
October 18, 2017
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Larry Spirgel, Assistant Director
Ms. Celeste M. Murphy, Legal Branch Chief
Mr. Courtney Lindsay, Staff Attorney
Mr. Terry French,
Accountant Branch Chief,
Mr. Charles Eastman, Staff Accountant
AD Office 11 – Telecommunications
Division of Corporation
Finance
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street,
N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re:
Sea Limited
Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1
CIK No. 0001703399
Dear Mr. Spirgel, Ms. Murphy, Mr. Lindsay, Mr. French and
Mr. Eastman:
Our client, Sea Limited (the “Company”), a foreign private issuer incorporated under the laws of
the Cayman Islands, today publicly filed its Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) via EDGAR to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“Commission”). Subsequent to the filing of the Registration Statement, the staff of the Commission (the “Staff”) made the following oral comment to the Company regarding its Registration Statement. The
Staff’s comment is repeated below and followed by the Company’s response.
PARTNERS: Pierre-Luc Arsenault3 | Lai Yi Chau | Henry M.C. Cheng6 |
Justin M. Dolling6 | David Patrick Eich1,5,6 |
Liu Gan2 | Damian C. Jacobs6 | Guang Li3 |
Neil E.M. McDonald | Kelly Naphtali | Nicholas A. Norris6 | Derek K.W. Poon3,6 |
Jesse D. Sheley# | Arthur K.H. Tso | Li Chien Wong | Judy W.C. Yam |
David Yun6
REGISTERED FOREIGN LAWYERS: Daniel J. Abercromby6 | Damien Coles6 | Daniel Dusek3 | David M. Irvine6 | Hao - Chin Jeng3 | Benjamin W. James4 |
Cori A. Lable2 | Xiaoxi Lin3 |
Daniel R. Lindsey6 | Peng Qi3 |
Robert P.H. Sandes6 | Benjamin Su3 |
Jonathan J. Tadd6 | Wenchen Tang3 | Xiaoyao Yin3 |
David Zhang3 | Yue Zhang3
ADMITTED IN: 1 State of Illinois (U.S.A.); 2 Commonwealth of Massachusetts (U.S.A.); 3 State of New York (U.S.A.); 4 State of Texas (U.S.A.); 5 State of Wisconsin (U.S.A.); 6
England and Wales; # non - resident
Beijing Boston
Chicago Houston London Los Angeles Munich New York Palo Alto
San Francisco Shanghai Washington, D.C.
AD Office 11 – Telecommunications
Division of Corporation Finance
Securities and Exchange
Commission
October 18, 2017
Page 2
Business
1.
In light of the newly added disclosure on page 41 of the Registration Statement, please confirm that the Company is not subject to any material legal or arbitration proceedings, including
governmental proceedings pending or known to be contemplated, that would require disclosure under Item 8 of Form 20-F.
The Company confirms that it is not subject to any material legal or arbitration proceedings, including governmental proceedings pending or
known to be contemplated, that would require disclosure in the “Legal Proceedings” of the “Business” section of the Registration Statement.
* * *
If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact me at david.zhang@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3318 (work) or +852 9124 8324
(cell), Benjamin Su at benjamin.su@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3306 (work) or +852 9881 9371 (cell) or Ben James at ben.james@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3412 (work) or +852 5183 3813 (cell). Questions pertaining to accounting and auditing matters may be
directed to the following partners at Ernst & Young LLP: Ken Ong at ken.ong@sg.ey.com, or +65 6309 6768 or Shirley Wong at shirley.wong@sg.ey.com, or +65 6309 6228 (work). Ernst & Young LLP is the independent registered public accounting
firm of the Company.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Very truly yours,
/s/ David Zhang
David T. Zhang
c.c.
