SEC Form S-3 filed by XBP Europe Holdings Inc.

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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2025

Registration No. 333-_____

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

XBP EUROPE HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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2701 East Grauwyler Road

Irving, Texas 75061

(844) 935-2832

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time to time on or after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

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THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

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Subject to Completion, dated February 14, 2025

PROSPECTUS

XBP EUROPE HOLDINGS, INC.

$250,000,000

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Rights

Units

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to $250,000,000 in the aggregate of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights or units consisting of any two or more of such securities. This prospectus provides a general description of the securities that may be offered.

Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities to be offered and sold (including the amounts, prices and other terms) in a supplement to this prospectus (which may include, but is not limited to, an at-the-market sales agreement prospectus). This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. This prospectus complies with the requirements that apply to an issuer that is an emerging growth company.

As of February 13, 2025, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, was approximately $3,598,948, based on 30,362,365 shares of outstanding common stock, of which approximately 28,448,031 shares were held by affiliates, and a price of $1.88 per share, which was the highest price at which our common stock was sold on the Nasdaq Global Market within the last 60 days. We have not offered any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the prior 12-calendar-month period that ends on and includes the date of this prospectus. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on this registration statement in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75,000,000 (the “Baby Shelf Limitation”). Furthermore, over the duration of this registration statement, we will not sell securities registered on this registration statement for aggregate proceeds exceeding the $250,000,000 aggregate offering price of the securities registered hereunder.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “XBP”, and our publicly traded warrant “Public Warrants”) are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “XBPEW”. On February 13, 2025, the closing price of our common stock was $1.33 and the closing price for our Public Warrants was $0.200, in each case as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market. Each prospectus supplement offering any securities other than our common stock will state whether those securities are listed or will be listed on Nasdaq or any other securities market or other exchange. We submitted a formal application for the transfer of our listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 4, 2024, and such application is pending.

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We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, directly to purchasers or in any manner specified in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities, see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

You should read carefully this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you invest. Investing in these securities involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The date of this prospectus is             , 2025.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total offering price of $250,000,000, subject to the Baby Shelf Limitation.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We will file each prospectus supplement with the SEC. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” below.

You should only rely on the information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement is complete and accurate only as of the date on its respective front cover, and any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are only made as of the date of this prospectus or as of the date of such statement contained in the respective documents incorporated by reference herein, respectively, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances even though our situation may change in the future.

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THE COMPANY

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “we,” “our,” “us,” “XBP Europe, “the Company” and similar terms are to XBP Europe Inc. and its subsidiaries before the Business Combination referred to below under “—History and Development of Our Company”, and to XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. following consummation of the Business Combination, except where the context requires otherwise.

Overview

We are a pan-European integrator of bills, payments and related solutions and services seeking to enable digital transformation of our clients. We believe our business ultimately advances digital transformation, improves market-wide liquidity by expediting payments, and encourages sustainable business practices.

Our solutions and services serve clients of varying sizes in multiple industries, and across public and private sectors. Our larger reporting segment is the Bills & Payments segment where revenue stems from transactions processed by our products and services, including bill and payments processing, from our locations or from client locations. In the first three fiscal quarters of 2024, this revenue stream generated approximately $75.9 million, approximately 71% of total revenues. Our other reporting segment is the Technology segment where revenue stems from the sale of recurring and perpetual software licenses and related maintenance, professional services, and sale of hardware solutions and related maintenance, which represented the remainder of our revenue of approximately $31.1 million, or approximately 29% of total revenues, in the first three fiscal quarters of 2024.

In total, we serve over 2,000 clients across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Our client concentration is relatively low, with the top 10 clients accounting for approximately 28.4% and 29% of our revenue in the first three quarters of 2024 and in fiscal year 2023, respectively, and the top 100 clients accounting for 82.7% and 82.0% of revenue in the first three quarters of 2024 and in fiscal year 2023, respectively. For the first three fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2024, we generated $107.0 million of revenue.

