Safe Harbor (NASDAQ: SHFS) unveils cannabis-focused 401(k) plan

Filing Impact

(High)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

SHF Holdings, Inc., doing business as Safe Harbor, announced the launch of the Safe Harbor Retirement Plan, a pooled employer 401(k) plan built specifically for state-legal cannabis businesses and companies that serve them. The plan aims to give cannabis employers and employees more stable, compliant access to retirement benefits, using collective investment trusts structured to fit applicable laws.

This new retirement offering broadens Safe Harbor’s financial solutions platform, which already includes employee banking and payroll and HR support through acquired and partnered providers. The first adopting employer is Safe Harbor itself. The company notes it has facilitated more than $35.4 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories through its Cannabis Banking Solutions platform and partner financial institutions.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

Par value per share: $0.0001 per share Warrant exercise price: $230.00 per share Facilitated transactions: $35.4 billion +2 more

5 metrics

Par value per share $0.0001 per share Class A Common Stock par value

Warrant exercise price $230.00 per share Redeemable warrants exercisable for Class A Common Stock

Facilitated transactions $35.4 billion Cannabis-related transactions facilitated across states and territories

Geographic reach 41 states and territories Coverage of Safe Harbor’s cannabis-related financial activity

Filing date April 21, 2026 Date of 8-K and press release about retirement plan launch

Key Terms

pooled employer 401(k) plan, collective investment trusts, emerging growth company, equity line of credit (ELOC), +2 more

6 terms

pooled employer 401(k) plan financial

"the launch of the Safe Harbor Retirement Plan, a pooled employer 401(k) plan designed specifically for state-legal cannabis businesses"

collective investment trusts financial

"utilizes collective investment trusts structured to support participation by cannabis-related businesses"

Collective investment trusts are pooled investment funds run by banks or trust companies for workplace retirement plans and other qualified accounts; think of them like a shared shopping cart where many investors combine money to buy a mix of stocks or bonds. They matter to investors because they often charge lower fees and are designed for long-term retirement use, which can improve net returns and affect the cost, liquidity and transparency of retirement savings.

emerging growth company regulatory

"Emerging growth company"

An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.

equity line of credit (ELOC) financial

"Safe Harbor’s ability to satisfy the required conditions to utilize its equity line of credit (the “ELOC”)"

An equity line of credit (ELOC) is a flexible financing agreement that lets a company draw cash over time by issuing new shares to a lender or investor up to a preset limit. It works like a credit line or charge card for cash needs, but payment comes in the form of additional stock rather than loan principal. Investors should care because it provides quick liquidity for the company but can dilute existing shareholders and affect share price and ownership over time.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"Certain information contained in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements”"

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

Cannabis Banking Solutions™ Platform financial

"Through its proprietary Cannabis Banking Solutions™ Platform and network of regulated financial institution partners"

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

04/21/2026 - 08:15 AM

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): April 21, 2026

SHF Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

001-40524

86-2409612

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1526 Cole Blvd., Suite 250

Golden, Colorado 80401

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (303) 431-3435

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the 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 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	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 Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share	SHFS	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $230.00 per share	SHFSW	The 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 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☒

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. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On April 21, 2026, SHF Holdings, Inc. issued a press release announcing the launch of the Safe Harbor Retirement Plan, a pooled employer 401(k) plan designed specifically for state-legal cannabis businesses and the companies that serve them.

A copy of the press release announcing the launch is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release dated April 21, 2026
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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.

	SHF HOLDINGS, INC.

Date: April 21, 2026	By:	/s/ Terrance Mendez
		Terrance Mendez
		Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Safe Harbor Introduces 401(k) Plan Built for Cannabis Employers

New Safe Harbor Retirement Plan Helps Enable Cannabis Operators to Offer Stable, Compliant Retirement Benefits with Greater Continuity for Employees

DENVER (April 21, 2026) — SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor (the “Company” or “Safe Harbor”) (NASDAQ: SHFS), a leading fintech platform serving the banking, lending, and financial services needs of the regulated cannabis and hemp industries, today announced the launch of the Safe Harbor Retirement Plan, a pooled employer 401(k) plan designed specifically for state-legal cannabis businesses and the companies that serve them.

The plan provides access to a broad 401(k) investment portfolio and utilizes collective investment trusts structured to support participation by cannabis-related businesses within a framework that is intended to be compliant with applicable laws.

Solving a Longstanding Market Gap

Many traditional 401(k) providers are not structured to support cannabis-related businesses, creating uncertainty for employers and employees alike.

In some cases, cannabis businesses have experienced sudden plan terminations or service disruptions with limited notice. In certain situations, this can result in early withdrawal penalties and tax implications for participants, depending on individual circumstances and applicable regulations.

The Safe Harbor Retirement Plan is designed to provide a more durable path forward for the employees and employers impacted by these issues. The plan is structured to support cannabis-related businesses directly, helping reduce the risk of disruption and supporting long-term continuity for employers and employees.

Expanding The Safe Harbor Financial Solutions Platform

The Retirement Plan launch represents an important step in Safe Harbor’s continued expansion into a broader financial solutions platform for the cannabis industry.