Tony Tianyu Hou, Group Chief Financial Officer
Yanjun Wang, Esq., Group General Counsel
Benjamin Su, Esq., Partner, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Ben James, Esq., Partner, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Ken Ong, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Shirley Wong, Appendix K Reviewer, Ernst & Young LLP
James C. Lin, Esq., Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
2017-10-17 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm COMPANY'S ACCELERATION REQUEST Sea Limited 1 Fusionopolis Place, #17-10, Galaxis Singapore 138522 October 17, 2017 VIA EDGAR CORRESPONDENCE AND FACSIMILE Mr. Larry Spirgel, Assistant Director Ms. Celeste M. Murphy, Legal Branch Chief Mr. Courtney Lindsay, Staff Attorney Mr. Terry French, Accountant Branch Chief, Mr. Charles Eastman, Staff Accountant AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Sea Limited (CIK: 0001703399) Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220571) Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-38237) Ladies and Gentlemen: In accordance with Rule 461 of Regulation C (“Rule 461”) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Sea Limited (the “Company”) hereby requests that the effectiveness of the above-referenced Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “F-1 Registration Statement”) be accelerated to and that the F-1 Registration Statement become effective at 4:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on October 19, 2017, or as soon thereafter as practicable. The Company also requests that the Registration Statement on Form 8-A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, covering the American depositary shares representing Class A ordinary shares of the Company, be declared effective concurrently with the F-1 Registration Statement (the F-1 Registration Statement, together with the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, the “Registration Statements”). If there is any change in the acceleration request set forth above, the Company will promptly notify you of the change, in which case the Company may be making an oral request of acceleration of the effectiveness of the Registration Statements in accordance with Rule 461. The request may be made by an executive officer of the Company or by any attorney from the Company’s U.S. counsel, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. The Company understands that Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) L.L.C., the representatives of the underwriters of the offering, have joined in this request in a separate letter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today. [Signature page follows] Very truly yours, SEA LIMITED By: /s/ Forrest Xiaodong Li Name: Forrest Xiaodong Li Title: Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer
2017-10-17 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm UNDERWRITER'S ACCELERATION REQUEST Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. 68th Floor, Cheung Kong Center 2 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc 25 Cabot Square Canary Wharf London E14 4QA United Kingdom Credit Suisse Securities (USA) L.L.C. Eleven Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010 United States VIA EDGAR October 17, 2017 Mr. Larry Spirgel, Assistant Director Ms. Celeste M. Murphy, Legal Branch Chief Mr. Courtney Lindsay, Staff Attorney Mr. Terry French, Accountant Branch Chief Mr. Charles Eastman, Staff Accountant AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Sea Limited (CIK: 0001703399) Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-220571) Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Registration No. 001-38237) Ladies and Gentlemen: We hereby join Sea Limited (the “Company”) in connection with its request for acceleration of the above-referenced Registration Statement, requesting effectiveness at 4:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on October 19, 2017, or as soon thereafter as practicable, or at such other time as the Company or its outside counsel, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, may orally request by telephone call that such Registration Statement be declared effective. Pursuant to Rule 460 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, we wish to advise you that we have effected the following distribution of the Company’s Preliminary Prospectus dated October 6, 2017, through the date hereof: Preliminary Prospectus dated October 6, 2017: 4131 copies to prospective underwriters, institutional investors, dealers and others. The undersigned advise that the underwriters have complied and will continue to comply with Rule 15c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. [Signature page follows] Very truly yours, GOLDMAN SACHS (ASIA) L.L.C. MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL PLC CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) L.L.C. As Representatives of the several Underwriters By: GOLDMAN SACHS (ASIA) L.L.C. By: /s/ Iain Drayton Name: Iain Drayton Title: Managing Director By: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL PLC By: /s/ Peter Chu Name: Peter Chu Title: Managing Director By: CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) L.L.C. By: /s/ Marc Bernstein Name: Marc Bernstein Title: Director [Acceleration Request]