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We process several hundred million payment transactions annually. This volume is achieved using a hybrid of our cloud-based infrastructure and platforms, which enables us to deploy our business solutions to clients across the European market, and also to the Middle East and Africa (together with Europe, “EMEA”), where we have a smaller number of clients. Our physical footprint spans 15 countries and 32 locations. We host our products both on our own and our client premises and as a SaaS offering in the cloud. These offerings, along with several hybrid solutions are available to clients based on their needs and preferences. We offer a flexible model when it comes to our licenses, whereby clients can choose among licenses covering a maximum number of transactions, multi-year term licenses with renewal options, perpetual licenses or per user subscriptions. Our flexible deployment model has attracted many leading banking and financial institutions, including some of the largest in Europe. Among these institutions is Finanz Informatik (“FI”), the IT service provider of the Savings Banks Finance Group, a German financial institution with approximately $3.0 trillion in business volume and more than 50 million end-customers.

We intend to enhance and expand our product and service offerings by adding emerging standards to our bills and payments solutions, such as our Request to Pay and Confirmation of Payee offerings, which should position us as one of the few companies within the broader open banking initiative that can offer solutions across industries. Since the Closing, we have expanded our offering to include XBP Omnidirect, a cloud-based communication management platform, and Reaktr.ai, our cyber-security, data modernization and cloud management business unit which is powered by AI, both of which are covered in more detail below, and which aim to expand our solution stack among the existing and new client base, thereby resulting in higher value client relationships.

We offer an industry-agnostic and cross-departmental suite of products, which centers around finance and accounting (“F&A”) solutions and services and is comprised of the XBP Platform, Request to Pay, enterprise information management, robotic process automation, Digital Mailroom, business process management and workflow automation, and integrated communication services. We also offer industry specific solutions for banking and financial services. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people and businesses operate, we have rolled out a suite of Work From Anywhere (“WFA”) applications with enterprise software for connectivity and productivity to better enable remote work.

History and Development of Our Company

XBP Europe, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on September 28, 2022 to facilitate a business combination (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 9, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Sierra Merger Sub Inc. (“Merger Sub”), BTC International Holdings, Inc., (“BTC International”), and XBP Europe, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“XBP Europe”). On November 30, 2023, following the closing of the Business Combination, XBP Europe, Inc.

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became a wholly owned subsidiary of XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “XBP Europe”) and its shares started trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker “XBP” and its warrants started trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “XBPEW”. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company constitutes a collection of entities, which have comprised the core European business of ETI since the 1995 merger between Texas-based BancTec, Inc. and Recognition International, Inc. The Company’s subsidiaries and predecessor entities have been serving clients in the European marketplace for over 45 years. In 2018, through the acquisitions of Asterion International and Drescher Full-Service Versand, ETI further expanded its geographic and client reach across Europe.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2023 and any updates in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with all other information appearing in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1985. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, statements include statements regarding our industry, future events, estimated or anticipated future results and benefits, future opportunities for XBP Europe, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of XBP Europe management and are not predictions of actual performance. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding XBP Europe’s businesses and actual results may differ materially. The factors that may affect our results include, among others: the impact of political and economic conditions on the demand for our services; the inability to meet the continued listing standards of Nasdaq or another securities exchange; cyber incidents such as a data or security breach; the impact of competition or alternatives to our services on our business pricing and other actions by competitors; our ability to address technological development and change in order to keep pace with our industry and the industries of our customers; the impact of terrorism, natural disasters or similar events on our business; the effect of legislative and regulatory actions in the United States and internationally; the impact of operational failure due to the unavailability or failure of third-party services on which we rely; the effect of intellectual property infringement; and other factors any of our other plans, objectives, expectations and intentions contained or incorporated into this prospectus that are not historical facts.

These statements relate to future events or future financial performance, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “potential”, or “continue”, or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. These statements are only predictions.

Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements include, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions and the risks and other factors set forth in “Item 1A—Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and any updates in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Our actual results may be materially different from what we expect. Therefore, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no duty to update or revise such forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of securities sold by us for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, repayment of debt, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily in short-term marketable securities or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

We have not yet determined the amount or timing of the expenditures for each of the categories listed above and these expenditures may vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, including the timing of additional regulatory approvals and new product introductions. As a result, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, our management will retain broad discretion in the allocation and use of the net proceeds of this offering.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

General

The debt securities that we may issue will constitute debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness of XBP Europe Holdings, to be issued in one or more series, which may include senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and senior subordinated debt securities. The particular terms of any series of debt securities we offer, including the extent to which the general terms set forth below may be applicable to a particular series, will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series.

