10-Q: OriginClear Q3 2025: Revenue Up, Strategic Shift to Water-as-a-Service
Quarterly Report
OriginClear, Inc. reported increased revenue for Q3 2025, driven by its PWT subsidiary, while strategically winding down its MWS unit and focusing on a Water-on-Demand Opportunity Zone Fund and new Bitcoin mining JVs.
Summary
- Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2025, increased by 193% to $1,708,782 from $583,491 in the prior year.
- Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, increased by 57% to $4,055,252 from $2,577,468 in the prior year.
- Net loss attributable to OriginClear, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $(13,205,989), significantly worse than $(2,774,472) in the prior year.
- Net loss attributable to OriginClear, Inc. for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $(31,431,668), significantly worse than $(15,974,745) in the prior year.
- The Modular Water Systems (MWS) business unit was fully deactivated and wound down in Q2 2025, with its financial results presented as discontinued operations.
- The company entered into two joint ventures in September 2025 with Block40X Inc. and Bitmern Investments LLC to develop and manage Bitcoin mining facilities.
- Water On Demand, Inc. (WODI), the primary operating subsidiary, is shifting its strategic focus from manufacturing to developing an Opportunity Zone Fund (OZF) to finance decentralized water treatment systems.
- WODI redeemed and retired all $21,363,639 of its secured convertible notes and $3,424,338 in accrued interest through equity-based exchanges, resulting in an $8,318,588 noncash loss on extinguishment.
- The company's auditors expressed substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern due to recurring losses, negative operating cash flows, and significant liquidity constraints.
- Disclosure controls and procedures were deemed not effective as of September 30, 2025, due to a small finance team and complex non-routine transactions.
- The company remains in default on $397,150 in aggregate redemption obligations for four series of preferred stock.
Sentiment
Score: 2
Explanation: While revenue increased, the significant increase in net loss attributable to OCLN, the 'going concern' doubt, ineffective disclosure controls, and preferred stock defaults paint a very negative financial picture. Strategic shifts and new JVs are positive developments but are early stage and do not offset the severe financial distress.
Positives
- Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2025, increased by 193% to $1,708,782, primarily driven by higher equipment contract revenue.
- Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, increased by 57% to $4,055,252, driven by higher sales volumes.
- Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2025, increased to $481,618 from $71,139 in the prior year.
- Operating loss for the three months ended September 30, 2025, improved to $(319,363) from $(2,199,166) in the prior year.
- Operating loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, improved to $(2,976,474) from $(5,022,298) in the prior year.
- Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, improved to $(2,332,836) from $(3,145,013) in the prior year.
- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $385,214, compared to a decrease of $(244,301) in the prior year.
- The wind-down of the Modular Water Systems (MWS) business unit eliminates a low-margin manufacturing line and allows resources to be redirected to financing activities.
- The company successfully redeemed and retired all $21,363,639 of WODI's secured convertible notes and $3,424,338 in accrued interest through equity-based exchanges.
- The lawsuit with Process Solutions, Inc. has been resolved and closed with no resulting claims or counterclaims.
Negatives
- Net loss attributable to OriginClear, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2025, significantly worsened to $(13,205,989) from $(2,774,472) in the prior year.
- Net loss attributable to OriginClear, Inc. for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, significantly worsened to $(31,431,668) from $(15,974,745) in the prior year.
- Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, decreased to $328,269 from $601,056 in the prior year, with gross margin declining from 23.32% to 8.09%.
- Total other expense for the three months ended September 30, 2025, significantly worsened to $(2,749,436) from $(304,140) in the prior year, primarily due to a $1,716,476 loss on change in derivative liability and debt conversions.
- The company incurred a noncash loss on extinguishment of $8,318,588 related to WODI's secured convertible notes.
- The company's auditors expressed substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern due to recurring losses, negative operating cash flows, and significant liquidity constraints.
- Disclosure controls and procedures were deemed not effective as of September 30, 2025, due to a small finance team and the complexity and timing of certain non-routine transactions.
- The company remains in default on $397,150 in aggregate redemption obligations for four series of preferred stock (Series F, G, I, K) that have reached their contractual redemption dates.
- Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2025, were $756,729, which is a low amount given the company's recurring losses and liquidity constraints.
- Total current liabilities ($25,052,960) significantly exceed total current assets ($2,144,869) as of September 30, 2025.
Risks
- Recurring losses, negative operating cash flows, and significant liquidity constraints raise substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
- There is no assurance that required additional financing will be available or on terms acceptable to the company, and any future financing may involve restrictive covenants or shareholder dilution.
- The company's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2025, due to a small finance team and the complexity and timing of certain non-routine transactions, which could lead to material misstatements.
- The company remains in default on $397,150 in aggregate redemption obligations for four series of preferred stock, which could lead to further financial or legal repercussions.
- Derivative values are highly sensitive to the company's stock price, volatility, interest rates, and other contractual terms, leading to significant period-to-period fluctuations in reported results.
