Eightco ($ORBS) and Futurum Group Announce Strategic Partnership to Launch Futurum ORBS Trust and Authentication Platform (FOTAP)

Rhea-AI Summary

Eightco (NASDAQ: ORBS) and Futurum Group announced a strategic partnership to build the Futurum ORBS Trust and Authentication Platform (FOTAP), billed as the first comprehensive trust and transparency scoring system for AI vendors. FOTAP will combine Futurum's proprietary AI market datasets and vendor evaluations with ORBS' authentication infrastructure to produce Quantitative Trust Scores (0-100), comparative vendor rankings, trend analysis, risk alerts, and integration with existing Futurum evaluations. Beta testing begins Q2 2026 with general availability in Q4 2026. The platform will be subscription-based for enterprises, investors, and policymakers, with vendor trust scores published publicly on a quarterly basis.

Positive

• Quantitative Trust Scores on a 0-100 scale
• Beta launch scheduled for Q2 2026 and GA in Q4 2026
• Integration of Futurum datasets covering major providers including Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, OpenAI
• Subscription model targeting enterprises, investors, and policymakers

Negative

• Public quarterly scores could materially affect vendor reputations and commercial relationships
• Subscription timing and adoption risk ahead of Q4 2026 general availability

News Market Reaction – ORBS

-1.43%

4 alerts

-1.43% Session close to close

+3.8% Peak Tracked

$285.87M Market Cap

0.3x Rel. Volume

In the Jan 26 session, ORBS declined 1.43%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +3.8% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 4 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement introduces a structured approach to AI trust, with Eightco and Futurum planning a ...

Analysis

This announcement introduces a structured approach to AI trust, with Eightco and Futurum planning a 0–100 trust and authentication scoring system and phased rollout starting in Q2 and Q4 2026. It follows prior disclosures emphasizing treasury strength and a $125 million buyback authorization. Key variables to watch include beta feedback from early enterprise and vendor users, how widely FOTAP scores are adopted as a benchmark, and whether subscription demand from enterprises, vendors, and investors materializes as envisioned.

Key Figures

Trust score scale: 0–100 Beta start: Q2 2026 General availability: Q4 2026

3 metrics

Trust score scale 0–100 Quantitative Trust Scores range for AI vendors in FOTAP

Beta start Q2 2026 Beta testing of FOTAP with select enterprises and vendors

General availability Q4 2026 Planned FOTAP commercial launch timing

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jan 20	Crypto holdings update	Positive	-4.3%	BMNR detailed large ETH, cash and Eightco stakes plus new investments.
Jan 12	Crypto holdings update	Positive	+0.0%	BMNR reported increased ETH holdings and large crypto plus cash balance.
Jan 05	Lock-up & buyback	Positive	+8.2%	ORBS extended lock-ups and approved a $125M share repurchase program.
Jan 05	Crypto holdings update	Positive	+8.2%	BMNR disclosed $14.2B in crypto and cash plus a $25M Eightco stake.
Dec 31	Year-end message	Positive	+2.7%	ORBS outlined large WLD and ETH holdings, $69.2M cash and buyback plan.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent ORBS-specific news (buyback, lock-up extension, year-end message) tended to coincide with positive price reactions, while crypto-related holdings updates from Bitmine showed mixed reactions, suggesting varied sensitivity to partner/treasury news.

Recent Company History

Over the last month, ORBS-related news highlighted treasury strength and insider alignment, including a Board-approved share buyback of up to $125 million and multi-month lock-up extensions announced on Jan 5, 2026, plus a year-end Chairman’s Message on Dec 31, 2025 detailing significant WLD and ETH holdings and cash of $69.2 million. Related Bitmine (BMNR) updates repeatedly referenced sizable ETH and cash positions and growing stakes in Eightco. Today’s partnership introducing a formal AI trust and authentication scoring platform fits into this broader narrative of leveraging strategic assets and alliances to build credibility-driven products.

Key Terms

algorithmic transparency, data governance, ethical ai practices, governance frameworks, +4 more

8 terms

algorithmic transparency technical

"Quantitative Trust Scores (0-100 scale) across multiple dimensions: data governance, algorithmic transparency, security"

Algorithmic transparency is how clearly a company explains what its automated decision systems do, how they reach conclusions, and what data they use. For investors, transparency acts like a recipe card for a product: it helps you judge legal and reputational risk, spot hidden biases or errors that could hurt results, and assess whether the company can sustain and monetize its technology reliably over time.

data governance technical

"Quantitative Trust Scores (0-100 scale) across multiple dimensions: data governance, algorithmic transparency"

Data governance is the set of rules and practices that ensure information is accurate, consistent, and used responsibly within an organization. It is like a well-organized library system that keeps track of all the books, making sure they are correct, easy to find, and used properly. For investors, strong data governance helps ensure that the information they rely on is trustworthy and decisions are based on reliable data.

ethical ai practices technical

"Quantitative Trust Scores (0-100 scale) across multiple dimensions: data governance, algorithmic transparency, security, compliance, ethical AI practices"