Debt securities that we may issue will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We have filed the form of the indenture as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part. When we refer to the “indenture” in this prospectus, we are referring to the indenture under which debt securities are issued as supplemented by any supplemental indenture applicable to such debt securities. We will provide the name of the trustee in any prospectus supplement related to the issuance of debt securities, and we will also provide certain other information related to the trustee, including describing any relationship we have with the trustee, in such prospectus supplement.

The following description is a summary of the material provision of the indenture. It does not restate the terms of the indenture in their entirety. The indenture is governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The terms of the debt securities include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of the debt securities.

Information You Will Find In The Prospectus Supplement

The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series and that we may denominate the debt securities and make them payable in foreign currencies. The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that can be issued thereunder. The prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities will provide information relating to the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, which may include:

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Holders of debt securities may present debt securities for exchange in the manner, at the places, and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities, the indenture, and the applicable prospectus supplement. We will provide these services without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith, but subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, any board resolution establishing such debt securities and any applicable indenture supplement. Debt securities in bearer form and the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto will be transferable by delivery.

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Senior Debt

We may issue senior debt securities under the indenture and any coupons that will constitute part of our senior debt. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable indenture supplement and described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will be senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally with all of our existing and future senior unsecured debt. The senior debt securities will be senior to all of our subordinated debt and junior to any secured debt we may incur as to the assets securing such debt.

Subordinated Debt

We may issue subordinated debt securities under the indenture and any coupons that will constitute part of such subordinated debt. These subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the indenture and any applicable indenture supplement, to all of our senior indebtedness.

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference will set forth the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter.

Senior Subordinated Debt

We may issue senior subordinated debt securities under the indenture and any coupons that will constitute part of our senior subordinated debt. These senior subordinated debt securities will be, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the applicable indenture supplement, subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our “senior indebtedness” and senior to our other subordinated debt. See the discussions above under “—Senior Debt” and “—Subordinated Debt” for a more detailed explanation of our senior and subordinated indebtedness.

Interest Rate

Debt securities that bear interest will do so at a fixed rate or a floating rate. We may sell, at a discount below the stated principal amount, any debt securities which bear no interest or which bear interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate. The relevant prospectus supplement will describe the special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to:

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Registered Global Securities

We may issue registered debt securities of a series in the form of one or more fully registered global securities. We will deposit the registered global security with a depository or with a nominee for a depository identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. The global security or global securities will represent and will be in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding registered debt securities of the series to be represented by the registered global security or securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred, except as a whole in three cases:

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The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depository arrangement concerning any portion of that series of debt securities to be represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to all depository arrangements.

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Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depository will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depository. These persons are referred to as “participants.” Any underwriters, agents or debtors participating in the distribution of debt securities represented by the registered global security will designate the accounts to be credited. Only participants or persons that hold interests through participants will be able to beneficially own interests in a registered global security. The depository for a global security will maintain records of beneficial ownership interests in a registered global security for participants. Participants or persons that hold through participants will maintain records of beneficial ownership interests in a global security for persons other than participants. These records will be the only means to transfer beneficial ownership in a registered global security.

The laws of some states may require that specified purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global securities.

So long as the depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, the depository or its nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:

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Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depository for the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture applicable to the registered global security.

We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders, or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depository for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Payment of Interest on and Principal of Registered Global Securities

We will make principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee to the depository or its nominee as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of XBP Europe Holdings, the trustee, or any paying agent for debt securities represented by a registered global security will have any responsibility or liability for:

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We expect that the depository, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of the global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interests in the principal amount of a registered global security as shown on the depository’s records. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary

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practices. This is currently the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of participants.