- The company's ability to raise additional capital on reasonable terms will be critical to funding operations and executing its decentralized water-finance strategy.
Future Outlook
Management expects revenue for the remainder of 2025 to be driven by PWT's backlog. The wind-down of MWS is anticipated to eliminate a low-margin manufacturing line and redirect resources to financing activities. The company's ability to raise additional capital on reasonable terms will be critical to funding operations and executing its decentralized water-finance strategy, particularly for the anticipated Opportunity Zone Fund model.
Management Comments
- Management is actively pursuing additional financing through convertible notes and preferred stock offerings while leveraging existing backlog and receivables.
- There can be no assurance that required financing will be available or on terms acceptable to the Company, and any future financing may involve restrictive covenants or shareholder dilution.
- Management concluded that MWS no longer aligned with the Company's long-term objectives and ceased all activity during the quarter.
- Management believes continued investor support and access to capital markets will be necessary to sustain operations.
- Management plans to address these [preferred stock defaults] in connection with its ongoing capital-raising and liability-management efforts.
- Management does not believe the ultimate resolution of these matters [legal proceedings] will have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Industry Context
OriginClear is positioning itself within the evolving water treatment industry by shifting from direct equipment manufacturing (MWS wind-down) towards a financial technology model focused on decentralized water treatment systems via an Opportunity Zone Fund. This aligns with trends towards more localized, sustainable water solutions and leveraging tax incentives for infrastructure development. The company's new ventures into Bitcoin mining facilities with Block40X and Bitmern Investments represent a diversification strategy, potentially seeking to capitalize on the energy and infrastructure demands of the digital asset sector, though these are nascent and their synergy with the core water business is not explicitly detailed.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- The filing does not provide specific comparisons to comparable companies, projects, or industry benchmarks.
- The company's recurring losses and "going concern" doubt suggest performance below typical industry standards for financially stable companies.
- The decline in gross margin for PWT from 23.88% to 8.12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, indicates a potential underperformance compared to healthy manufacturing or service businesses in the water treatment sector.
Management Changes
| Role | Previous Person | New Person | Effective Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO of Water on Demand, Inc. | NA | Affiliate executive (unnamed) | 2025-07-01 | Appointment, affiliated with PPM Marketing. |
| MWS Lead Executive | Former President of MWS (unnamed) | NA | 2025-05-08 | Resignation, leading to wind-down of MWS business unit. |
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disclosure Controls and Procedures | Management concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2025, due to the constraints of a small finance team and the complexity and timing of certain non-routine transactions. | 2025-09-30 | Indicates a material weakness in internal controls, increasing the risk of financial misstatement and potentially impacting investor confidence. |
| Internal Control Over Financial Reporting | No changes in internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting. | 2025-09-30 | No immediate material impact, but the existing ineffective disclosure controls suggest underlying issues. |
| Related Party Transaction Policy | Promissory notes issued to the CEO and engagement of PPM Marketing (affiliated with an executive) were reviewed and approved by the Board in accordance with the company's Related Party Transaction Policy. | NA | Indicates adherence to policy for specific related party dealings, but the volume of such transactions warrants close scrutiny. |
Legal Proceedings
- The lawsuit with Process Solutions, Inc. against PWT, alleging breach of contract, has been resolved and closed with no resulting claims or counterclaims by either party.
- No other material legal proceedings were identified as of September 30, 2025.
Related Party Transactions
- Two outstanding promissory notes issued to the CEO, with a combined outstanding balance of $69,654 as of September 30, 2025. These notes bear 10% annual interest and were approved by the Board.
- Takeoff Services Inc. (TSI), an independent entity focused on supporting early-stage fundraising, was formed by certain company officers. The company is evaluating a potential collaboration with TSI.
- PPM Marketing, an entity affiliated with a member of the executive team (who became WODI CEO), provides consulting and advisory services for WODI's fundraising initiatives. This arrangement is monitored under the company's related party transaction policy.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders face significant dilution risk from ongoing capital raises and debt conversions (e.g., 14.1 billion shares issued for WODI note conversions). The "going concern" doubt and ineffective controls pose substantial risk to shareholder value.
- Creditors face risk as the company is in default on $397,150 of preferred stock redemption obligations, indicating a risk of non-payment for certain creditors.
- Employees/Consultants' compensation through restricted stock grants is subject to performance milestones or alternative vesting based on stock price, impacting potential value.
- Customers may experience changes in product offerings and service delivery due to the strategic shift to a "Water-on-Demand" model and the wind-down of MWS, though PWT's backlog is expected to drive revenue.
- Management benefits from related party loans and consulting agreements with affiliated entities, and the CEO maintains significant control through Series C Preferred Stock.
Next Steps
- Management will continue to pursue additional financing through convertible notes and preferred stock offerings.
- The company plans to address the defaulted preferred stock redemption obligations in connection with ongoing capital-raising and liability-management efforts.
- WODI intends to create a wholly owned WODI LLC and its QOZ Fund plans to increase its capital raise cap from $100 million to $200 million.
