STOCK TITAN

IP Strategy (NASDAQ: CASK) okays buyback of up to 1M shares

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

IP Strategy Holdings, Inc. announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program allowing the company to buy back up to 1 million shares of common stock through December 31, 2026. As of February 18, 2026, the company had 10,259,226 shares outstanding, so full execution would retire nearly 10% of its shares.

The company holds 53.2 million $IP tokens tied to the Story blockchain and is shifting validator operations from self-custody to third-party custody, which it expects will increase related yield to 10% or more annually for 2026. Management links the buyback, expected higher validator yield, and previously announced 2026 cost-reduction plans to strong confidence in its long-term strategy.

Positive

  • Material share repurchase authorization: Board approval to buy back up to 1 million shares through December 31, 2026 represents nearly 10% of the 10,259,226 shares outstanding, signaling confidence and potential earnings-per-share support if executed.
  • Validator yield uplift goal: Transitioning $IP token validator operations to third-party custody is expected by the company to increase related yield to 10% or more annually in 2026, enhancing projected recurring revenue.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

A nearly 10% authorized buyback signals management’s confidence and tighter share supply.

IP Strategy has cleared a program to repurchase up to 1 million shares of common stock by December 31, 2026. With 10,259,226 shares outstanding as of February 18, 2026, full use would remove nearly 10% of shares, concentrating future earnings over fewer shares.

The company highlights its 53.2 million $IP tokens and a move to third-party custodied validator work, which it expects will lift related yield to 10% or more annually in 2026. Coupled with cost-reduction plans, this creates a narrative of improved cash generation supporting repurchases.

Actual impact depends on how many shares are repurchased, prices paid in open-market or negotiated deals, and the realized validator yields during 2026. Subsequent periodic reports will show execution progress on buybacks, validator economics, and cost savings.

FALSE000178823000017882302026-02-192026-02-19

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) February 19, 2026
IP STRATEGY HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware001-4241183-4558219
(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
9668 Bujacich Road
Gig Harbor, Washington
98332
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(zip code)
(253) 509-0008
(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 registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement 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 classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per shareIPSTThe 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 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company x
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. o



Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 19, 2026, IP Strategy Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that the board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program whereby the Company may buy back up to 1 million shares of its outstanding shares of common stock through December 31, 2026. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information disclosed under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.Description
99.1
Press Release dated February 19, 2026
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
2


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 19, 2026IP STRATEGY HOLDINGS, INC.
By:/s/ Justin Stiefel
Justin Stiefel
Chief Executive Officer
3