2017-10-06 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm CORRESP 26th Floor, Gloucester Tower The Landmark 15 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong Telephone: +852 3761 3300 Facsimile: +852 3761 3301 www.kirkland.com David Zhang To Call Writer Directly +852 3761 3318 david.zhang@kirkland.com October 6, 2017 CONFIDENTIAL Mr. Larry Spirgel, Assistant Director Ms. Celeste M. Murphy, Legal Branch Chief Mr. Courtney Lindsay, Staff Attorney Mr. Terry French, Accountant Branch Chief, Mr. Charles Eastman, Staff Accountant AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Sea Limited Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 CIK No. 0001703399 Dear Mr. Spirgel, Ms. Murphy, Mr. Lindsay, Mr. French and Mr. Eastman: On behalf of our client, Sea Limited (the “Company”), a foreign private issuer incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, we are submitting to the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) this letter setting forth the Company’s response to the comment contained in the Staff’s letter dated September 29, 2017 on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed on September 22, 2017 relating to its initial public offering in the United States of American Depositary Shares, representing the Company’s ordinary shares (the “Registration Statement”). Concurrently with the submission of this letter, the Company has filed its Amendment No.1 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Revised Registration Statement”) as well as certain exhibits hereto via EDGAR to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). To facilitate your review, the Company is delivering to the Staff via hand delivery five courtesy copies of this letter and the Revised Registration Statement, marked to show changes to the previously filed Registration Statement. PARTNERS: Pierre-Luc Arsenault3 | Lai Yi Chau | Henry M.C. Cheng6 | Justin M. Dolling6 | David Patrick Eich1,5,6 | Liu Gan2 | Damian C. Jacobs6 | Guang Li3 | Neil E.M. McDonald | Kelly Naphtali | Nicholas A. Norris6 | Derek K.W. Poon3,6 | Jesse D. Sheley# | Arthur K.H. Tso | Li Chien Wong | Judy W.C. Yam | David Yun6 REGISTERED FOREIGN LAWYERS: Daniel J. Abercromby6 | Damien Coles6 | Daniel Dusek3 | David M. Irvine6 | Hao-Chin Jeng3 | Benjamin W. James4 | Cori A. Lable2 | Xiaoxi Lin3 | Daniel R. Lindsey6 | Peng Qi3 | Robert P.H. Sandes6 | Benjamin Su3 | Jonathan J. Tadd6 | Wenchen Tang3 | Xiaoyao Yin3 | David Zhang3 | Yue Zhang3 ADMITTED IN: 1 State of Illinois (U.S.A.); 2 Commonwealth of Massachusetts (U.S.A.); 3 State of New York (U.S.A.); 4 State of Texas (U.S.A.); 5 State of Wisconsin (U.S.A.); 6 England and Wales; # non-resident Beijing Boston Chicago Houston London Los Angeles Munich New York Palo Alto San Francisco Shanghai Washington, D.C. AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission October 6, 2017 Page 2 The Company will commence its marketing activities in connection with the offering on October 9, 2017. The Company plans to request the Staff’s declaration of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement as of October 19, 2017. The Company would greatly appreciate the Staff’s continuing assistance and support in meeting its timetable. In addition to the amendments made in response to the Staff’s comments, the Company has updated the Revised Registration Statement to include information and data to reflect the latest developments since the filing of the previous Registration Statement. The Staff’s comment is repeated below in bold and followed by the Company’s response. Exhibit 5.1 1. Counsel’s assumption contained in Section 2.4 to the legality opinion is unduly broad. Counsel may not assume material facts underlying the opinion or any readily ascertainable facts. Please file a revised opinion without such assumption. Please refer to Item II.B.3.a of Staff Legal Bulletin No. 19. In response to the Staff’s comment, the Company’s Cayman Islands counsel, Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, has removed the assumption from its opinion. The Company has filed the revised opinion as exhibit 5.1 in the Revised Registration Statement. * * * If you have any questions regarding the Revised Registration Statement, please contact me at david.zhang@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3318 (work) or +852 9124 8324 (cell), Benjamin Su at benjamin.su@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3306 (work) or +852 9881 9371 (cell) or Ben James at ben.james@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3412 (work) or +852 5183 3813 (cell). Questions