425 1 ea0248916-8k425_cohen1.htm CURRENT REPORT

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 10, 2025

Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Cayman Islands

001-42369

98-1634072

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2929 Arch Street
Suite #1703
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania		19104
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(215) 701-9555

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☒	Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencements communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one redeemable warrant	CCIRU	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share	CCIR	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share	CCIRW	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☒

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The Business Combination Agreement

As previously announced, on March 18, 2025, Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I (the “Company”) entered into a business combination agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) by and among (1) the Company, (2) VEON Amsterdam B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) under number 34378904 (the “Seller”), (3) VEON Holdings B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) under number 34345993 (“VEON Holdings”), (4) Kyivstar Group Ltd., an exempted company with limited liability, incorporated and existing under the laws of Bermuda with registration number 202504557, with its registered office at Victoria Place, 31 Victoria Street, Hamilton, HM10, Bermuda, and its principal business address at Index Tower (East Tower), Unit 1703, DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center), United Arab Emirates (“PubCo”), and (5) Varna Merger Sub Corp., an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands with registration number 419635 (together with VEON Holdings and PubCo, the “Kyivstar Group” and separately, a “Kyivstar Group Company”), (together with the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”), which was subsequently amended on June 24, 2025, by Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement (the “BCA Amendment No. 1”).

On July 10, 2025, the Company, the Seller and the Kyivstar Group Companies entered into Amendment No. 2 to Business Combination Agreement (the “BCA Amendment No. 2”), to, among other things, adjust the number of Kyivstar Group Ltd. Common Shares allocable to each of the Seller and the Sponsor in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination (“the Adjustment”).

This Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) provides a summary of the BCA Amendment No. 2. Such description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the BCA Amendment No. 2, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated by reference into this Current Report.

Terms used but not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, as amended. To the extent not specifically amended by the BCA Amendment No. 1 or the BCA Amendment No. 2, all provisions of the Business Combination Agreement remain in full force and effect.

Sponsor Agreement

As previously announced, on March 18, 2025, in connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Company, Cohen Circle Sponsor I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CCS I”), (4) Cohen Circle Advisors I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CCA I,” and together with CSS I, the “Sponsors”),, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., a New York general partnership (“Cantor”),, PubCo and the Seller entered into a sponsor agreement (the “Sponsor Agreement”).

On July 10, 2025, the Company, the Sponsors, Cantor, PubCo and the Seller entered into Amendment No. 1 to Sponsor Agreement (the “Sponsor Agreement Amendment”) to, among other things, conform its terms to the terms of the Adjustment.

This Current Report provides a summary of the Sponsor Agreement Amendment. Such description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Sponsor Agreement Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated by reference into this Current Report.

Terms used but not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Sponsor Agreement. To the extent not specifically amended by the Sponsor Agreement Amendment, all provisions of the Sponsor Agreement remain in full force and effect.

Important Information About the Business Combination and Where to Find It

In connection with the previously announced Business Combination, PubCo has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4, which includes a preliminary prospectus/proxy statement and will include a definitive prospectus/proxy statement and other relevant documents, to be distributed to the Company’s shareholders in connection with the Company’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by the Company’s shareholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as described in the registration statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the securities of PubCo to be issued in connection with the Business Combination.

THIS CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT THAT THE COMPANY WILL SEND TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC free of charge at www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement/final prospectus will be mailed to the Company’s shareholders as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination. The Company’s shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement/prospectus without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I, 2929 Arch Street, Suite 1703, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company, the Kyivstar Group, the Seller, and VEON Ltd. (“VEON”), and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management, and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of the Company’s shareholders in connection with the Business Combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the Business Combination of the directors and officers of the Company, the Kyivstar Group and VEON in the registration statement on Form F-4 filed with the SEC by PubCo, which include the proxy statement of the Company for the Business Combination. Information about the Company’s directors and executive officers is also available in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein are not historical facts but may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act and the “safe harbor” provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology or expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future events, the Business Combination among the Company, PubCo and Kyivstar, the estimated or anticipated future results and benefits of the combined company following the Business Combination, including the likelihood and ability of the parties to successfully consummate the Business Combination, future opportunities for the combined company.

These statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to, among other things, the Business Combination, the expected timing of closing of the Business Combination, the expected impact of the Business Combination, including PubCo being the first U.S.-listed pure play Ukrainian investment opportunity, potential investor interest and the percentage of VEON’s ownership interest in the equity of PubCo following the closing of the Business Combination. These statements are based VEON, the Company and Kyivstar on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause Kyivstar’s, PubCo’s, VEON’s or the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination (including as a result of a termination of the Business Combination Agreement and/or any related agreements between the relevant parties); the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company, Kyivstar or VEON, any of its subsidiaries or others following the announcement of the Business Combination; the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain the necessary shareholder approvals or to satisfy other conditions to closing; changes to the proposed structure of the Business Combination or the business combination contemplated thereunder that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations; the decision by the SEC to deem effective the Registration Statement; the ability to meet the Nasdaq listing standards upon closing of the Business Combination and admission of PubCo for trading on the Nasdaq; the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of VEON as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of PubCo to grow, retain its management and key employees; costs related to the Business Combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the escalation or de-escalation of war between Russia and Ukraine and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in the registration statement on Form F-4 filed with the SEC by PubCo on June 5, 2025. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which VEON, Kyivstar and the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which neither VEON, the Company nor Kyivstar might even anticipate. The forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K speak only as of the date of this filing. VEON and Kyivstar do not undertake to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws.

No assurances can be made that the parties will successfully close the Business Combination, or close the Business Combination on the timeframe currently contemplated. The Business Combination is subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders, the approval of the Registration Statement by the SEC, as well as other regulatory approvals and customary conditions to closing.

No Offer or Solicitation

This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities in respect of the Business Combination. This Current Report on Form 8-K is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

Exhibit		Description

2.1		Amendment No. 2 to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2025, by and among Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I, Kyivstar Group Ltd., VEON Amsterdam B.V., VEON Holdings B.V., and Varna Merger Sub Corp.

10.1		Amendment No. 1 to Sponsor Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2025, by and among Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I, Kyivstar Group Ltd., Cohen Circle Sponsor I, LLC, Cohen Circle Advisors I, LLC, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., and VEON Amsterdam B.V.

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

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

	Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I

Date: July 15, 2025	By:	/s/ Betsy Z. Cohen
	Name:	Betsy Z. Cohen
	Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer

SEC Form 425 filed by Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I