Exchange of Registered Global Securities

We may issue debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security if both of the following occur:

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In addition, we may, at any time, determine not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities. In this event, we will issue debt securities of that series in definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global security or securities representing those debt securities.

Covenants by XBP Europe Holdings

The indenture includes covenants by us, including among other things that we will make all payments of principal, or premium, if any, and interest at the times and places required. The supplemental indenture establishing each series of debt securities may contain additional covenants, including covenants which could restrict our right to incur additional indebtedness or liens and to take certain actions with respect to our businesses and assets.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following will be events of default under the indenture with respect to each series of debt securities issued under the indenture:

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Except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings affecting us and except as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, if any event of default shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series of debt securities under the indenture, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series may accelerate the maturity of all debt securities of such series. Upon certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings affecting us, the principal, premium, if any, and interest on all debt securities of each series shall be immediately due and payable.

After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of each affected series of debt securities may waive all defaults with respect to such series and rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied.

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No holder of any debt securities will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless such holder shall have previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default and the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series shall have made written request and offered indemnity satisfactory to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days. However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for enforcement of payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on such debt security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such debt security.

Supplemental Indentures

We and the trustee may, at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to or consent of any holders of debt securities, enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the indenture, among other things:

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With the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of debt securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (each series voting as one class), we and the trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of debt securities of each such series.

Notwithstanding our rights and the rights of the trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures with the consent of the holders of debt securities of the affected series as described above, no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the affected series, among other things:

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Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture; Defeasance

Except to the extent set forth in a supplemental indenture with respect to any series of debt securities, we, at our election, may satisfy and discharge the indenture and the indenture shall generally cease to be of any further effect with respect to that series of debt securities if (i) either (a) we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all debt securities of that series (with certain limited exceptions), or (b) all debt securities of that series not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we have deposited with the trustee the entire amount sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such debt securities; (ii) we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the indenture by us; and (iii) we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.

In addition, we have a “legal defeasance option” (pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, all of our obligations under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such debt securities) and a “covenant defeasance option” (pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, our obligations with respect to such debt securities under certain specified covenants contained in the indenture). If we exercise our legal defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to the specified covenants.

We may exercise our legal defeasance option or our covenant defeasance option with respect to the debt securities of a series only if we irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations (as defined in the indenture) for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to such debt securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be. In addition, to exercise either of our defeasance options, we must comply with certain other conditions, including the delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law).

The trustee will hold in trust the cash or U.S. government obligations deposited with it as described above and will apply the deposited cash and the proceeds from deposited U.S. government obligations to the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the debt securities of the defeased series.

Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge into any other person or entity or permit any other person or entity to consolidate with or merge into us in a transaction in which we are not the surviving entity, or transfer, lease or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any other person or entity unless:

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Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

No director, officer, incorporator or stockholder of XBP Europe Holdings, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of XBP Europe Holdings under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation, solely by reason of his, her, or its status as director, officer, incorporator or stockholder of XBP Europe Holdings. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability, but only such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Nevertheless, such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it has been the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

Any debt securities offered hereby may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our equity or other securities. The terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms may include, among others, the following:

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Concerning the Trustee

The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under a supplemental indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under such indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by the trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under an indenture. Any trustee under the indenture or a supplemental indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities.

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The indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of XBP Europe Holdings, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. If the trustee acquires an interest that conflicts with, within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, any duties with respect to the debt securities, the trustee is required to either resign or eliminate such conflicting interest to the extent and in the manner provided by the indenture.

Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Debt Securities

Debt securities in bearer form are subject to special U.S. tax requirements and may not be offered, sold, or delivered within the United States or its possessions or to a U.S. person, except in certain transactions permitted by U.S. tax regulations. Investors should consult the relevant prospectus supplement, in the event that bearer debt securities are issued for special procedures and restrictions that will apply to such an offering.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 210,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $.0001 per share, divided into two classes designated, respectively, “common stock” and “preferred stock.” Of such shares authorized, 200,000,000 shares are designated as common stock, and 10,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock.