pertaining to accounting and auditing matters may be directed to the following partners at Ernst & Young LLP: Ken Ong at ken.ong@sg.ey.com, or +65 6309 6768 or Shirley Wong at shirley.wong@sg.ey.com, or +65 6309 6228 (work). Ernst & Young LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company. AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission October 6, 2017 Page 3 Thank you for your time and attention. Very truly yours, /s/ David Zhang David T. Zhang Enclosures c.c. Tony Tianyu Hou, Group Chief Financial Officer Yanjun Wang, Esq., Group General Counsel Benjamin Su, Esq., Partner, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP Ben James, Esq., Partner, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP Ken Ong, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP Shirley Wong, Appendix K Reviewer, Ernst & Young LLP James C. Lin, Esq., Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
2017-09-29 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd
Mail Stop 3720 September 29, 2017 Yanjun Wang Group General Counsel Sea Limited 1 Fusionopolis Place, #17 -10, Galaxis Singapore 138522 Re: Sea Limited Registration Statement on Form F-1 Filed September 22, 2017 File No. 333-220571 Dear Ms. Wang : We have reviewed your registration statement and have the following comment. Please respond to this letter by amending your registration statement and providing the requested information . If you do not believe our comments apply to your facts and circumstances or do not believe an amendment is appropriate, please tell us why in your response. After reviewing any amendment to your registration stateme nt and any information you provide in response to this comment , we may have additional comments. Exhibit 5.1 1. Counsel’s assumption contained in Section 2.4 to the legality opinion is unduly broad. Counsel may not assume material facts underlying the opinion or any readily ascertainable facts. Please file a revised opinion without such assumption. Please refer to Item II.B.3.a of Staff Legal Bulletin No. 19. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequa cy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Refer to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requests for acceleration. Please allow adequate time for us to review any amendment prior to the requested e ffective date of the registration statement. Yanjun Wang Sea Limited September 29, 2017 Page 2 You may contact Charles Eastman, Staff Accountant, at (202) 551 -3794 or Terry French, Accountant Branch Chief, at (202) 551 -3828 if you have questions regarding comments on the financial statements and rel ated matters. Please contact Courtney Lindsay, Staff Attorney, at (202) 551 -7237 or Celeste M. Murphy, Legal Branch Chief, at (202) 551 -3257 with any other questions. Sincerely, /s/ Celeste M. Murphy for Larry Spirgel Assistant Director AD Office 11 – Telecommunications
2017-09-22 - CORRESP - Sea Ltd
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm SEC Letter 26th Floor, Gloucester Tower The Landmark 15 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong Telephone: +852 3761 3300 Facsimile: +852 3761 3301 www.kirkland.com David Zhang To Call Writer Directly +852 3761 3318 david.zhang@kirkland.com September 22, 2017 CONFIDENTIAL Mr. Larry Spirgel, Assistant Director Ms. Celeste M. Murphy, Legal Branch Chief Mr. Courtney Lindsay, Staff Attorney Mr. Terry French, Accountant Branch Chief, Mr. Charles Eastman, Staff Accountant AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Sea Limited Registration Statement on Form F-1 CIK No. 0001703399 Dear Mr. Spirgel, Ms. Murphy, Mr. Lindsay, Mr. French and Mr. Eastman: Our client, Sea Limited (the “Company”), a foreign private issuer incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, today publicly filed its registration statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) as well as certain exhibits hereto via EDGAR to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). To facilitate your review, the Company is delivering to the staff (the “Staff”) of the Commission via hand delivery five courtesy copies of this letter and the Registration Statement, marked to show changes to the draft registration statement that was confidentially submitted to the Commission on September 1, 2017. The Company respectfully advises the Staff that it plans to file another amendment to the Registration Statement containing the preliminary prospectus with the estimated offering size and price range on or around October 6, 2017, and commence the roadshow for the proposed offering no earlier than 15 days after the date hereof. In accordance with the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, the Company is filing publicly all draft registration statements confidentially submitted to the Commission. The Company would appreciate the Staff’s timely assistance and support to the Company in meeting the proposed timetable for the offering. * * * PARTNERS: Pierre-Luc Arsenault2 | Lai Yi Chau | Henry M.C. Cheng4 | Justin M. Dolling4 | David Patrick Eich4# | Liu Gan1 | Damian C. Jacobs4 | Guang Li2 | Neil E.M. McDonald | Kelly Naphtali | Nicholas A. Norris4 | Derek K.W. Poon2,4 | Jesse D. Sheley# | Arthur K.H. Tso | Li Chien Wong | Judy W.C. Yam | David Yun4 REGISTERED FOREIGN LAWYERS: Daniel J. Abercromby4 | Damien Coles4 | Daniel Dusek2 | David M. Irvine4 | Benjamin W. James3 | Cori A. Lable | Xiaoxi Lin2 | Daniel R. Lindsey4 | Peng Qi2 | Benjamin Su2 | Jonathan J. Tadd4 | Wenchen Tang2 | Xiaoyao Yin2 | David Zhang2 ADMITTED IN: 1 Commonwealth of Massachusetts (U.S.A.); 2 State of New York (U.S.A.); 3 State of Texas (U.S.A.); 4 England and Wales; # non-resident Beijing Boston Chicago Houston London Los Angeles Munich New York Palo Alto San Francisco Shanghai Washington, D.C. AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission September 22, 2017 Page 2 If you have any questions regarding the Revised Draft Registration Statement, please contact me at david.zhang@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3318 (work) or +852 9124 8324 (cell), Benjamin Su at benjamin.su@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3306 (work) or +852 9881 9371 (cell) or Ben James at ben.james@kirkland.com, +852 3761 3412 (work) or +852 5183 3813 (cell). Questions pertaining to accounting and auditing matters may be directed to the following partners at Ernst & Young LLP: Ken Ong at ken.ong@sg.ey.com, or +65 6309 6768 or Shirley Wong at shirley.wong@sg.ey.com, or +65 6309 6228 (work). Ernst & Young LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company. Thank you for your time and attention. Very truly yours, /s/ David Zhang David T. Zhang Enclosures c.c. Tony Tianyu Hou, Group Chief Financial Officer Yanjun Wang, Esq., Group General Counsel Benjamin Su, Esq., Partner, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP Ben James, Esq., Partner, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP Ken Ong, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP Shirley Wong, Appendix K Reviewer, Ernst & Young LLP James C. Lin, Esq., Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
2017-06-27 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd
Mail Stop 3720 June 2 7, 2017 Yanjun Wang Group General Counsel Sea Limited 1 Fusionopolis Place, #17 -10, Galaxis Singapore 138522 Re: Sea Limited Amendment No. 1 to Draft Registration Statement on Form F-1 Submitted June 19 , 2017 CIK No. 0001703399 Dear Ms. Wang : We have reviewed your amended draft registration statement and have the following comments. In some of our comments, we may ask you to provide us with information so we may better understand your disclosure. Please respond to this letter by providing the requested information and either submitting an amended draft registration statement or publicly filing your registration statement on EDGAR. If you do not believe our comments apply to your facts and circumst ances or do not believe an amendment is appropriate, please tell us why in your response. After reviewing the information you provide in response to these comments and your amended draft registration statement or filed registration statement, we may have additional comments. General 1. We note your response to our prior comment 6. Prominently state that you do not believe you are a PRC Investor under Taiwan prohibitions in the industries in which you operate, even considering Tencent’s approximate 40% ownership in you. Include in this disclosure the factors upon which you rely in making your determination. 2. We note your response to our prior comment 1 and your revisions at pages 40 and 172. In particular, we note that you added language regarding ge neral tensions between Taiwan and China to the end of a risk factor. Please add prominent disclosure specific to Yanjun Wang Sea Limited June 2 7, 2017 Page 2 Taiwan’s prohibiting PRC Investors in the business areas in which you operate, discussing the purpose of such prohibitions and how they may im pact your operations and the enforceability of your VIE arrangements. Risk Factors, page 17 Risk Related to Our Corporate Structure, page 34 We rely upon structural arrangements to establish control over certain entities and government authorities m ay determine that these arrangements do not comply with existing laws and regulations, page 34 3. We note your response to our prior comment 4 and your revised disclosure on page 34 that certain of your operations in Taiwan are in industries that are not li sted as permitted in the Positive Listings. These operations, including software publication, computer recreational activities, third party payment and general advertising services, are listed in the business scope of the business licenses of your Taiwan VIEs. Please tell us what operations, if any, are listed as permitted in the Positive Listings and whether they are listed in the business scope of the business licenses of