K Wave Media Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Minimum Market Value Requirement
Rhea-AI Summary
K Wave Media (Nasdaq: KWM) announced it has regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum market value of listed securities ($50,000,000) under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(A).
Nasdaq confirmed the company's market value met the $50,000,000 threshold for 20 consecutive business days from January 20, 2026 through February 17, 2026, and the matter is now closed. The company said it will continue to monitor compliance with all Nasdaq listing requirements, including the prior minimum bid price matter under Rule 5550(a)(2).
Positive
- Regained Nasdaq MVLS compliance with $50,000,000 threshold
- Confirmed 20 consecutive business days meeting MVLS (Jan 20–Feb 17, 2026)
- Nasdaq compliance matter is closed
Negative
- Previous minimum bid price issue under Nasdaq Rule 5550(a)(2) remains active
News Market Reaction – KWM
On the day this news was published, KWM declined 2.86%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +4.3% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -10.3% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 3 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $2M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $52M at that time. Trading volume was above average at 1.6x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Sector peers show mixed performance: CPOP appears in momentum scanners, up 3.58%, while other entertainment names like GAIA, NIPG, and STRZ are down or flat. This pattern, combined with the specific Nasdaq compliance headline, points to a company-specific driver rather than a broad sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26 | Acquisition completion | Positive | -20.5% | Completed Rabbit Walk control acquisition with revenue and EBITDA contribution targets. |
| Jan 23 | Nasdaq MVLS notice | Negative | -20.5% | Received Nasdaq deficiency notice for MVLS below the <b>$50 million</b> requirement. |
| Jan 12 | Film performance update | Positive | +1.7% | Film “Once We Were Us” reached over 1 million viewers and led box office. |
| Jan 09 | Bid-price deficiency | Negative | +1.7% | Nasdaq notified company of sub-<b>$1</b> minimum bid price over a defined period. |
| Dec 22 | AI stake acquisition | Positive | -4.1% | Announced plan to acquire 42.25% controlling stake in AI-focused Hansol Inticube. |
Recent history shows multiple regulatory and acquisition headlines where share price often moved sharply and sometimes negatively even on seemingly positive strategic news.
Over the last few months, K Wave Media has mixed strategic expansion with listing-related pressures. It announced acquisitions such as Rabbit Walk and a controlling stake in Hansol Inticube, alongside strong box office performance for “Once We Were Us.” At the same time, it received Nasdaq notices over MVLS and minimum bid price deficiencies, with some of these headlines coinciding with ~20% single-day declines. Today’s MVLS compliance update directly follows the earlier deficiency notice, closing that specific issue but leaving the bid-price deficiency still disclosed.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement confirms that K Wave Media regained compliance with Nasdaq’s Market Value of Listed Securities requirement, maintaining at least $50,000,000 in MVLS for 20 consecutive business days. It formally closes a prior deficiency notice but leaves the separate minimum bid price issue still active. In context of recent acquisitions and regulatory filings, investors may watch whether the company can strengthen its financial position, support its listing status across all criteria, and integrate recent deals into a more durable growth and profitability profile.
Key Terms
market value of listed securities regulatory
minimum bid price requirement regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
NEW YORK and SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- K Wave Media (Nasdaq: KWM) (the “Company”) today announced that the Company has received a notification letter ("Compliance Notice") from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq"), dated February 18, 2026, indicating that the Company has regained compliance with the minimum market value of listed securities ("MVLS") of
On February 18, 2026, Nasdaq confirmed in the Compliance Notice that for the last 20 consecutive business days, from January 20, 2026, to February 17, 2026, the Company’s market value of listed securities has been
The Company continues to actively monitor its compliance with all Nasdaq listing requirements, including the previously disclosed minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).
About K Wave Media
K Wave Media (KWM) is a publicly listed entertainment and Bitcoin treasury company dedicated to creating, distributing, and monetizing high-quality content across multiple platforms. Since going public in 2025, KWM has focused on strategic growth initiatives, including acquisitions, digital platforms, and digital asset treasury management.
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication and on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements could include changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions.
If any of these risks materialize or the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company does not presently know, or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations, plans and forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof.
Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this communication, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein and the risk factors of the Company described in the Company’s Form 20-F initially filed with the SEC on May 14, 2025, as amended, including those under “Risk Factors” therein. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
Media Contact:
Investor Relations: info@kwavemedia.com
Evan Sneider: esneider@redroosterpr.com
FAQ
When did KWM regain Nasdaq MVLS compliance and what was the threshold?
What does Nasdaq's confirmation mean for KWM shareholders as of February 23, 2026?
Is KWM still subject to any other Nasdaq listing requirements after regaining MVLS compliance?
What period did Nasdaq use to verify KWM's MVLS compliance in February 2026?
Has Nasdaq formally closed the compliance matter for KWM related to MVLS?
Will regaining MVLS compliance affect KWM's listing status on Nasdaq immediately?