The following is a summary of the material terms of our capital stock and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (our “Charter”) and amended and restated bylaws (our “Bylaws”). It also summarizes some relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which we sometimes refer to as Delaware law. Since the terms of our Charter and Bylaws, and Delaware law, are more detailed than the general information provided below, you should only rely on the actual provisions of those documents and Delaware law. If you would like to read our Charter or Bylaws, they are on file with the SEC, as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” below.

Common Stock

As of December 31, 2024, there were 30,362,265 shares of common stock outstanding that were held of record by approximately 245 registered holders of record. The number of holders of record does not include a substantially greater number of “street name” holders or beneficial holders, whose shares of record are held by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

Voting Rights. Each holder of common stock will be entitled to one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of the common stock held of record by such holder. The holders of shares of common stock will not have cumulative voting rights. Except as otherwise required in our Charter or by applicable law, the holders of the common stock vote together as a single class on all matters on which stockholders are generally entitled to vote.

Dividend Rights. T Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Company) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board of the Directors, or the Board, from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Company legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

Rights upon liquidation. Subject to the applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock of the Company, in any event of an voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of common stock held by them.

Other Rights and Preferences. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive rights, no conversion rights, no redemption or sinking fund provisions, and are not liable for further call or assessment.

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Preferred Stock

Our board of directors is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to fix the number of shares in each series, and to determine the designations and preferences, limitations and relative rights of each series, including dividend rates, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund requirements, conversion rights, voting rights, and whether the preferred stock can be issued as a share dividend with respect to another class or series of shares, all without any vote or other action on the part of stockholders. This power is limited by applicable laws or regulations and may be delegated to a committee of our board of directors. The preferred stock is not secured, is not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and is not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the preferred stock.

A prospectus supplement relating to any shares of preferred stock being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering, including a description of any other securities sold together with the preferred stock. These items may include:

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Public Warrants

Each whole Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of our common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on December 29, 2023. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrantholder may exercise its Warrants only for a whole number of shares of common stock. This means that only a whole Warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrantholder. No fractional Warrants will be issued and only whole Warrants will trade. The warrants will expire November 29, 2028, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

We are not obligated to deliver any shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant and have no obligation to settle such Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock underlying the Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described

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below with respect to registration. No Warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock upon exercise of a Warrant unless common stock issuable upon such Warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the Warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Warrant, the holder of such Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such Warrant and such Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any Warrant.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. A warrantholder may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if our common stock is at the time of any exercise of a Warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event we do not so elect, we will use our commercially reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.

Once the Warrants become exercisable, we may call the Warrants for redemption:

If and when the Warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the Warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification.

We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the Warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the Warrants, each warrantholder will be entitled to exercise its Warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the common stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) as well as the $11.50 Warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.

If we call the Warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise its Warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their Warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of Warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of our Warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of Warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their Warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the Warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average volume weighted average last reported sale price of the common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of Warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of common stock to be received upon exercise of the Warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a Warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the Warrants.

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A holder of a Warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.

If the number of outstanding shares of common stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of common stock, or by a split-up of shares of common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of common stock. A rights offering to holders of common stock entitling holders to purchase shares of common stock at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of common stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for common stock) and (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of common stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, in determining the price payable for common stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of common stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.

In addition, if we, at any time while the Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of common stock on account of such shares of common stock (or other shares of our capital stock into which the Warrants are convertible), other than (i) as described above, and (ii) certain ordinary cash dividends, then the Warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of common stock in respect of such event.

The Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the Warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the Warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of Warrants being exercised. The warrantholders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their Warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the Warrants, each holder will be entitled to one (1) vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.

No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Warrants. If, upon exercise of the Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of common stock to be issued to the warrantholder.

Dividends

The payment of future dividends on the shares of the common stock is subject to the rights of the holders of the Company’s preferred stock (if any) and will depend on the revenues and earnings (if any), capital requirements and financial condition of the Company subject to the discretion of the Board. The Board is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future. The ability of the Company to declare dividends may be limited by the terms of any financing and other agreements entered into by the Company or its subsidiaries from time to time.

Election of Directors

The Board is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving a three-year term. Class I directors were elected to an initial one-year term (and three-year terms subsequently), the Class II directors were elected to an initial two-year term (and three-year terms subsequently) and the Class III directors were elected to an initial three-year term (and three-year terms subsequently). There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.