your Taiwan VIEs. Corporate History and Structure, page 64 Contractual Arrangements among Our VIEs, Their Shareholders and Us, page 66 4. We note that in part of your response to our prior comment 7 you state that the shareholders of your material VIEs in Taiwan and Vietnam are your employees. Please expand your disclosure to include more information about these individuals. For example, in addition to identifying their relationship with the company (as employees), state how they were identified. Principal Shareholders, page 197 5. Please revise your beneficial ownership table to include ownership information by class of securities before and after offering. We note that you currently have seed preferred shares, series A preference shares and series B preference shares. Description of Share Capital, page 202 6. Please revise yo ur Description of Share Capital and Description of American Depositary Shares sections to clearly identify the voting rights attached to each class of your securities. State explicitly, for example, the amount of votes per share for each class of securiti es. Yanjun Wang Sea Limited June 2 7, 2017 Page 3 7. Please expand your disclosure to include a description of all of your classes of securities, including the rights and obligations attached to each such class. We note that you currently have seed preferred shares, series A preference shares and seri es B preference shares. Exhibits 8. We note that you do not currently list a legal opinion relating to the American Depository Shares. Please ensure that you file in a pre -effective amendment a legal opinion with respect to the American Depository Shares. Please refer to Staff Legal Bulletin 19, Section II(C). You may contact Charles Eastman, Staff Accountant, at (202) 551 -3794 or Terry French, Accountant Branch Chief, at (202) 551 -3828 if you have questions regarding comments on the financial statement s and related matters. Please contact Courtney Lindsay, Staff Attorney, at (202) 551 -7237 or Celeste Murphy, Legal Branch Chief, at (202) 551 -3257 with any other questions. Sincerely, /s/ Larry Spirgel Larry Spirgel Assistant Director AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Cc: Benjamin Su, Esq. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
2017-05-22 - UPLOAD - Sea Ltd
Mail Stop 3720 May 22, 2017 Yanjun Wang Group General Counsel Sea Limited 1 Fusionopolis Place, #17 -10, Galaxis Singapore 138522 Re: Sea Limited Draft Registration Statement on Form F-1 Submitted April 24, 2017 CIK No. 0001703399 Dear Ms. Wang : We have reviewed your draft registration statement and have the following comments. In some of our comments, we may ask you to provide us with information so we may better understand your disclosure. Please respond to this letter by providing the requested information and either submitting an amended draft registration statement or publicly filing your registration statement on EDGAR. If you do not believe our comments apply to your facts and circumstances or do not believe an amendment is appropr iate, please tell us why in your response. After reviewing the information you provide in response to these comments and your amended draft registration statement or filed registration statement, we may have additional comments. General 1. Consider inc luding disclosure that discusses the geopolitical issues between the PRC and Taiwan. Discuss whether these issues raise enforceability concerns with respect your VIE structure and your operations generally. Revise your Regulations disclosures and anywher e else you deem appropriate to discuss these issues. Yanjun Wang Sea Limited May 22, 2017 Page 2 Prospectus Summary, page 1 2. Since investors will be investing in a recently organized Cayman Islands holding company that does not directly own a substantial portion of its business operations (part icularly in Taiwan and Vietnam), please make this clear in the in the beginning of and throughout the prospectus summary (including in your Corporate History and Structure section). It must be clear that the business you are describing is not completely the registrant’s business, but is also the business of its subsidiaries and its variable interest entities. Risk Factors, page 16 Risk Related to Our Corporate Structure, page 33 We rely upon structural arrangements to establish control over certain enti ties and government authorities may determine that these arrangements do not comply with existing laws and regulations, page 33 3. We note your risk factor disclosure on Taiwan prohibitions in companies not listed as permitted industries in the Positive List ings promulgated by Taiwan authorities. Please state where in the Positive Listings your Taiwan operations fall and which specific prohibition may apply to your business. 