- The company intends to form a strategic joint venture with Enviromaintenance to deploy and operate mobile wastewater treatment plants throughout Texas.
- The 66,719,348 restricted stock grants approved in Q3 2025 are scheduled to be delivered in January 2026.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2007-06-01 | OriginClear, Inc. incorporated in Nevada. |
| 2015-01-01 | Progressive Water Treatment, Inc. (PWT) acquired by OCLN. |
| 2017-03-14 | Board issued 1,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to CEO. |
| 2018-04-13 | 50,000,000 shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock designated. |
| 2020-06-12 | Company received a $150,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). |
| 2020-09-01 | Series F Preferred Stock redemption due date, now in default. |
| 2021-04-30 | Series G Preferred Stock redemption due date, now in default. |
| 2021-05-02 | Start of Series I Preferred Stock redemption due period, now in default. |
| 2021-06-10 | End of Series I Preferred Stock redemption due period, now in default. |
| 2021-08-05 | Start of Series K Preferred Stock redemption due period, now in default. |
| 2021-12-06 | Company designated 3,000 shares of Series Y Preferred Stock. |
| 2022-03-26 | End of Series K Preferred Stock redemption due period, now in default. |
| 2022-08-12 | Start of period for WODI restricted-stock grant agreements. |
| 2023-04-14 | WODI acquired the MWS business unit from OriginClear, Inc. |
| 2023-08-03 | End of period for WODI restricted-stock grant agreements. |
| 2023-09-21 | WODI merged with PWT. |
| 2024-07-01 | PWT relocated to a new production facility in Sherman, Texas; operating lease commenced. |
| 2024-09-02 | Company issued an unsecured promissory note of $208,000 to its CEO. |
| 2024-09-09 | Certain Company officers formed Takeoff Services Inc. (TSI). |
| 2024-09-24 | Company issued a promissory note of $98,000 to its CEO. |
| 2024-10-04 | Monthly payments began for the $208,000 note to the CEO. |
| 2024-10-24 | Monthly payments began for the $98,000 note to the CEO. |
| 2024-12-09 | Proposed business combination with FRLA terminated. |
| 2024-12-31 | Fiscal year end for comparative balance sheet data. |
| 2025-01-14 | WODI amended its Certificate of Formation to authorize three classes of preferred stock. |
| 2025-03-24 | Full principal and unpaid interest due for the $98,000 note to the CEO (earlier of this date or default events). |
| 2025-05-08 | WODI's Board approved the wind-down of the MWS business unit. |
| 2025-05-08 | WODI executed a transition agreement with the former President of MWS to terminate IP license and eliminate accrued royalty obligations. |
| 2025-06-30 | End of second quarter 2025, when formal dissolution of OriginClear Technologies Ltd. (OCHK) was completed. |
| 2025-07-01 | Affiliate executive appointed CEO of Water on Demand, Inc. |
| 2025-09-10 | Grant date for 66,719,348 restricted stock grants (RSGs) to employees and consultants. |
| 2025-09-16 | Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Block40X Inc. to form Block40X JV. |
| 2025-09-26 | Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Bitmern Investments LLC to form Bitmern JV. |
| 2025-09-30 | End of the quarterly reporting period. |
| 2025-10-14 | Company announced intent to form a strategic joint venture with Enviromaintenance. |
| 2025-10-22 | 5 shares of Series L preferred stock converted into 4,716,982 common shares. |
| 2025-10-22 | 20 shares of Series Q preferred stock converted into 37,735,850 common shares. |
| 2025-10-22 | 10 shares of Series R preferred stock converted into 18,867,925 common shares. |
| 2025-11-07 | 6,900 common shares of WODI stock issued to investors of Water on Demand's Regulation A offering. |
| 2025-11-19 | Filing date of the Form 10-Q report. |
| 2026-01-01 | Expected delivery date for 66,719,348 restricted stock grants. |
| 2029-07-31 | Expiration date of the production facility lease in Sherman, Texas. |
| 2030-01-31 | Start of expiration date range for WODI warrants. |
| 2030-05-31 | End of expiration date range for WODI warrants. |
Recommendation
strong sellThe filing reveals severe financial distress, including a substantial increase in net loss attributable to OCLN, a significant decline in gross margin, and explicit 'going concern' doubt from auditors. The company is in default on preferred stock obligations and has ineffective disclosure controls. While there are strategic shifts and new ventures, these are early-stage and do not mitigate the immediate and profound financial risks. The massive share dilution from recent debt conversions further exacerbates the negative outlook for existing shareholders. A seasoned investor would view these factors as highly indicative of a company facing existential challenges, warranting a strong sell recommendation.
Keywords
Water Treatment, Water On Demand, Opportunity Zone Fund, Bitcoin Mining, SEC Filing, 10-Q, OriginClear, WODI, PWT, Clean Water Innovation Hub, Decentralized Water, Financial Technology, Convertible Notes, Going Concern, Preferred Stock Default
Disclaimer:The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.