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Removal of Directors; Vacancies

Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in our Charter, a director serving on a classified board may be removed by the stockholders only for cause. Our Charter provides that, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the Company’s preferred stock then outstanding, directors may be removed for cause upon the affirmative vote of 75% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. In addition, our Charter provides that, subject to the rights granted to one or more series of the Company’s preferred stock then outstanding, any newly created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors, and any vacancy that results from the death, resignation, disqualification, removal or another cause, may be filled by a majority vote of the Board then in office, even if they do not represent a quorum, and even if only a single director is then in office (unless the Board determines that such vacancy should be filled by a vote of the stockholders).

Annual Stockholder Meetings

Our Bylaws provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, time and place, if any, as exclusively selected by the Board. To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Board may conduct meetings by remote communications. The Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received by the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90^th day nor earlier than the open of business on the 120^th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained in the annual proxy statement. Our Charter specifies certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude the Company’s stockholders from bringing matters before its annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at its annual meeting of stockholders. Our Bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice for an annual meeting. Specifically, a stockholder’s notice must include: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of Company capital stock that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (v) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (vi) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting. These notice requirements will be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Company of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Exchange Act, and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by us to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The foregoing provisions may limit the Company’s stockholders’ ability to bring matters before its annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at its annual meeting of stockholders.

Quorum

Unless otherwise required by the DGCL or our Charter, the Bylaws provide that holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of our capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders. If, however, such quorum will not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, such stockholders will have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall attend.

Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock

Delaware law does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. However, the listing requirements of Nasdaq, which apply so long as the common stock remains listed on Nasdaq, require stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or then outstanding number of shares of the common stock. Additional shares

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that may be issued in the future may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions.

One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock may be to enable the Board to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise and thereby protect the continuity of management and possibly deprive stockholders of opportunities to sell their shares of the common stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.

Special Meetings

Our Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board. Stockholders are not eligible and have no right to call a special meeting.

Our Bylaws also provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee thereof, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto must be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee thereof.

Charter and Bylaws

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on amendments to a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws is required to approve such amendment, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage.

Our Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed (A) at any annual or regular meeting of our Board, or at any special meeting of our Board if notice of the proposed alteration, amendment or repeal is contained in written notice of such special meeting, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board then present (at which meeting a quorum of the Board is present); or (B) by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. The Company has entered, and expects to continue to enter into, agreements to indemnify the directors, executive officers and other employees as determined by our Board. Under the terms of such indemnification agreements, the Company will be required to indemnify each of its directors and officers, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the state of Delaware, if the basis of the indemnitee’s involvement was by reason of the fact that the indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or was serving at the Company’s request in an official capacity for another entity. The Company will be required to indemnify its officers and directors against all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if pre-approved), including all costs, expenses and obligations incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in any completed, actual, pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other, arising out of the officers’ or directors’ role as an officer or director of the Company, or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under the indemnification agreement.

Exclusive Jurisdiction of Certain Actions

Our Charter requires that derivative actions brought in the name of the Company, actions against directors, officers and other employees for breaches of fiduciary duty, actions asserting a claim against the Company or any directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to the DGCL, our Charter or our Bylaws, actions asserting a claim against the Company or any directors, officers or other employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or actions asserting an “internal corporate claim” (as defined in the DGCL) may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants provided, that if the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state court sitting in the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for

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the District of Delaware). Although we believe this provision benefits the Company by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers and other employees.

Listing of Securities

The Company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “XBP”, and the Company’s Public Warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “XBPEW”. As previously disclosed, we submitted a formal application for the transfer of our listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 4, 2024, and such application is pending.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants, including warrants to purchase preferred stock, common stock or other securities or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or as part of a unit with any other securities and may be attached to or separate from the underlying securities. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in the prospectus supplement relating to warrants being offered.

A prospectus supplement relating to any warrants being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering, including a description of any other securities sold together with the warrants. These items will include:

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The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any warrant units.

The descriptions of the warrant agreements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the applicable provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and do not contain all of the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the warrants or any warrant units. For more information, please review the form of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of the warrants or warrant units and will be available as described in the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” below.

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, purchase contracts, or warrants. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security and may or may not be transferable by the person receiving the rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement which we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:

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The descriptions of the rights and any applicable underlying security in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define many of your rights as holders of the units. For more information, please review the form of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The units may be issued under units agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as unit agent, as detailed in the prospectus supplement relating to units being offered. The prospectus supplement will describe:

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The descriptions of the units in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions that may be included in the applicable unit agreements. These descriptions do not restate the terms of any such agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, will define your rights as holders of the units. For more information, please review the form of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of any units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” below.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell any of the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus in any manner specified in a prospectus supplement or in any of the following manners:

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We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We may also determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. The securities may be sold through an at-the-market offering, a rights offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities being offered will set forth the terms of the offering, including the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, the purchase price of the securities, the net proceeds to us, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. Also, if applicable, we will describe in the prospectus supplement how any auction will determine the price or any other terms, how potential investors may participate in the auction and the nature of the underwriters’ obligations with respect to the auction.

If underwriters are used in an offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriters and will specify the name of each underwriter and the terms of the transaction (including any underwriting discounts and other terms constituting compensation of the underwriters and any dealers) in a prospectus supplement. If an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing

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underwriter(s) will be specified on the cover of the prospectus supplement. If underwriters are used in the sale, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own accounts and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if any are purchased.

If dealers are used in an offering, we will sell the securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers then may resell the securities to the public at varying prices which they determine at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be specified in a prospectus supplement.

The securities may be sold directly by us or through agents we designate. If agents are used in an offering, the names of the agents and the terms of the agency will be specified in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the agents will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of their appointment.

We may engage in at-the-market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our existing stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to our stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.

Dealers and agents named in a prospectus supplement may be deemed to be underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933) of the securities described therein. In addition, we may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any resales thereof.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make in respect thereof, under underwriting or other agreements. The terms of any indemnification provisions will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. Certain underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may engage in transactions with, and perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

Each series of securities is expected to be a new issue of securities with no established trading market, other than the common stock which is listed on Nasdaq. We expect that any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be eligible for listing and trading on Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities, other than the common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, St. Louis, Missouri. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by UHY LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report dated April 1, 2024 (except for the effects of the discontinued operations as described in Notes 1 and 3, to which the date is February 14, 2025) thereon incorporated by reference in this prospectus and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The SEC’s website contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 that registers the distribution of these securities. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us and the securities. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. You can get a copy of the registration statement, at prescribed rates, from the SEC at the address listed above. The registration statement and the documents referred to below under “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” are also available on our Internet website, http://www.XBP Europe Holdings.com, under “Investors—All SEC Filings”. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents that we filed separately with the SEC. You should consider the incorporated information as if we reproduced it in this prospectus, except for any information directly superseded by information subsequently filed with the SEC and incorporated in this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents (SEC File No. 001-36159), which contain important information about us and our business and financial results:

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We incorporate by reference any additional filings made by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than the portions of those made pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC) after the filing of the initial registration statement (including all such documents that we may file with the SEC after the date the registration statement was initially filed and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement) and before the filing of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part that indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold (other than information furnished and not filed with the SEC). These documents may include periodic reports, like Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as Proxy Statements. Any material that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and replace the information previously filed with the SEC.

For purposes of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement in such document. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

You may get copies of any of the document incorporated by reference (excluding exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated) at no charge to you by emailing our investor relations department at [email protected].

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuances and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by XBP Europe Holdings in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement for expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act.

The Company’s Charter provides for indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL, and the Company’s Bylaws provide for indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL.

In addition the Company has entered, or will enter into, indemnification agreements with directors, officers, and some employees containing provisions which are in some respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the DGCL. The indemnification agreements will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify its directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.

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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

The exhibits listed below are incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 17. Undertakings.

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provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on February 14, 2025.

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Andrej Jonovic and Dejan Avramovic, each acting alone or together with another attorney-in-fact, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (and any additional registration statement related hereto permitted by Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto)), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, and full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.

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