True. Only SEC merger approval is needed, not registration. But registration is required for up listing. Nasdaq only needs audited numbers thru the last 2 complete calendar years to get the process started. I do expect the companies were merged in the first quarter but not expecting audited 1st quarter numbers, just the 2020 and 2021 private companies numbers audited. He is allowed to then follow up with the 1st quarter audit.

He also could wait to merge until the last day before the launch. The "we just sent in the SEC papers to register and up list along with the Nasdaq papers" would make a great press release and a further boost in stock price. That PR might read, "I sent all the papers in January..."

We should know pretty soon, IMO.