4. To the extent any part of your operations fall within the “prior approval required for PRC Investors” category of the Taiwanese Positive Listings , name those operations and disclose the necessary approvals you have sought and obtained. Corporate History and Structure, page 63 Contractual Arrangement s among Our VIEs, Their Shareholders and Us, page 65 5. We note your disclosure on corporate history beginning with the incorporation of Garena Interactive Holding Limited, your holding company, in the Cayman Islands, on May 8, 2009 and that you changed your name to Sea Limited on April 8, 2017. Please disclose the date of inception of the operating entities, what ownership structure of the operating entities preceded that of the current holding by Sea Limited, shareholder changes to the operating entities, and the reason for your name change. 6. We note that you state that your Taiwan counsel has advised you that you are not a PRC investor. Expand your disclosure to discuss on what basis your Taiwan counsel reached this conclusion. We note, for example, at a minimum, Tencent, a PRC entity, owns 40% of you . Yanjun Wang Sea Limited May 22, 2017 Page 3 7. For context, provide more information on your history with your affiliated entities. For example, describe how and why you determined to enter into contractual arrangements with these entities and any rel ationship their shareholders had with you prior to those contractual arrangements. Financial Support Confirmation Letters, page 68 8. We note that you will provide financial support to your affiliated entities “to the extent permitted by law.” Please discl ose here and throughout your filing any laws or regulations that would limit your ability to provide financial support to your affiliated entities. In addition, if known, provide the current dollar limitations on your ability to loan or otherwise provide financial support to your affiliated entities. Regulations, page 159 Taiwan, page 164 9. Expand your disclosure to explain in more detail why you believe that the risk is low that you would ultimately be ordered to divest in your Taiwan VIEs. Management, page 179 10. Please revise the biographies of your officers and directors to distinguish between their roles and tenures at the registrant (Sea Limited) and at affiliated entities. Principal Shareholders, page 188 11. We note your risk factor and your Regulatio ns disclosures regarding Twain’s restrictions on foreign investment. Please provide us with more information on your principal shareholders, including whether they are included in your calculation of PRC holders. Tell us how you considered this factor in assessing the risks that Taiwan would deem you a PRC investor. Consider including a risk factor on this topic and expanding your Regulations disclosures, or where you deem appropriate, to discuss your evaluation of this topic. Consolidated Balance Shee ts Inventories, net, page F -3 12. You disclose that your revenue sources are primarily digital goods and that Shopee does not hold inventory. Please expand your disclosure to describe the nature of the items found in the ‘Inventories, net’ caption on your consolidated balance sheet. Yanjun Wang Sea Limited May 22, 2017 Page 4 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Revenue recognition Digital entertainmen t revenue, page F -29 13. Tell us whether paying users are permitted to trade and transfer virtual goods or in -game currency between one another. If so, please disclose in your accounting policy how you consider the effect of this feature in evaluating usage patterns for virtual c urrency and goods. 14. We note your disclosure at page 138, “Our Games”, that 4 out of your 5 largest revenue generating games were launched prior to 2015. Please revise the disclosure of your revenue recognition policy in the critical accounting policies section at page 90 to address the average period of time after a new game’s launch until you are able to obtain sufficient data to support transitioning from the game -based model to the more data intensive user -based and item -based revenue recognition mode ls. Also, address whether the transition between the model you use at game launch and the model you transition to when you have more fully developed in -game user data results in significant increases in revenue in the period you change and subsequent peri ods. 15. Please separately disclose in MD&A the amounts of revenue attributable to durable and consumable virtual goods for each period presented, if it is available, or tell us why this information is not useful to investors. You may contact Charles Eastm an, Staff Accountant, at (202) 551 -3794 or Terry French, Accountant Branch Chief, at (202) 551 -3828 if you have questions regarding comments on the financial statements and related matters. Please contact Courtney Lindsay, Staff Attorney, at (202) 551 -7237 or Celeste M. Murphy, Legal Branch Chief, at (202) 551 -3257 with any other questions. Sincerely, /s/ Celeste M. Murphy for Larry Spirgel Assistant Director AD Office 11 – Telecommunications Cc: Benjamin Su, Esq. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP