Eightco Holdings has announced the completion of a $270 million private placement to launch the first public treasury strategy centered around Worldcoin (WLD), a digital identity token co-founded by Sam Altman. The funding round was led by MOZAYYX and included participation from major institutional investors such as Kraken, Pantera, GSR, Coinfund, Brevan Howard, and the World Foundation. BitMine Immersion also contributed $20 million to the round.
The company plans to use the proceeds primarily to acquire and hold Worldcoin as its primary reserve asset, with Ethereum and cash serving as secondary holdings. This marks a significant shift in corporate treasury strategy, moving beyond traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to embrace identity-linked digital assets.
Eightco’s decision aligns with growing interest in biometric-based verification systems, especially as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday business operations. Worldcoin’s “Proof of Human” protocol uses iris-scanning devices to verify individual identity, offering a decentralized method of authentication that could play a critical role in future digital ecosystems.
As part of the announcement, Eightco revealed that its Nasdaq ticker symbol will change from OCTO to ORBS starting September 11. No other corporate actions are planned that would affect shareholder rights.
The move introduces new considerations for public companies, including how biometric-linked tokens are classified under accounting and regulatory frameworks. It also raises questions about compliance, custody, and risk management, particularly as companies begin to explore identity-tied digital assets for strategic exposure.
Eightco’s strategy could pave the way for broader adoption of non-traditional assets in corporate treasuries, especially if market infrastructure and regulatory clarity continue to improve. While some investors may view the inclusion of emerging tokens like Worldcoin as risky, others see it as a forward-looking approach to trust and verification in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
KEY QUOTES:
“Since announcing the private placement, we’ve seen tremendous interest in OCTO and Worldcoin.”
“Proof of Human is the next critical step in the AI revolution, and World is uniquely positioned to deliver the trust, verification and authentication that the world needs as AI becomes more deeply embedded in every aspect of our lives,” he said.
Dan Ives, who has been appointed Chairman of the Board