Exhibit 99.1
IP Strategy Announces Share Repurchase Program of Up To 1 Million Shares
GIG HARBOR, Wash., February 19, 2026 – IP Strategy Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: IPST) (the “Company” or “IP Strategy”), the first company to adopt a treasury reserve policy centered on the $IP token, today announced the board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program whereby the Company may buy back up to 1 million shares of its outstanding shares of common stock through December 31, 2026.
As of February 18, 2026, IP Strategy had 10,259,226 shares of its common stock outstanding. Assuming the full execution of buying back 1 million shares, this would constitute a nearly 10% reduction in the number of outstanding shares of the Company. The Company may acquire shares through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including through a Rule 10b5-1 plan, at the discretion of management and on terms that management determines to be advisable.
IP Strategy is the largest independent owner of $IP tokens – the native token of the Story Layer 1 blockchain – with a current holding of 53.2 million tokens. The Company also recently began the transition from self-custodied validator work to third-party custodied validator work, a move which is expected to effectively double its related yield to 10% or more annually for 2026.
"The Board’s decision to authorize a share repurchase program reflects its belief that the market does not currently take into account the inherent value of our 53.2 million $IP tokens, nor the growth in higher-margin recurring revenue anticipated in 2026 from the transition to third-party custodied validator services,” said Justin Stiefel, Chief Executive Officer of IP Strategy. “When combined with the previously-announced streamlining and cost reduction plans for 2026, the implementation of a share repurchase program at this time reflects a very high degree of confidence in our long-term strategy and growth potential."
About IP Strategy
IP Strategy Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: IPST) is the first Nasdaq-listed company to hold $IP tokens as a primary reserve asset and operate a validator for the Story Protocol. The Company provides public market investors broad exposure to the $80 trillion programmable intellectual property economy in a regulated equity format. IP Strategy’s treasury reserve of $IP tokens provides direct participation in the Story ecosystem, which enables on-chain registration, licensing, and monetization of intellectual property.
About Story
Story is the AI-native blockchain network powering the $IP token and making intellectual property programmable, traceable, and monetizable in real time. Backed by $136 million from a16z crypto, Polychain Capital, and Samsung Ventures, Story launched its mainnet in February 2025 and has rapidly become a leading infrastructure for tokenized intellectual property. Story allows creators and enterprises to turn media, data, and AI-generated content into legally enforceable digital assets with embedded rights, enabling automated licensing and new markets for intellectual property across AI and entertainment.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “seeks,” “will,” and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company’s adoption of a share repurchase program and the number and percentage of outstanding shares it may repurchase, the timing of the implementation of the Company’s share repurchase program, the shift to third-party custody of its $IP tokens, the expected increased yield from the Company’s validator operations, and the effectiveness of the Company’s proposed cost-saving measures.
Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on IP Strategy’s current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to the volatility of the Company’s common stock and any correlation between the Company’s stock price and the price of $IP tokens, the legal, commercial, regulatory and technical



uncertainty regarding digital assets generally, and expectations with respect to future performance and growth. These and other risks concerning IP Strategy’s programs and operations are described in additional detail in its registration statement on Form S-1 initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 26, 2025, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed on October 16, 2025, Amendment No. 2 filed on December 12, 2025 and Amendment No. 3 filed on December 19, 2025, its latest annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and any other subsequent filings with the SEC. IP Strategy explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.
Investor Contact
(800) 595-3550
ir@ipstrategy.co

FAQ

What share repurchase program did CASK’s IP Strategy Holdings announce?

IP Strategy’s board authorized a share repurchase program for up to 1 million shares of common stock through December 31, 2026. This capacity, if fully used, would retire nearly 10% of the 10,259,226 shares outstanding as of February 18, 2026.

How significant is IP Strategy’s buyback authorization for CASK shareholders?

The authorization covers up to 1 million shares, nearly 10% of shares outstanding. If the company completes the full program, remaining shareholders would own a larger slice of future earnings, assuming business performance and capital levels remain supportive.

How many $IP tokens does IP Strategy (CASK) hold and why is this important?

IP Strategy holds 53.2 million $IP tokens, the native token of the Story blockchain. Management believes the market underappreciates this treasury reserve, viewing it as a key asset supporting confidence behind the buyback and the company’s long-term blockchain-focused strategy.

What yield does IP Strategy expect from its validator operations in 2026?

After shifting from self-custodied to third-party custodied validator work, IP Strategy expects validator-related yield of 10% or more annually for 2026. This anticipated higher-margin recurring revenue is cited as part of the financial backdrop for the authorized share repurchase.

How does the buyback align with IP Strategy’s 2026 cost-reduction plans?

Management pairs the buyback with previously announced 2026 streamlining and cost-reduction initiatives. Together with higher expected validator yield, these measures are presented as reinforcing the board’s high degree of confidence in the company’s long-term strategy and growth potential.

Through what methods can IP Strategy repurchase CASK shares under this program?

The company may acquire shares via open-market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Management will determine specific timing, pricing, and volume, providing flexibility to execute repurchases under varying market conditions through December 31, 2026.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents
Heritage Distilling Holding Company, Inc

NASDAQ:IPST

IPST Rankings

IPST Latest News

IPST Latest SEC Filings

IPST Stock Data

7.60M
9.26M
Beverages
GIG HARBOR