Safe Harbor has built infrastructure to support the full employee financial lifecycle for cannabis operators:

Employee Banking - Safe Harbor offers compliant banking solutions that give cannabis employees access to stable personal banking services.

Payroll & HR - Through the acquisition of 420 IT Solutions and partnerships with cannabis-focused payroll providers, Safe Harbor supports core workforce operations.

Retirement - The Safe Harbor Retirement Plan adds long-term savings infrastructure, extending support beyond day-to-day operations into financial stability for employees.

The plan is designed to support a wide range of participants. Operators with both cannabis and non-cannabis businesses can enroll employees across entities under a single plan. Companies that serve or invest in cannabis businesses may also participate, expanding access to compliant retirement solutions.

The first adopting member is our own company, Safe Harbor.

“For years, cannabis operators have tried to offer retirement benefits to their employees while navigating uncertainty around plan stability,” said Terry Mendez, CEO of Safe Harbor. “This solution is designed to provide a more consistent path forward. It reflects the same approach we’ve taken across banking and financial services, building infrastructure that aligns with the realities of this industry and supports the people behind it.”

This offering extends Safe Harbor’s broader platform of financial solutions for the cannabis industry, supporting how businesses bank, borrow, operate, and grow.

For multi-state operators, single-state operators, cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers managing employee bases across multiple jurisdictions, access to compliant retirement infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important part of workforce support and retention.

Additional information is available at https://shfinancial.org/retirement-solutions-401k.

About Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor is a cannabis-exclusive financial platform delivering smarter banking, lending, payments and business services tailored to how the cannabis industry actually operates. As one of the original pioneers of compliant financial operations support and cannabis banking consulting in the U.S., Safe Harbor has facilitated more than $35.4 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories. Through its proprietary Cannabis Banking Solutions™ Platform and network of regulated financial institution partners, Safe Harbor empowers cannabis operators to gain clarity, control and confidence in their financial operations. From daily banking to long-term growth, Safe Harbor provides real solutions and personal support — built exclusively for cannabis. Safe Harbor is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our partner financial institutions. For more information, visit shfinancial.org.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain information contained in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included herein may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Safe Harbor’s ability to satisfy the required conditions to utilize its equity line of credit (the “ELOC”); market conditions that may impact Safe Harbor’s ability to access the ELOC on acceptable terms or at all; the possibility that the ELOC may not be fully utilized; expected use of proceeds from the ELOC; trends in the cannabis industry, including proposed changes in U.S and state laws, rules, regulations and guidance relating to Safe Harbor’s services; Safe Harbor’s growth prospects and Safe Harbor’s market size; Safe Harbor’s projected financial and operational performance, including relative to its competitors and historical performance; success or viability of new product and service offerings Safe Harbor has introduced or may introduce in the future; the impact volatility in the capital markets, which may adversely affect the price of Safe Harbor’s securities; the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be brought by or against Safe Harbor; and other statements regarding Safe Harbor’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Safe Harbor’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Safe Harbor undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Safe Harbor Investor Relations Contact:

ir@SHFinancial.org

Safe Harbor Media Relations Contact:

safeharbor@kcsa.com

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What did SHFS announce in its latest 8-K filing?

SHF Holdings, Inc. announced the launch of the Safe Harbor Retirement Plan, a pooled employer 401(k) plan tailored to state-legal cannabis businesses. It is designed to offer more stable, compliant retirement benefits to cannabis employers and employees who have faced plan disruptions with traditional providers.

How is the Safe Harbor Retirement Plan designed for cannabis employers?

The Safe Harbor Retirement Plan is structured specifically for cannabis-related businesses and companies that serve them. It uses collective investment trusts built to support participation within a framework intended to comply with applicable laws, aiming to reduce disruption risk and improve continuity of retirement benefits.

What broader platform does SHFS (SHFS) say this 401(k) plan supports?

Safe Harbor states the Retirement Plan expands its broader financial solutions platform for the cannabis industry. That platform spans employee banking, payroll and HR support through acquisitions and partnerships, and now long-term retirement savings infrastructure aimed at the full employee financial lifecycle.

Who can participate in the Safe Harbor Retirement Plan launched by SHFS?

The plan can support operators with both cannabis and non-cannabis businesses, allowing employees across entities to enroll under a single plan. Companies that serve or invest in cannabis businesses may also participate, broadening access to compliant retirement benefits within the cannabis ecosystem.

What experience does SHFS highlight to support its new retirement solution?

Safe Harbor notes it has facilitated more than $35.4 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories. Through its Cannabis Banking Solutions platform and partner financial institutions, it positions itself as an early pioneer in compliant financial operations support for cannabis businesses.

What risks or uncertainties does SHFS mention in connection with this announcement?

Safe Harbor includes a forward-looking statements disclaimer noting risks such as industry trends, changes in laws and regulations, market conditions, capital markets volatility, potential legal proceedings, and the success or viability of new product and service offerings the company has introduced or may introduce.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

EX-99.1 EX-99.1 22.4 KB