Ethical AI practices are the policies and actions a company uses to design, deploy, and monitor artificial intelligence so it behaves fairly, protects privacy, explains key decisions, and is checked for errors or misuse. Investors care because strong practices reduce legal, reputational and operational risks and help sustain customer trust and predictable performance—similar to regular maintenance that prevents a costly machine breakdown.

governance frameworks technical

"This scoring will assess vendors across:Governance frameworksData privacy practicesAlgorithmic transparency"

A governance framework is the set of rules, roles and processes that determine how a company is run, how decisions are made and how risks and responsibilities are checked. For investors it matters because a clear, well-enforced framework works like a referee and rulebook—reducing surprises, protecting shareholder interests and increasing the chance that management’s choices create steady value rather than hidden losses or conflicts of interest.

data privacy practices technical

"This scoring will assess vendors across:Governance frameworksData privacy practicesAlgorithmic transparencySecurity postures"

Data privacy practices are the policies, technologies and day-to-day actions a company uses to collect, store, use, share and dispose of personal or sensitive information. They matter to investors because poor practices can lead to regulatory fines, customer losses and reputational damage, while strong practices reduce legal risk and help preserve revenue and valuation—like locking the doors and alarm system for a retail store.

security postures technical

"This scoring will assess vendors across:Governance frameworksData privacy practicesAlgorithmic transparencySecurity posturesCompliance certifications"

Security postures are a company’s overall state of readiness to prevent, detect and respond to digital and physical threats—like a snapshot of its defenses, processes and recovery plans. Investors care because a strong posture lowers the chance of costly breaches, fines or downtime and protects reputation and revenue; a weak posture can mean higher risk, unexpected expenses and value loss, much like a poorly fortified bank being more likely to suffer a robbery.

compliance certifications regulatory

"This scoring will assess vendors across:Governance frameworksData privacy practicesAlgorithmic transparencySecurity posturesCompliance certifications"

Certificates or attestations from regulators or independent bodies that a company follows specific laws, industry rules, or technical standards—covering areas like safety, data privacy, environmental rules, or financial controls. Investors care because these certifications lower the chance of fines, shutdowns, or costly fixes and act like a trusted quality label (similar to a restaurant health score) that makes a company’s operations and future cash flows more predictable.

accountability mechanisms technical

"This scoring will assess vendors across:Governance frameworksData privacy practicesAlgorithmic transparencySecurity posturesCompliance certificationsEthical AI deploymentAccountability mechanisms"

Structures and processes—such as oversight by boards, independent audits, transparent reporting, performance targets and legal rules—that make managers and organizations answerable for their actions and commitments. For investors, these mechanisms matter because they reduce the risk of mismanagement or fraud, improve clarity about how a company is run, and help protect shareholder value in the same way seatbelts and alarms protect a car and its occupants.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Companies announce the industry's first AI Trust & Authentication scoring system

Partnership combines ORBS' authentication infrastructure with Futurum's proprietary AI market intelligence and trust solutions to establish new standard for evaluating AI vendors

Eightco is is supported by a group of strategic and institutional investors including: Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR), MOZAYYX, World Foundation, Wedbush, Coinfund, Discovery Capital Management, FalconX, Kraken, Pantera, GSR, and more

EASTON, Pa. and AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS), a pioneer in authentication and trust solutions, and Futurum Group, the leading technology research and advisory firm, today announced a strategic partnership to develop the Futurum ORBS Trust and Authentication Platform (FOTAP), the first comprehensive trust and transparency scoring system for AI solution providers. This new platform will integrate Futurum's industry-leading AI market data, vendor evaluations, and autonomous assessment frameworks with ORBS' authentication infrastructure to establish trust as a critical component in how technology companies are evaluated and compared.

"The AI trust market is exploding, and there's no credible scoring system to help buyers navigate it. That changes today," said Kevin O'Donnell, CEO of Eightco ($ORBS). "By partnering with Futurum Group, we're combining our authentication infrastructure with the most authoritative voice in enterprise technology research. The business model here is compelling. Enterprises will pay for trust intelligence because it de-risks their AI investments. Vendors will pay for certification because it differentiates them in a crowded market. Investors will pay because trust scores predict long-term vendor viability. We're building a platform that every stakeholder in the AI ecosystem needs."

AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and enterprises increasingly require reliable, objective insight into which AI solutions deliver measurable performance, built on secure, authenticated, and transparent foundations. FOTAP is purpose-built to help enterprises deploy trusted AI solutions with confidence, backed by rigorous standards and governance. FOTAP will leverage Futurum's proprietary datasets spanning AI platforms vendor usage, market share trends, customer satisfaction, implementation outcomes, and technology capabilities across major providers including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, OpenAI, Anthropic, IBM, Oracle, Snowflake and dozens of emerging AI vendors. Combined with ORBS authentication infrastructure, the platform will deliver:

• Quantitative Trust Scores (0-100 scale) across multiple dimensions: data governance, algorithmic transparency, security, compliance, ethical AI practices, and vendor accountability
• Comparative Vendor Rankings enabling side-by-side trust evaluations
• Trend Analysis tracking trust score changes over time to identify improving or declining vendor behavior
• Risk Alerts flagging trust-related incidents, policy changes, or compliance gaps
• Integration with Futurum's Existing Vendor Evaluations providing a unified view of AI vendor performance, capabilities, market positioning, and trustworthiness

FOTAP will expand Futurum's existing Signal and Autonomous Evaluations methodology, which analyzes AI platforms across performance, capabilities, and market positioning, to include quantifiable trust and transparency scores.

This scoring will assess vendors across:

• Governance frameworks
• Data privacy practices
• Algorithmic transparency
• Security postures
• Compliance certifications
• Ethical AI deployment
• Accountability mechanisms

The result will be a definitive, data-driven trust ranking that enterprise buyers, investors, and policymakers can rely on when selecting AI partners.

"Trust is no longer a soft consideration, it's a hard requirement for AI adoption at scale. Our partnership with ORBS transforms trust from a subjective perception into a measurable, comparable metric," said Daniel Newman, CEO of Futurum Group. "The Futurum ORBS Trust and Authentication Platform will become the industry standard for evaluating AI vendors, giving buyers the confidence to move faster and vendors the incentive to build more responsibly. What excites me most about this partnership is the business opportunity we're unlocking. Every CIO we speak with is asking the same question: 'Which AI vendor can I actually trust?' Right now, they're making multi-million dollar decisions based on marketing claims and gut instinct. We're giving them data. We're giving them scores. We're giving them confidence. That's a massive market opportunity, and we're positioned to own it."

Beta testing will begin in Q2 of 2026 with select enterprise customers and AI vendors. General availability will launch in Q4 of 2026. The platform will be accessible via subscription to enterprises, investors, and policymakers, with vendor trust scores published publicly on a quarterly basis.

ABOUT EIGHTCO HOLDINGS INC.
Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) is building the authentication and trust layer for the post-AGI world. Its mission centers on strategic pillars including consumer authentication, enterprise authentication, and gaming authentication. Through its pioneering digital asset strategies, including the first-of-its-kind Worldcoin treasury, and partnerships with leading technology innovators, Eightco is establishing a universal foundation for digital identity and Proof of Human verification. Dan Ives serves as Chairman of Eightco, where he leads the company's mission to build the global authentication and trust layer in an AI world.

For additional details, follow on X:
https://x.com/iamhuman_orbs
https://x.com/divestech 

ABOUT FUTURUM GROUP
The Futurum Group is the fastest-growing independent tech research, intelligence, media, and advisory firm. Its continued growth is driven by emerging technologies and innovation across its clientele of more than 515 global companies. Futurum has established its reputation as a leader in global research, intelligence, and advisory, focused on analyzing emerging technologies and market trends across enterprise, AI, cloud, semiconductor, and tech transformation landscapes. Futurum helps businesses, investors, and technology providers make informed strategic decisions through its market intelligence products, thought leadership content, analyst briefings, and multimedia programming.

Learn more at futurumresearch.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact could be deemed forward looking. Words such as "plans," "expects," "will," "anticipates," "continue," "expand," "advance," "develop" "believes," "guidance," "target," "may," "remain," "project," "outlook," "intend," "estimate," "could," "should," and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: Eightco's ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq's continued listing requirements; unexpected costs, charges or expenses that reduce Eightco's capital resources; Eightco's inability to raise adequate capital to fund its business; Eightco's inability to innovate and attract users for Eightco's products; future legislation and rulemaking negatively impacting digital assets; and shifting public and governmental positions on digital asset mining activity. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause Eightco's actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, see Eightco's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Eightco undertakes no duty to update this information or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.

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SOURCE Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS)

FAQ

What is the Futurum ORBS Trust and Authentication Platform (FOTAP) announced by Eightco (ORBS)?

FOTAP is a joint platform combining ORBS authentication infrastructure and Futurum market datasets to deliver Quantitative Trust Scores (0-100), vendor rankings, trend analysis, and risk alerts for AI vendors.

When will FOTAP be available to enterprises and investors for ORBS (NASDAQ: ORBS)?

Beta testing begins in Q2 2026 with general availability planned for Q4 2026.

Which vendors and datasets will FOTAP use in its trust scoring for ORBS partners?

FOTAP will leverage Futurum's proprietary datasets covering vendor usage, market share, customer satisfaction, and capabilities across major providers including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, OpenAI, Anthropic, IBM, Oracle, Snowflake and emerging vendors.

How will FOTAP publish and update ORBS trust scores for AI vendors?

Vendor trust scores will be published publicly on a quarterly basis, with ongoing trend analysis and risk alerts for changes in trust metrics.

Who can subscribe to the Futurum ORBS Trust service (ORBS) and what is the business model?

The platform will be accessible by subscription to enterprises, investors, and policymakers, while vendors may pay for certification and visibility.